A stone's throw from King's Cross Railway Station, just off Gray's Inn Road, tucked away on St Chad's Place, stands Jamboree. On a Wednesday afternoon you can find TJ Johnson playing a few tunes, often with guests sitting in. All very casual, free admission too (be sure to tip TJ). This Thursday evening (admission in advance or on the door) Ewan Bleach was holding court, as he does every week.
The Cable Street Rag Band comprises a hardcore of musicians, plus whoever is available on the night. This evening, Bleach was able to call upon guitarist John Kelly, string bassist Harry Evans and the late-arriving Joplin Parnell (piano). All very casual (as with TJ Johnson), this is a dancer's gig. Bleach and his merry band played whatever they liked and the many dancing couples seemed to like it.
Second set, pianist Joplin Parnell arrived hotfoot from a lucrative early evening function gig. In all probability, Ewan Bleach has one hundred plus tunes in his head/at his fingertips. Some of them would feature in the second and third sets. A rip-roaring San, a measured Someday Sweetheart, the Cable Street Rag Band entertained the many dancers and those there to simply listen to the music.
Joplin Parnell, looking every bit the juke joint piano player, played with a nonchalance befitting the occasion - a crowded dance floor, beer flowing, a truly social occasion. Messrs Kelly and Evans (the latter a big hit at this year's Classic Jazz Party) formed a tremendous rhythm section, turning their hand(s) to whatever Bleach threw at them. It was five minutes to midnight, a jam session was about to take us into the early hours... Russell
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