Classic Swing @ The Ship, Monkseaton - Nov. 20

Olive Rudd (vocals);  Paul Gowland (tenor); Bob Wade (trumpet/flugel);  Neville Hartley (trombone);  Paul Smith (drums); Alan Rudd (bass); Colin Haikney (piano).

(Review by John T)

Sad news that Don Fairley could not make it as he is recovering from another fall. We wish him well and hope he will have a quick recovery

With three key players on holiday the “deps” all fitted in seamlessly. Paul Gowland made a fantastic job of soloing on  Desafinado - Stan Getz would have been proud! Bob also did a stylish solo with Willow Weep for Me on Flugel.

Giles Strong & Roly Veitch @ The Beaumont Hotel, Hexham - Nov 19

Giles Strong (guitar) & Roly Veitch (guitar)

(Review by Russell)

This was the second of two little publicised gigs at the Beaumont Hotel in Hexham. Local resident and fine jazz guitarist Giles Strong opted for an under-the-radar start to a new series of Monday evening jazz gigs, the series proper beginning next week (November 26). 

Light rain began to fall as Strong played the first number of the evening in the company of friend and fellow guitarist Roly Veitch. The duo sat unobtrusively in a corner adjacent to the hotel's reception desk. The Days of Wine and Roses greeted guests - some checking in, some checking out - and a busy dining room comprising residents and locals enjoying a Monday evening meal.

The Velvet Revolution + Charlie Collins and Friends @ The Cumberland Arms - Nov. 16

The Velvet Revolution: Daniel Erdmann (saxes); Théo Ceccaldi (violin); Jim Hart (vibes).

Charlie Collins and Friends: Charlie Collins (percussion); Eun-Jung Kim (komungo); Derek Saw (trumpet); Faye MacCalman (clarinet).

(Review by Steve H/photos to follow)

At about 11 o’clock on Friday night, a bearded figure carrying a grey suitcase entered the upstairs room of the Cumberland Arms to a round of applause. French violinist Theo Ceccaldi had just arrived straight from Newcastle Airport after a tortuous journey from Toulouse. Like a real trooper and with no time to lose Theo joined the other 2 members of The Velvet Revolution to complete a stunning evening of music.

Due to his late arrival, we were treated to a duo set from Erdmann and Hart. Some of the tunes were even world premieres as the very dry-witted Erdman explained. Their set was an unscheduled bonus which also included updates of Ceccalidi’s arrival time (the plane actually landed at 22.05 and luckily in these pre-Brexit times there were no immigration hold-ups).

Quintet of the Year (2018): Mick Shoulder Quintet @ the Black Bull, Blaydon - Nov. 18.

Graham Hardy (trumpet/flugelhorn); Lewis Watson (tenor sax); Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (bass); Russ Morgan (drums).

(Review/photos by Lance. Photo of Graham Hardy courtesy of Roly Veitch).

The original Quintet of the Year comprised Dizzy, Bird, Bud Powell, Mingus and Max Roach. The concert took place in Toronto in 1953 and featured five of the greatest modern jazz musicians ever. Since then, there have been other bands worthy of the title including Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, the Horace Silver Quintet and the UK's own version - The Jazz Couriers.

All three groups were referenced at Blaydon Jazz Club last night in a well-attended session by a band that must surely qualify for this year's title and I don't mean just on Tyneside but as far afield as you care to mention.

CD Review: Greg Yasinitsky - Yazz Band.

Greg Yasinitsky is a new name to me but, better late than never. This fine saxist, composer, arranger and educator has been around for many years - 40 years plus in education as well as studio and live sessions with a diversity of talent that includes Stan Getz, Randy Brecker and Ray Charles. This and a wide assortment of music awards make him a voice to be reckoned with.

His many skills are well-displayed here. All nine titles were composed and arranged by Yasinitsky who also solos on alto or tenor on most of them and filled out the pared-down sax section on baritone. On the ballad Missing You his melodic side comes to the fore although not without a midway blast! The closing cadenza and the final few bars by the sax section are truly beautiful.

The Eales' Report from BATH & Opus 4

BSH's southern (that's County Durham) correspondent Tony Eales filed an enthusiastic report of Friday's events way down south. A lunchtime session in the first-floor cafe at Bishop Auckland Town Hall went down well with a sizeable crowd there to hear super saxist/flautist Sue Ferris* working in trio format with sidekicks Paul Edis, piano, and ace bassman Neil Harland. 

CD Review: Square One featuring Andy Middleton - Double Bind.

Joe Williamson (guitar); Peter Johnstone (piano); David Bowden (double bass); Stephen Henderson (drums/percussion); Andy Middleton (tenor/soprano saxophones).

(Review by Steve T)

I remember interviewing this band at the Ushaw Festival, enjoying their set, and their debut album. However, this album marks an exponential growth and development from a promising band you'll turn out to see when they come round, buy the album and play it a couple of times, to a maturity many comparable bands never attain.

Nor do I put this down to the presence of the special guest, who wrote five of the nine originals, with the individual band members contributing one each. I only checked this after two listens and was surprised since you really can't hear a join, so complete is his assimilation into the band.

Preview: Mick Shoulder Quintet @ the Black Bull, Blaydon - Nov. 18

Tomorrow (Sunday) all roads lead to the Black Bull, Blaydon (NE21 4JJ postcode for Sat Nav users) as bassist Mick Shoulder brings in his first-rate quintet to play two sets of rip-roaring bebop. 

Earlier this year Bebop Spoken Here caught the band in Bishop Auckland. What a set that was! The frontline of Graham Hardy (trumpet and flugelhorn) and tenor sax master Lewis Watson tore the place apart. The rhythm section - Shoulder, pianist Dean Stockdale and drummer Russ Morgan - is a pay-your-money gig in itself, put the five of them together and you've got yourself a contender for Gig of the Year. 

Boys of Brass @ Hoochie Coochie - Nov. 16

(Review by Lance).

Pop and soul and rock 'n' roll a-plenty with soul being the dominating force from a band that had the floor awash with more gyrating bodies than you'd find at a Dervish convention.

Despite the powerful horn section few, if any, of the brassmen had more than a 4 bar break concentrating instead on providing the easily identifiable ensemble backing to Thornley's cover vocals.