I returned to the wonderful King's Hall within the Newcastle University campus this week. James Birkett is a published author on jazz and particularly on jazz guitar and he developed and led one of the UK's first BMus degree programmes in jazz and related music. Bradley Johnston studied jazz guitar with Birkett at the Sage, Gateshead from the age of 14. Together they have now formed a jazz guitar duo.
Their program of music took us on a journey from early jazz and blues through swing and bebop to more contemporary jazz sounds.
They began with 'Stringin' the Blues' by violinist Joe Venuti and guitarist Eddie Lang. Listening to the piece I recalled how as I was beginning my own efforts to learn the guitar many years ago, an older work colleague loaned me some 78 RPM discs by Eddie Lang. Hearing Lang play almost made me give up the guitar altogether but I instantly became a fan of his work.
The duo continued with 'Wave' by Antonio Carlos Jobim followed by a particular favourite of mine, 'Nuages' by the great Django Reinhardt. The 'Gypsy jazz' style continued with 'Fisco Place' by another French guitarist, Biréli
Lagrène and this was followed by 'Skating on Central Park' by John Lewis.
Eddie Lang featured again with 'Blue Room' a piece he recorded with blues guitarist Lonnie Johnson. To make himself sound like a more authentic bluesman, Lang used the name Blind Willie Dunn on this recording.
The well known Charlie Parker piece, 'Billie's Bounce' was then followed by the sublime 'Farmer's Trust' by Pat Metheny and then 'Spain' by Chick Corea which appropriately uses the main theme from Rodrigo's Concerto for guitar.
The duo received a very well deserved ovation from the spellbound audience and before leaving the stage, they encored with 'Body & Soul'. They are playing again in a few weeks at the Newcastle Literary & Philosophical Society. If you get the chance then I recommend you go to see them. Any opportunity to visit the wonderful Lit & Phil should surely not be refused.
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