Jack Pearce (alto sax); Sam Hughes (guitar); Joe Frost (piano); Dan Sanderson (double bass); Scarlett Baxter (drums)
A second appearance at Newcastle Jazz Co-op for the Jack Pearce Quintet. Alumni of Leeds Conservatoire, alto saxophonist Pearce's five piece band included two 'newbies' in pianist Joe Frost and drummer Scarlett Baxter (the latter playing her second gig with band, most impressive!). A larger turn out than first time round suggested the word on the grapevine was Pearce and co were worth hearing.
As schooled musicians, it came as little surprise all five musicians were in possession of a cast iron technique. Across two sets, the amiable Pearce led from the front. From Norwegian Wood (it was in the set first time round) to Church Lane (another survivor from last year's set list), which will be the title track of Pearce's forthcoming album, to a new, untitled composition*, the Jack Pearce Quintet navigated a post-bop, contemporary landscape with consummate ease.
* Inviting the audience to suggest a title, a voice at the back of the room piped up 'Railway Street'. Pearce liked it. For now, Railway Street takes pride of place in the Jack Pearce songbook. Russell
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