FILM: Big Mama Thornton: I Can't Be Anyone but Me @ Tyneside Cinema - Apr. 23

The so-called 'art house' film is rarely screened more than a couple of times and then it's gone. The Tyneside Cinema recently programmed just one screening of Robert Clem's 2025 documentary film Big Mama Thornton: I Can't Be Anybody but Me. It was too good an opportunity not to go and see it...

Willie Mae 'Big Mama' Thornton (b. 1026, d. 1984) on screen is quite the experience. On stage, director Robert Clem's subject is portrayed as an artist fully in control: bold as brass vocals, no mean harp player, fearless in the spotlight. Off stage, Big Mama encounters rip-off merchants, the story of her demise a familiar one. 

Phil Shotton's Kind of Cool Nonet @ the Moor Club, Stockport - April 26

© Jeff Pritchard

Phil Shotton (baritone sax); John Padfield (alto sax); Owen Bryce (trumpet); Mike Monument (French horn); Mathew Horner (trombone); Adam Dutch (tuba); Tom Sykes (keyboards); Matt Lawton  (double bass); Andy Bold (drums).

As Paul Hartley in his welcoming speech, this nine-piece ensemble is the largest to be featured at the Moor Club's Sunday jazz nights.

Phil Shotton provided the charts and assembled a very talented group of musicians to play them. As well as tackling the Birth of the Cool tunes, there was enough time to delve into the Kind of Blue repertoire which featured some nice harmon mute work from Owen Bryce a person, I have heard about but never seen live. Miles would have nodded his approval of his version of All Blues.

Daniel John Martin with Swing Manouche @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church - Apr. 22

Daniel John Martin (violin, vocals); Mick Shoulder (guitar); Dave Smith (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass)

The monthly, Friday lunchtime Bishop Auckland Jazz concert series is attracting ever-increasing numbers. This first evening concert presentation, featuring Daniel John Martin with Swing Manouche, would, perhaps, reveal the level of support for midweek evening gigs up on Cockton Hill Road. 

Neil Cowley Trio: Built on Bach @ The Fire Station, Sunderland - April 21

Neil Cowley (piano); Rex Horan (double bass); Evans Jenkins (drums)

Built on Bach was something of a clue as to what we would be listening to. Touring his new album, Cowley was paying a first visit to Sunderland's Fire Station. Our pianist said he was impressed. And it came as no surprise, the High Street West venue is a match for similar concert halls up and down the land and a credit to Wearside. 

Tracks from the new album (Built on Bach) featured heavily, alongside a few from Cowley's back catalogue. Cowley's percussive approach lends itself to Bach counterpoint, his long-time bandmates - bassist Rex Horan and drummer Evan Jenkins - very much 'on point'. 

Dean Stockdale Trio @ Blaydon Jazz Club - Apr. 20

© Ken Drew

Dean Stockdale (keyboards); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums)

On a mild spring evening down on Bridge Street, would an audience materialise for Blaydon Jazz Club's April concert? The Black Bull's lounge started to fill up nicely. We should never have doubted the regulars! 

Milt Jackson's Reunion Blues opened the show in style with Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder and Abbie Finn swinging it like nobody's business. Blaydon is renowned for its mainstream, swinging sessions and pianist Dean Stockdale didn't depart from the brief, not that there is one - a brief, that is. 

Daniel John Martin w. Swing Manouche @ The Ship Isis (The Vaux Room): Sunderland - April 24

© Ken Drew

Daniel John Martin (violin, vocals); Mick Shoulder (guitar); Dave Smith (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass)

We're very fortunate in the north east that DJM is good friends with Mick Shoulder, as he's a gypsy jazz superstar, and he regularly plays a handful of north east dates with Mick's band Swing Manouche.

An away gig for the Old Black Cat club coincided with their footballing namesakes playing at home, and with the Ship Isis within walking distance of the Stadium of Light, it was very busy at the bar. Fortunately the Vaux Room was up the stairs, a cosy room, ideal for some top quality gypsy jazz.

Album review: Jed Levy Phil Robson Quartet (Livia Records)

© Gregory Dunn

Jed Levy (tenor sax); Phil Robson (guitar); Mark Hodgson (bass); Roberto Gatto (drums)

The second album in just over a year from New York tenor player Levy. His previous album, Faces and Places was favourably reviewed HERE last May and the good news is that The Unpredictability of the Sea, whilst totally different, is batting in the same league.

For this latest album Levy teams up with UK guitarist Phil Robson, a musical partnership that began when Robson himself was living in NYC where they soon became an integral part of  that city's jazz scene.

Since then Robson has relocated to Ireland although the album was actually recorded at My Secret Place, Gatto's studio in Rome. Jazz really has become well and truly global.

Reminder: Parliamentary Jazz Awards - Nominations close on May 15

Just a gentle reminder that nominations for this year's Parliamentary Jazz Awards close at midnight on May 15. Don't leave it until the last minute but start making your choices now.

There are plenty of local bands, venues, singers, instrumentalists, educators and blogs that are worthy of the national exposure these prestigious awards bring so don't procrastinate - nominate!

To avoid confusion please ensure your nominations are spelled correctly e.g. Bebop is one unhyphenated word not Be-bop! Lance

NOMINATE HERE.

MORE INFO.

Press release: STRICTLY SMOKIN' BIG BAND plus, direct from Germany IKS BIG BAND

Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle 7.30pm doors | 8pm music

We're very excited to welcome Immanuel-Kant-Schule Big Band from Rüsselsheim over to Newcastle for a very special trans-European big band celebration at Gosforth Civic Theatre on 5th June, culminating in a double big band extravaganza...

Founded in 1986 and celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the IKS Big Band has earned a reputation in Germany as one of the leading large jazz ensembles in the Frankfurt Rhine-Main area.

GCT Tickets: 5th June

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

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

Playlist 26/04/26 (repeated Tuesday 28/04/26)

Seasonal: Count Basie & his Orchestra.

Celebrating International Jazz Day: Duke Ellington, Mingus Big Band 93, Duke Junction.

Memories: Ella Fitzgerald, Percy Heath/Connie Kay/Jimmy Guiffre, Ma Rainey.

Requests: Daniel Casimir & Tess Hirst.

New Releases: Tommy Smith/Brian Kellock, Jon Onabowu.

Requests: Roy Hargrove Quintet, Mike Gibbs + Twelve, Neil Cowley Trio.

What’s on in the NE: Midnite Follies Orchestra.

Seasonal: Thelonious Monk, Tommy Smith/Brian Kellock. 

Aycliffe Radio is now available on DAB in County Durham & the Darlington area or via your smart speaker.