The Band

Andy Urquart – trumpet
Gary Plumley - sax

John Martin – piano
Sandy Suchodolski – bass
Eddie John – drums

The Set List

1. Stella by starlight
2. On Green Dolphin street
3. Broken wing
4. Recorda me (Joe Henderson)
5. Giant steps (John Coltrane)
6. Gregory is here (Horace Silver)
7. Blue in green (Miles Davis)
8. Lover man (Gary feature)
9. Weaver dreams (Andy feature)
10. Untitled blues (Encore 1)
11. Untitled (Encore 2)

Review

Sunday saw a return to Newport Jazz Club of trumpeter Andy Urquart, recently seen here opening the successful jazz weekend, with a quintet that included island favourite Gary Plumley on sax. Add to this a back line of John Martin, the former musical director of Scottish Television, on piano as well as Eddie John, who has played with most of the UK jazz greats including Acker Bilk, on drums with another island favourite Sandy Suchodolski, currently making a name for himself in the jazz world, on bass and you have a true stellar lineup.

It was therefore only appropriate that they opened the set with the jazz standard “Stella by starlight” before taking the audience on a journey “On Green Dolphin Street”. This gave both Andy and Gary to exhibit their skills both with extended solos and some lovely interplay between their respective instruments.

With homages to John Coltrane “Giant steps”, Horace Silver “Gregory is here” as well as Miles Davis “Blue on green”  and two finale numbers featuring beautifully sublime solo performances by both Andy and Gary it was no surprise that a very enthusiastic audience demanded two encores.

© Ian Mitchell

Available to be used with permission to promote Newport Jazz club