Stu Collingwood Trio @ The Fire Station, Sunderland - May 24

Stu Collingwood (piano); Andy Champion (bass); Russ Morgan (drums).

(Review by Lance/Photos courtesy of Russell).

A good acquaintance of mine remarked that he thought I was too fulsome with my praise when writing reviews. As this was from a person whose opinion I respect, I gave the matter some thought and came to the conclusion that he was right!

However, by way of explanation, I'll admit that when I like something or somebody I'm not afraid to show it. On the other hand, if I don't like something or somebody, I just keep my big mouth shut. After all, this isn't God speaking and all criticism is 99% subjective anyway. My friend mentioned jam session reviews which is a different kettle of fish altogether. Often some of the participants are relatively new to the game and speaking as one who knows the 1000 deaths a person can go through before plucking up the courage to play or sing (or even draw the raffle!) the last thing I want to do is quench their enthusiasm (the legend of Charlie Parker and the cymbal incident with Jo Jones springs to mind*). 

Constructive criticism? Well-meaning words but, in practice, not always seen that way by the recipient. Also, I think most musicians know whether they've played well or not without being told.

CD Review: Matt Anderson Quartet - Rambling

Matt Anderson (tenor & alto saxophones); Peter Lee (piano, keyboards); Will Harris (double bass); Jay Davis (drums) + Nick Malcolm (trumpet) tracks 1,2,6,9,10; Owen Dawson (trombone) tracks 1,2,6,9,10; Aubin Vanns (guitar) tracks 1,2,9,10

(Review by Russell). 

Rambling is Matt Anderson’s follow up to his 2015 debut recording Wild Flower. The saxophonist’s quartet – Peter Lee, piano and keyboards, Will Harris, double bass and drummer Jay Davis – with the addition of contributions from trumpeter Nick Malcolm, trombonist Owen Dawson, and guitarist Aubin Banns, further enhances the Yorkshireman’s reputation as an accomplished composer. The ten tracks on this Jellymould release were written by Anderson and the band leader has the grace and humility to state that track number four – Count Up/Tune Down – is based on John Coltrane’s Countdown.

Jam Session @ Dun Cow, Jesmond - May 23.

Mark Williams (guitar); Paul Grainger (bass); Russ Morgan (drums) + Kay Usher (violin); Paul Ruddick (alto); Matt MacKellar (drums); Kevin Green (soprano); Pete Gilligan (piano); Dan Garel (alto).

(Review by Lance).

There comes a time in a person's life when he or she realises something special is happening. In music, and jazz in particular, that moment sometimes happens and sometimes it doesn't.

Tonight it happened!

The jam was progressing nicely. Mark Williams, at his most sensitive, got the set underway with I Should Care and all three slugged it out on Solar culminating with a knockout solo from Russ - Solar power indeed!

Kay Usher swung On the Sunny Side of the Street following up with a faster than usual Willow Weep For Me- it worked.

Remembering Kay Rouselle

Drummer/Bandleader Ian Lawrence (Stocks) sent me this photo of the late Kay Rouselle singing with his big band and remarking that he rarely hears mention of her these days which is a pity as, at one time, not only was she winning beauty contests but also went on to become possibly the best vocalist to sing with the Don Smith Band at Newcastle’s famous ballroom, the Oxford Galleries.*

Ian believes Kay’s last big band gig was with his band. She sang with the band for a number of years playing gigs in both England and Scotland.

Although the band included many top local musicians such as Ray Harley and Arthur Mowatt, it didn’t, says Ian, stop Kay speaking her mind if she thought something wasn’t being played right.

Jazz in the Afternoon @ Cullercoats Crescent Club - May 21

Herbie Hudson (trombone, harmonica, vocals); Brian Chester (keyboards, trombone); John Carstairs Hallam (double bass); Fred Thompson (drums) + Roy Gibson (keyboards); Teresa Armstrong (vocals); John Broddle (vocals)

(Review by Russell). 

Blue skies at the coast! Folk paddling in Cullercoats Bay, some exploring Smuggler’s Cave others out at Crab Hill, a rare warm afternoon down at the coast. Meanwhile at Cullercoats Crescent Club if it’s a Monday it has to be Jazz in the Afternoon. JITA isn’t exactly JATP but its longevity has put the once thriving fishing village of Cullercoats on the jazz map. One o’clock in the bar, a choice of toasties, chips, a pint courtesy of one of the many local micro-breweries – on this occasion Queen of the Nile from the High Spen-based Olde Potting Shed Brewery.

CD Review: Jamie Shew - Eyes Wide Open

Jamie Shew (vocals, arrangements); Larry Koonse (guitars); Joe Bagg (piano and Hammond B3); Darek Oles (bass); Jason Harnell (drums)

(Review by Ann Alex).

‘This one’s a cracker’ said Lance as he handed over the CD, and it certainly is. Yet I reckon that it’s a miracle that it was ever made, as it’s literally a labour of love. Jamie Shew uses song to tell the story of her 20 year relationship with her husband, bass player Roger Shew, who sadly died of cancer. She traces their lives together in music, with good taste and a lack of sentimentality, and even manages to look to the future.