Thank you Leeds!
23rd Feb 10
Ah. It's ALL over. And what a great way to end.
The train journey was standing all the way up; and the both the cabbie and I missed the large green sevens that highlighted the location of the place; but once inside it clear that Seven ArtSpace was a great place to do work in and relax. The altoist Jim Corry's quartet was playing Monk's Ask Me Now when I walked in; the bar area had some Bob Dylan quietly playing over the system, and a series of local art films projected on a wall. It was bustling despite the snow. The staff were all really helpful. And then I realised that the whole thing was not-for-profit, and set-up/run by volunteers. And my head said: Wow.
Anyway, Paul Dunmall and Paul Rogers came in and I was lucky enough to hang out with these two masters briefly, and hear them warm up. I knew it was going to be a good night. Dave and Josh turned up [which is always good when you're billed as a trio] and then I prepared to do something I hadn't done for a very long while - do the door for the gig! I wasn't exactly inundated with people, but we had a nice crowd by the time the two Pauls started. And their set was magnificent. Then after a short pause, we went on: and again, everything was different. It was a harder gig in some ways, especially after listening to such great improv beforehand - I think it was slightly unsettling for us - but we were still able to communicate and listen actively, and make music. A wonderful way to round off the tour.
Thank you to anyone that supported us - I'm sure we'll see you again.