Reeds Allowed last played at the club in June 2007 when Chris and Mike, playing together for only the second time, presented an inspired programme of happy, toe tapping jazz. A much anticipated return was booked for this evening but, sadly, Mike died in April this year and so George came along to join Chris and the band in a tribute to this fine musician.
With this line up of familiar faces we knew it would be a night of freewheeling hot trad and there was certainly no disappointment. ‘Panama Rag’, a favourite of Mike Turner had the front liners airing their clarinets and soprano saxes in turn. Any jazz anoraks would note the subtle difference in tone between Chris’s Boehm clarinet and George’s Albert system although the man behind the reed has a lot to do with it. Anyway, both were equally effective in emotional solos on ‘Sweet Substitute’, George explaining that they had to get it in early on because it’s difficult to pronounce when you’ve had a few drinks! There aren’t many jazz musicians who have not played ‘The World is Waiting for the Sunrise’ and her e was a real swinging version with the reeds chasing each other round as George made hasty changes of instrument before Chris caught up with him again – wonderful stuff.
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