Book review: Michael Connelly - The Dark Hours

A Michael Connelly novel featuring LA cop Harry Bosch invariably has a few jazz references. However, in The Dark Hours Bosch is now retired  and his character is definitely that of second banana to Detective Renée Ballard who, just as Bosch did when he was a serving officer, isn't afraid to buck the system in the cause of justice.

So, given Bosch's supportive role, the only jazz mention is a fleeting reference to a Eddie Harris and Les McCann number, Compared to What?, played on this occasion by John Legend and The Roots prompting Ballard to quip that she didn't think he listened to anything recorded this century! 

Nevertheless, it is still a cracking tale with Ballard involved in two cases involving murder and rape in which she not only has to watch her back from the villains but also her own colleagues and superiors who don't take kindly to Bosch's involvement or anything that may tarnish the system.

Album review: The Mattan Klein Quartet - The Long Run

Mattan Klein (flute); Toki Stern (Fender Rhodes); Yoni Ben Ari (bass); Joca Perpignan (perc.) + Nitzan Bar (guitar).

Israeli flautist Klein is indisputably a fine player. Whether or not as the blurb claims, his virtuoso improvisation lifts jazz flute playing to new heights is questionable. That he is a fine player is without dispute although his failure to show in the 2021 DownBeat Readers Poll suggests that the jury is still out. Maybe this release will sway them for next year's poll.

Nevertheless, it's well played, the tunes have a decidedly catchy feel to them and, given his background, there are distinct ethnic overtones which all add to the overall experience.

To learn more about Mattan Klein and the album go here - Lance

Available on Ubuntu Music UBU0092.

Tribute to Amy Winehouse’s legacy heads to Sunderland a decade after the pop icon’s tragic death

(Press release)

Sunderland’s new live entertainment venue, The Fire Station is set to host a special celebration of the life and music of Amy Winehouse, with some of the country’s most talented young jazz musicians joining forces for an unmissable showcase of the legendary singer’s music.

Amy Winehouse is undoubtedly one of the greatest musical talents to come out of the UK, with her unmistakable character, vocal dexterity and masterful songwriting making her a pop icon.

The National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) will head to The Fire Station on Thursday 10th February to perform a selection of arrangements from the singer’s iconic discography along with a number of her favourite tunes that she once performed as the featured female vocalist for NYJO over twenty years ago.

Robin Sunflower Quartet @ the Railway, Stockport - Jan. 16

Robin Sunflower (harmonica, vocals); Robin Dewhurst (piano); Adrian Ingram (guitar); Steve Lunn (bass guitar)

This turned out to be another drummerless line-up with the house piano once again being played by a very fine musician, Robin Dewhurst who was last here in Suzanne Fonseca’s band.  On guitar was a man well known to guitarists here and abroad, Adrian Ingram, who was heavily featured throughout the evening.

Ingram seemed very much at home in Sunflower’s band which certainly covers a wide range of music from  tunes made famous in the Dixieland era such as Darktown Strutters’ Ball to the Latin classic Sway.

Album review: Stan Tracey Trio - The 1959 Sessions

Stan Tracey (piano/vibes); Kenny Napper (bass); Tony Crombie/Phil Seaman (drums)

You hear the familiar sound of a CD sized package dropping through the mailbox and you groan. The package is from Proper Music who know a thing or two about music which is all right and proper and you decide it's worth opening and maybe even listening to the contents.

Your fears turn to joy when you discover it's a 1959 Stan Tracey Trio recording!

Earlier today I'd splashed out a tenner for a Panasonic mini CD system in our local Sally Army charity shop. I praised the Lord and now the ammunition had been passed on for me to check it out.

Preview: Great North Big Band Jazz Festival 2022

Friday 4 March, put the date in your diary. It's the return of the Great North Big Band Jazz Festival (GNBBJF). Last year's festival was cancelled due to you know what. Twelve months on, organisers are hopeful the three day extravaganza will go ahead without interruption. As usual, Park View Community Centre, just off Front Street in Chester le Street, is the place to be from eight o'clock Friday evening to listen to Mick Donnelly's Musicians Unlimited. Then it's into competition mode on Saturday and Sunday.