Back to Bishopstone

As far as we can recall, our only gigs that include a proper, home-made, sit-down meal are this one at Bishopstone and the legendary, annual Jazz Supper at Gussage All Saints. Although our annual visits to Bishopstone have only been much more recent, we feel that a certain competition - if unofficial - is simmering on the back burner, because the catering here is beginning to rival that of Gussage - or so we were saying as we took our places for the second of our autumn feasts. Certainly, a plate of steaming supper is the way to a jazzer's heart!

First, of course, we had to 'earn our keep' by playing for our supper, as it were, and the traditionally vocal Bishopstone reception was noticeably still evident from last year, even by the end of our first number. This event - like the one in Gussage All Saints - involves a convivial evening that combines a live jazz session with the attractive proposition of an excellent home-cooked supper. Again, as at Gussage, the atmosphere is as inviting as the music is lively, and the warm welcome we receive at both is second to none!

The enticing aroma of our impending feast - as on our previous visits - certainly tantalised the old taste buds and made it quite difficult to concentrate on the matter in hand. In Trevor's case (given that he was still suffering from a recent bout of Covid) the thought of an imminent square meal proved to be most energising, and he was on stellar form on all three of his instruments. Equally entertaining - though in a somewhat more ironic sense - were virtuoso performances from Mike on Swanee whistle on Sobbing Blues and Steve on kazoo on When Erastus Played His Old Kazoo. Were the audience moved to tears by their sheer skill and artistry? Or were they crying tears of laughter? We may never know ...

Much like our previous gigs here, this year's audience was certainly just as vociferous and lively, and it was good to see the same faces at the tables as last year! Furthermore, the food was at least as good - and certainly now in direct competition with Gussage, even allowing for the legendary local butcher's sausages at the latter. Our platter of Chilli con Carne was exceptionally tasty, the baked potatoes were done to perfection, and the sundry accompaniments and toppings added a delicious finishing touch. So yes - equal to Gussage in the First Round, for sure, though not even a cornetto (or two in Trevor's case, for he is the archetypal 'seconds' man) could possibly compete with Gussage's choice of eleven desserts with ice cream or custard (or both for Trevor).

So we look forward to our next visit - the date is being negotiated as these words are typed - though we needs must suffer a whole series of catering-free gigs in the interim ... such a long wait for our next proper home-cooked meal. Thank you Bishopstone for another great evening!