I had resigned myself to the possibility of a total washout this week. Considering the miserable wet weather, I wouldn’t have blamed anyone for staying at home, but… what an amazing night it turned out to be! A total of 17 jammers added to a full-house of listeners with nearly every seat taken – and even our Webmaster Ken Cumberlidge had travelled all the way down from Norwich to be with us! Our houseband guest Ray Wallen got us off to a fairly early start with “My Babe” before straying from his original set-list by giving us “Key To The Highway”. Although that ol’ chestnut “Stormy Monday Blues” was on Ray’s list, it turned out to be “Blues With A Feeling” with the Allman Brothers' chord progression, which made a nice change from the usual format. Two notable additions were “Fool For Your Stockings” and a brave attempt of Ray Charles’ “Hallelujah I Love Her So” before wrapping up the opening set with “Looking For Trouble” - as we expected, a most enjoyable set from Ray.

Somehow, Vera managed to arrange seven jam sets, although the last set was reduced to just two numbers, but spare a thought for our resident drummer Phil Overhead, who played non-stop throughout the whole evening without a word of complaint – it’s not often we see such an absence of jamming drummers here: even Marc Turner went AWOL! But at least we had a few bass-players here in the form of Maxwell Paternoster, Raf and Ken Cumberlidge, who it was great to see!

Perhaps the nicest surprise was to see Rebecca Turner arriving with her keyboard, and what an enormous impact she made too, playing on two jam sets. On the first of these she sang “I’d Rather Go Blind” (with some sweet guitar-playing from Alan Vincent) followed by “The Thrill Is Gone” and “Pride & Joy”. Rebecca will be back next week, co-guesting with Conrad Di Ianni I’m pleased to say, and also back on December 9th partnering Michael Goulding – she was certainly the icing on the cake this week!

Good to see guitarist Steve Hillan back here after a lengthy absence and a warm welcome to newcomer Gary Jackson, who played a bit too enthusiastically I feel on Rebecca’s jam set, but nice playing nevertheless.

After seven jam sets it was time for Ray Wallen to round off a truly fabulous night, playing out three more numbers with the inclusion of Ian Hammond who had waited so patiently throughout the evening. I decided to give my place to Richard Stenhouse, who I knew was eager to play bass, and I was more than happy to see Rebecca Turner joining the houseband too.

Thank you, Ray Wallen, for contributing to a memorable night, and a special “thank you” to all our jammers & listeners who took the trouble to turn up on such a rain-swept evening! Time to call…

The Roll Of Honour:

• Keys+Vocals - Rebecca Turner
• Harp+Vocals - Ray Wallen
• Guitar+Vocals - Billy Sharpe, Rachel, Johnny and Mike Dearing
• Guitar - Steve Hillan, Alan Vincent, Kevin Molyneux, Sam, Richard Stenhouse, Murray and Ian Hammond
• Harp - Gary Jackson and Ned Phillips
• Sax - Peter Harvie
• Bass - Raf Azzara, Maxwell Paternoster, Richard Stenhouse, Mike Dearing, Ken Cumberlidge and Terry Duggan
• Drums - Phil Overhead

I trust our Webmaster Ken Cumberlidge will by now have arrived safe and sound back in Norwich in time to upload this week’s batch of mp3s. Pleased to see Peter Harvie back here after a short illness, his photos can be enjoyed on Our Facebook page.

Special thanks to Kevin Molyneux, Richard Stenhouse and Ray Wallen for helping to set out the backline, and also for staying late to pack it all away on such a busy night.

Next time at Leytonstone Blues Jam:
As previously mentioned, next week’s guests will be guitar-virtuoso Conrad Di Ianni and the lovely, talented Rebecca Turner - a pairing I’m very much looking forward to seeing. Do your best to arrive nice and early to grab a seat – it’s gonna be a great night!

Something for the weekend:
Every Thursday, our resident drummer Phil Overhead hosts his Blues jam at the new venue of The Three Compasses, 62 High Street, N8 7NX starting at 8.30pm – free entry, plus a very competent houseband and backline provided.

Blues nights continue this Friday 22nd at The Southgate Club when their featured band will be the highly rated “Guy Tortora Band” plus support from “The Reprobates” - for further information, check out www.stharmonicas.co.uk

On Saturday 23rd at The Manor Arms, 150 East India Dock Road, E14 0BP, there will be much mirth and merriment when our very own Billy Sharpe will be guest of honour with Ronnie Collins’ Last Project. Much fun, frolics and good music will be guaranteed 3.00pm-6.00pm, but please use beer-garden entrance after 3.00pm

Thanking All Our Jammers & Listeners,