bernie mcgann - the legendary local alto saxophone player
saw this outfit a few years back and made myself a promise
see them every time they play if it's in the same town as me
pretty well kept to that commitment and no disappointment
tonight they are on at the underground 505 club in surry hills
this place now pulling in performers held in the highest regard
again confirmed tonight with many local musos in the audience
but surprisingly the numbers are relatively low given his stature
the other surprise tonight is that there's been a change in lineup
regular player brendan clarke not here - replaced by ben waples
that's ok - mr waples has been seen many times since triosk days
(shameless plug for late, great no-longer sadly-missed fave band)
but tonight he is in the company of greatness - there's work to do
the most-reliable warwick alder is here also with trumpet in hand
andrew dickenson completing the quartet on drums and percussion
first tune and it's such a pleasure to hear their unique sound again
i doubt if there's a better harmonising trumpet and sax anywhere
just so light, yet tight, sweet, melodic, and very easy on the ears
no improvisation here - nor any sheet music - experts at work
every time i see bernie mcgann play i am in awe of his style
and i'm not the only one - there's young musos here tonight
sax players particularly looking on with clear admiration
which says it all really - this man commands serious respect
the tunes played tonight are long, loose, swinging and complex
the 2 brass players taking turns to play superb long solo passages
a couple of times stepping aside to let the rhythm guys have a go
andrew dickenson so good that he carries the tune on his drumkit
playing alone and the tune still there as he further augments it
ben waples taking the mostly subtle cues to also take the lead
similarly carrying the tune as he plays his bass in solo mode
and in the process totally dispelling any sense of the new boy
these guys are just so good so mannered and so together
no pa in this place so the sound is as pure as it gets
which had me thinking this is probably a throwback
bernie mcgann in particular looking most comfortable
he totally oblivious to the annoying chatter from the floor
happy to once again have his sax in hand and band with him
after the final note has been played there's genuine happiness
the quartet looking well satisfied with tonight's fine performance
jokes, smiles and laughter to me confirming all is good there
just a shame about the relatively small and noisy crowd
but there's some new fans i'm sure in the the fan club
me - also totally satisfied - happy to see them again
and equally now looking forward to the next time
