Sunday night @ the Globe: Gerry Richardson's Big Idea - Oct. 26

© Ken Drew

Gerry Richardson (Crumar Nova keyboard, vocals); Mark Webb, Dave Hignett (trumpet, flugel); David Gray (trombone); Garry Linsley (alto sax); Dan Johnson (tenor/soprano sax); Sue Ferris (baritone sax, flute); Rod Sinclair (Fender Telecaster); Paul Smith (drums)

Gerry Richardson's Big Idea don't surface very often - seven years since they were last sighted - but when they do they substantiate their standing as one of the major monuments of north east (and beyond) jazz and its offspring.

Few, if any of the audience that packed the Globe last night would disagree. Those hearing the band for the  first time were completely blown  away whilst those veteran campaigners who'd cut their teeth listening to the nine-piece way back when simply smiled and said smugly, "I told you so".

© Ken Drew

The wall of sound released by an organ led biggish band in a smallish room is truly something else. It's almost as if you're part of it. Aside from Gerry's blues-drenched funky vocals and the power of his Crumar keyboard which, to my ears, sounded pretty damn close to an actual B3 you had eight musicians going for broke. A couple of trumpet players whose range begins where that of a lesser player ends. One of the most individualistic trombonists this side of the Mississippi and a tenor/soprano saxist who should be seen and heard more often.

Then there's the outstanding Sue, as agile and adept on flute as she is on baritone sax. I recall the time she took Alan Barnes to a split decision on the latter instrument! On alto, Garry L as cool as ever ensured a degree of sanity prevailed alongside Rod, the Titan of the Telecaster, rockin' the blues as few others can.

© Patti

And finally, Paul Smith driving the bus above and beyond the speed limit, making sure nobody sleeps - as if anyone would on such a night!

The applause at the end suggested that turning out to hear the Big Idea was rather a good idea. Lance   

Stone Church; Blues For Big Red; Ska Odyssey; Abdullah's Brand New Bag;Turnaround Shuffle; Lady Day and John Coltrane; So Man Reasons; Money's Getting Cheaper; Another Dark One; I Think I'll Lay Waste to Myself Tonight; All About McGriff; African Sunset; Autumn in the Barrio; Night Train