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.

Sunday Night@ The Globe: The Bridge Quartet - July 12

© Sylvia

James Girling (guitar); Dave Edge (tenor sax); Andreas Svabø (bass); Emil Norman (drums)

Sonny Rollins' sabbatical years wood-shedding on the Williamsburg Bridge have long been an integral part of modern jazz folklore and needs no further background info from me 

However, with the passing of the great man on May 25 this year every jazz jock has played tracks and paid tribute to him whilst bands and strollin' players have also done their bit.!

One such ensemble is the Bridge Quartet who last night at the Globe laid waste to any other band ploughing the same furrow. Two Brits and two Scandinavians, all four now based in Oslo, kicked off with Without a Song which is also the opening track on the album. From the moment the first cascade of notes erupted like a meteor storm from the bell of Edge's tenor  myself, and the considerably less than capacity audience, sensed that this was going to be more than just another gig.

Was it not!

Album preview: Ben Crosland - North York Skies (Jazz Cat Records)

Ben Crosland (bass, leader); Steve Waterman (trumpet); Steve Lodder (piano); Chris Allard (guitar); Nic France (drums).

Having won critical acclaim earlier this year for his quartet album Wooltown Reflections - 4 stars in Jazzwise Magazine, “Like opening a box of jewels”, said Jazz Views -  Yorkshire-based bassist, composer and bandleader Ben Crosland has a new album, featuring a quintet this time, slated for August release.

North York Skies celebrates the beauty, history and folklore of one of Britain’s most treasured landscapes. It’s both a vivid musical journey and a heartfelt tribute to a landscape that has become central to Crosland’s life.

Mouth of the Tyne Festival: the Jazz Stage - July 11

Forget yesterday's post about factor 30 being a must-have item if you were planning to visit this weekend's Saturday afternoon session on the festival's Jazz Stage. Thermals and woolly jumpers would have been my choice had I not trusted in God and the Met Office. Come back Michael Fish, all is forgiven!

Still at least the music was hot and varied and fortunately, at least it was dry - for now...

The Vieux Carré Jazzmen, who of late have been trading as the VC Hot 4, showed up with Colin Aitchison (trumpet); Jim McBriarty (reeds, vocals); Eugene Farrar (trombone); Jamie Watkins (bass guitar); Michael Mather (drums); Brian Bennett (banjo, guitar, leader, vocals)  + Neville Sarony (vocals).

Farrar, depping for the ill-fated David Gray who'd broken his ankle whilst soloing a couple of nights previous, blew some powerhouse  trombone and would appear again later. I didn't catch the complete set but Neville Sarony's take on Ain't Misbehavin' and Bill Bailey came across loud and clear. Jim McBriarty dealt with Avalon and the set finished with a brief chorus or two of Ice Cream.  

Classic Swing @ The Crescent Club - July 10

Jim McBriarty (alto sax, soprano sax, clarinet, vocals); Alan Marshall (tenor sax, clarinet); Jeremy McMurray (keyboards); Alan Rudd (double bass); Ian Stocks (drums); Olive Rudd (vocals)

A perfect summer's day down at the coast. Cullercoats Bay was busy: swimmers, plodgers, those taking five. Over the road, the Crescent Club was doing good business. 

In the bar, the Friday regulars were taking their regular Friday seats. Classic Swing were in town. Well, most of them. Trombonist Neville Hartley was on his hols and every other 'bone man from the Tweed down to the Tees was otherwise engaged. 

Preview: Mouth of the Tyne Festival

© Russell

This weekend sees the annual Mouth of the Tyne Festival held on Tynemouth's Front St. and, in the shadow of the iconic Tynemouth Priory, the Jazz Stage will host bands ancient and Modern. Over the years the festival has been subject to the vagaries of British weather and some years I've been burnt to a frazzle, whilst other years I've emerged like a survivor from SS Titanic. So, as there ain't no roof overhead it's advisable to consult the weather oracle.

After doing just that it looks like the hot weather will prevail and the order of the day will be factor 30, a parasol and a supply of cool drinks for the hydration breaks. This will enable you to enjoy the delights on offer. Lance

Tune in to Eddie Gripper - today (Friday)

This afternoon on In Tune there will be a live studio set by the Eddie Gripper Trio. Currently touring the trio's new album, Americana, pianist Gripper made a big impression when he turned up recently at Newcastle's award-winning Globe. Tune in to In Tune (BBC Radio 3) at five o'clock. Russell  

Nick Mondello interviews Oscar Onoz