| gig reviews 2010 |
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| Jeff Barnhart / John Hallam - May |
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Jeff Barnhart (Pno/Vcls), John Hallam (Rds), Tony Sharp (Bs), Graham Smith (Dms) with Anne Barnhart (flute)
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Some time was spent beforehand deciding on the position of our splendid new banners. With ideas and advice coming from all directions, they were finally located at the rear of the stage and the live musicians joined the shadowy figures to start a swinging consommé of jazz from these four accomplished performers. Graham’s drumming was, appropriately, a little more subdued than when powering an exuberant trad band and Tony’s impeccable bass playing, adding an air of stylish authenticity to the overall sound, prompted Jeff to dub him “the Duke of Rushwick”. Jeff’s ever apposite piano and John’s dexterity of technique and inspiration completed a formidable quartet and, as an added delight, we were very pleased to see Anne Barnhart assembling her (solid gold!) flute ready to make a guest appearance
There was a toe tapping swing to the proceedings but the music was more for listening than dancing as the band generated the mix of excitement, anticipation and a host of other emotions only to be found with live jazz in a club atmosphere.
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It was at the same time in 2009 that we last had this combination on stage and it was noticeable that here was a new programme apart from a few numbers which we would want to hear again anyway; a request for Anne to play Water From an Ancient Well had full band backing this time with John’s tenor sax adding extra depth to the poignant interpretation, and John’s heartfelt rendering of Burgundy Street Blues with just Jeff providing sympathetic accompaniment is a perpetual favourite.
With such an eclectic catalogue of tunes, it’s hard to say whether any were more outstanding than others. Each seemed the best at the time we were listening to it, which really means it was all good stuff, including a Goodman tribute on clarinet with Stealin’ Apples, Jeff’s humorous take on She Looks Like Helen Brown, inviting suggestions from the audience for the colour of “her” attire and composing instant appropriate lyrics and, from Anne, a frisky flute version of Alexander’s Ragtime Band.
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by Peter Farrall |
photo by Val Wood |
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One of many memorable moments was the remarkable change in mood from quietly listening to John’s whispering , Ben Webster style tenor on A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square to a rabble rousing Shake That Thing with rasping sax, boogie piano and Jeff exhorting the audience to stand up and clap along.
So......... the night was over all too soon and a band needs to round off their performance with something for the audience to take , still spinning in their heads, as they journey home and they did just that with a scorching I’ve Found a New Baby , each bidding us goodnight with a solo to end a very enjoyable club session.
As someone shouted across the High Street the next morning “That was great last night – see you next month”
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