Reporter: Tony Sheldon
Date online: 12/06/2008

Summer’s lazy days reduce attendances at jazz clubs who always struggle to survive by the co-operation of brilliant musicians always willing to play for a pittance! With Euro 2004 clutching the viewer by the ‘proverbials’ it was disappointing though predictable that a first visit from The Tees Valley Jazzmen reminded of the joke “giving the crowd changes to the players”!

Those who preferred musical fever to football fever had a “reet good do” filled with Northeast humour from a talented seven piece band led by banjo/guitarist Gavin Belton. The personnel are going through a transitional change due to illness but my “untrained” ear didn’t notice any gaps, although I thought that pianist Keith Belton’s intros needed a little more “zap”!

Great variety, many fine arrangements and vocals shared by Keith Belton, trombonist Neville Hartley, trumpeter Mick Hill and drummer Jim Robinson. Starting the gig with “Fidgety Feet” and ending it with ‘Running Wild’ with plenty – twenty numbers – in between!

Superb versions of ‘Saturday Night Function’, ‘Blue And Broken Hearted’, ‘Lady Be Good’ and ‘Texas Border Blues’ with muted trumpet and trombone, and tenor sax solo from guest reeds player Bill Smith (not The Smoky City Smith) from County Durham!

Jim Robinson vocalised with ‘Bring Me Sunshine’ – I’m sure I saw Eric Morecambe’s silhouette float across the room, or was the beer too strong! Neville Hartley sang about his ‘Little Girl’ with neat bass solo from Alan Rudd, Keith Belton was missing ‘My Old Kentucky Home’, and Mick Hill asked ‘Baby Won’t You Please Come Home’ – sad wasn’t it?

A strong front line complemented by a tight rhythm section and it was time for ‘Goin Home’ – great night!

The Tees Valley Jazzmen
4 July 2004