REAL MUSIC DONE WELL

We got there early and almost had everything nearly set up before kick off. This was a quiet arvo of jazz, mainly, and some classy stuff going on from all quarters...

The Roger for openers, Jane singing, and a first time bassist, Harry, who was given quite a workout, but once he had settled, proved to be very good.

Followed by some lively work from Aneta, who once again loves being here with us, Jeff on bari; the guitarists (Fermin, Mike and Roger) up to this point their usual collective self. Martin on drums, followed by Lurch, Ash put in some fine ballads, Peter Garam excelled on piano ... and then...

The sound system, as is sometimes the case, had been up and down, in and out all arvo, and then put back to its default settings, when Debra called for Laura and suddenly Mike, who had already soloed well, got the comping thing, the PA settled down, and Laura sounded as it should when Deb is singing well, which she was and it did. All was well with the world.

Followed by Aneta on Route 66, Moondance and Sway, Annie on all sorts of tunes wot we hadn't done before, Nature Boy with a collo voce start at the Captain's insistence, Mr Michael smooth as, on yet another bari; the Captain mellow, and to top it off, Keef played All Blues and soloed as well as I've heard it in quite a while...

Sweet! Not too many musos, Harry a standout on bass all arvo, Calamatta still king of the sax tones, Keef the pick of the reeds.

Props to the Hirsch whose drumming was excellent as ever, and his packing up the drum kit superb....thanks mate!