46 Park Avenue Blues…. Man on a tightrope

Tony Faulkner – drums
Jamil Sheriff – piano
Gary Jackson – bass

Russell Van den Berg – sax

Sunday 28th March 2010 

Tony Faulkner has a distinguished career in jazz and is well known for his arrangements – both big band and group …. In particular the wonderful Alan Barnes Ellingtonians’ gig at Seven last November where I remember the words of appreciation that AB gave him that night.

Today was apparently an ad hoc group -  three of whom had played together once as part of a Quintet at a gig at the Puzzle Hall Inn, Sowerby Bridge.

If you visit Tony Faulkner’s website, you find these comments on that first gig “I’ve never heard Gary play as he did last night – wonderful “time” and astonishing technique in his solos. He has always been a good player but last night showed him to be a great player”.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing with Jamil, but unfortunately not often enough. He has a wonderful ‘rhythmic’ quality in his playing that - in a sense - puts the piano firmly back into the ‘rhythm’ section. His technique is deceptive too, sometimes playing the most simple lines and phrases imaginable but with a highly developed and sometimes delicate melodic quality. It’s little wonder that he’s attracting a lot of attention as a composer”.

That shows the degree of respect he has for these two musicians. By way of his comments during the Seven gig, he has similar regard for the addition to the Group this time - Russell Van den Berg.

Respect is an important factor in a gig like the one at Seven on Sunday – it helped the group get through the first few numbers. The opener was Bird’s “Au Privave” during which there were feedback problems in the pianist’s monitor and then a breakdown in communication - probably due to lack of familiarity with the arrangements.

I felt there was a hint of tension in the air. The Group weren’t even clear who was going to introduce the tunes and even what they were going to play.

Pianist and Sax took turns up to the interval and after that Tony did them in the second set. I felt that the “young lions” rescued the first set as they took the lead, appearing to not only select the next tune but introduce them as well.

The second tune had a beautiful piano intro leading into Dave Brubeck’s “In Your Own Sweet Way” followed by the Bill Evans tune “Very Early” which had a lovely sax solo.

“Body and Soul” – Music by Johnny Green, Lyrics by Edward Heyman, Robert Sour & Frank Eyton – was next with another lovely sax solo. I always associate the tune with Thelonious Monk, so for me it was a nice lead into the closer for the first set …. Monk’s “I Mean You”.

I felt that any tension had eased by this time and the music had taken over.

Prior to the second set Tony told us about his latest CD – a tribute to Thad Jones. For someone with such a wealth of experience, I got the impression he may be a private individual who feels a bit self conscious when not sat at his drum kit. That might also account for his being sat at the back of the auditorium during the Ellingtonian’s gig when Alan Barnes paid his compliment.

The second set started with a solo drum intro, then the bassman walked on to pick up his instrument …. and then the pianist. Finally the sax came in with a rousing solo – we were informed that the title of this piece was “Think Again” – not so much a tune as a “chorded progression”!

“Edward K” was dedicated to Duke Ellington – a World Premiere no less! Followed by the ballad “Park Avenue” …. This one ruefully dedicated to an address where he had once spent six happy years before things all went pear-shaped. Ironically, this amused the audience greatly. Life ain’t fair!

Thad Jones’ “Mean What You Say” – considered by Tony Faulkner “to be the single most important arranger since WWII” – was followed by “Impressions” and then a rousing finale which incorporated terrific solos from piano and sax.

Russell Van den Berg blew so hard, the veins and muscles in his neck were bulging and sweat appeared on his forehead. He is a terrific musician and plays from the heart with passion. He has an other-worldly feel to him, as though not of this universe but some parallel musical universe instead.

Serious musicians these – Jamil & Rusell were huddled together at the end going over some musical minutiae. Attention to detail …. Seemingly at odds with lack of a set tune list.

This gig showed the essence of jazz – musicians who had come together infrequently, playing charts with which they were unfamiliar, on a gig at which the running order of the set had not been decided in advance. It was a tight rope that provided a delicate balance – there was no safety net. It could fall flat on its face or it could provide moments of inspiration.

It can only ever be done with top class musicians who have mutual respect for each other. It was this which ensured they overcame the early problems. They had teetered on the brink, but the closing track was inspired and very much a case of leaving us wanting more.

Barry Travena