North West weekend

Good jazz nights are hard to find.  So imagine when I'm on my way to a gig and the organiser tells me that the pub used to host a 'pop' night, then on request changed it to a jazz night so as to generate more revenue from a greater audience, I'm pleasantly surprised.

The pub in question is the Legh Arms - a charming and elegant watering hole on the outskirts of Macclesfield.  

I was there to join the Peter Johnson quartet, and they were wonderful!  Ed Harrison on bass, Steve More on piano and Ken Leigh on drums more than lived up to expectations, and made for an incredibly enjoyable evening of jazz.

Now I'm off to Kendal.

The good thing about travelling by train - as well as the fact that you don’t have to sit in traffic, and can wander around/drink tea/read a book during your journey - is that you get to take the scenic route.  The Manchester-Kendal line is no exception.  After Preston’s concrete blocks have passed, the path to Lancaster is the start of a magnificent journey into Scotland.  If you’re lucky you can see Blackpool Tower (if you really know where to look and it’s a clear day.  I missed the Tower on this particular occasion but I did happen to catch some skydivers doing their thing - although skydivers are quite hard to spot until they open their parachutes so I guess I was watching parachutists!)

The journey through Lancaster generated quite a bit of nostalgia as I used to go to college there.  It’s funny how time erases information that was once well-known - I struggled to remember the names of areas, and was disappointed to realise that I had even forgotten my last address there.  Nevertheless, Lancaster Castle/Prison loomed through the trees and Williamson’s Memorial stood proud overlooking the city.  On arriving in Kendal, I sampled a once-regular evening snack: chips, cheese and gravy.  Only in the North West!

Anyway, on with the jazz.  I was joined by local musicians John Woodhouse and Mike Reynolds, and we formed a piano, voice and saxophone combo.  We were performing at Burgundy’s Wine Bar - a popular and charming bar in the middle of town that specialises in real ale.  Despite there being a real ale called Sarah Hughes, I’m really not an aficionado so I stuck to the house white.  Burgundy’s regular weekly jazz night is usually a Thursday, so I’m grateful to manager Mike Pennington for allowing us to do a Saturday night special.

On Sunday I made the journey to Blackpool (I definitely spotted the Tower on this journey).  I had a lunchtime session with pianist Mike Taylor at Art Deco Cafe - a great little spot (excellent homemade soup) in the middle of Stanley Park.  High ceilings, attentive audience and great acoustics made for an incredibly enjoyable gig.  I’ll definitely be back there.

So, Blackpool against Manchester City was the talk of the afternoon and I decided to make my getaway before angry City/Tangerine fans descended on the station.  

This evening, I’m joining Harold Salisbury at the Mad Ferret in Preston.  It advertises itself as the premier music venue in Preston, and judging by the decor I’m inclined to believe it.   A sizeable stage, and walls adorned with pictures and posters of The Smiths, Nirvana and The Rat Pack, I have high hopes for the quality and popularity of this jam session.

It doesn’t disappoint - although I’m not sure why it’s advertised as a jam session, as it’s only the guys on stage playing.  I sing a couple of numbers - steering away from the fusion-based style of tunes that has made up the set thus far and doing - on Harold’s request - Garote de Ipanema.  It’s brought to a whole new level with effects pedals and various percussion instruments.  

Great fun!  Now for my train back to Manchester and the prospect of crawling into bed (mattress on living room floor) at 1am.  Oh, the life of a jazz singer!