Playing the alto for this performance (Dave is equally at home on the tenor saxophone), Tidball displayed his talents not only as a player but as a composer using mainly originals for his first set. The rhythm section comprised of the O’Connor brothers on drums and double bass and newcomer to BMJ Dave Jones on electric piano.
A sparse holiday time audience was fortunately enhanced by the Dave Tidball fan club, including his brother who had travelled from the Midlands to hear Dave's first concert on Welsh soil for nearly 30 years.
By the second set the band were beginning to gel and Tidball included more standards such as ‘Body and Soul’. Pianist Jones was used as a soloist on most of the tunes and he showed that he has a very fluent and melodic style. Once again BMJ lead the way with an innovative booking policy – I’m not sure if chicken curry is on the menu in Californian night clubs but Dave Tidball and entourage thoroughly enjoyed the food provided by our hosts. As always, our thanks to everyone at the Crown and Sceptre.
©
Peter Scaddan
2007