Bill Harper Trio @ The Cherry Tree Restaurant, Jesmond.

Bill Harper (pno); Neil Harland (bs); Adam Sinclair (dms).

Bill Harper, once the linchpin of Jazz North East's house trio and now domiciled in France, made a welcome trip home reminding us, in the process, of his jazz chops.

This was ably demonstrated at Blaydon last Thursday and again tonight at the Cherry Tree.

In deference to our "Honorary Frenchman" I opted to start with the French Bistro Salad.

I'm not sure what was in this culinary delight 'cept it bore no resemblance to any English salad - Bistro or not - that I've ever tasted! I detected a suggestion of pear and there may have been some celeriac related components. I wasn't sure.

Meanwhile, up on stage Bill Harper was playing Autumn Leaves. The literal French translation, he informed us was Dead Leaves - Bingo! I'd found the missing ingredients.

They sounded good 'neath Bill's deft fingers and tasted good on the end of a fork.

Next up was Makin' Whoopee with a great descending passage in the left hand whilst playing the melody with the right hand.

I too was makin' lots of whoopee with my Soy Braised Duck Leg and Coconut Rice - man the flesh just fell away from the bone. I felt sad - she must have been a lovely duck.

We'll Be Together Again, Anthropology, Night and Day and Ain't Misbehavin' were right on the money although I was puzzled at Ain't Misbehavin' for a birthday request.

I misbehaved disgustingly as I wolfed down my Warm Chocolate Nemesis - I defy anyone to just nibble at this confectionery masterpiece.

The music, needless to say, was everything I expected. If anything, Bill had upped his game since Blaydon and that was a pretty high bar to raise. Neil and Adam slotted in as if they'd been playing together with Bill all of their lives when in fact tonight was the first time Bill had played with Adam.

Another good one with the Lewis Watson Quartet to follow next Monday.

Lance.

Duke Ellington's Sacred Works at York Minster

Paul Miles-Kingston (Director of Music at St Peter’s School) and the School’s Choirs and Choral Society are putting on the Duke Ellington Sacred Works in the Minster on Wednesday March 21 at 7pm, with the Stan Tracey Orchestra. This is a very unusual project indeed and represents a unique opportunity to hear these sacred pieces; we believe it has only been performed 5 times in the last 25 years in this country, and never by a school choir.

It is a wonderful opportunity to hear some incredible jazz musicians playing (many of whom also play in the BBC Jazz Orchestra) and to be present at a really spiritual event that will be highly memorable. Paul sang in a similar service at Durham Cathedral as a young choral scholar; 20 years later it remains an outstanding and lingering memory for him.

The works are performed in the framework of a full Eucharist and will be free and open to the public as a Minster service. It is anticipated that the Minster will have a full congregation (of around 1500 people).

There will be about 240 in the combined choirs of St Peter’s School, St Olave’s School and our Choral Society.

The Stan Tracey Orchestra is confirmed to include: Stan Tracey; Clark Tracey; Guy Barker; Mark Armstrong; Tom Walsh; Nathan Bray; Mark Nightingale; Alistair White; Pete North; Jay Craig; Simon Allen; Alan Barnes; Sammy Mayne; Mornington Lockett; Mike Smith; Andrew Cleyndert; Norma Winstone; Niall Hoskin; Junior Laniyan.

Busnoys @ The Bridge Hotel. Sunday 18 March

Martin Pyne (vibes & electronics), Jeff Spencer (bass) & Trevor Davies (drums)

Jazz North East’s latest promotion at the Bridge Hotel featured a chamber jazz concert by Busnoys. The trio, lead by vibes player Martin Pyne, crafted two sets of considered pastoral sketches. Waltzing on the Devil’s Ground and Song for Grace Melbury (a tune inspired by Thomas Hardy’s Wessex) set the tone. Mild-mannered Pyne utilised a vast collection of mallets - two mallets, then four - to create a water-colour wash of sound, drummer Trevor Davies etched chiaroscuro to the compositions and five string bassist Jeff Spencer was the epitome of taste. Pyne announced ‘an ordinary little jazz tune’- it was anything but ordinary; a blues - Over and Over - swung like crazy, drum ‘n’ bass patterns intervened and featured solos from Pyne and Spencer with a round of fours to showcase the talents of Davies. A Don Cherry-inspired piece - Oom?...Pah!-– invited a receptive audience to imagine the trumpeter playing Stravinsky! Military-medium drum rolls then, slight of hand, jazz punk humour and late-period Miles bass lines. The trio’s new CD By Tapering Torchlight was snapped-up at the door and the title track opened the second set. For Ed paid homage to Pyne’s favourite musician - Ed Blackwell – and the percussive feel couldn’t have been more apposite. Stillness at Appomatox, an elegy to the American civil war, distilled the essence of Busnoys; sensitive, quiet, still.

Russell

Nick Pride and the Pimptones @ Hoochie Coochie.

Karen Harding (vcl); Nick Pride (gtr/vcl); Tom Quilliam (ten); Keith Nicholson (tpt); Ian Paterson (bs); Oz Cassidy (dms).

The Men in the Grey Flannel Suits don't stand still and tonight they gave another rumbustious performance as typified by their recent CD - A Midnight Feast of Jazz. These guys rock and they roll but they also have a whole lot of jazz in their soul which makes them tailor-made for a venue like Hoochie.

The horns make frequent sorties on to the dance floor. both guys blow turpentinian solos that must make work for ceiling decorators after each gig.

Leader Nick plays cool he plays with fire. Grant Green to Freddy Greene via Jimi Hendrix. Behind it all Oz drives and Ian steers - bebop to hip hop and all stations in between.

With The Pimps there's always a lady involved and tonight it was Karen Harding strutting her stuff - another great "Jazz Girl".

And not a music stand in sight!

Photos.

Lance.

Scott's New? Jazz Café Jam Session

Peter Gilligan (pno); Paul Grainger (bs); Scott (gtr/vcl).

Blue Bossa, Minor Swing, Don't Blame Me, All of Me revealed a new face on the scene - guitarist Scott. I'm not sure if Scott is his first or last name but, whatever, he plays good guitar and, on the latter two numbers, displayed a pleasing voice.

The two PGs were as rock solid as ever and this made for a good sound.

Would have liked to have stayed longer.

Lance.

And the Twain SHALL Meet!

We recently had Paul Edis playing piano with the West Jesmond Rhythm Kings and, by all accounts, doing a grand job.

Elaine Binney depped with the New Century Ragtime Orchestra and was well received.

Tomorrow, ultra modern trumpet/flugel horn player Graham Hardy is featured with the Vieux Carré Jazzmen at the Corner House.

As our man in Ashington quipped "What next? Dave Weisser with the Bell and Bucket Band?"

Joking apart it is good to see some cross-fertilisation of styles I only hope Graham is practising Magnolia's Wedding Day.

Lance.

Sound 12 Festival at The Sage – Some Jazzy Surprizes

I went to this event expecting lots of folk and classical music, given by students from the local universities, and indeed I enjoyed such items as African drumming and Joseph Suk’s Serenade for Strings, but I was delighted to find that some jazz was also on the menu, just to prepare me for the extravaganza to come next weekend. This came from Newcastle University Saxophone Quartet, who treated us to a set of music in chronological order from medieval times to the present day. This included a lively 1920’s style version of Gershwin’s Somebody Loves Me, with some very tasty playing from Soprano Sax; Ellington’s Don’t Get Around Much Any More; and Joni Mitchell’s Blue.

Then appeared two people I know from the folk music degree, doing superb blues. Matt Price, resplendent in pinstripe suit and black trilby, on slide guitar and acoustic guitar, with Natalie Fisher, who sang superb full-throated heartfelt blues. First came St James Infirmary, followed by Careless Love. Natalie explained how these songs had originated as English folk songs. She then sang the traditional folk song Geordie, but did it in a bluesy style to lyrical accompaniment on the acoustic guitar, which married the two styles really well. The unaccompanied song Bad, Bad Girl was good, if you get my meaning, and Natalie explained that this was a goodnight ballad, which is a song using the last words of someone who is about to be executed as a criminal, so that the ballad can be sold to raise money for the family left behind.

Then I visited the sound installation which was in the small Squires seminar room. This was looped sound, each identical section about 5 minutes long, which was neither jazzy nor musical, and probably not meant to be. But it did start me thinking about the nature of music. It had been labelled as an installation, so I listened to it without prejudice, and made up a story for myself about it, as it reminded me of aliens coming to our planet. But if it had been labelled as music, I would have dismissed it as nonsensical. At least it made me think.

Ann Alex

Calling All Cumbrians

As reported in February, Chicago pianist, Greg Spero plays the London Palladium in a Buddy Rich tribute band on April 2.

In a massive scoop David Gosling has arranged four trio concerts in the north for him.

April 5: Dacre Hall, Lanercost nr. Brampton.

April 7: Zeffirelli's, Ambleside.

April 8: Splinter @ The Bridge, Newcastle.

April 12: Carlisle Jazz Club.

With the American will be Andy Champion on bass and Adrian Tilbrook on drums. For the Lanercost gig the trio will be augmented by Roz Sluman (alto).

Tynesiders will obviously opt for the Splinter gig but over on the other side of the region it is a tremendous and all too rare opportunity for Cumbrians and Lowlanders to catch a top class American talent in intimate surrounds and with three venues to choose from there is no excuse!

Here's a little taste on YouTube.

Lance.

CD Review: Brad Mehldau Trio - Ode.

Brad Mehldau (pno), Larry Grenadier (bass), Jeff Ballard (dms)

Contemporary jazz encompassing the nostalgic sounds of the past which are gracefully spoken at the present day by the body, mind and soul of Brad Mehldau and his trio. This project is all about Mehldau's original compositions, with a focus on tributes to other people: including "MB" (Michael Brecker), "Kurt Vibe" (Kurt Rosenwinkel) and "Stan The Man" (Stan Getz). Mehldau wrote these tunes with ode in mind; a lyrical poem on a particular subject that could also be sung. Swing, waltz, bop and rock-fused ballad grooves are present and embellished by Grenadier and Ballard. Mehldau's call and response between the right and left hand is uplifting and inspirational. His seductive melodies entice the listener to follow the song like a story. Moreover, Grenadier tells some great stories too. I think the trio have done a great job reflecting the emotions and feelings they get from the people who they are paying tribute too; a melancholy reminder of those who are not with us any more and a powerful expression from the music of how they came to inspire Mehldau.

Ode.

Harley J.

Blues for Matthias Seuffert @ The Customs House.

It seemed like a good idea - the Matthias Seuffert Swing Sextet at the Customs House, South Shields. So I boarded the good old faithful number 27 bus and arrived at the theatre at 6:30pm. Plenty time to pick up a ticket, have a pint then return for 8:00pm start.

If only life were that simple...

"Sorry sir", the girl in the ticket office said, "But the show is sold out." 

The floor manager was called and he did offer a ray of hope saying that if I came back at 8, after everyone was seated, he was sure he could squeeze me into a corner.

It didn't sound to be quite the evening I had in mind so, after a pint of deliberation (Deuchars) in the Steamboat I decided Matthias would have to wait till some future date and was soon back on the number 27.

Still it was good to know that certain varieties of jazz can still pull them in.

Lance.

PS: If you did make it inside the hall you are cordially invited to write a review.

Gateshead International Jazz Festival Starts Next Week 23 – 25 March 2012

Gateshead International Jazz Festival – the UK’s biggest jazz festival held under one roof – starts next weekend (March 23 -25).

Cuban pianist and fully-fledged Buena Vista Social Club sensation Roberto Fonseca, will open this year’s festival in the magnificent Hall One. In the more intimate surroundings of Hall Two the funkier side of jazz gets going with James Morton’s Porkchop with The Easy Access Horns, Pee Wee Ellis (James Brown’s saxophonist) and Mary Pearce.

The festival will celebrate the best in UK jazz on Saturday night with a double bill of two of the leading musicians of the past two decades - Andy Sheppard (as part of Trio Libero with Michel Benita, Sebastian Rochford) and Courtney Pine with his stunning Europa project featuring him on bass clarinet. With Sunday’s headliner Curtis Stigers, well known as a singer and saxophonist way beyond the jazz field, this year’s programme will appeal to serious jazz enthusiasts and simply fans of good music alike. A special festival pass at £60 is available with guaranteed entry to all of these three headlines and much more.

The first live streamed masterclass within a UK jazz festival will take place between Cecil Bridgewater - an acclaimed American trumpeter and educator at New York’s Manhattan School of Music who will lead the masterclass live from Manhattan with students at The Sage Gateshead from the BMus (Hons) Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music and the Young Musician’s Programme. This live streamed masterclass is open to the public to view.

There’s the chance for everyone to join in with the Gateshead International Jazz Festival Choir and Early Years Big Family Jazz Bash. The choir is open to anyone with a love for singing, with the chance to take part in a special performance on the Concourse just before Curtis Stigers’ concert. The family sessions are aimed at children up to eight but everyone in the family will enjoy. With so much else going on during the festival, this is just a flavour of what is to come.

Performance Programme Director Ros Rigby comments: “Gateshead International Jazz Festival has now become established on the UK jazz calendar as an opportunity to see the very best in UK and international jazz in an action packed weekend all under one roof, and in superb performance spaces.”

The festival is produced in collaboration with international music producers Serious (producers of London Jazz Festival in association with BBC Radio 3). John Cumming, director of Serious, adds: “Serious places immense value on its role in the evolution of Gateshead International Jazz Festival. This has become an event that reflects the extraordinary range of jazz within today's musical universe, as well as having a distinctive style that illustrates The Sage Gateshead's commitment to music education in its broadest sense.”

Paul Edis Sextet @ Hoochie.

Paul Edis (keys); Graeme Wilson (ten); Graham Hardy (tpt); Chris Hibbard (tmb); Mick Shoulder (bs); Adam Sinclair (dms).

What can I say? I've reviewed the CD, Reviewed the Launch and now here I am in love again reviewing tonight's gig at Hoochie Coochie..

Hoochie is different to other "jazz venues". Unlike, say, the Bridge or the Lit and Phil, or the Corner House it isn't populated by reverential fans paying lip service to their heroes - although there were some tonight (not all of whom paid lip service in the best possible way - by buying drinks!) - Hoochie is about folk coming out and having a good time and if that good time incorporates music they may not always have listened to so much the better. The point I'm getting at here is sure, sit in sepulchral silence at a concert, but in a non specialist club don't expect the hungovers from the previous night's soul/funk/rock 'n rave to do the same just because it's jazz.. Jazz may be our Holy Grail but to Joe Public and his bit on the side it's just another branch of music.

So, after all that, it was good, well attended, and the band played out of their skulls.

End of story.

Next week it's Lickety Split - another great band.

Photos.

Lance.

Tonight @ Hoochie Coochie

Fresh from their successful album launch at the Lit and Phil, the Paul Edis Sextet unveil their wares at Hoochie Coochie tonight. Music from around 8:oopm.

Lance.

Bill Harper and Anne Devere @ Blaydon Jazz Club.

Roly Veitch/James Birkett (gtrs); Neil Harland (bs) + Bill Harper (pno); Anne Devere (vcl); Paul Edis (fl/clt); John Bell (vcl).

This was one of those nostalgia, memories, hellos and whatever became of? evenings. Oh yes - and there was some lovely music along the way.

Ann Devere and Bill Harper had been staples of the north-east jazz/big band scene for many years before they moved to Brittany after becoming disenchanted with certain aspects of the UK and it must have warmed their very souls to have so many old friends turn out. I'm not going to list them all but there was Billy Nicholson, John Bell, Tommy Moran, Olive and Alan Rudd, Germaine Stanger, Brian Chester, Derek Cogger and many more musicians whose names I couldn't match to the faces plus entrepreneurs Taylor and Pollard from Ashington and Gateshead.Jazz Clubs. Jazz North East was represented by "Wor" Russell and Margaret Barnes.

Roly, James - to hell with formality - Jim (I never came to terms with calling Johnny Dankworth John either!) and Neil got things rolling with a  lightly swinging All of Me during which our guests of honour arrived with Bill sliding on to the piano stool mid chorus.

All The Things You Are - and there were many - Bill, Anthropology and Darn That Dream followed. This latter tune caused me to chuckle as I seem to recall that, many years ago, Bill was the first person I met who referred to it as Darn That Sock!

An up-tempo blues and a lush Body and Soul brought Paul Edis to the bandstand. Not to play piano but to blow Flute on Meditation and clarinet on, as Roly introduced it, A Nightingale Sang in Blaydon Square.

I'd heard Paul on flute before but not on clarinet and it was interesting listening to his  dry contemporary sound.

A nightingale DID sing in Blaydon after the break when Anne Devere joined her husband for If You Could See Me Now followed by I'll Remember April and poignant tear-jerker, If You Were There. The voice is still there but a sore throat limited Anne from doing too much. Satin Doll swung. Former Mayfair crooner John Bell did a number finishing just in time for me to catch the 10:50 number 11 bus to Newcastle.

It had been a grand night and a nice gesture to two lovely people and of course Roly and everyone else who turned out.

Bill Harper plays the Cherry Tree on Monday.
Photos.

Lance.