Pete Tanton's Chet Set @ Central Bar, Gateshead - Mar. 1

© Russell

Pete Tanton (trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals); Alan Law (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums)

A full house. So much so, more chairs were commandeered from an adjoining room. Faces old and new, this would be one attentive audience, whoopin' and a hollerin' in all the right places.

The Chet Set was premiered at Central Bar and it was something of a homecoming for Pete Tanton's project here on Half Moon Lane. The quartet - Tanton, Alan Law, Mick Shoulder and John Bradford - plays Chet Baker, but not in a slavish way. Yes, it's unmistakably 'Chet' but these guys stamp their own sound on the material. 

Bandleader Tanton, from Alabama, but long since resident in the UK (it's only a matter of time before 'Honorary Geordie' status is conferred upon our trumpeter/vocalist), knows his stuff about Chesney Henry 'Chet' Baker. A potted history of his subject punctuated the many musical delights on offer. 

© Russell

From Old Devil Moon (Burton Lane/Yip Harburg) to the Gershwins' But Not for Me, to the teasing Jimmy Van Heusen/Johnny Burke number I Get Along Without You Very Well, Pete Tanton was in his element. Front of stage, lyrics from the memory bank, West Coast cool trumpet playing (occasional flugelhorn) to die for. 

A heart-wrenching You Don't Know What Love Is (Don Raye/Gene de Paul) to a carefree Let's Get Lost (Jimmy McHugh/Frank Loesser) the one hour first set couldn't be bettered.

The interval. The round table consensus was that it had been a terrific first set. A trip to the bar to replenish a glass and it was soon time for more from the Chet Set. 

The Gerry Mulligan end of Chet Baker's career resumed matters with the quintessentially West Coast cool Line for Lyons. Fabulous, lyrics to boot! Come Rain or Come Shine (Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer), the inevitable My Funny Valentine (Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart), the scheduled four o'clock finish was fast approaching. Pete/Chet asked the audience if the quartet could play a few more. No one, but no one, raised any objections.

Time After Time (Sammy Cahn/Jule Styne), a favourite number, declared Tanton, and we were just about done. Somehow or other, as an accompanist, pianist Alan Law always comes up with the right phrase, the right chord. This afternoon was no exception. 

Mick Shoulder is the most sympathetic of bass players. On Everything Happens to Me (Tom Adair/Matt Dennis) our man from Bishop Auckland produced the most sublime solo. A highlight, perhaps the highlight, of a wonderful afternoon. 

And that was about it. Except for the man at the back, the man who organises the Central Bar Jazz Club gigs. Metaphorically, never one to bang his own drum, take a bow Mr John Bradford. A drummer of exceptional taste, Bradford, alongside Tanton, Law and Shoulder, made this an afternoon to remember.

Next month's Central Bar gig (Sunday 5 April, 2:00pm) features the fine guitar duo of Tom Remon and Mark Williams. Russell