Swing Manouche @ Central Bar, Gateshead - July 6

Martin Winning (clarinet); Mick Shoulder (guitar); Dave Smith (rhythm guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass)

The Tyne Bridge down to one lane in either direction, traffic flow restrictions in place at the Tyne Tunnel, the Redheugh Bridge closed by the police due to an ongoing incident and a 10K road race affecting traffic in and out of Gateshead and Newcastle. A typical gridlock Sunday here on Tyneside!

Three members of Mick Shoulder's Swing Manouche managed to get to Half Moon Lane ahead of the advertised one o'clock start, a fourth endured a journey of some two hours (a journey usually taking 25 minutes), arriving with little time to spare. Audience members struggled to get to Central Bar, some arriving late, some failing to arrive at all. The decision was taken to delay the start of this afternoon's concert. 

At twenty minutes past the hour our manouche quartet decided to make a start. Douce Ambience set the standard - and what a standard! A swift Caesar's Song, Django's Swing 42, tried and tested numbers all, a fine first set, appreciated by an understandably select crowd.   

Second set, audience numbers boosted by one thanks to the perseverance of one determined soul to get to Central Bar come hell, high water or traffic jams, Swing Manouche resumed where they left off, ie playing as if of genuine manouche stock. Martin Winning's clarinet generated much excitement, of late Mick Shoulder's guitar playing seems to have moved up a level or two and the rhythm boys - Dave Smith and Paul Grainger - offered dead-eyed support. Marvellous. Danse Norvégienne, Djangology, Oui and more, despite the travel difficulties, this Sunday afternoon gig rewarded those who did manage to get to Half Moon Lane. Going out on Martin Winning's party piece - Dark Eyes - confirmed that it'll be well worth catching Swing Manouche at Blaydon Jazz Club next month (Monday 18 August, 8:00pm). Russell