Hannabiell and Midnight Blue CD Launch

This is the program for tomorrow (Saturday March 10) night's CD launch.

DJ Etch-A-Sqratch

Ojay the bass man

The Ladies of Midnight Blue:

Hannabiell Sanders

Yilis Suriel

DJ Etch-A-Sqratch (Mariam Rezaei:)

Hanabiell & Midnight Blue:

Hannabiell Sanders - Tyler the bass trombone, mbira, voice, percussion

Yilis Suriel - mbira, djembe, dun dun, & percussion

Mark Barefoot-  djembe, dun dun, & hosho 

Adam Stapleford - drum kit

David Mabbott - bass

Christopher Chadwick - keyboard

Jamie Stockbridge - saxophone

Zimbabwean singer Thulie Mazwi, will be featured on two of Hannabiell’s mbira compositions 'Ndlovukazi' & With Us'. 

DJ Alx Alfaro

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Looks good to me.

Lance.

Matthias Seuffert at Customs House and Trinity Jazz

Just a reminder that the brilliant young German sax and clarinet player, Matthias Seuffert, will be playing two concerts - in contrasting styles - on Tyneside next week. On Friday 16th he will be appearing at the Customs House, backed by Roly Veitch's Swing Quartet, in a programme of small band jazz from the 1930s and 1940s, featuring the great standards from the American Songbook. On Saturday 17th he will be at the Trinity Gosforth with a six-piece traditional lineup, playing music from the 1920s and early 1930s. Both concerts start at 8.00pm and end at 10.30pm. Box office for the Customs House is 0191 454 1234, and for the Trinity 0191 285 6130. Whatever your choice, don't miss out on this chance to hear one of today's most technically brilliant and very exciting younger jazzmen on one of his rare visits to the region!

Mike.

Who is this?

One of the more unusual birthday greetings I received on Facebook was this one.
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Happy Birthday Lance! Here is a birthday picture quiz question for you! A friend took this photo of a blind sax player at Newark Airport a few weeks ago. Can you identify him please? Have a good day.
Phil Portus.
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Phil - Is the airport Newark, England or Newark, New Jersey and can anyone help us out on this one?
Lance.

Vole @ The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle. Thursday 8th March

Roland Ramanan (trumpet), Roberto Sassi (guitar), Alex Hawkins (keyboards) & Tom Greenhalgh (drums).

Jazz North East’s latest On the Outside gig at Newcastle’s Bridge Hotel featured the quartet Vole. A large gathering – young and old – listened intently to every last note.  

Trumpeter Roland Ramanan, a tall, imposing figure, possessed a full, fat tone yet he chose to play sparingly, not one to over-play. Guitar and drums…now they played -  they really did play. Guitarist Roberto Sassi (a wunderkind) harnessed the raw power of drummer Tom Greenhalgh (another wunderkind), frequently at frightening speed, to unleash an infinite variety of lines all the while utilising pedals to great effect. The intricate broken beats invited keyboards virtuoso Alex Hawkins to the party. Furious, at times humorous interplay between guitar, drums and keyboards saw Ramanan in a state of contentment and when the trio had said its piece he stepped up to make his mark with an incisive contribution. Hawkins cut loose, taking no prisoners on Tim’s Frosties, drawing huge applause as the first set drew to a close. 

An interval beer in hand (the locally brewed Ouseburn Porter), sales of CDs were brisk to say the least. On resumption of the music Slow Burn was just that – a slow burner. At its climax it just about set the place alight. Staggering playing from the quartet put this gig firmly in contention for Gig of the Year (with ten months to go!). Infinite variations on riffs, lines, textures and tempi were exemplified on Vole Infinite the eponymous (apposite) track from the soon-to-be-released new CD Vole Infinite. Pre-release copies available at the gig sold out – recommendation in itself.

Russell                                   

Sing, Sing, Sing.

The singers are out in force tonight across the region. That boisterous vocal extremist Sandi Russell is with the Paul Edis Trio at Hoochie Coochie. Up river at Blaydon Ruth Lambert struts her stuff with the Customs House Big Band whilst further upstream at Hexham Arts Centre Lindsay Hannon Plus will be doing their thing. At La Bodega Tapas Bar in Morpeth Jack Hamilton plays solo piano but there is, I'm told, usually some vocal input from April the owner.

However, if your tastes run towards the wordless then the Jazz North East presentation of Vole at The Bridge Hotel could be the one for you.

Tradsters are catered for by the Vieux Carré Jazzmen at The Millstone in South Gosforth or the Maine Street Jazzmen over in Sunniside in the Marquis of Granby.

No excuse for staying in tonight!

Full details in the RH column.

Lance.

CD Review: Esbjorn Svensson Trio – “301”

Rather unfortunately I never got to see the Esbjorn Svensson Trio play live before the untimely, unfortunate and tragic death of Svennson himself a few years ago, but I was most pleased to have recently been handed a copy to review of the bands new post humus album release entitled “301”, named quite simply due to it’s location of recording, at Studio 301 in Sydney, Australia. The album features seven tracks in total and runs at just past an hour. For me the tracks “Inner City, Inner Lights”  and “Three Falling Free Part Two”  are the stand out numbers if I had to pick, but ultimately  this is a real journey album, a piece you want to sit and listen through from to start to finish proper, a slow and deliberate, delicate and fragile record, to absorb the meaning and content to it’s full expression, to let it wash through you and understand the whole rather than the individual compositions or indeed the individual group members themselves. The music is beautifully textural and layered, the classic Jazz Trio of Piano, Bass and Drums, with the added ingredient of Electronics which rather than clutter the music actually furthers to create a depth and spaciousness that allows the rhythm and melody to step slowly forward. Indeed this is tranquil music, cinematic and orchestral, laid back, but by no means lazy. This is most definitely a modern Jazz record, a record full of blues and hypnotism with a foot and seed firmly rooted in something older, something deeper ,a respect for origins but rather than rest on the laurels of the past it remains progressive whilst quietly nodding it’s head and tipping it’s hat, blood runs thick. With that in mind it’s as easy to reference the likes of the French pop band “Air” as much as it would the great Jazz pianist Paul Bley, and whilst Esbjorn Svensson, Dan Berglund and Magnus Ostrum provide the core of the music for the record the added ingredient of regular live sound and recording engineer and sound processor Ake Linton there’s a kind of Brian Enoesque feeling that runs through the record, the fourth member of the trio if you will, another something else. To my mind that key element of crossover is what I find attractive and exciting about E.S.T. The music isn’t deliberately “out there” but sometimes cant help find itself in that realm as much as it might then return to a more formal and recognised structure, such is the nature of a record compiled from a collection of nine hours worth of jamming from four well adept and open minded musicians who have worked up to this point together for fourteen years as well as individually for undoubtedly all their lives, indeed there is an understanding between players which can well be heard. A brief note on production would be to say that the record sounds great, a lovely warm recording with everything well balanced and cutting through, but most importantly the feeling is captured, a testament to what a great band and gang of improvisers E.S.T really were and for the most part will always remain in the Jazz public consciousness, for those who choose to listen. Wesley Stephenson. Esbjorn Svensson Trio: 301. ACT 90292. Release date March 26, 2012.

Joe Byrd Killed in Car Crash.

Joe Byrd, bassist brother of famed guitarist Charlie Byrd was killed yesterday in Annapolis, Washington D.C., when another car reportedly drove through a red light crashing into Byrd's car
Crash report.
Obituary
He was 78.
Lance.

Preview: Paul Taylor. to play at GIJF

Paul Taylor is an accomplished pianist and keyboard player specialising in improvisation. His music is evocative, alluring and unique; combining unusual harmonies and sonorities with an original and fluid technique.

He has performed regularly in solo capacity at the Sage Gateshead and has provided accompaniment for silent films shown at Gateshead Old Town Hall as part of 2010’s Late Shows Festival, and also at the Star and Shadow cinema.

He is also one third of acclaimed improv trio, The Long Lonesome Go, along with Christian Alderson and Jason Etherington. They performed at last year’s TUSK Festival for experimental music.

Paul will be performing a solo piano set on the concourse of the Sage Gateshead on Sunday Feb 5 at 12pm, and also on the concourse on Friday March 23 as part of Gateshead International Jazz Festival."

He can also be heard at the Cherry Tree Restaurant, Jesmond, playing solo on Saturdays March 17 and 24.

http://paultaylorx.bandcamp.com/album/wodewose

05 Nascent Angels.mp3

Lance.

Book Review - Peter King: Flying High - A Jazz Life and Beyond.

One of the events at GIJF that is most eagerly anticipated is the appearance by the Peter King Quartet. Peter King is, one of this countries greatest alto players - many people would say The Greatest - and who could argue? I have so many memories of hearing him

First time down at The Guildhall on Newcastle's Quayside with the Ed Faultless Trio. I was impressed then by his alto playing, a respect that grew some years later when I heard him with Red Rodney at the Corner House.

Flying High is an autobiography that charts his progress from blowing bebop to writing an opera. And, like his alto playing American contemporaries Art Pepper and Charlie Parker, it describes the pitfalls of following their lifestyles. But he survived - emerging with his musical skills intact

The book is also a wonderful look at the British modern jazz scene from the 1960's onwards - Tubbs, Ronnie, Seaman and all the usual suspects are there. I bought it on a visit to London and read it from cover to cover on the train home.

Buy the book, go to the concert - you will regret neither!

Lance.

Peter King: Flying High - A Jazz Life and Beyond. (Northway Publications). (Can currently be picked up on Amazon for £13.90.)
Peter King Quartet - Gateshead International Jazz Festival - The Sage, Friday March 23. 8:00pm.

CD Review: Ambrose Akinmusire - When the Heart Emerges Glistening.(Blue Note).

Ambrose Akinmusire (tpt/celeste/voice); Walter Smith (ten); Gerald Clayton (pno); Harish Raghaven (bs); Justin Brown (dms). + Jason Moran (Rhodes - two tracks).

For those who can't wait to hear Akinmusire at the Gateshead International Jazz Festival (Sunday March 25 - 2pm) this CD will help bridge the gap.

The trumpet player is one of the most impressive and creative players of his instrument in contemporary jazz and is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with alongside musicians of any genre.

When the Heart Emerges Glistening is an example of his current standing as both a player and a composer. The disc simply exudes energy but without loss of feeling. Indeed such is the beauty of his tone that tenderness abounds with each note he plays and never more so than in the poignant Regret played as a duo with Clayton dishing out the sympathy chords to great effect. Trumpet is laid down and Akinmusire moves over to celeste for a brief cameo on Ayneh. What's New?, the only non-original tune, once again is a duo piece that, this time, brings to mind the spirit of the Ruby Braff/Ellis Larkins duets from the 1950's.  Clayton is very much like Larkins but Akinmusire leans more towards Terence Blanchard.

On tenor, Smith's opportunities are limited but when given his head he shines. On the boppish The Walls of Lechuguilla a light, almost Getzian, tone is revealed.

Bass and drums do the necessary to make this a delightful CD and the perfect appertiser to the Festival concert.
YouTube clip.

Lance. 

CD: Ambrose Akinmusire - When the Heart Emerges Glistening.(Blue Note).

Concert: Gateshead International Jazz Festival (Sunday March 25 - 2pm)

Portico Quartet/Matthew Halsall Trio @ The Sage

Portico Quartet: Jack Wyllie (soprano and tenor saxophone), Duncan Bellamy (drums), Milo Fitzpatrick (double bass), and Keir Vine (Hang and percussion). 
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Matthew Halsall Trio: Matthew Halsall (trumpet, effects); Taz Modi (keys, effects); Luke Flowers (drums, percussion, effects.)
Hall Two was well attended - all three tiers were occupied.. The crowd showed their appreciation for both bands with Woo-Hoos and whistles as well as the traditional double forté application of right hand against left at a tempo approaching Allegro. These guys were going down well so why didn't I go along with the flow?

Perhaps I was worried about the electricity bill - with so many devices on stage it surely over loaded the National Grid. Maybe it was because I like to hear a trumpet solo that contains the occasional semi-quaver or two. Possibly it was because I prefer the music to be master of the electronics rather than vice-versa. More likely it's because I'm of an age where musical values rate higher than loops and synths and variable whatsits.

Both bands did what they do do well 'cept they didn't do it for me.

Right place - wrong time I guess.

Lance.

And at the Cherry Tree...

Tonight's featured artist at Jesmond's Cherry Tree Restaurant is Saxist/Flautist Sue Ferris.. Sue is always worth hearing - her dry cool sound on both instruments are like a breath of fresh air in today's climate of frenzied playing. The food's good too!
Lance.

Tonight @ The Sage, Gateshead

"Portico Quartet still sound like nothing you ever heard before. The Mercury Prize-nominated East London-based outfit’s unique music has expanded to embrace new sonic territories. Drawing on the inspiration of electronica, ambient, classical and dance music as they take their strange, beautiful, cinematic, future sounds to exciting new vistas, where the inspiration of Burial, Mount Kimbie and Flying Lotus rubs shoulders with the textures of Arve Henriksen and Bon Iver and echoes of Steve Reich and Max Richter. But all underpinned by a shared joy in collective music-making, as the band push their inimitable music into the future."

They are supported by "Manchester based, DJ, bandleader and trumpeter Matthew Halsall is 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. His previous albums 'Sending My Love' and 'Colour Yes' released on his own Gondwana label have won him a legion of fans across the world and acclaim from the likes of Gilles Peterson and Radio 3's Late Junction, MOJO, BBC Music Magazine and even BBC 6 Music."

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Lance

Great North Big Band Jazz Festival. Saturday March 3. Part One

North Shore, Sunderland was the place to be this weekend for lovers of the big band. Under the stewardship of Bill Watson, the festival, now in its ninth year, was the biggest,  most far reaching and best yet. Big Band aficionado Tony Eales informed Bebop Spoken Here that the Friday evening launch was a great success with a good crowd in to hear  alto saxophonist  Paul Jones (BBC Big Band) and Musicians Unlimited’s MD Mick Donnelly (tenor saxophone) in the company of an all-star rhythm section of Colin Haikney (keyboards), Neil Harland (double bass) and Adrian Tilbrook (drums). The quintet was augmented by the specially assembled Festival Big Band and serving to illustrate the growing reach of the event there was a set by the University of Warwick Big Band. 

Saturday morning saw the start of the competition element of the event. The Youth section opened with the Gateshead based Paraffernalia (MD David Blakey). The band’s set was topped and tailed by two competition staples The Chicken and Birdland. 

Durham County Youth Big Band (MD Shaun Eland) followed and brought in a cracking trumpet section. Northumberland Youth Jazz Orchestra (MD Dave Hignett) included the Young Blood Brass Band’s Brooklyn in an accomplished performance. 

Festival director Bill Watson took time out to lead the Tees Valley Youth Big Band. The ensemble’s saxophone section caught the ear and Song for an Autumn Day proved to be a highlight. 

The Shelley Music Centre Big Band (MD Jamie O’Brien) were first time participants at Sunderland and made a good impression with a set that included The Chicken and Mas Que Nada. 

The Humber Delta jazz scene is in good hands with Sean Miller, MD of the Hull Youth Jazz Orchestra. Oliver Nelson’s Stolen Moments featured Danny Barley (trombone) and was a joy to listen to. 

Jamie O’Brien (MD) put in some overtime to lead Kirklees Youth Jazz Orchestra with the saxophone section on top form. 

Festival regulars Doncaster Youth Swing Orchestra (MD John Ellis) were on the Right Track (comp. Jeff Jarvis) and closed the competition with Gordon Goodwin’s arresting Jazz Police. 

The adjudicators – Paul Jones and Mick Donnelly – deliberated long and hard. Jones and Donnelly decided to present two special awards. Paraffernalia’s drummer Beth Carabine made such a good impression that due recognition was well deserved and Durham County Youth Big Band were commended for their version of Invitation. Kirklees Youth Jazz Orchestra scooped the award for Best Balanced Programme. The Best Section award went to the trombones of the Doncaster Youth Swing Orchestra. Robbie Chapman-Thong (guitar) took the honours for Best Soloist much to the delight of his Durham County Youth Big Band colleagues and Best Band 2012 were Paraffernalia. Prizes were presented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Sunderland University.

Russell.

Great North Big Band Jazz Festival. Saturday March 3. Part Two

The extent to which this event has grown allowed little time to pause and reflect as the demands of a tight schedule that had the first band in the Open section on stage in no time at all. The University of Warwick Big Band (MD Matthew Clare) had the privilege (unenviable task?) of kicking-off proceedings and some did wonder if the band would be nursing sore heads having experienced a Friday evening of Mackem hospitality! Trumpeter Andy Hewitt’s solo effort stood out during a varied programme. Durham Alumni Band (MD Shaun Eland) boasted some established names on the northern jazz scene – Steve McGarvie (alto & soprano saxophones), Judd Down (trumpet) and Jonathon Dunn (trumpet & flugelhorn) – and an outstanding solo (Dunn, flugelhorn) on The Perfumed Garden brought the house down. Huddersfield University Big Band (MD Sean Miller) had it all to do and to their credit delivered a varied programme (including Portrait of Louis Armstrong and Norwegian Wood) with impressive trumpet playing from Teesside lad Toby Donnelly. Lancaster University Jazz Orchestra (MD Rhian Davies) featured vocalist Richard Weatherill on Moondance and  a Gordon Goodwin chart – Samba del Gringo – was in the pad. Trumpeter and MD  James Dunn assembled a good set for the Sheffield University Jazz Orchestra competition entry. Kenny Wheeler, Gordon Goodwin, Sammy Nestico and Victor Lopez were cast iron selections and from the ranks Alex Baker (alto) impressed, so too pianist Jonathan Gleek. Doncaster Youth Jazz Orchestra (MD John Ellis), for some odds on favourites to take the title from last year’s winners (Durham University Big Band), tackled Strayhorn (Take the ‘A’ Train, arr. Alan Baylock), Goodwin (Hunting Wabbitts) and Les Hooper ( Back in Blue Orleans). South Tyneside’s Customs House Big Band (MD Peter Morgan) like to swing it and their competition performance proved to be no exception. That man Goodwin featured once more as a favourite composer of big bands the world over with a rousing take on High Maintenance (good alto from Jill Brett) and vocalist Ruth Lambert hit the spot with At Last and a swinging Mack the Knife. Long distance travellers Cardiff University Big Band (MD Jeremy Meddows-Taylor) received a warm welcome as they launched into Sammy Nestico’s The Blues Machine. Well-drilled sections clearly enjoyed the occasion, that man Goodwin (Count Bubba) earned yet more royalties and vocalist Omar Kamal took on the daunting challenge of My Way and emerged unscathed! Title holders Durham University Big Band (MD Florian Cooper) closed the competition knowing that they had it all to do. The heavyweight saxophone section was ready for a Cruisin’ for a Bluesin’. Would this prove to be the knockout blow? Would the champs retain their crown? A killer rhythm section weighed in. Would the opposition throw in the towel? Jones and Donnelly retired to consider their verdict. Never one to miss an opportunity for a refill, a Guinness and a curry courtesy of the hard-working students’ union staff killed a few minutes. 

The stage transformed to accommodate the prize-giving (thanks to the tireless efforts of the stage crew), Mick Donnelly thanked all the participants and made constructive comments about their performances, no doubt endorsed by Paul Jones. Two special awards were made – Doncaster Youth Jazz Orchestra for Hunting Wabbitts and Sheffield University Jazz Orchestra for their work on Fiesta Bahia. Best Section was awarded to the saxophone section of the Durham University Big Band (for the record – Angus Law, Tom Munro, Sam Newbould, Anthony Ridley and Matthew Sulzmann).  The Best Soloist award went to Jonathon Dunn (Durham Alumni Band). The title of Best Band 2012 went to Durham University Big Band. A winners’ concert followed featuring, of course, Durham University Big Band and at the invitation of the adjudicators Durham Alumni Band and Doncaster Youth Jazz Orchestra.  So, Durham University Big Band retained their title. Well deserved too. The outstanding solo performance – Jonathon Dunn (flugelhorn) - would have won the prize at any event, anywhere it was that good. Day three of the Great North Big Band Jazz Festival will feature the Schools’ section of the competition.

Russell  

Great North Big Band Jazz Festival. Sunday March 4

Day three of the big band marathon. Noon. A fantastic opportunity for students to participate in a workshop with experienced practitioners of the art of playing jazz. This educational work is invaluable in coaching the jazz musician of the future. It is thanks to the numerous funders of the festival that such events are possible. The Schools’ section featured four bands (three regular participants and a band new to Sunderland making the journey from North Yorkshire).

County Durham’s Tudhoe Grange School (MD Chris Smith) competed for the last time as Tudhoe prior to a change of name brought about by a proposed amalgamation of schools. A band of young players with an all female trumpet section hit the ground running – perhaps that should be swinging – with It Don’t Mean a Thing.  Audience participation is, as a rule, the cue for this reviewer to head for the bar but on this occasion a round of ‘Tequila’ didn’t hurt and if it helped the band that’s fine by me. Satin Doll then T.W.A. –Trumpets with Attitude completed an enjoyable programme. Alex Lewis,  MD of Prudhoe Community High School Swing Band called in the Jazz Police (that man Goodwin again) and the trumpet section found itself up on a charge of being pretty damn good. Guitarist Thomas Rees was taken in for questioning and was bailed on the serious charge of being too good at such a young age and a date in March next year has been set when he will appear at the Great North Big Band Jazz Festival. Girl From Ipanema and Chameleon highlighted the first rate rhythm section with rock-steady bass playing by Johnny Drake.  Newcomers St.Aidan’s Swing Band (MD Vicki Elliott) from Harrogate were an unknown quantity to the Sunderland audience. Well, within a couple of bars of their opening number – The Caboose (Wynton Marsalis) – it was game over. What a band! A kaleidoscope of colours cascaded over North Shore. This was Stan Kenton, George Russell, Voice of the North and of course, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Best of all, this was St.Aidan’s Swing Band. Musicians in a school band this good? I don’t know how MD Vicki Elliott has done it but whatever the formula she should patent it! Field Holler (Jordan Smith), ensemble call and response, foot-tapping – this was as near to the ‘real deal’ as you’ll get. Jordan Smith the vocalist was the star turn on alto saxophone with a mature solo on Body and Soul. Edgar Winter’s underground rock band had a surprise chart hit with Frankenstein and it was a surprise to see it listed in the band’s set. Surprise or not it was great! The band’s two drummers (yes, two) - James MacCallum and Jake Fireman -  traded for all they were worth. Fantastic!

The final band to take the stage on this memorable weekend was from Darlington. The Queen Elizabeth 6th Form Band offered an excellent programme – Goodwin’s Count Bubba, When I Fall in Love (Victor Young), Mike Smukal’s Mind Your P’s and Q’s and Amazing Grace. Goodwin’s chart ensured a good beginning and the standard was maintained with Robert Smith’s trumpet on the Victor Young ballad. Amazing Grace revealed brass band precision before switching to up-tempo funk.

Adjudicators Paul Jones and Mick Donnelly had listened to an awful lot of big band jazz over three jam-packed days. Nevertheless they offered constructive advice and a considered opinion. Once more two special prizes were awarded. The Harrogate drummers – James MacCallum and Jake Fireman – were called to the stage to be congratulated by the Mayor of Sunderland. Similarly, the Queen Elizabeth 6th Form

Band’s  trumpet section took to the stage to receive a well-deserved award. Prudhoe Community High School Swing Band took home two awards. One for Best Programme and another for Best Section (the band’s rhythm section). The Best Soloist prize was deservedly awarded to Jordan Smith (alto saxophonist) of St. Aidan’s Swing Band. Finally, Best Band. There could only be one winner – St. Aidan’s Swing Band. 

The Great North Big Band Jazz Festival is now in its ninth year. I for one haven’t heard a better band in the schools’ section than St. Aidan’s Swing Band. It is a little early to draw up a short list for Gig of the Year 2012 but as things stand St. Aidan’s performance is right up there. Festival Director Bill Watson and his team of unsung workers together with a host of supportive sponsors deserve a vote of thanks for making the 2012 event a resounding success.

Russell.

CD Review: Robert Glasper Experiment - Black Radio

Robert Glasper (Pno/Rhodes), Casey Benjamin (Sax/Fl/Vocoder), Derrick Hodge (Bs), Chris Dave (Dms) + Special Guests.

After seeing him live with his trio at the Gateshead International Jazz Festival in 2008, I wanted to head back to the shed and practice even harder to get to those level of chops and flexibility to adapt to any time. Nevertheless, I'm getting there!

Robert Glasper releases his definable energy time after time. This record is an opportunity to show the 'young' uns' that jazz is still hip, cool and modern. My first impression was that this is a pop record; collaborations with different vocalists and rappers with their own unique sound and message. Hip Hop is core to Glasper's life since attending the New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music (New York City) and subsequently becoming close friends with singer Bilal.

This record was pleasurable from start to finish. It never lost it's subtlety or groove. BLACK RADIO is about love, happiness and hope, not gangs and guns. Opening with an atmospheric 6/8 groove and sound effects reflecting the title of the album; consequently, giving one the impression they are listening to the radio. "All you need is your ears and your soul". I think this means 'sit back, relax and enjoy the show'. Glasper plays in the bacground, echoing Ahmad Jamal and Sam Rivers.

Strict hip hop beats dominate the album; tightly knit by Chris Daves - one of the most versatile and reputable musicians out there today. Derrick Hodge does a great job of giving the drums the kick it needs to make the beats perfect, and holding Glasper's stack of notes. The standout song for me was "Afro Blue", featuring Erykah Badu on vocals. Her distinctive voice sounds gentle but in no way is it fragile. I admired the flute closing Badu's sentences during the verse and Glasper's fills did not spoil Erykah delicacy, but in many ways supporting it. Another standout was Casey Benjamin's sax solo at the end of "Cherish The Day". It provided a contrast to the simple, diatonic melody of the song; double timing and chromatism. Finally, Glasper's rain of quintuplets during the chorus of "It's Gonna Be Alright" was heart fluttering!

Harley Johnson. 

Hello from Hong Kong

This Tuesday, 6th, at around 10-30pm the band from the Azamara Quest cruise ship under the leasdership of Australian tromebone player Dana Moran will be at Neds to play a set and jam session with the band...

Also last Sunday on Hong Kong Heritage, Annemarie Evans interviewed Steve James about his father Dennis James, and his time at Neds in the 1970's early 80's, gives an insight on how Neds was during those years...it's around 15mins long..

Here is the link...

http://youtu.be/6zNlIBZ3OrM

Colin.

A day in the life of a ...

...... Derby Day - that dreaded day in the calender when the soccer teams of Sunderland and Newcastle confront each other in a sporting fixture. The "game" had started at noon (how appropriate!) and I knew that it had ended in a 1 - 1 draw with both sets of hooligans - sorry I meant fans - claiming moral victory.

Sorry if I seem less than enthusiastic about the Beautiful Game, because it is beautiful, 'cept...the fans do  nothing to promote that image

Like I got on the bus and the driver told me to be careful where I sat as a passenger had "Spewed up". Now here I am being presumptive and it may have actually been the local Priest OD-ing on the Communion wine rather than a fan who'd been watching it in the pub.

Even in the Jazz Café drunks had infiltrated - hopefully they enjoyed the superb bebop lines that Gilligan/Forbes and Grainger laid down.

I made my way to the Bridge Hotel, thankful of a strong police presence on the street. Even here, in the bar, it was like open day at The Asylum and I was thankful for the sanctity of the upper room where the James Mainwaring Quartet (James Mainwaring (tenor sax); Nik Svarc (guitar); Michael Bardon (bass); Joost Hendricks (drums)) had travelled up from Leeds to perform for another pitifully small number of enthusiasts.

However, given the conditions outside, perhaps the poor attendance can be understood.

This is a hard blowing combo that pushes the boundaries without breaking them. Mainly original material - significantly mixed with a Joe Henderson tune - Mainwaring blows paint-stripping tenor not unlike some of Henderson's work whilst Svarc's guitar playing is from the same genre perhaps tarred with a coat of Methany. For a small band they get a big sound  worthy of a bigger audience.

I only stayed for the first set but that was no reflection on the music more the desire for a safe passage home!

Photos.
Lance.

Blaydon Buzz

Just a reminder we kick off the new season this Thurs at Blaydon.
Featuring the magnificent Custom House Big Band plus the great Ruth Lambert singing with the band.
Adm. only £6.00 and the usual 8.30 start.
Roly

Tonight

Tonight's Splinter @ The Bridge session features another Leeds based band - the James Mainwaring Quartet (James Mainwaring (tenor sax); Nik Svarc (guitar); Michael Bardon (bass); Joost Hendricks (drums)). Reports are that this is a band well worth hearing so let's have a few more bums on seats.
Over at the Jazz Café the Sunday jammers will be still on a high after Thursday's RSC bash so that too should appeal to modern/mainstream fans.
Lance.

CD Launch @ The Lit and Phil. The Paul Edis Sextet "There Will Be Time". Friday March 2.

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

Having recently reviewed the CD it makes sense to me that, rather than repeat myself,  I refer you to my original post.

Nevertheless, a momentous evening such as this deserves more  so - for those fans who were elsewhere - the Lit and Phil was, by kick off time, standing room only and the CD sales outstripped any previous JNE event held in the building. The band, and Paul in particular, looked mega smart - I often wonder why British jazz musicians dress down for their audiences unlike Americans who realise they are entertainers as well as musicians and look the part?

The music, needless to say, was on a par with the the CD although personally I found the slower, elegiac numbers easier to listen to in the comforts of home rather than the regimentated in-line seating set up - a minor point.

The album title came from a TS Eliot poem - The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

And indeed there will be time
For the yellow smoke that slides along the street,
Rubbing its back upon the window panes;
There will be time, there will be time..

Lance 

(with thanks to Ann A for poetic details.)

----- 

More on the Paul Edis Sextet.

I think I have seen almost every sextet gig and a particular pleasure for me last night was that all the material (bar ONE number) was original. When the sextet was first formed the set-lists were cautiously "traditional" - mostly standards, with just a sprinkling of Paul's or Graeme's compositions. How exciting it is now that they are established enough and have material enough to let rip for a full evening with their own tunes! And what tunes they are - technically accomplished, often complex, varied in mood and tone: they challenge and reward the players and delight audiences. All new, all good, all "home-grown" 

(Photos)

Jerry.

PG3 plus guests @ Jazz Café (Thursday 1 March)

Peter Gilligan (pno), Paul Grainger (bs), Daniel Reed (dms) plus Dai Pritchard (alto sax), Marizio Minardi (sop. sax, piano), Richard Henry (bass tmb), Lindsay Hannon (vcl), Adrian Lukis (vcl), ?(vcl), ??(vcl)

Alan Law once began an item on this blog (about Lennart Anderson dropping into the Jazz Café and blowing up a storm) with the words “hope you don’t mind me breaking convention, but I need to review my own gig!!!, but its not about me!”.  I suspect that Alan’s writing is of a higher quality (as is his playing) but I’m driven by similar feelings to do the same.

Last night at the Café, Gilligan was displaying a deft touch during a first set of soft, tender ballads with sensitive support from drummer Dan Reid (whose playing seems to unveil ever more depth and colour each time he sits behind the kit).  During the break the company and musicians of the RSC arrived and the roof came off during the next set.  The thespians in the audience were up for a good time and everyone who took the stand responded.

Richard Henry (Back to Basie Orchestra/ Carla Bley/ Julian Joseph big bands) and Marizio Minardi (Brandon Allen/Quentin Collins) weaved magic over How Insensitive.  Dai Pritchard (formerly Loose Tubes, currently Pasadena Roof Orchestra) unleashed his funky side over Summertime and Cantaloupe Island.  The personnel changed – and tunes came – thick and fast, all anchored by Pete Gilligan's solid playing.  At one point the three horns together delivered a very spirited All the Things You Are (I seem to recall) in which their lines were so together it sounded like one musician.  

Lindsay Hannon arrived at around 11 (“I just called in for five minutes on my way home”) and sang – amongst others – My Funny Valentine.  During Marizio’s solo Richard and Pete picked up on rhythmic changes in each others playing and the rhythm section followed into a couple of choruses on a ska beat before returning to the original feel for Lindsay’s last chorus.  A number of singers from the assembled company (sorry my hands were full of double bass so I couldn’t note names) sang lovely versions of a number of standards, including a great swinging/shuffle around God Bless the Child.  

Later Adrian Lukis sang Satin Doll with a delivery that Rex Harrison would have been proud of.

If I’ve forgotten anything or anyone, please accept my apologies. It was a blistering, lively, exciting night that ended with an appropriate finale that involved the entire audience dancing whilst the horns, Lindsay (whose five minutes had extended to about four and a half hours) and the rhythm section, traded on a funk jam.  Some days I just feel very lucky to be in the right place at the right time – and this was one of them.
Photos by Kaveh.

Paul Grainger.

Jack Hamilton @ La Bodega, Morpeth.

We had a quick visit to La Bodega Bar/Restaurant in Morpeth last night. Some folks may remember it as the Black and Grey pub. All we knew was that Jack Hamilton is the house pianist there every Thursday night. I had spoken on the phone to the owner, a lady called April.

As we arrived Jack was accompanying April who was singing a couple of numbers from the great American songbook. including My Funny Valentine. I look forward to hearing her sing again. She was fantastic, with great arrangements from Jack. He also did a wonderful job of my request, my favourite The Shadow of Your Smile.As a matter or interest April is looking to book jazz orientated bands.
http://www.labodegamorpeth.co.uk/functions
John T.

Tonight - Sunderland v Newcastle!

Tonight sees the start of the weekend's Great North Big Band Festival at the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St. Peter's, Charles St., Sunderland.

Tonight it's BBC Big Band altoist - Paul Jones - and Musicians Unlimited tenorist - Mick Donnelly doing a Quintet and a Big Band set.

Tomorrow afternoon is the Youth and Open Big Band Competition with the winning bands playing again in the evening.

Sunday afternoon is a Jazz Workshop followed by the Schools Big Band Jazz Competition.

Full details in RH column.

However, just as Newcastle and Sunderland football teams are in opposition on Sunday, tonight, Friday March 2, Newcastle has some jazz opposition to the Sunderland gig.

I refer to the Paul Edis Sextet at the Lit and Phil.where they launch their new CD There Will Be Time  This is a cracking disc and the opportunity to hear it live (and buy) should be well worth the effort.

Plus afterwards - in the equivalent of extra time - you can hop over to the Jazz Café and catch the Safe Sextet! 

So Sunderland or Newcastle? The choice is yours.

Lance.

CD Review: All There, Ever Out Alexander Hawkins Ensemble

Alexander Hawkins (piano & Hammond B3 organ), Javier Carmona (drums & percussion), Otto Fischer (guitar), Dominic Lash (double bass), Hannah Marshall (cello) & Orphy Robinson (marimba) + Kit Downes (Hammond B3 organ) 

 Alexander Hawkins has visited Tyneside on several occasions with his own ensemble and in the quartet he co-leads with bassist Dominic Lash, Taylor Ho Bynum and Harris Eisenstadt (collectively the Convergence Quartet). 

All There, Ever Out is the Hawkins’ Ensemble’s second release on the Babel label. Hawkins balances the freely improvised with structured composition; the pendulum swings from one to the other within a given piece as conversations are struck between two, then three or more instruments. Tatum Totem III features Hawkins’ sparkling piano playing, Otto Fischer’s incisive ‘out’ excursions, Orphy Robinson (marimba) and sharp drumming from Javier Carmona. Ahab with its military march piano, drum rolls and abundant humour puts this track firmly in the Rootie Tootie tradition of Monk (and Tracey). 

An untitled group composition - (Untitled Free Improvisation) - spotlights Hawkins’ piano and one of Hannah Marshall’s many effective Downtown cello contributions. Hawkins’ talents as composer, musician and bandleader are distilled on Elmoic, the stand-out track of this wonderful new album. Myriad influences coalesce – Tatum swing, stride, off-kilter Monk and finally the big ensemble sound propelled Mingus-like by bassist Dominic Lash. 

All There, Ever Out with liner notes by Taylor Ho Bynum is released on April 9th on the Babel label (Babel BDV1196). The CD launch is at the Vortex, London on April 22nd. The Alexander Hawkins Ensemble will be touring later this year. 

Those within touching distance of Newcastle can hear Hawkins next week (Thursday March 8th ) with Vole in a much anticipated gig at the Bridge Hotel.

Russell                

An invitation you can't refuse. Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Millstone.

Fred Rowe (tpt); Barry Soulsby (clt/sax/vcl); Lawrence McBriarty (tmb); Brian Bennett (bjo/vcl); Brian Sibbald (bs); Fred Thompson (dms/vcl).

Another canny Thursday night at The Millstone, Haddricks Mill Road, South Gosforth with The Vieux Carré Jazzmen. 

Every Thursday 8.30 - 10.30pm. Everyone welcome - the session is free. 

Brian.

NB. Held in the upstairs function room which has no wheelchair access.

Frith Street @ Hoochie Coochie.

Zita Frith (vcl); Lloyd Wright (gtr); Phil Richardson (keys); Ian Paterson (bs); David Francis (dms).

Perilously perched on a bar stool, Frith opened with a fast shuffling Well Alright, Ok, You Win. The sound was good and Wright showed he didn't need time to warm up as he took the old Basie classic to Mars and back on a blistering work out. Georgia on my Mind kept the pulse ticking as did The Candyman. There Will Never Be Another You swung nicely then an anomaly. Frith described her next number as "A corny song". I think Mr. Sinatra, Mr Astaire and the composer, Cole Porter, may have disagreed with this description of Let's Face The Music and Dance! To her credit, faced with such 'corny' material she sang it well.

Back to the non-corny material -   wanna hold you wanna hold you tight, Get teenage kicks right through the night!, L-O-V-E and The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy From Company B.

A superb set from an equally superb band and singer.

The bottles of London Pride were going down well and Warren was frequently called to provide more chairs for the rapidly filling room. This really is a good venue and well worth checking out.

Back on stage, a lady in the audience was heard to remark favourably on Frith's asymmetric angled hairstyle which was as cool as her Sway.

Wright steamed into Choo Choo 'Ch Boogie taken at a laid back bluesy tempo and Frith sang it so well they named a street in London after her and planted a jazz club there!

Let's Do It, Loverman, Lullaby of Birdland and the encore The Way You Look Tonight took us to the end of one of the best Hoochie Thursdays to date.

Come back soon.

Photos.

Lance.

Freddie Hickman @ King's Hall.

Newcastle University student Freddie Hickman sat at the Steinway and played an uptempo, swinging Bill Evans' transcription of Autumn Leaves. He did so with no little confidence and won the approval of the student audience. It would be good to hear more of him around town.

Russell.

Mwamba, Burt & Champion @ King's Hall.

Corey Mwamba (vibraphone), George Burt (guitar) & Andy Champion (double bass)

Life After Mat consists of three quarters of a one-off band assembled by Jazz North East in June 2011. The absent member residing in New York (Mat Maneri) meant that for reasons of finance, if nothing else, the British-based trio of vibes star Corey Mwamba, guitar maverick Geroge Burt and Tyneside's own Andy Champion (double bass), met up once more for a lunchtime performance of freely improvised pieces. Low volume, chamber music with a distinct percussive element emerged during the one set performance. Champion's hypnotic drone-like patterns released Burt's attacking tendancies resulting in some razor sharp fretboard forays. Bass and vibes hammered lines to and fro, delicate then not so delicate. Music students were in attendance and folowing the set they had the opportunity to attend a discussion/workshop with Mwamba, Burt and Champion. This was a most successful afternoon in King's Hall.

Russell.

Finalists - International Songwriting Competition - Jazz Section.

1960 What?		Gregory Porter (Bakersfield, CA, USA)
A Picture Of Dorian Mode		Michael Longo (Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA)
Above Ground		Greg Ward - Greg Ward's Phonic Juggernaut (New York,  NY, USA)
Conversation With Nellie		Zoe Rahman (London, England, UK)
Deadman's Hill		Steve Talaga (Grand Rapids, MI, USA)
Grizzly's		Regina Litvinova (Ludwigshafen, Germany)
Hadairo (Beige)		Andy Akiho (Columbia, SC, USA)
Lover		Martina Flaherty (Loughrea, Co Galway, Ireland)
Memphis Mix-Up		Elizabeth Dotson-Westphalen (Los Angeles, CA, USA)
Pukl-N-Pappo		Michael Janisch (London, England)
Save Me		Stephen Coates, Joe Coles - The Real Tuesday Weld  (London, England, UK)
Shumshi		Michael Janisch (London, England)
The King Is Dead (Long Live The King)		Marzio Scholten (South Holland, The Netherlands)
To Work Marvels		Vincenzo Amazio (Pozzuoli, Italy)
You Are Here All Finalists All Categories . Lance.		Matt Savage (Francestown, NH, USA)

New Brunswick Battle of the Blues reaches last stage - London final at The Garage, Highbury in London, on 27 March

New Brunswick Battle of the Blues – the search for the UK’s best original and unsigned blues talent – is nearly at its climax.  The final is at The Garage, Highbury, on 27 March and will include a line-up of Chris James from Carlisle (winner of the North West heat), Paint It Blue from Bournemouth (winners of the South West heat), Little Devils from London (winners of the South East heat) and The Groove-A-Matics from Gateshead (winners of the North East heat).  The nation’s favourite runner up is How Askew from Newcastle.

Doors open at 7pm with the first act on stage at 7.30pm. Tickets are £7 in advance from Ticketweb or HMV Tickets, or £10 on the night. For more information about the competition and the province of New Brunswick, visit www.tourismnewbrunswick.co.uk.All proceeds from the evening’s ticket sales will be donated to a charity, which will be announced on the night.

(Good to see the North East doubly represented - Haway The Lads! - Lance.)

Sweet Thursday

Today (March 1) has some unexpected treasures unfolding. This afternoon, for those with a leaning towards the Improv scene Newcastle University present vibes star Cory Mwamba with George Burt on guitar and Andy Champion (bass). This is in the Kings Hall in Armstrong building and explodes at1:10pm. Both the music and the admission are free!

In the evening, Hoochie Coochie present Frith Street fronted by vocalist/actres Zita Frith. Last time I heard them they had such luminaries as David Francis (dms), Lloyd Wright (gtr) and Ian Paterson (bs) in the band so, if the personnel is the same 'twill be a good evening. 8:00pm. Admission free.

After Hoochie a visit to the Jazz Café could be on the cards. The Pete Gilligan Trio with guests from the RSC giving their jazz chops preference - anything could happen. 9:00pm till 1:00pm.

Lance.