Ashington Jazz Club in the Mainstream Press.

The Journal EXTRA - a Northumbrian free paper - highlighted a couple of forthcoming jazz concerts in its latest edition. The gigs are being held to celebrate Ashington Jazz Club's 27th anniversary and include a free concert - made possible by a grant from UK Coal - by The New Century Ragtime Orchestra at Ashington Leisure Centre on Friday Sept. 30. This is followed with an appearance by Hot Club specialists Djangologie at the club's home base, The Elephant on Oct. 5.

Click here to read more.

Thanks to John Taylor for forwarding the info.

Lance.

Scarborough Jazz Festival Preview Five - Saturday Evening.

Saturday Sept., 24.
7:00pm: NYJO (National Youth Jazz Orchestra.)
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8:45pm: Mina Agossi Trio.
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10:30pm: David Rees-Williams Trio.
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Visit website for further artist information and bookings.
Another evening of exquisite jazz in store.
Lance.

Book Review: Nica's Dream - The Life and Legend of the Jazz Baroness by David Kastin.

Brought up in fairy-tale splendour, Kathleen Annie Pannonica Rothschild de Koenigswarter (known as "Nica") piloted her own plane across the English Channel, married a French baron, fought in the Resistance and had five children - but then she heard a recording of Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight". Beguiled by the beauty and liberating spirit of jazz, she moved to Manhattan, where she began hosting jam sessions, socialising with Beat poets and driving her silver Rolls Royce to the Five Spot and other fabled jazz venues. The tabloids first splashed her name across the headlines after Charlie Parker died in her hotel suite but through her ministrations to Monk and other musicians she became a legend. Based on interviews with musicians, family members, historians and artists, this, the first biography of Nica, unwraps this enigmatic figure and evokes New York during the birth of bebop and the advent of abstract expressionism.

The above is from the publisher's blurb but the book itself is so so much more than the biography of one of jazz's more enigmatic fringe figures. 

Because of her association with Bird, Monk and the many other bebop musicians she came in contact with this is as much their story as it is hers. With each page you are on 52nd St., or listening to Monk at the Five Spot Café, driving with him through Delaware where a couple of cops beat him up or digging the jams in her various hotel rooms (she usually got evicted!)

Nica literally poured her soul and her money into helping and supporting modern jazz musicians and Monk in particular. Often pilloried and misunderstood by the media her enthusiasm never wavered - a truly remarkable woman.

And this is a remarkable book of the I couldn't put it down variety.

Author David Kaston, a music historian and educator living in Brooklyn is the author of I Hear America Singing. His work has appeared in Down Beat, The Village Voice and Da Capa Best Music Writing series.

Lance.

David Kastin: Nica's Dream - The Life and Legend of the Jazz Baroness. Published by W.W.Norton & Company. ISBN 978-0-393-06940-2. 

Later Live...with Jules Holland - tonight.

Tonight's Later Live...with Jools Holland (BBC 2, 10:00 pm) features Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue.
Russell 

Roly Veitch and Friends @ The Cherry Tree

Roly Veitch (gtr/vcl); Noel Dennis (tpt/flug); Neil Harland (bs).

On a Roly Veitch gig what you see is what you get. No hidden agendas, no pushing for new frontiers, just a choice selection of tunes that, by and large, haven't been done to death - rather like the menu at the Cherry Tree.

As I was deliberating over the Bacon and Sweetcorn Chowder and the Pork Rillette, Toast and Garden Leaves (the latter dish got the nod) Roly was crooning I've Got a Date With an Angel.- what a great song. It was enhanced by Noel Dennis' exquisite trumpet accompaniment and subsequent solo. A few Chetian characteristics in their respective singing and playing.

There Is No Greater Love - another gem - and the perfect side dish for my pork starter. Noel went onto flugel for Nature Boy which, I have to confess, is not a song I particularly like yet Roly sang it well and again Noel played with lots of feeling so maybe they're converting me - something Nat King Cole didn't manage!

It was as I was midway through my succulent Fillet of Pork, Black Pudding and Caramelised Apples that, for me, came the musical the highlight of the evening - 'Tis Autumn. Loved this song since I heard George Evans sing it with Geraldo and, subsequently, a beautiful version by Stan Getz kept it on my radar. A relaxed vocal from Roly, more flugel horn from Noel with the whole lot underpinned by Neil Harland. It's hard to equate the laid back double bassist Neil with the wild bass guitarist Neil with Mo Scott's band - tonight he was the King of Cool. In fact all three are straight from the fridge (and that's a compliment by the way guys!) a good name for the band would be The King Cool Trio!

I've Never Been In Love Before - another classic performance - as was the Chocolate and Praline Brownie, Brandy Chantilly and Raspberries.

Too many good tunes to list them all although It Could Happen To You couldn't be allowed to go by without a mention - great song, great rendition.

As an interesting sideline Proprietor Peter introduced me to a couple - 'Doc' Foster and his wife. Doc was a member of the legendary Mighty Joe Young Band back in the 1950s and we shared a few reminiscences of luminaries now departed such as Ronnie McLean, Clem Avery, John Saxelby and others from bygone days.

As a matter of further interest, for those who like their music to be melodic - an article by Branford Marsalis in the Seattle Weekly (brought to my attention by LondonJazz) will be manna.

Lance.

Swingin' On The Gate - Humphrey Lyttelton & His Band

This is from a flexi disc that was a free give away with Summer County Margarine in the early to mid 1960's, in the UK, and at the time as a kid I thought this was a great free gift, and if it happened today I would think the same thing.

Colin

Tonight at the Cherry Tree.

Tonight is rather special at the Cherry Tree Restaurant. Apart from the cuisine which is of the triple "mwa" rating on stage are three more in the form of Roly Veitch, whose tasteful guitar playing and gentle vocals simply ooze with class, Noel Dennis, whose tasteful trumpet and flugel horn playing simply oozes with class and Neil Harland whose tasteful double bass playing... you've got the picture!

Start around 7:30pm at Cherry Tree Restaurant, 9 Osborne Rd., Jesmond. Tel 0191 2399924. No cover charge.

Other upcoming gigs include:

Sept. 26: Stuart Collingwood Trio w. vocalist Sue Mitchell.

Oct. 3 Claire Kelly w. Mark Williams (gtr); Andy Champion (bs); Stuart Findon (ten).

Lance.

Lindsay Hannon Plus - Splinter @ The Bridge.

Lindsay Hannon (vcl); Alan Law (pno); John Pope (bs); Mark Robertson (dms).

The old adage was that 'if you can't do it' you teach! Well Lindsay disproved that tonight at The Bridge. Earlier, at the Jazz Café, one of the star pupils of her Jazz Vocal Class at The Sage Gabby Heller had delighted the room with her version of Skylark and now the master (or should that be mistress?) herself gave a stunning performance of songs both classic and contemporary that may have re-shuffled the local vocal standings.

These included a couple of Joni Mitchell's, Jim Morrison's I am a Spy, Night in Tunisia - with an incredible bass introduction - Lullaby of Birdland, Stomping at the Savoy and Why Try to Change me Now? This last number was particularly outstanding. I first encountered it as the B side of Sinatra's 1953 recording of Birth of the Blues. Birth of the Blues was possibly the transitional moment when Sinatra moved from crooner to swinger whereas Why Try to Change me Now was definitely from his crooner era. Lindsay managed to incorporate the two moods in the one tune brilliantly! An upbeat tempo with a contrasting, slowed down, middle eight worked perfectly. Up there, I'm sure Mr Sinatra is saying "Why didn't I think of that?!"

John Pope (is that a surname or a title?) was his rock solid self gelling perfectly with Alan Law who played wonderful piano and the ever swinging Mark Robertson on drums.

This was a great, well attended, gig and all I can say is, "When are you going to put this all down on CD Lindsay?"

Photos.

Lance.

EP Review. Anthony Strong - Delovely

A new name to me, Anthony Strong, but he comes with the endorsement of Jamie Cullum - "Great singer, great pianist" - Rod Stewart - "Amazing" and Sir Michael Parkinson - "He's got a great deal of talent." As such I felt it my duty to listen to this young man and I'm rather glad I did.

The five tracks reveal Strong to be everything the above suggest. He has a cool voice with just a shade of Tormé, a touch of Joe Mooney (if you don't know Mooney check him out!) and a little Harry Connick jnr.

The boy plays good piano too.

Tea For Two, Cheek To Cheek, For Once in my Life and the title song plus the bonus track - an original, Going Nowhere, make listening to this a delightful experience.

The disc is launched at Pizza Express on Sept. 27 followed by some dates in the home counties with a sortie up to Birmingham and over to Manchester.
For more details go to www.anthonystrong.com.
Lance.

Tony Bennett on Radio 2

Tomorrow night (Sunday 18th) on Radio 2 at seven o'clock there is the first of four programmes - Tony Bennett Presents the Great American Songbook - exploring the songs of Broadway, Hollywood and Tin Pan Alley. In the first programme expect to hear Autumn in New York and It's Only a Paper Moon.

Russell.

 

Lorez Alexander

During the bands break at the Hoochie Coochie last night the DJ played some really cool sounds.
 When I heard this it really made me sit up and listen....the arrangement of "Send in the Clowns"  totally had my interest. OK the experts will perhaps say its rather dated and maybe been done before...but I just loved it.
 The superb lady vocalist I had never heard of before, was Lorez Alexandria, she died 10 yrs ago...
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VWnB-OM-GY&feature=related
Hil.

CD Review: Mark McKnight Organ Quartet - Do or Die

Mark McKnight (guitar), Seamus Blake (saxophone), Ross Stanley (organ) & James Maddren (drums) Mark McKnight's second CD Do or Die features a UK-based organ band. The tunes are McKnight's - the exception being Rodgers and Hart's Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered - and his hand-picked band has honed the material to perfection. 

The ubiquitous Ross Stanley plays Hammond with restraint never seeking to dominate. Drummer James Maddren - a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music - bristles with technique yet he too plays with commendable reserve. Band leader McKnight is a supremely gifted guitarist and New Yorker Seamus Blake's tenor complements and completes the group sound on this most satisfying new release from Whirlwind Recordings. 

The opening track, the eponymous Do or Die, sets the standard and features some post-Coltrane tenor intensity. Pieces is a relaxed piece exemplifying the CD as a whole. Nightcap goes with a lyrical, '60's Modern jazz feel; McKnight languorously fluent, Blake likewise, Stanley stabbing and swirling, Maddren wonderfully loose throughout. Bewitched is an inspired inclusion on this recording. A classic number, it is approached with due reverence and the result is stunning. It will be a long time before this take is bettered and hearing it live on the band's forthcoming UK tour will be an eagerly anticipated occasion. 

McKnight can do contemporary and Tease demonstrates the point. A drum 'n' bass vibe underpins McKnight's scaling of the heights and Blake joins in the fun with some blistering tenor work. On Contemplate Hammond maestro Stanley conjures an ethereal church organ sound upon which McKnight constructs a considered solo followed by superb tenor from Blake. The CD's closing number (We'll) Just Disappear is a fitting finale with Blake once again in the spotlight with more taut, intense playing of the highest order. 

The CD is officially released on 26th September. The band is about to embark on an extensive tour of the UK - the first date (the first of 14 gigs in 13 days!) is in Bristol this Sunday (18th). Hopefully the CD will be available at venues during the band's travels throughout the land. 

Check out Mark McKnight's website - www.markmcknight.co.uk - for details of where you can catch the band live. Do 0r Die (Whirlwind Recordings WR461). 

Russell.

Paul Edis Trio @ Hoochie Coochie

Paul Edis (keys); Mick Shoulder (bs); Adam Sinclair (dms).

Okay, so I'm a simple soul. The machinations of the minds of others only serve to confuse me more - like tonight!

In my naivety, I figured that the opportunity to hear Paul Edis in trio format, in luxurious surroundings and for free would have had every jazzbo east of the sun and west of the Byker Bridge fighting to be in.

It wasn't like that! The local jazz hierarchy was absent in its entirety and, apart from Brian Chester, Claire Kelly, Hil and a couple of others there were few musos either.

The point I'm making is that this has the potential to be a good town centre gig that is open to local musicians. Is it not too much to ask that fans and players get out and support each other?

Having got that off my chest, it was a great couple of sets by Paul who, freed from the confines of his other commitments, was able to fly like I've never heard him fly before! The final Indiana was second only to the Bud Powell version or was it the other way around?

This was the culmination of two superb sets enjoyed by the appreciative audience.

Earlier we'd had Watermelon Man, My Funny Valentine Waltz For Debby to name but a few - oh yes and an Edis original entitled Dedicated to Duke and not Dedicated to a Duck as it appeared in a previous review on this site! 

Mick and Adam were also in full flight throughout.

Tremendous!

Lance.

Maine Street Jazzmen @ Rosie Malone's, South Shields.

Olive Rudd (vcl); Jim McBriarty (alt/clt/vcl); Iain MacAullay (tmb/vcl); George Richardson (keys); Alan Rudd (bs); Mike Humble (dms).

Herbie has, once again, hibernated to Turkey calling in as a replacement Iain of the unspellable first and second names - hopefully I've got it right!

The dep was in good form sliding his way around Somebody Loves Me both vocally and instrumentally. This is one of Gershwin's great songs  although the line that goes, "To every girl that passes me I shout hey maybe, you would like to be my loving baby?" makes me wonder what was the percentage success rate and did he ever get arrested for soliciting?

Olive too took advantage of Herbie's absence and rendered cracking versions of The Frim Fram Sauce and Tuxedo Junction.

Possibly the best instrumental number was Mambo Inn that made for a pleasant change - keep it in the pad.

Another good afternoon aided and abetted by Marston's Pedigree.

Lance.

Tomorrow night at Hoochie Coochie

Hoochie Coochie is a new venue at 54 Pilgrim St, Newcastle (formerly Jumping Jacks) whose owner has a sympathetic ear towards Modern Jazz and, as such, is starting a regular Thursday night featuring the best of local bands. The first of these FREE events (and I refer to the price rather than the style of the music) features the PAUL EDIS TRIO - Paul on keys, Mick Shoulder on bass and Adam Sinclair on kit.

As this is a new venture it is to be hoped fans will show their support for a great venue and a great trio.

Doors open 7 and music starts at 8:00pm.

See you there!

Lance.

CD Review: Soul Rebels Brass Band - Unlock Your Mind.

Erion Williams (saxophone); Paul Robertson, Corey Payton (trombone); Julian Gosin, Marcus Hubbard (trumpet); Edward Lee JR (sousaphone); Derrick Moss(bass drum); Lumar Leblanc (snare drum).

If you caught the Soul Rebels at The Sage, or elsewhere on their recent tour, you will know what to expect from this CD. If this is your first time of hearing their funky sounds then make sure you have your dancing shoes on. Prepare some Jambalaya and a Crawfish Pie - maybe a Fillet Gumbo, fill up a jug with Louisiana Liquor and invite the neighbours round because, from the opening bars of 504, you're gonna want to party!

It's that kind of disc.

If there are any typos it's because my fingers are doing the Funky Chicken as I type.

Funk and soul and rock'n'roll, jazz and blues and hip-hop too.

It's happy music that was born out of tragedy. After Katrina hit New Orleans the Soul Rebels came together with renewed purpose. "Music has been the number one vehicle for Katrina recovery" said Lumar Leblanc, and since then the band has served as an international ambassador of the current New Orleans sound.

The vocals are shared round both solowise and collectively and there are some pithy solos from the horns that would do credit to any pure jazz album.

But forget about genre - just enjoy! - and you can do that for free by visiting their website - www.soulrebelsbrassband.com/sweetdreamsEP  and downloading an EP containing 3 of the tracks from the album

Lance.

Soul Rebels Brass Band: Unlock Your Mind. Release date NOW OCT 10, 2011.

AN HOUR OF DELIGHT WITH ANITA O’DAY (Radio 2 Monday Sept. 12)

I would have missed this broadcast, had it not been advertised by Lance on the blog, so thanks are due for that.  Monday’s broadcast in the ‘Strong and Sassy’ series was presented by Moira Stewart with the help of Clare Teal, and included loads of songs from Ms O’Day, and comments from musicians that she’d worked with, as well as recordings of her talking about her life and work.  She came across as a warm, spirited person, with not a trace of self-pity, despite having what was probably a lonely life, and problems with drugs, drink and relationships.  She’s one of my favourite jazz singers, so it was great to hear the lady herself speaking.  I came to jazz too late to catch Ms O’Day during her lifetime.

 She apparently underwent a tonsillectomy which was bungled and part of her uvula was removed, so, as she explained, ever after that she had to shake her head in order to get a vibrato sound!  Well she certainly didn’t let that stop her singing and scatting with great rhythm and speed, as one band leader pointed out.   The songs we heard included Have You Met Miss Jones; Georgia on my Mind; What Is This Thing Called Love (with loads of unusual improvisation); Honeysuckle Rose (accompanied mainly by a marvelous line on the double bass).  Then listeners  were wonderfully surprised by a change of mood, with sensitively sung items such as God Bless the Child and A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.

The lady laughingly described what she (and many others) considered to be the high point of her career, when she performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, (as seen in the film Jazz on a Summer’s Day).  She quickly went out and bought a long dress and a hat ‘with ostrich feathers’ ready for the performance, and was pleased to be featured in ‘Time’ magazine afterwards.

Catch all this and lots more on the BBC iplayer this week.

Ann Alex.

RIP Graham Collier

Bassist Graham Collier died on September 10 age 74. Although a figure of international standing Collier was actually born in Tynemouth. He appeared at several Newcastle Jazz Festivals as well as less prestigious gigs in the area. I recall seeing him at an arts centre in Bensham.

Not only a Berklee trained musician but, as well as a double bassist, he was also an outstanding composer and jazz author. I have on my shelves his biography of the Dankworths which is an excellent and informative piece of writing.

His music was always searching and probing - seeking new boundaries but still accessible.

He left a great legacy on disc.

Obituary.

Lance.

Women in Jazz Tonight on Radio 2.

This week's subject is Anita O'Day - 10:00pm, Radio 2.
Lance.
Next week Adelaide Hall.

June Christy.

Being a huge fan of June, I've always wanted to hear more of her rare later appearances. Sadly, born too late, I wasn't able to make any of her appearances in the '80s. I don't really know why I have such a 'thing' for the Misty Miss Christy. I love Anita, Chet, Cleo, so many many more artists, and yet since discovering June's last album 'Impromptu' - I was so excited to hear the freedom the years seemed to have given her stylings. Her voice, very worn by that time, might not have been the prettiest instrument but coupled with Lou Levy's arrangement - the album haunts me - and I'm so interested in this period of June's career. 

I wonder if there are any private recordings from jazz events in the UK circulating between fans? I suppose my dream would be to find out that there was a recording of the North Sea Jazz festival, from the year June performed and your photographs were taken! 
Feel free to tell me to carry on dreaming! But I hope you'll understand the spirit this message is sent in, and won't mind the intrusion. Thank you for reading my little essay, and I send you my very best and continued success with your work.

Alp Haydar
(Are there any undiscovered June Christy tracks out there? - Lance.)

The Panama Jazzmen Story

The Story of the Newcastle based Panama Jazzmen, 1951-2000, billed as "The North's Leading Jazz Attraction" they achieved great success, especially in the 1950's & 60's, playing for dances, jazz clubs, concerts & festivals, where they played on the same bill as many top acts, such as Louis Armstrong, Kenny Ball, Ken Colyer, the Beatles, etc, etc. Includes Audio Tracks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aekqQIkZvks
Alan Rudd.

Elaine Binney and the Jazz Rascals @ The Bridge

Elaine Binney (vln); Eliza Lawson (vcl); Steve Brown (keys); Keith Mills (bs); Jae Brooks (dms); Graham Robinson (ten).

The Bridge was filled to capacity, there was a vibrancy about the room and there were a lot of new faces in the crowd - and on stage.

The Rascals were in town!

Elaine's new line-up comprises her regular bass and drums plus guest singers and keyboardists which tonight were Steve Brown and Eliza Lawson.

The mini-skirted, trilby-hatted violinist has been a welcome addition to the local scene over the past year ploughing an individual furrow somewhere between Grappelli and Jean Luc-Ponty in a mixture of standards and originals. Her youthful vitality and enthusiasm is infectious as is her music. Eliza Lawson - a new name to me - is quite an explosive singer whose wordless improvisations were the perfect complement. Keyboard, pogo bass and drums drove things along nicely and things rocked along swingingly.

As a bonus tenorist Graham Robinson blew on a couple of numbers.

It wasn't all perfect! The sound balance could have been better - at times the violin couldn't be heard - but, that aside, it was a good gig and an enthusiastic crowd. Splinter is to be applauded for encouraging new bands with something to say.

Photos.

Lance.

Sustaining the Pedal @ The Jazz Café or just another manic Sunday.

On the back wall Frank and Ella were duetting on The Lady is a Tramp. In front of the screen sax player Doug was accompanying - on drums!
Pete had lost - or it had been stolen - his sustain pedal.
Keith told of his war with Newcastle Library.
SNAFU!
A sustain pedal was found but it didn't work.
"The polarity needs reversing" said Pete, "Do you have a soldering iron?" he asked Keith.
"No - it got stolen!" replied mein genial host.
There was much discussion on how to successfully reverse the polarity without a soldering iron.
"My aluminium washing up bowl also got stolen" added Keith.
I checked to see my wallet was still there.
Eventually the polarity was reversed but the pedal still refused to sustain.
Enter a customer. "I'm an electronics engineer he announced - I build robots."
Ah! A man who builds robots could surely heal an ailing sustain pedal!
Alas this was no ordinary sustain pedal and the Robotic Engineer failed.
In came a former Sony Sound Engineer. A man noted for his consumption of Bud.
He too proved unequal to the task and retired to be consoled in the arms of Bacchus.
The Robot maker played some classical pieces without sustain and I left for The Bridge.
For all I know 'the experts. are still working on the pedal.
Lance.

Whitley Bay Classic Jazz Party Update.

Day Tickets are now on sale for the Classic Jazz Party in November, so if you'd like to hear some of the world's best musicians but don't want to invest £100 for the whole three days, you can pop along and get a full days-worth (plus jazz movies and a late night jam session!) for as little as £35. Full details are at the website, www.whitleybayjazzfest.org where you can book online, but places are limited, especially for the Saturday, so don't delay too long. If you prefer to pay be cheque you can download the attached booking form.

Mike. 
Booking form.

Lindsay Hannon Plus @ Ashington Jazz Club Sept. 7

Lindsay Hannon (vocal); Alan Law (Keyboard); John Pope (Bass); Mark Robertson (Drums).

We are privileged that within the North East Jazz scene we have several accomplished Jazz Singers. Those of you who regularly read Bebop Spoken Here will know whom I am referring to. They are so very different in their styles and performances and offer followers such a delightful variety of vocal expression and excellence. It was a treat for our Club to welcome for the first time Lindsay Hannon Plus. A very good audience soon realised the traditions of lady vocalists is in good health in our region as Lindsay and her trio opened the first set with a selection of well known standards but which were delivered in a stylistic way with variations in mood, rhythm and emotion - each song painting another impression of familiar song book lyrics which were most refreshing.The Green Goddess (I apologise for this description] and her able trio were together throughout and obviously well rehearsed as they delivered each number with individual solos timed to perfection.After the interval we were once more offered an eclectic selection of great Jazz lyrics and members were pleasantly surprised by the programme and enthusiastically expressed their appreciation for a wonderful evening.

The programme, as I attempt to remember, included - Stompin' at the Savoy, Comes Love, I can't escape from you, Long ago and far away, The hissing of summer lawns, Nature Boy, Why try to change me now, Lullaby of Birdland, What if I can't stay, I've got the Blues, Our love is here to stay, When the sun sets, I wake up alone, Blue Motel. The supporting trio displayed great technique and skill while supporting Lindsay as she adjusted the lyrics and moods. Sometimes forceful, sometimes beautiful, emotional, gentle, fast, sympathetic etc. etc. Brilliant. I may not have remembered all or not even in the correct order but sometimes musicians are oftern accused of notes on a page not always presented as the composer wrote- but that's life. One more final comment. We may have lost Billy Harper and Anne de Vere to France but within this group we have worthy replacements.

Photos.

Peter S.

Paul Edis Trio at Matfen Parish Church

Paul Edis (keys); Mick Shoulder (bs); Adrian Sinclair (dms).

You've heard of "Food Miles" - the distance some of our goods travel up and down the country. Last night at was about Jazz Miles (Distance not Davis). We thought we would pop across to Matfen from Ashington , which ended up in a 50 mile round trip. Just shows the dedication of Mick Shoulder, the bass player for the night. He must have a 120 mile round trip from South Durham. Don't know how far Paul and drummer Adam Sinclair had to travel!

The band kicked off with My Funny Valentine followed by Bye Bye Blackbird and One Note Samba. (No Clarinet or Flute from Paul for the Bossa numbers like the other week at the Cherry Tree.) Emily, Days of Wine and Roses were followed by Big Lamp Blues, which was one of Paul's own compositions. I first heard this number  via the internet, prompting me to listen to them live. The second half included Paul's composition Taking the Dog Out and Dedicated to the Duck. Among others featured were Moonglow, Donna Lee and as an encore I've Got Rhythm.

Altogether a nice night out which included a glass of wine and some nibbles.  The local Matfen Parishioners got a fine introduction to live jazz from the North East's top trio. 

John and Alan

Triple Threat Tonight

There is a triple threat to jazz fans in Newcastle city centre tonight. There's the Sunday evening (afternoon is now somewhat optimistic!) jam session at the Jazz Café on Pink Lane, The James Taylor Quartet at Hoochie Coochie on Pilgrim St. and Elaine Binney and the Jazz Rascals at The Bridge Hotel in the shadow of the Castle Keep.
It's a tough call although, because of their proximity, one could make all three!
Lance.

Nearly Dan @ The Sage.

Steve Hayes (gtr/vcl); Gary Davies (keys); Rob Rolph (lead gtr); Pete Bacanin (bs.gtr); ? (dms); Steve Parry (tpt); Chris Buckland (alt); Tim France (ten); Sarah Miller/ Louise ? (vcls).

An almost 3 tier full Hall Two audience greeted Nearly Dan with a welcome verging on the rapturous. The fans were out in force from as far afield as Dundee and the bands home-base of  Stoke on Trent.

I must confess I'm not overly familiar with the Steely Dan Songbook so I had no yardstick with which to compare enabling me to judge them on their merits.

And what merits!

An absolutely stunning performance mostly rock with the jazz element coming from the horns' powerful ensembles and pithy solos. The two girls doing the backing vocals filled out the ensemble both harmonically and visually as they strutted non-stop - truly a delight to behold! They also impressed with individual solos. It was Louise's first ever gig with the band and she did good.
Lead vocalist kept things moving and lead guitar had some blasts that got the adrenalin going.
Sorry I didn't catch all of the names.
Lance.

The Jazz Café Documentary

Harley Johnson drew my attention to this YouTube documentary on Newcastle's Jazz Café.
Lance.

Tonight at The Sage

Tonight The Sage offers up two events from the "Jazz Fringe" in the form of a couple of concerts that, although they only have a peripheral jazz connection should, nevertheless, be enjoyable experiences. 

In Hall One, legendary Beach Boy Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin. I'm not certain that Gershwin's music needs reimagining but, if it does, then I'm sure Wilson will give it Good Vibrations.

Have you noticed how, in later life, rock/pop stars either discover Religion or the Great American Song Book?

Over in Hall Two we have Nearly Dan. "Less tribute and more homage to the jazz-influenced Steely Dan" reads the blurb. I'm not quite sure of the difference between tribute and homage but no doubt all will be revealed.in an evening where, and again I quote, "Nearly Dan's approach is faithful, though not reverential; an uncannily precise imitation."

See you there.

Lance.

Goin' Home:The Uncompromising Life and Music of Ken Colyer by Mike Pointon and Ray Smith

Let me first say that this is arguably the greatest book ever devoted to a jazz musician! It lists just about every event in Colyer's, sadly too short, life. As such, it is not a "book at bedtime" nor  a light read on the train. Truth is it's not a book to be read at all! It's a 350 plus page large omnibus of letters and memories from those associated with the bearded trumpet player.

And photos!

It's a book to dip into - frequently!

There are magnificent photos of the various bands plus some really bizarre items such as the cartoon strip from teen magazine Valentine that shows Ken falling in love with Delphine. This is described as "Valentine's Roving Reporter visits the top stars of show business and hears their true love stories first hand - This Week: Ken Colyer and Delphine.".

There's the comment that he was a fan of Frank Sinatra which may surprise the mouldy figs (if they still exist!) and that indeed Ken's phrasing of a melody often bore similarities to Sinatra's take.

There is so much in this book that I never knew about Colyer. To be honest, he was just another traddie to me but the man's sincerity and his belief in the music he loved emerges. Nevertheless, a book such as this will do much to keep the memory alive.
As for me I'm going to have to dig out the 10" lp. and the tapes etc.

The book, incidentally, comes with a 19 track CD.
Memories of such a happy time in Newcastle at the New Orleans Club and other Hot Spots.
A good read that may take the rest of your life but if it does I don't think you'll mind!
Lance.

CD Review: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue - For True

For True is Troy Trombone Shorty Andrews' latest CD release. It features a host of big name guests including Jeff Beck, Lenny Kravitz and members of the Rebirth Brass Band. It covers a lot of ground, ranging from the marching bands of New Orleans via AOR to contemporary pop-soul and funk. Andrews himself describes the mix as 'supafunkrock'. Brit rock guitar hero Jeff Beck contributes a Jeff Beck solo, Lenny Kravitz funks it up on bass guitar and Ledisi belts out some nu soul vocals on Then There Was You with some impressive trumpet work by non other than Trombone Shorty. The leader is a multi instrumentalist and the inclusion of the Rebirth Brass Band somewhat blurs the division of labour on this most varied CD. The real jazz interest is limited to a tantalising couple of minutes of excellent French Quarter marching band sounds in the two part Lagnaippe. British fans can hear the band live in Liverpool at Eric's (September 23) and London's Jazz Café (September 24). The CD is available now. Russell.

Esquire Jazz @ The Porthole

Miles Watson sent me this cartoon of the original Jazz Esquires at The Porthole, North Shields.

Sketched by an unknown artist the musicians are Hughie Aitchison (tpt); Munro Sutherland (clt); Lenny Sampson (tmb); Eric Gamblin (gtr); Derek Dixon (bs); Mick Yorke (dms) Bob ? (pno). It's Bob the Pianist who is the problem name-wise. Can anyone recall his surname or, come to that, who was the artist?

Lance.

King Kenton - Queen Claire

Those of us "of a certain age" did, in our youth, have firm views on the music of Stan Kenton - we either loved it to the point of Beatle-like adulation or condemned it as being the musical equivalent of the Third Reich!

This still bemuses me and, listening to this wonderful Prom Celebration on Radio 2, the music now seems greater than ever albeit no longer controversial!

Directed by former Kenton trombonist Jiggs Whigham the BBC Big Band interpreted the original Holman, Paich, Kenton charts in a manner that did credit both ways. Martin Shaw's Portrait of a Count would surely have drawn praise from Candoli Minor himself!

The thing that most hits me looking back is that, despite the controversy at the time, it was MUSIC! Sure it wasn't Dixie or Swing although it usually did swing (Shelly Manne on drums - not swing?!) but the main thing was that it grabbed the pre-brainwashed public. In 1953 there were trips to Dublin to hear the band owing to the Musicians Union not allowing them to play in UK - unions eh?

This concert is a superb example of the great man's music and with Claire Martin doing the June Christy/Chris Connor vocal bits it's as if I was in Dublin or the Balboa Ballroom or the Hollywood Palladium! The final That Old Black Magic not only had Claire strutting her stuff but MD Jiggs dusted off his trombone for a fine chorus.

Its on BBC iplayer for another 6 days.

Lance.

Rosie's.

Olive Rudd (vcl); Herbie Hudson (tmb/hca/vcl); Jim McBriarty (clt/sop/vcl); George Richardson (keys); Alan Rudd (bs); Mike Humble (dms).

A typical afternoon in Rosie's. The Maine Street Jazzmen were in good fettle as they dished up the familiar menu that, it has to be said that, "Age cannot wither nor custom change its infinite variety" (Shakespeare)..

Olive opened up with All of Me and I wondered if this was a tribute to Margaret whose funeral I attended yesterday or just coincidence. Probably the latter although I'd like to think that maybe - just maybe - it was a last farewell from the otherside. Whatever - Olive sang it well.

George Ricco produced banjo effects on the Yamaha keyboard - no Xmas card for him this year! However, the Shearing-like sounds he produced later more than made up for this minor indiscretion.

Olive also sang Back In Your Own Backyard which posed the question as to where was the jolly George who, when not demanding Hello Dolly would volubly call for BIYOB? George hasn't been sighted for a week or too - perhaps he too is back in his own backyard!

It was a good session to the extent that even the lack of bar snacks didn't detract from.

Photos.

Lance.

Spats Langham and Friends - Threkeld. September 7.

Thomas "Spats" Langham (gtr/bjo/vcl); John Hallam clt/ten); Roy Cansdale (bs); Paul Adams (dms).

With the sad demise of the Saville and Trinity still on its summer break, we were in need of a jazz session to recharge our batteries for the hard winter ahead and what could be better than a 1920's hot jazz night? Our thanks to Barbara Hallam for the mail shot (sign up now!) that introduced us to Threlkeld.

The Lakes' weather did its best to make us turn back, but jazz fans are hardy fools, we surfed down the A66 then swam the carpark into the "Horse & Farrier" for a very enjoyable top up before venturing back into the rain to join the "locals" in the village hall.

The evening was arranged by Paul and Linda at "Lake" who had brought along a suitable selection of CD's to whet our appetite with the promise from Paul of another fifty thousand in the warehouse should we feel the need to "splash out" - an appropriate thought!

On to the music - and what music it was too! The evening was kick-started with Spats on banjo and vocal in Fats Wallers' Ain't Misbehavin'; then into the instrumental Christopher Columbus with Spats switching to guitar and John on clarinet wowing the audience. Next up was a Django Rheinhardt number Out of Nowhere with Spats in fine form on guitar and John adding his subtle tenor sax to perfection. Crazy Rhythm was up next, with Spats switching to banjo and John on sax; followed by Harry Reser's Pickings. Last before a much needed break to wind down was Duke's It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing - what better title to sum up this quartet?

Though, as always, the front line - Spats and John - take the limelight, we should always remember it's the added rhythm section that gives us the full sound, and Roy and Paul were on good form.

Our second half kicked off with Louis Armstrong's Swing That Music - and boy did they! Then followed Exactly Like You. Spats kept us guessing with his vocal from the 1928 Blackbird show, which was revealed as I Can't Give You Anything But Love.

Uptempo again now, to Running Wild with Spats on banjo and featuring John on clarinet. Spats then calmed us down with an Eddie Lang guitar solo April Showers, easy to see why Spats is such a fan of Mr Lang...

Back to Fats Waller and Keepin' Out of Mischief Now, then a tune associated with Coleman Hawkins - Body and Soul.

Any evening in the company of Spats cannot be fulfilled without a Ukulele Ike number and we were not disappointed with Gershwin's Lady Be Good to soothe us.

Sadly our evening of virtuoso jazz was over all too soon, but we went out on a high, with Dinah showcasing the bands talents with Spats on banjo and John on sax.

Our loud applause drew an extra, the beautiful vocal and banjo rendition of I'll See You in my Dreams leaving us all to depart whistling as we headed out into a surprisingly dry night....the weather gods too had enjoyed a marvelous evening of top class 1920's swing..........well done guys!

Were we mad to travel from Newcastle to near Keswick on such an awful evening ? Not at all.....we'd have been mad not to go, its well worth travelling a few extra miles to be entertained in such a fine manner. On to Lockerbie Jazz festival next.........

Ray Robson

Message From Middlesbrough Town Hall and Crypt.

Stacey Kent & Her Musicians. Middlesbrough Town Hall. Thursday 6 October, 8:00pm. £16; Conc £14

Stacey Kent, a best-selling member of the Blue Note roster of recording artists, now boasts six best-selling albums, a string of awards, including the British Jazz Award, The BBC Jazz Award for 'Best Vocalist', and Album of the Year , as well as a fan base that enables her to sell-out concert halls around the world.

Stacey's last album, 'Breakfast On the Morning Train', went ‘platinum’ in France and ‘gold’ in Germany, and was also nominated for a 2009 Grammy Award. Spring 2010 saw the release of Stacey’s eagerly anticipated new album, ‘Raconte-Moi’, on Blue Note.

"She has charm to burn, a smile that could give you hope in February and sings like nobody's business" The Wall Street Journal

http://www.seetickets.com/Event/STACEY-KENT/Middlesbrough-Town-Hall/566150

Matthew Halsall. Saturday 15 October, 8:00pm, £8.

Manchester based trumpeter Matthew Halsall is fast carving out a reputation as one of the UK’s brightest talents. A gifted trumpeter with a beautiful, expressive tone, his music draws on his love of the transcendental spiritual and modal jazz of Alice and John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders, as well as the glories of ‘60s British jazz, and has won him fans from Gilles Peterson to Mojo and BBC Music Magazine.

Halsall’s music is thoughtful, elegiac and explorative. But while imbued with a sense of history, the young trumpeter and DJ nevertheless brings a contemporary bounce to his beautiful music and his live shows are as likely to feature a Cinematic Orchestra or Soil and Pimp cover as his own thoughtful originals or the bands soulful explorations of the music of Alice and John Coltrane.

Tony Bennett and KD

I've always been a big fan of Tony Bennett's and am waiting patiently until the 19th September when his new c.d. is released. When checking on Amazon you are given a taste of the album with a recording of him and the wonderful K.D. Lang singing "Blue Velvet" This is the link....                                                                                                                                                               Tony Bennett has a fan site on FB which I naturally joined. I wrote to see if anyone had a recording of one of my all time favourite songs sung by Tony, "How do you say Auf Wiederseh'n" I had the vinyl in the 60's. The album is still in this house (somewhere?..lol..) but at present I am unable to locate it. Mel Torme does a great job of singing it on one of his c.d.'s but Tony is the man for me. Pity I'm unable to go down to the London Palladium in October to see him again. Alas the £135 for a seat was the deciding factor. Hope you are able to hear "Blue Velvet" as he and K.D. do a wonderful job of it.

Hilary.

Soul Rebels Brass Band CD release.

October 10 is the re-arranged release date for the Soul Rebels Brass Band CD Unlock Your Mind.
Review.
Video clip.
Lance.

Bands Wanted for Hoochie Coochie

Warren Thomson, owner of Newcastle's coolest jazz venue - Hoochie Coochie - is starting a weekly live Jazz session on a Thursday at The Hooch (Warren's words!). He intends to offer this to the public free and to try and build a crowd/following of open minded individuals . With this in mind he will be pushing for upbeat funky/swing/bebop types of players as, and I quote, "We are after all a late bar and need  to keep the place lively". 
First session is on Sept. 15 with the Paul Edis Trio followed by the Safe Sextet on Sept. 22.
Bands interested are invited to contact Warren at info@hoochiecoochie.co.uk. 
This Sunday (Sept. 11) has the James Taylor Quartet which should be an out and out blast!
Click here for a recent review of Steve Fishwick's gig at "The Hooch".
Lance.

CD Review: Alexander Stewart - All or Nothing at All

It was a couple of years ago when Alexander Stewart burst into my existence at The Spice of Life and completely knocked me out with his set.

Later, my parochial loyalties were stretched to the limit when he took on local boy Jason Isaacs in the final of the TV People's Crooner Competition.

Since then he has appeared at London's coolest music venues including Ronnie's, Pizza, Hideaway etc so it was only a matter of time before Alexander Stewart's work was captured on CD - hopefully the first of many.

The obvious comparison is with Michael Bublé and with no disrespect to the Canadian - who is a favourite of mine - I feel that Stewart captures the legacy of his spiritual mentors (Sinatra, Bennett etc) better and adds a dash of his own angostura to the mix. The selection of songs is impeccable - No Moon at All, Young at Heart, Easy To Love, All The Way to mention but a few. Paul Simon's Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover is a surprising but effective choice.

The Alex Webb Trio, Webb on piano, Gary Crosby and Andy Chapman on bass and drums respectively, give solid backing with some dazzling alto from Nat Facey providing the icing on the cake.

An outstanding vocal disc.
Check Alexander out here.
Lance.

Alexander Stewart - All or Nothing at All distributed by Proper Note Distribution. Released today -Sept. 5, 2011.

Women in Jazz Tonight on Radio 2.

Moira Stuart presents the first of a four part series on women in jazz tonight (Monday 5th) on Radio 2. Strong and Sassy - Inspiring Women of Jazz. Lena Horne is the featured artist in the first programme at 10;00 pm.

Russell.

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Check it out here. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01466gb

Mark Williams Trio @ The Bridge. Sept 4th

Mark Williams (guitar), Paul Susans (electric bass) & Richard Brown (drums)

Summer over, Splinter back in action, it was time to reconvene at the Bridge Hotel..A first class pint of Hook Norton in hand and no better way to resume the weekly session than to book the one and only Mr.Mark Williams. Guitarist Williams teamed up with friends Paul Susans and Richard Brown to pick a few tunes and give them a blast. A swinging original number, a Pat Metheny composition, a ballad, searing fusion fret-work, killer chords and a shuffle blues made this an evening for lovers of contemporary guitar. Bassist Susans was in fine form with that wonderful Jaco sound. Richard Brown has taken the drum chair from the departed David Carnegie and on this showing it is his for good. The set concluded with the gargantuan Minor Detail. From the pen of Williams, it could quite easily feature in ACV's set list. A good start to the autumn season. 
Next Sunday - 11th September - Elaine Binney brings in her Jazz Rascals.
Russell.

Tonight @ The Cherry Tree.

Making her professional debut at the Cherry Tree tonight is Dora Rubinstein described by owner Peter Wardle as "a beautiful and talented singer" who is also a fan of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughan.

Supported by the Paul Edis Trio it sounds like it really will be an 'unmissable evening'!

Show starts 7:30pm and there is still a special 20% off the menu.

Lance.

TheThoughts of Frank Zappa

I saw an amusing quote of Zappa's on the BBC website - "A composer is a guy who goes around forcing his will on unsuspecting air molecules."
Just been looking at his many thought provoking and amusing quotes on this link -
http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/22302.Frank_Zappa
Your bloggers might be interested although I guess many will already know of them.
Quite a character!
Roly.

Horns of a Dilemma

A week tonight Sunday Sept 11 presents a problem - do I go to Hoochie Coochie for the James Taylor Quartet or Splinter @ The Bridge and Elaine Binney and the Jazz Rascals? Both will be tremendous gigs (ignore any negative comments you may have read elsewhere) and it may come down to the spin of a coin!

This is a recent YouTube track by Elaine's new line-up playing an original composition - Orphans of the Storm.

Lance. 

Some Zoe Gilby gigs.

Sunday 4th September 8pm - Milestones Jazz Club – Lowestoft.
Zoe Gilby / Andy Champion Bass and Voice Duo
£6 -£7
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Saturday 10th September 3pm. Brel – Glasgow.
Zoe Gilby Quintet
FREE.
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Saturday 10th September 8pm -  MacRobert Arts Centre – Stirling.
Zoe Gilby Quintet.
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Sunday 11th September 8pm - The Jazz Bar – Edinburgh.
Zoe Gilby Quintet
£5.
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Saturday 8th October 2pm. Marsden Jazz Festival – Riverhead Brewery Tap
Zoe Gilby / Andy Champion Voice and Bass Duo
FREE.
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Lance.

Hooray For Hollywood (...and Scarborough!)

Been spending a couple of days in Scarborough preparatory to the Jazz Festival later this month which will, of course, be reported extensively within these pages.

It was a relatively jazz free weekend (for once) although I had hoped to dine at Beiderbeckes and catch the Jeremy McMurray Trio. Unfortunately my hotel included evening meal so I had to forego a visit to "Bix's".

However, all was not lost as it enabled me to watch the Prom concert - Hooray For Hollywood. Not a jazz occasion to be sure although with Clare Teal around our music wasn't a million miles away!

Individuals apart, conductor John Wilson and his orchestra - an orchestra with quite a few jazzmen in its ranks - gave a stupendous interpretation of songs from many of the great Hollywood musicals beginning with 42nd St in the 1930s through to Hello Dolly in the 1960s.

At the end all I could do was shout - "Hooray For Hollywood"!
Watch again.

Lance.

Maine Street Jazzmen @ Rosie Malone's, South Shields. Thursday Sept 1.

Olive Rudd (vcl); Herbie Hudson (tmb/hca/vcl); Jim McBriarty (clt/sop/vcl); George Richardson (keys); Alan Rudd (bs); Mike Humble (dms).

Another fine Thursday afternoon at Rosie's with all participants in good form.

Herbie excelled on Lazy River using all three of his chosen forms of expression. Jimmy sang If I Only Had a Girl and he too, during the course of the afternoon, split himself three-ways. On keys, George produced a multitude of voices and, talking about 'voices' Olive sang Can't Help Loving That Man of Mine who just happened to be playing bass!
Mike proved that less can be more on his minimalist drum kit.
It was another splendid afternoon at Rosie Malone's.
Lance.

Artistry in Proms.

Claire Martin appears on BBC Breakfast News on Monday 5th September (8:30 am) to discuss her appearance at the Proms the following night in the Stan Kenton celebration. Martin sings with the BBC Big Band conducted by Jiggs Whigham.
Russell

Hong Kong to Hexham

Hope you all had a great summer, I did my normal trip to the UK, and
played The Jazz Real Ale Train, and did get a few surprises, here is
the youtube link for the train.
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As for Neds if any of you were around last night, you would have
caught the US 7th Fleet Band at Neds, they have told me that some of
them hope to be down tonight after the show on the USS Boxer...
Cheers
Colin

Jacqui Dankworth update

Those who enjoyed Jacqui Dankworth's new CD It Happens Quietly - reviewed here last month - may want to catch her live at one of the following venues:
14th September - Ronnie Scott's.

16th September - Beccles Music Festival, Beccles, Suffolk.

17th September - Richmond Jazz Festival, Richmond, North Yorkshire (with Chris Allard).

19th November – Arts Depot, N12 (London Jazz Festival).

26th November - Royal Northern College Of Music, Manchester.

http://www.jacquidankworth.com/
Lance.