Sutherland Building, standing on the corner of Northumberland Road and College Street, is one of Northumbria University's more imposing buildings. The Great Hall dominates the first floor: high ceilings, ornate plaster features, a near walk-in size fireplace, yes, a quite impressive setting.
This afternoon's concert departed from the usual classical music programme. Guitarist James Birkett and violinist Emma Fisk would present their acclaimed Joe Venuti-Eddie Lang set. A large turn out - including one or two musicians of note - made for a sense of occasion. We would hear seven songs in a little over thirty five minutes.
Emma made the introductions, saying most of this afternoon's selections were recorded by the legendary American duo of Venuti and Lang between 1925 and 1928. Emma standing to our left, James seated to our right, Cheese and Crackers opened the set. Beautifully played, somehow we knew it would be! Emma took the time to place the numbers in context: recording dates, composers, compositions associated with the Blue Four arranged for duo performance etc.
Sweet Georgia Brown (the one tune everyone present knew), James' ballad Eddie's Lament (for Eddie Lang), a magical Someone to Watch Over Me (James' solo a thing of beauty) and to close, Edward Claypoole's 1915 rag, Raggin' the Scale. The region's jazz scene has more than a few top class musicians. James Birkett and Emma Fisk are, without question, top class. It had been a grand afternoon. Russell
Set list: Cheese and Crackers; Sunshine; Sweet Georgia Brown; Eddie's Lament; Kicking the Cat; Someone to Watch Over Me; Raggin' the Scale.
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