Joe Steels (guitar); Ben Lawrence (piano, Fender Rhodes); Andy Champion (double bass); John Hirst (drums)
A Blue Patch has been occupying guitarist Joe Steels' time and this Sunderland Minster concert was the latest, and final, date touring the new album across the north of England and beyond. Steels the composer, and three of the finest, pianist Ben Lawrence, bassist Andy Champion and drummer John Hirst, playing their individual and collective parts helped realise the bandleader's musical vision.
Sunderland Minster is a vast stone built structure and in less capable hands could prove problematic in producing a clean, audible sound. No such worries this Friday evening, the sensitivity of all four musicians was nothing short of admirable. A Blue Patch (the title track), Round the Block (two titles referencing time and location), alongside two contrasting compositions -Between the Stars' expansive, wonderous landscape and the searing post-bop blowout Witching Hour - made for an evening of excellent contemporary jazz. Russell
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