Alex Clarke with the Dean Stockdale Trio @ Sunderland Minster - Feb. 20

© Ken Drew

Alex Clarke (alto sax); Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums) + Harry Keeble (tenor sax)

Earlier in the day, Alex Clarke was up the road in Newcastle and it made sense for all concerned that our alto saxophonist make the short trip to Sunderland to play a second gig of the day. The Old Black Cat Jazz Club was celebrating its second anniversary with a special concert presentation. The booking of one of the UK's busiest musicians, with the support of Sunderland Music City, would pay off in spades.     

Sunderland Minster is one of the region's bigger buildings and it was gratifying to see a large turn out for the award-winning Ms Clarke's first appearance on Wearside. A dj spinning jazz vinyl isn't what you might expect at a place like the Minster but that's exactly what we got. Volunteer run, as so many similar events are, the friendly 'congregation' (audience, photographers, videographers) generated a sense of community.

© Ken Drew

East of the Sun (and West of the Moon) opened the first of two sets, Clarke retaining the services of the trio which served her so well up on Tyneside - Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder and Abbie Finn. Considering the stone-built walls and high, vaulted ceiling, the acoustics were a little challenging. In this regard, drummer Abbie Finn demonstrated how to adapt to the surroundings. Exceptional musicianship.

I'll Remember April was on the set list at the lunchtime concert but, due to time constraints, it didn't make the cut. This evening Clarke and co took the opportunity to play it. The remainder of the set here on High Street West was exclusively for the Sunderland audience. Secret Love, taken at a quite a tempo, worked well and Richard Rodgers' My Romance contrasted nicely with Au Privave. All four musicians would solo at length during the evening, pianist Dean Stockdale pronouncing himself happy with the Minster's recently-acquired piano.

© Ken Drew

As the evening drew to a close, Clarke invited Harry Keeble to join her to play a couple of numbers. The now-quintet took a look at Without a Song (Clarke, alto, Keeble, tenor) and to close a most enjoyable evening, the two horns - and trio! - tore it up on Anthropology.

Next month's Old Black Cat Jazz Club concert (Friday 20 March) features the Joe Steels Group. Russell              

Set list: East of the Moon (and West of the Moon); Taking a Chance on Love; Secret Love; Darn That Dream; My Romance; Au Privave; It's Alright with Me; Gone with the Wind; I'll Remember April; Without a Song; Anthropology.