Paul Skerritt Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead - Apr. 11

Paul Skerritt (vocals); Stuart McLean-Fowler (MD); Paul Skerritt (vocals); Dan Johnson, Kim Skerritt, Sue Ferris, Josh Bentham, Niall Armstrong (reeds); Sam Armstrong, Benny Coxon, Dave Hignett, Michael Lamb (trumpets); Kieran Parnaby, Alex Utting, Laura Davison; Chris Gray (trombones); Jeremy McMurray (keyboards); Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar); Jamie Watkins (double bass); Dave McKeague (drums) + Ruth Stapleton (vocals)

The Glasshouse. Hall Two. The first two tiers sold out. The Paul Skerritt Big Band, with the Main Man waiting in the wings, opened with Big Swing Face. The casual punter could be forgiven for thinking they were in for an evening of straight ahead big band jazz. Enter the Main Man...

Mr Paul Skerritt likes to have a good time and he all but insists you should have a good time too. From the off, the wisecracks came thick and fast. Skerritt is your ideal 'Rat Pack' entertainer. Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and Curtis Stigers were but three names Skerritt happily namechecked. Witty repartee ensued, whether between the Main Man and his audience or the Main Man and his band. Sitting/hiding in the trombone section, Kieran Parnaby was frequently on the end of Skerritt's barbs. Mind you, Parnaby gave as good as he got!

 

Paul Skerritt Band @ Ashington Jazz Club - April 4

Paul Skerritt (vocals); James Harrison (piano); Anth Ord (bass); Tom Chapman (drums)

(Review by Russell) 

It was a rainy night in mid-Northumberland as the Paul Skerritt Band returned to Ashington Jazz Club some thirteen months on from a successful appearance at the Elephant public house. Jazz fans in this part of the world like Paul Skerritt and the boys and nonstop rain wasn’t to deter them.

The upstairs room of the Newbiggin Road hostelry filled up nicely as vocalist Paul Skerritt took to the stage right on time. Skerritt’s professional approach is part of the package and with his fellow musicians booted and suited a poignant opening number, What a Wonderful World, remembered two stalwarts of the regional jazz scene –  Ashington Jazz Club’s co-founder Bill Stafford and the highly respected multi-reedsman Derek Fleck who performed at the club on many occasions. 

Paul Skerritt Big Band @ The Westovian Theatre, South Shields - Nov. 22

Paul Skerritt (vocals); Dan Johnson, Alan Marshall, Kim Skerritt, Josh Bentham, Niall Armstrong (reeds); Sam Armstrong, Benny Coxon, Dave Hignett, Michael Lamb (trumpets); Kieran Parnaby, Eddie Bellis, Alex Utting, Chris Gray (trombones); Stu Collingwood (keyboards); Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar); Jamie Watkins (bass); John Bradford (drums); Stuart Fowler (MD)

It's become an annual thing. Hire a local venue, promote a concert featuring many of the region's familiar A-listers, an audience materialises and the man has got himself a big band gig. The Westovian Theatre is local to 'the man', that's vocalist Mr Paul Skerritt. At a little after half past seven, the Paul Skerritt Big Band hit the stage. 

It's not quite the season to be jolly, however, this evening on Pier Parade signalled the start of the festivities. A bundle of energy is Mr Skerritt, How do you do? enquired Mr S, I've got you under my skin - you knew it was coming, Kieran Parnaby giving it the Milt Bernhart treatment It works every time!

James Harrison & Paul Skerritt @ Jazz Cafe Mezzanine - May 8

James Harrison (piano); Paul Skerritt (vocals)

What to do on a wet Wednesday afternoon? Watch the telly? Go to the pub? How about an entertaining couple of hours listening to two of our finest entertainers? They play every kind of gig - jazz club (Huddersfield this evening), festival, function engagement, corporate booking - and the one constant is supreme professionalism, that's James Harrison and Paul Skerritt. 

Preview: Paul Skerritt Big Band (Gateshead's Glasshouse - Friday 25th)

Tomorrow night (Friday April 25) Paul Skerritt's all-star seventeen piece big band returns to the Glasshouse, Gateshead. From an intimate jazz club engagement to the concert hall stage, vocalist Paul guarantees entertainment, big style! The Westovian Theatre in South Shields first presented Paul as a big band singer with the Danny Miller Big Band. Now fronting his own big band - the Paul Skerritt Big Band - all the indications are that tomorrow night's show in Hall 2 at the Glasshouse is going to be packed to the rafters. At the time of writing, only four seats are available on level 1, there is just one seat left on level 2 (flying solo?) and a handful up on level 3.

Bennett, Darin, Sinatra, Skerritt and more, book now for the Paul Skerritt Big Band. www.theglasshouseicm.org. Russell

Paul Skerritt @ the Lit & Phil - March 21

© Patti

Paul Skerritt (vocals); Ben Phillips (piano); Jamie  Watkins (bass guitar); John Bradford (drums)

Swing singers are a dying breed - good ones that is, there are plenty of the other variety. Fortunately, Paul Skerritt is far removed from that 'other variety' as the Lit & Phil audience discovered to their delight this sunny afternoon.

Opening up with Don't Get Around Much Anymore he hit the deck running. The voice, the stagecraft and cool phrasing were all there. As well as the voice, I also judge a singer by what he does with his hands and our boy scored in that department.

There's a line in The Way You Look Tonight that always grabs me: Keep that breathless charm could almost describe a Skerritt vocal!

Jam session @ The Dun Cow - August 7

(Review by Russell)

On Tuesday evening, for no good reason, it was the 'Old Peculier' jam session. This evening's monthly Dun Cow jam session could be called the 'Rivet Catcher' session if, for no other reason, to draw attention to the pub's new real ale loyalty card scheme - the discount card is no more, in its place is a stamper card. As the card was being stamped, the house trio opened with Lady Be Good. 

Basie, bossa, the trio - the ebullient Mr James Harrison, the man who has a beer named after him, Mr Paul Grainger, and the quiet man behind the traps, Mr Tom Chapman - laid down the foundations for a cracking first Wednesday in the month session in Brandling Village. Mr PG invited the first of the brass men to join the trio on a couple of numbers. Ray Johnson suggested Dizzy's Tour de Force. Our trumpeter played it his own sweet way, switching to flugelhorn for a terrific take on Oliver Nelson's masterpiece Stolen Moments. The breathing alone on this one looks difficult yet RJ expertly negotiated his way through the tune's many twists and turns. 

Paul Skerritt Big Band @ Pilgrim - August 10

Paul Skerritt (vocals); Tom Rushton, Benny Coxon, Sara James, Sam Armstrong (trumpets); Chris Gray, Chris Kurgi-Smith, Ben Haslam, Alex Utting (trombones); Dan Johnson, Jamie Toms, Sue Ferris, Alan Marshall, Niall Armstrong (reeds); Jeremy McMurray (keys); Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (bass guitar); John Bradford (drums); Stuart McLean Fowler (M.D.)

Pilgrim was jumpin'. Even before the debonaire Paul Skerritt launched his respectful tributes to Sinatra, Bennett, Darin, Dean and others, the 17 piece ensemble under the virtual baton of M.D. Stuart Fowler had got the room primed for the entrance of Mr. P.S. with a swinger of a ring-a-ding-dinger Basie style number with a tasty tenor solo from Sue Ferris of whom more would be heard later.

Paul Skerritt Band @ the Cherry Tree May 12

Paul Skerritt (vcl); James Harrison (pno); Anth Ord (bs); Tom Chapman (dms).

(Review by John T).

When we walked through the door of the Cherry Tree last night we thought it was the band from last Thursday @ the Lit & Phil. On closer examination of course it wasn’t Lindsay Hannon Plus - it was them Minus i.e. John Pope and Lindsay who were replaced by Anth and Paul! This was the second visit of the Paul Skerritt Band to this venue. What a fantastic young male vocalist & his trio from Teesside. Something new for Tyneside, till now the land has been ruled by young female vocalists.

Jazz Café Jam Session - May 1.

(Review by Lance)

With James Harrison on keyboards, I knew this would be no ordinary jam and it wasn't! Young 'Jack-in-a-Box' is guaranteed to enliven any gathering - sometimes to excess - and this was no exception.

Bourbon St. Parade was an unlikely opener with James ripping through the traditional New Orleans flag-waver like as though he was in a bar off Congo Square. Russ Morgan kept up the Red Beans and Rice flavour with some parade drumming whilst a bemused Paul Grainger played all the right notes in all the right places.

In a Mellow Tone and the seemingly obligatory bossa nova (Summer Samba aka So Nice) followed before it was time to start the jam session proper!

Bonfire Night @ The Black Swan - Nov. 5

Stu Collingwood (piano, vocals); Paul Grainger (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums) + Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Kate O'Niell (vocals); Edgar Bell (trumpet); Lara Hopper (trumpet); Dan Potter (drums); Ian Drever (vocals); Olly Styles (tenor sax); Alec Gamble (guitar); Bailey Rudd (drums); Esther Coombes (clarinet, alto sax); Owen Jones (double bass); Hannah ? (vocals);  Darius Oraee (vocals); Jamie Watkins (double bass); Robert Johnson (alto sax); Andrew ? (cornet); Paul Skerritt (vocals); ? (drums); Jack ? (drums)  

Bonfire Night. It could only be a banger, couldn't it? The house trio - Stu Collingwood, Paul Grainger and Abbie Finn - lit the blue touchpaper with a slow-burning Days of Wine and Roses. In a Mellotone with a Collingwood vocal and a Latin feel Night and Day augured well. Eddie Harris' Freedom Dance brought tenor saxophonist Harry Keeble to the floor. Staying on to play Oleo, Keeble's soulmate Abbie Finn sketched out the melody. Impressive.

Paul Skerritt & James Harrison @ The Jazz Café - October 11

Paul Skerritt (vocals) & James Harrison (piano, keyboards, accordion)

(Review by Russell)

Jazz Café favourites Paul Skerritt and James Harrison made a return visit to Newcastle's Pink Lane venue following their successful appearance during the long hot days of summer. The duo has established a simple, winning formula - Skerritt chooses a favourite tune, then Harrison makes a selection - and they stick to it. 

Witty repartee is part of the act with the duo having a laugh, poking fun at one another, laughing at themselves and, importantly, interacting with the audience. The latter quality isn't a universal trait and perhaps some other gigging musicians could take a leaf out of their book. 

Paul Skerritt Band @ Cherry Tree. April 21.

Paul Skerritt (vcl); James Harrison (pno); Anth Ord (bs); Tom Chapman (dms).
(Review by Lance).

The tables weren't empty, the dance floor wasn't deserted and Paul Skerritt didn't sing Learnin' The Blues although he did croon plenty other classics from the Sinatra Songbook.

Like the opener, I've Got You Under my Skin followed by Witchcraft. I don't know if the chef dabbles in the occult but my opener of Pan seared breast of wood pigeon, raspberry vinaigrette and baby salad certainly had the edge on Eye of Newt - out of this world (as indeed was the unfortunate wood pigeon.). The Way You Look Tonight, If I Had You, My Funny Valentine, Fly me to the Moon, Ain't no Sunshine, I Get a Kick Out of You and Let There be Love. A line from this latter number could have been, Let there be char-grilled bistro rump, peppercorn butter, traditional steak garnish and, of course, fries.

The set closed with Fry me a Liver.

CD Review: Paul Skerritt Band

Paul Skerritt (vocals); James Harrison (piano/keys); Anthony Ord (bass); Thomas Chapman (drums) + (on various tracks) Danny Allan, Will Howard, Josh Bentham (sax); Michael Lamb (trumpet); David Gray (trombone)

(Review by Lance).

Paul Skerritt is a 100% vocalist. If a song's worth singing he sings it without cheating. Of course, those who've heard/seen him at gigs or jams know this already. He's Sinatra, Bennett and Bublé it's true, but he's also his own man and very much able to put his stamp on some more newer material. On this compactly packed album, he does just that with Taylor Swift's Shake it Off . It's a hoot, with Harrison playing stride/ragtime piano as if he'd been born in Harlem!

The Paul Skerritt Big Band @ the Westovian Theatre, South Shields - Nov. 23

© Patti

Paul Skerritt (vocals); Dan Johnson, Sue Ferris, Kim Skerritt, Josh Bentham, Niall Armstrong (reeds); Toby Donnelly, Dave Hignett, Graham Hardy, Sam Armstrong (trumpets); Kieran Parnaby, Jason Holcomb, Alex Utting, Chris Gray (trombones); Jeremy McMurray (keys); Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (double bass); John Bradford (drums); Stuart Fowler (MD)

The last week or so has been a good one for lovers of the vocal art. From the subtle sensivity of Nicola Farnon and her excellent bass playing at the Lit & Phil, the full-on, in your face approach of Liane Carroll and her excellent piano playing at the Globe, to last night's show by the King of the Swingers Paul Skerritt and his excellent big band at South Shields' Westovian Theatre, it had been quite a week and a bit.

Paul Skerritt Big Band @ the Glasshouse - April 25

© Russell

Paul Skerritt (vocals); Stuart Fowler (MD); Dave Hignett, Michael Lamb, Sam Armstrong, Benny Coxon (trumpets); Conor Emery, Kieran Parnaby, Alex Utting, Chris Gray (trombones); Dan Johnson, Kim Skerritt, Sue Ferris, Jamie Toms, Niall Armstrong (reeds); Jeremy McMurray (keys); Mark Williams (guitar); Jamie Watkins (bass guitar); John Bradford (drums) 

Paul Skerritt's second appearance at the Glasshouse - it's becoming an annual fixture at the venue - was well-attended by an audience who were out to have fun. They were at the right place, at the right time, with the right performer to give then just that - fun!

This wasn't Gateshead, it was Vegas in its heyday with the Rat Pack compressed into one personality backed by a swinging big band.

Musicians Unlimited @ Dorman's Jazz Club, Middlesbrough - June 13

A wonderful night of music from this long established (35 years) award winning Hartlepool  big band led by saxophonist Mick Donnelly.

A great start was made with Oliver Nelson's Emancipation Blues, a slow subdued intro preceded the full big band sound and with an alto solo from Mark Toomey and trumpet from Bill Watson, it clearly showed the high standard of the musicians.

Jazz Café Jam Session - July 4

(Review by Lance).

Harrison, Grainger and Walker kicked things off with Sister Sadie and I said, "Brother, it can't get any better than this!"

Maybe it did, maybe it didn't, whatever, the quality remained, but the quantity multiplied. After a Wonderful version of For Once in my Life the jammers began to emerge. First up was a fiddling friend from my music shop past life - Andy Lawrenson who felt his way around Nature Boy before launching into a stunning After You've Gone. Lawrenson and Harrison seemed to be on the same wavelength and the sparks flew.

Ben Helm joined the group for All of Me playing a nice chordal solo that brought the likes of Carl Cress and Dick McDonough to mind. The number culminated with a series of fours that became twos between Walker and Harrison.

Preview: Paul Skerritt Big Band @ the Westovian Theatre, South Shields - Nov. 23

Only four weeks to go before fans of big band jazz and top quality swing singing turn South Shields' Ocean Rd. into Olympic/Wembley Way as they make their way down to the Westovian Theatre for the annual appearance at the Theatre by the Paul Skerritt Big Band on Nov. 23.

This will be the band's third concert at the venue on top of an excellent concert at the Glasshouse earlier this year.

However, this upcoming concert is different from the four previous ones inasmuch as, instead of the Danny Miller Big Band from across the Pennines, this time it's Paul's own big band comprising of top north east musicians handpicked by Paul himself. 

Another jam packed Black Swan jam session - April 16

It starts at seven thirty, doors at seven, it's going to be busy, let's get there for half past six. Turning into Newcastle Arts Centre's courtyard the queue was beginning to form. One whole hour before the down beat, what's going on? The Black Swan jam session is what you could call a success! 

This evening's house trio comprised guitar virtuoso Mr Bradley Johnston, jam session MC, Mr Paul Grainger and post-grad student drummer, Mr Bailey Rudd. Three numbers to set the ball rolling - Bird's Little Suede Shoes, Johnny Green's Body and Soul and Frank Loesser's I've Never Been in Love Before. Nicely warmed up, MC Grainger opened the floor. First up, Jan Spencelayh. Accompanied by John Rowland's tenor sax, Jan sang a classic - You Turned the Tables on Me. Excellent.