What I witnessed in Bishop Auckland on November 14 is surely one of the most uplifting jazz sessions I can recall, writes Andy Jakob.
Tenor saxophonist Dan Johnson absolutely blew me away with renditions of Moment’s Notice, When I Fall in Love, Ceora, Afternoon in Paris, All the Things You Are, and an absolute high point You and the Night and the Music. He said he didn’t like to talk much…no matter, he just did it all with his playing.
Although playing the front man alongside a wonderful Mick Shoulder trio, everything Dan did was so understated yet incredibly florid as his total mastery of the instrument and his sincerity to the music put smiles on everyone’s faces.
A very full audience were so lucky to be treated to this, his first visit, and I hope he will return again very soon. Thanks once again to Mick Shoulder for inviting him here to Bishop Auckland Methodist Church hall to play for us.
Jazz is a regular feature in Bishop Auckland Methodist Church on the second Friday of each Month. The next one is on 12 December at 1pm and features the ever-popular “Chet Set” with Pete Tanton and the Mick Shoulder Trio recreating the lyrical trumpet and vocal lines of the late great Chet Baker. This will be a very gentle lunchtime jazz session and for only £8 it would be a shame to miss it. See you there at Bishop Auckland Jazz.
Andy Jakob
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.






