Shellac (G): Kenny Graham's Afro-Cubists - Pina Colada/Mango Walk

My father once gave me some invaluable advice. He said to me, "Son, before you ask a girl to marry you, take a good look at her mother because that's what she's going to look like in thirty years time."

I'm pleased to say that I followed that advice.

It could also be applied to Kenny Graham and his Afro-Cubists. 

NYC jazz notes (17)

Our blue skies week in the Big Apple was nearing its end. Checking out of the hotel, before heading out to JFK there was one more item on the itinerary. As the mercury hit 34°, a not-so-leisurely stroll with a large suitcase and a couple of other bags, we boarded a train from East 28th up to Lexington Avenue-53rd St.. 

Emerging from the subway, we walked no more than ten metres into an adjacent plaza and took a seat. Jazz at St Peter's is a NYC (Wednesday lunchtime) institution. As luck would have it, this afternoon's 'Jazz on the Plaza' concert would feature the Billy Harper Quintet! The now octogenarian band leader twice appeared at the then Sage Gateshead (now Glasshouse) with the Cookers. It was hard to believe we were about to listen to the hard bop tenor saxophonist in his own backyard...

Album review: Claire Martin - Almost in Your Arms (Stunt Records)

Claire Martin (vocals); Martin Sjöstedt (piano/keys); Niklas Fernqvist (bass); Daniel Fredriksson (drums) + James McMillan (perc., trumpet, flugel, keys, programming); Karl-Martin Almqvist (sax on tks 2, 6); Nikki Iles (accordion on tk 4); Mark Jaimes (guitar on tk 11); Joe Locke (vibes on tks 1,7, narration on tk 7); Charlie Wood (vocal duet on tk 2).

Impeccable is the word that immediately springs to mind when I hear Claire Martin. I just know I'm going to like what I hear and I've yet to be disappointed. The magic is always there.

This particular album comprises a choice selection of mostly lesser known songs and it's none the worse for that.

Perhaps the best known is the swinging I Feel a Song Coming on. The Dorothy Fields/Jimmy McHugh composition is tailor made for Claire with some equally swinging vibes from Joe Locke to add to the joyous mood.

Message from Mike

© Ken Drew

Just to remind any BSH readers who watch Smalls live online that Greg Abate is playing there on Friday & Saturday (Sept 20 and Sept 21.)

Also I see he has updated his tour dates to include two extra gigs. On Nov 24 he plays an afternoon duo gig with Dean Stockdale in Hexham and, in the evening, a quartet gig in Newcastle, again with Dean.  Regards to all in the north east. Mike Farmer

Goodbye Ann Alex

It was sad, but not painfully so. The chapel was well-attended by friends and relations who'd given up weekend vacations (poetic liberty as it was, and still is, actually Thursday) to remember the enigma that was Ann Alexander - Ann Alex to followers of BSH.

Ann was many things to many people, all of whom had their memories and none of them bad.

Afterwards, many of us made our way down to the sea front and the Little Haven Hotel where more memories were exchanged by those whose lives had entwined with Ann's which meant everyone present. I think that even those closest to her learned something new about her today.

Given the circumstances of this gathering it may seem strange to describe it as perfect but, I don't think Ann would have wanted it any other way so, in that respect, it was perfect.

Goodbye dear friend, you added something to the lives of all who knew you. R.I.P. Lance

Album review: Natalie Jacob - Sooner or Later (self released)

Natalie Jacob (vocals); Tamir Hendelman (piano, arranger); Carlitos Del Puerto (bass); Clayton Cameron (drums) +  Scotty Barnhart (trumpet on tks 1,6,9,10); Anthony Wilson (guitar on tks 2,7,10); Kevin Winard (perc on tks 2,7,10)

Another vocalist intent on keeping the GAS in the jazz public's eye. This is quite important otherwise songs such as East of the Sun and Exactly Like You would end up on the shelf gathering dust like Gregorian chants and How Much is That Doggie in the Window? That the definitive versions have already been carved in vinyl by such as Frank, Mel, Ella, Billie, Peggy, Sassy, Tony, Anita, Chet and a host of others is no deterrent and in many cases, such as this one, it is always a delight to hear a quality singer carrying the torch a bit further. Particularly as the aforementioned greats are no longer with us.

NYC jazz notes (16)

The Empire State, Times Square, Macy's, all the touristy things. It was another scorcher, 30° plus. Craning necks, looking up and up and up, the Manhattan skyline is something else! Excuse me, could you tell me the way to the Empire State Building? Our New Yorker replied: You got it! This is it, right here. We were standing outside the main entrance! Crossing over the road to get a better view, the iconic Empire State is but one of countless skyscrapers reaching for the stars. 

Lancaster Jazz Festival 2024 - Sunday, Sept. 15

It’s been a number of years since I was at the Lancaster Jazz Festival and the main venue - where the free bands appear – has moved and changed significantly. Kanteena is a rustic, barn style venue with rows of benches, part of a significant complex of which the weather on the day did not encourage the use or exploration of. It’s on the outskirts of town, which makes parking easy (though expensive), but also seems to be away from the town centre, which is a shame.

A bad case of kennel cough kept us away from the Saturday sessions – when the weather was much better – but Sunday was always the most enticing day of the weekend.

 

Today's shellacking: Bud Freeman and his Summa Cum Laude Orchestra - The Eel/China Boy

The jazz historians sometimes forget/ignore that, apart from Hawk and Lester, there was a third lineage of tenor saxophone players - Bud Freeman.

Bud probably found his original inspiration in Frankie Trumbauer's tone on C melody sax and although his phrasing leaned towards Hawkins, the sound was lighter more in the direction of Lester.

Bud was a frequent UK visitor to the UK and when in the north east usually stayed with the late Randy Heads. Bud was very much an Anglophile, Randy once telling me that Bud was more British than he was.

I remember Bud playing at Newcastle City Hall with the World's Greatest Jazz Band.

An autumnal Black Swan jam session - Sept. 17

Joe Steels (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums, trumpet) + Harry Keeble (tenor sax, piano); Bailey Rudd (drums); Theo Nolan (piano); Paul Ruddick (alto sax); Shivan Ruddick (trumpet); Liam Oliver (guitar); Dan Potter (drums); John Weaver (trumpet); Steve Summers (tenor sax); Esther Coombes (tenor sax, alto sax, clarinet); Hugh ? (drums); Carrie McCullock (vocals); ? (vocals); Owen Jones (double bass); Jamie Watkins (double bass); Shayo (vocals); Kath Butcher (vocals); Haaroun Miller (alto sax, tenor sax); Joe ? (drums); Oscar Nolan (vocals); Edgar Bell (trumpet) 

The house trio playing Cole Porter's Everything I Love opened the show followed by Bird's My Little Suede Shoes, things were going well. The Black Swan was busy, noticeably so. An unusually early change of personnel saw drummer Abbie Finn stepping down, Bailey Rudd a more than able dep. Hmm...

Harry Keeble called Naima. Now, this was the business! Finn returned with trumpet in hand. What's going on? Sure enough, award-winning drummer-turned-trumpeter, Abbie Finn plucked up the courage to play The Lady is a Tramp. Well, what do you know?! Session leader Joe Steels took five and, with Theo Nolan sitting-in on piano, Keeble (tenor sax) and Finn (trumpet) played Vernon Duke's Autumn in New York. Well, well, well...