New Century Syncopated Seven @ Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club - July 5

Jim McBriarty (alto sax, clarinet); Gavin Lee (tenor sax, clarinet); Dave Hignett (trumpet, cornet); Neville Hartley (trombone); Keith Stephen (banjo); Phil Rutherford (tuba); Nick Ward (drums)

The 'Syncopated Seven' is a seven piece band drawn from the ranks of the New Century Ragtime Orchestra. A new venture (the smaller band made its debut at Prohibition Bar as an even smaller combo - just the six of them), the band's special guest, from Birmingham, 'classic jazz' era percussionist Nick Ward, met up with his County Durham/Northumberland/Tyne and Wear based bandmates on Larchfield Street in good time for a half past twelve start.

The weather set fair, Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club's loyal following once again turned out in force. Teas, coffees and, for some, something a little stronger, the full house was ready and waiting. Right on time, the Syncopated Seven stomped off with Stomp Your Stuff. A blues - Close Fit Blues - hit the spot and it wasn't long before Jim McBriarty sang the first of many numbers, the ever-popular Memories of You.

Throughout the afternoon the frontline - McBriarty (alto sax, clarinet), Gavin Lee (tenor sax, clarinet), Dave Hignett (trumpet, cornet) and veteran 'boneman Neville Hartley - shared out the solos, ably supported by the ace rhythm section, comprising Keith Stephen (banjo), Phil Rutherford (tuba) and the aforementioned Brummie, Nick Ward. 

The set list featured several songs written by or associated with Clarence Williams, Benny Moten's South scored heavily, as did Long, Deep and Wide. McBriarty pretended to be Angry (D. Hignett solo) and the first set concluded with another J. McBriarty vocal feature on Man from the South.

The interval: a chat with him, him and her, then it was time to help supplement the jazz economy - yes, it was raffle time! Your correspondent can report a bottle of Rijoca made its way back to Tyneside (Hic! Hic! Hooray!) and when a second winning number was drawn out of the hat, BSH did the right thing saying: Put it back!

Second set: San (another J. McBriarty vocal number), Rumba Negro (Basie/Moten) featured solos across the frontline and from guest Nick Ward, the frontline took five to allow the rhythm section to shine on Russian Rag, and, from 1924, Jack Stanley's I Had Someone Else Before I Had You made for a varied programme. Dreaming the Hours Away (Clarence Williams and his Jazz Kings) put Gavin Lee in the spotlight, inviting comparison with Coleman Hawkins and to wrap up a(nother) fine session here at St Augustine's Parish Centre, the New Century Syncopated Seven were Harlem Bound.          

         

The New Century Syncopated Seven's next engagement finds the band at Blaydon Jazz Club on Monday 21 July (Black Bull, Bridge Street), 8:00pm start, £10.00. on the door. See you there! Russell