Denny Farrell

Regular visitors to BSH will be familiar with Denny Farrell's Late Night Chicago Radio show which is listed and linked on BSH. His laid back, laconic introduction to the 'platters' he plays are as cool and refreshing as a Chet Baker vocal on a summer's night. Below is an excerpt from his entry in the Big Band Hall of Fame of which Denny is a member. Makes for interesting reading.  Lance

(Hall of Fame): Denny Farrell is a veteran Chicago broadcaster whose career has been devoted to preserving and celebrating the music of the Big Band, swing, Dixieland, and classic jazz eras. He is best known as the longtime host of The Original Big Band Showcase and Late Night Chicago Radio, programs that have been syndicated on stations in the United States and internationally. He is also a member of the Big Band Hall of Fame and has received the National Ballroom & Entertainment Association Award for his radio work. 

EP review: Judy Whitmore - This is Home (self)

Judy Whitmore (vocals) + Chris Walden Orchestra.

This is Home celebrates America's 250th birthday (July 4, 1776 - ?) featuring Judy Whitmore on six patriotic songs appropriate to the age they were composed. Less so in the current American environment.

Judy Whitmore is an excellent singer and I love the two previous albums of hers that I have had the pleasure of hearing: Isn't it Romantic (2022) Let's Fall in Love (2025). This album however, is a different kettle of fish - Elvis' American Trilogy springs to mind.

Pure Blues & JazzTastic

A lost Chick Corea track is always worth finding.

Album review: Lolivone de la Rosa - Jewels (self-released)

Lolivone de la Rosa (electric guitar, Fx tks 10,11); Ingrid Jensen (trumpet); Ned Goold (tenor sax); Luis Perdomo (piano); John Benitez (basses); Jeff "Tain" Watts (drums) + David Sulieman (tenor sax tks 1,5); Rogério Boccato (perc.tks 1, 9); Joel E. Mateo (perc. tks 5,13)

Let's begin with Lolivone de la Rosa: This album represents a myriad of dreams made tangible. Two worlds come together: the folklore I grew up with in Puerto Rico and carry within me and the swing I fell in love with in New York.

Musically, that pretty much sums Jewels up. The mix of Latin melodies, mainly composed or arranged by de la Rosa, and the swing to bop feel of Bird's Segment gel so smoothly it's almost as if an additional sub-genre has been added to the jazz lexicon. Goold's double tempo tenor solo over the balladic Beautiful Friendship and Jensen's trumpet explorations of a distant galaxy on the same tune do nothing to dispel that thought.

Late Night Chicago Radio with Denny Farrell (July 9 - 16)

Nancy Wilson/George Shearing: All Night Long.

Harry James: You'll Never Know.

Oscar Peterson: Old Town Blues.

? : Wind Beneath my Wings.

Charlie Byrd: Swing 39.

Billie Holiday: Lover Come Back to me.

Stan Kenton: What's New?.

Kenny Barron: Twilight Song.

Paul Desmond/Jim Hall: All Through the Night.

Erroll Garner: Misty.

LISTEN 24/7

Katie Melua Finds Beauty in Restraint at Union Chapel - July 7

Katie Melua (vocals, guitar); Billy Adamson (guitar, Musical Director); Pete Lee (keyboards); Huw Foster (bass); Pete Adam Hill (drums)

On one of the hottest evenings of the summer, Katie Melua transformed Union Chapel into a place of quiet reflection, reminding us that songs don’t simply survive the passing of time – they continue to grow alongside the people who sing them.

By the time I reached Union Chapel, London was still holding on to the heat of one of those glorious July days that seem reluctant to end. Long after the sun had begun its slow descent, the pavements continued to radiate warmth, and the air hung heavily over Islington. The climb up Compton Terrace felt slower than usual, not simply because of the temperature, but because there was an unmistakable sense of anticipation among those making the same journey. People weren’t simply arriving for a concert. They were arriving to spend an evening with an artist whose songs have quietly accompanied many of them through the last two decades of their lives. 

Pure Blues from Roy Woodcock

It's all happening down on the Humber Delta!

Single review: Jo Harrop - Smoke Inside a Jar - Feat: Lady Blackbird (Lateralise Records)

Jo Harrop, Lady Blackbird (vocals); Deron Johnson (piano, Mellotron); Jonathon Flaugher (bass); Denny Weston Jr. (drums, perc.)

The first single from the forthcoming album Love Now Pay Later

Smoke Inside a Jar perfectly captures the confidence of Harrop’s new direction. Rich, cinematic and deeply soulful, it possesses a timeless quality that feels completely authentic rather than nostalgic.

Greg Abate Quartet @ the Moor Club, Stockport - July 12

© Jeff Pritchard

Greg Abate (alto sax, flute); Paul Hartley (guitar); Ken Marley (bass); Johnny Hunter (drums).

Another night of musical fireworks from the energetic Mr Abate. I arrived at the Moor Club at 7pm an hour before the start time and was  surprised to see Greg already in position and blowing a few tasty licks on his alto sax.The night before, he had been playing at the Swanage Jazz Festival so tonight would be gig no 6 in an extensive UK tour. 

Although many of the tunes featured tonight are familiar ones they are given the Abate treatment which means no rehearsal and changes to tempo etc. will occur at the drop of a hat.  The rhythm section have to be on their toes that's for sure! Greg's flute was utilised on the only Abate original, a 6/8 tune,  On The Road  and also  Corcovado. Both these tunes  sounded good to me and I was wondering if the heatwave had caused the audience turnout to be less than usual.

Jazz on the Tyne Welcomes Back Jo Harrop & Jamie McCredie

In the latest edition of the podcast, presenter Colin Muirhead welcomes back to the show vocalist Jo Harrop and guitarist Jamie McCredie, six years after the release of their album Weathering the Storm.  Jo and Jamie talk about their current touring, which includes gigs at the Globe in Newcastle in July and at the Durham Jazz Festival in October, as well as their plans for new music and their individual projects.  Together with music by Jo and Jamie, you’ll hear tracks by corto.alto, PRIME, Sergio Mendes, Ornette Coleman, and Pat Metheny.

You can listen to the show anytime HERE.

Plus, you can request music for future programmes, pass on news or leave feedback by emailing Colin at jazz.tyne.hive@gmail.com or by heading to www.jazzonthetyne.org.