Time flies. Was it really four, perhaps five years ago, when we first heard Sam Toulson and the Ho brothers, that's Edgar Ho & Oscar Ho? The Black Swan jam session in the basement of Newcastle Arts Centre is home to a twice monthly jam session and that's where, one night, these guys walked in.
One soon-to-be medical student and two music students sat in and made an instant impact. Alto saxophonist Sam blew the roof off the joint. Think Alan Barnes, Dan Garel and, latterly, Luis Verde, that's where Sam was coming from, absolutely searing hard bop alto sax. Pianist Edgar could play, big time. And double bassist Oscar was right there, in the pocket. In their late teens, how could they play like this? Amazing!
More or less instant gig offers were put down on a beer-stained table. Newcastle Jazz Co-op the first to accommodate, that was January 2022. Autumn 2023, the trio, plus drummer Ansel Bayly, tore it up at a Lit & Phil lunchtime concert and, later the same day, did the exact same thing down at Opus 4 Jazz Club in Darlington.
The trio's studies - medical and musical - would soon curtail their appearances on Tyneside, with only an occasional sighting at the Black Swan jam session. Now Sam, Edgar and Oscar are to return to 67 Westgate Road to play a trio gig. The date...Thursday 25th June, the time, 7:30pm, admission, free. Yes, free admission! Forget the World Cup for one night and head down to the Black Swan for what's sure to be a six nowt gig! Russell
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