"Letter to Lee Konitz" from David Mott

© Lance

In an age of skepticism and doubt and where imposters and jealous wannabes flourish in cyberspace, it is rare – and encouraging - for a writer to discover an artist who possesses a genuine affection and inquisitiveness about our art and another musician’s artistry to the degree that saxophonist, composer and educator, David Mott exhibits in his brilliant and thought-provoking “Letter to Lee Konitz.” A graduate of both the Berklee School of Music and the Yale School of Music and professor at Toronto’s York University, Mott is not only a multiple award-winner and true master and explorer of his instrument, but, as you will find in this essay, a sincere, deep-thinking and highly reflective artist. It is my pleasure to share it with you here. I do hope you enjoy it – Nick Mondello  

Sam Lightwing Quartet @ the Moor Club, Heaton Moor - Dec. 1

© Jeff Pritchard

Sam Lightwing (alto/tenor sax); Max Rosen (keys); Peter Hartley (bass);  Calum Montgomery drums.

This was the first appearance at the Moor Club of Sam Lightwing and I am pleased to report he was well received by the audience right from the opening number which was one of my favourites On the Sunny Side of the Street.

He was given great support by Max Rosen, a real whirlwind of a player, who was here recently with Ed Kainyek’s group. Sam brought along his alto sax as well as his tenor but I would have been quite happy if he had just stuck to the tenor as I think the tunes he selected are mainly associated with the larger horn.

Sunday night @ the Globe: Album launch. Mark Williams Trio: Long Way Out - Dec. 1

© Ken Drew

Mark Williams (guitar); Paul Susans (bass guitar); Rob Walker (drums).

What can be said about Mark Williams that hasn't already been said? The affable Irishman appears in many different settings, his guitar playing invariably a joy to behold. However, when the band sails under the banner of the Mark Williams Trio you know from an oft-quoted remark he made at a previous gig that you're not going to hear Autumn Leaves!

© Ken Drew

A power trio that defies genres. A supergroup. Is it jazz-rock, prog-rock or some new creation yet to be named? Who cares? Certainly not the the three musicians. Williams setting decibels high with amazing distortionate sounds, then throwing in a few bars of contrasting beauty and normality before once again releasing both barrels. Susans doing his own bit for the cause and Walker adding to the powerplay. The album had been well and truly launched. 

It's December 2024 (it'll soon be Xmas!)

It's almost that time of year again. Almost, but not quite. Before the 'Big Day' there's lots more jazz to hear. Tinsel-decked highlights include the Sue Ferris Quintet (Opus 4 Jazz Club, Fri. 6), the NCRO, that's the New Century Ragtime Orchestra (Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club, lunchtime, Sat. 7) and Hot Club du Nord at St Cuthbert's Church, Shadforth (Sat. 7). And then there's the Zoë Gilby Quintet at Gateshead's Central Bar (afternoon, Sun. 8), the James Birkett Trio at Blaydon Jazz Club (Mon. 9, see photo) and at Auckland Castle (lunchtime, Fri. 13) it's the Dean Stockdale Trio.

The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra: Remembering Duke @ The Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow - Nov. 29

The prospect of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra playing Duke Ellington persuaded your correspondent to make the journey north of the border. Fortunately, it proved remarkably mild for the time of year, prompting a leisurely stroll through Glasgow city centre. A first visit for BSH to Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall on Killermont Street, first impressions were favourable. Designed by Leslie Martin (the architect designed London's Royal Festival Hall), the building is more than a match for the best of Gateshead's Glasshouse (formerly Sage Gateshead) and Sunderland's Fire Station.  

In his programme notes, Tommy Smith observed: Duke Ellington has been an inspiration to musicians and composers across the musical spectrum for almost 100 years. Ellington would be the focus of the SNJO's programme and Tommy Smith's junior ensemble, the Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra. 

Jazz Time Aycliffe Radio - Sundays 6.30-8.00pm (repeated Tuesdays 8.00-9.30pm).

https://www.ayclifferadio.co.uk/listen

Playlist 01/12/24 (repeated Tuesday 03/12/24)

RIP: Quincy Jones.

Request: Duke Ellington.

New Release: Mark Williams Trio, Adam Rogers.

Request: Stan Kenton.

Album launch: Living in Shadows - Neon Burning & Outri (support) @ Central Bar, Gateshead - Nov. 29

© Ken Drew

Zoë Gilby (vocals); Mark Williams (guitar); Ben Lawrence (keyboards); Andy Champion (bass guitar); John Bradford (drums).

It had been a while since I’d been to a gig at the Central Bar, a fine music-friendly hostelry tucked away in a side street at the southern end of the Tyne Bridge.

Headliners were some of Tyneside’s leading jazz talent doing their rock thing. A very well-known set of musicians – certainly to Tyneside audiences and increasingly more widely – but not in this line-up or context. Indeed, this was a first performance, to launch the new album, Neon Burning. So what to expect?

In the event, Zoë’s jazz-forged vocal identity is undiluted, but set in bass-driven rock surroundings. Her fluctuating moods and sudden power surges show striking versatility. Mark W. pumps out rock riffs and solos with suitable force, but also with eloquent thoughtfulness when required.

Album of the Year (reissue/archival)

It's that time  of year when we start posting our '... of the Year' lists. I'm starting the ball rolling with my top ten reissue/archival albums. These are chosen from review copies that I've received.

I've opted to choose only one album per artist otherwise there could be another two Louis Stewart albums and likewise Cannonball Adderley. Albums received in December will be considered in my 2025 listings.

Preview: Indigo Jazz Voices @ the Globe - Thursday, December 5

Christmas comes but once a year, as does the December gig of Indigo Jazz Voices. Come and join us for a selection of songs sung by five individual vocal performers, who are: David Edgar, Jen Errington, Paul Close, Jenny Lingham and Carrie McCullock. They will be accompanied by the superb trio of Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (bass) and Rob Walker (drums).

The songs will be varied and will include Let’s Face the Music and Dance; Key to the Highway; When You Wish Upon a Star; Witchcraft and I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm. From the song titles it looks like we could have a little magic and fairy dust in the mix. On a different and unrelated note, if you would like to get more wear out of your Christmas jumper, they would be very welcome, but entirely optional!

 

Performance starts upstairs in The Globe at 7.45pm. £5 cash on the door.

 

It will be lovely to see you (and your festive sweater)! Carrie

Cassie Kinoshi’s Seed with NikNak & The London Contemporary Orchestra – gratitude (IARC)

Aah! The elusive Ms Kinoshi. I had tickets to see her at the Jazz Festival at the Sage that Covid killed and when I went to Cheltenham this year she was stuck in Berlin with visa problems so we have had to make do with the excellent Driftglass album from 2019 and now this pair of suites (gratitude in four parts plus two interludes and Smoke In The Sun) recorded in 2021 and 2023 respectively. It’s a brief (27 minutes) album but it shows Kinoshie’s strength as a composer and arranger admirably. I suppose it would probably fall into the third stream category but it is by no means a mellow jazz-with-strings work. Instead, it is bold and strident in parts with the strings as part of a full widescreen work of great depth that sees Kinoshi marshal the musicians boldly to create a work that can be quite overwhelming but still allows moments of individual improvisation.