'A Tribute to Mike Turner'
George Huxley - Reeds
Chris Pearce - Reeds
Clinton Sedgley - Banjo/ guitar
Len Thwaites - Bass
Graham Smith - Drums
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. ‘Tin Roof Blues’ gave us an opportunity to hear some nice guitar glissandi (anoraks again) from Clinton before a frantic ‘Avalon’ heralded drinks replenishing time.
More work for Clinton with some nifty banjo on ‘Jazz Me Blues’ and again into a finger twisting solo in a furious ‘China Boy’ before a dedication to Mike with ‘Revolutionary Blues’. And so to Bechet time and a host of tunes from the great man; ‘Georgia Cabin’ one of the lesser performed ones where Chris’s curved soprano sax and George’s straight one blended sonorously. ‘Dans Les Rues d’Antibes’ played in French said George – that’s OK said Clinton – I come from the French Quarter of Stourbridge. (groans from audience). A super double soprano rendering of ‘Si Tu Vue Ma Mere’ would have had Sidney himself nodding approval and, after some discussion, a final tribute to Mike with ‘Farewell Blues’, the entire band taking their leave with solos.
Here we had five of the best local musicians well known to both audience and each other who with mutual respect and inspiration gelled perfectly to provide a fitting tribute to Mike Turner.
Peter Farrall
