Paul Edis @ The Lit & Phil - September 21

Paul Edis (piano, vocals)

(Review by Russell/Photo 1 courtesy of  Jerry E. Photo 2 Brian E) 

Anything Durham's Gala Theatre can do...yes, there was a full house today at the Lit and Phil for a solo piano concert by Paul Edis. Is one o'clock weekdays the new late night jazz gig? Folk certainly turn out for a one-hour lunchtime set, a cup of tea or coffee, perhaps a glass of wine and, of course, the music.

It's Only a Paper Moon, From Nothing to Nowhere (comp. Edis) and Hypnotized (comp. Edis), so that's a Gasbook classic (with vocals!) and two numbers by today's performer, pianist/promoter/producer/educator/juggler Paul Edis, the second of which received its public premiere a couple of weeks ago up the road in Hexham at the Fox Inn during a Triptych (Edis, Paul Susans, Rob Walker) gig. 

Springwell celebrates 20 years of New Orleans jazz.

This coming Wednesday, September 26, marks the 20th anniversary of jazz  at Springwell Community Venue, Springwell Village, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE9 7RP

The very first session here was on Monday, September 28, 1998. (The Rae Brothers New Orleans Jazz Band)

Pictured in the photo, taken in 2000, are (l-r): Clem Avery;  Mac Rae; Jim Blenkin; John Robinson; Gordon Petet and Dave Rae.

For this special occasion, the session has been extended to run from 8.15pm - 11pm (doors open at 7.30pm).  

Thanks to Dave Rae for the update.

Lance.

CD Review (retro): Shirley Horn - I Love You, Paris.

Shirley Horn (piano/vocal); Charles Ables (bass); Steve Williams (drums).

As Simon Spillett said in his observations on Bebop Spoken Here, this isn't a retro-site. We try to concentrate on the present without ignoring the future or forgetting the past.

However, when I popped into my local charity shop seeking shelter from the storm and saw a CD by Shirley Horn alongside discs by Harry James, Bix, Sinatra, Astrid and Sting, it was as if I was the drowning man seeing his life flash past - well it was raining heavily - so I thought I'd best have a 50p pop on Shirley and Astrid before it was too late. 

Fortunately, the storm eased and I lived to listen another day. 

I've yet to sample Astrid's offering but Shirley's 1992 live recording in Paris should be on everyone's bucket list. 

CD Review: Mike Freeman ZonaVibe - Venetian Blinds

Mike Freeman (vibes/coro); Guido Gonzalez (trumpet/coro); Ian Stewart (bass); Roberto Quintereo (perc.); Joel Mateo (drums).

(Review by Lance).

I'm not normally drawn to Latin albums - they tend to sail too close to the easy listening area. This one does head in that direction but, fortunately, stays far enough away to avoid boredom or ennui.

This is mainly due to the trumpet of Gonzalez who avoids the bravura of the bullfight preferring instead the cool clear sound of say Arturo Sandoval without overdoing the pyrotechnics.

Freeman's vibes bring to mind Cal Tjader with a dash of Milt and blends effectively over the turbulence of the fluctuating South American rhythms.

CD Review: NYSQ - Heaven Steps to Seven

Tim Armacost (tenor/soprano); David Berkman (piano); Ugonna Okegwo (bass); Gene Jackson (drums).
(Review by Lance).

Apart from the paraphrased title which, unless I've missed something, doesn't seem to bear any relevance to the music - a rose by any other name, a book by its cover etc., this is an absolute gem for anyone who likes to have a hook to the improvisations. 

The NYSQ - New York Standards Quartet - know this and deliver the goods in just such a way as to pull in the passer-by.

Don't get me wrong, this isn't smooth jazz or easy listening jazz, this is music that approaches the cutting edge but does it in such a way that nobody loses their fingertips.

Alan Law Trio w James Birkett @ Blaydon Jazz Club - September 16

Alan Law (piano); James Birkett (guitar); Paul Grainger (bass); Russ Morgan (drums).

(Review by Russell/photos courtesy of Roly V).

A second set only review. An advance ticket purchase dictated your correspondent's early evening whereabouts - Polly Gibbon's gig with the Strictly Smokin' Big Band at Hoochie Coochie - resulting in a late arrival at the Black Bull. 

Blaydon Jazz Club's September concert presented the Alan Law Trio working with a much-loved friend of Blaydon, master guitarist James Birkett. Arriving in time to hear the final number of the first set - Lady Be Good - it was good to see a good number of folk had made the effort and, encouragingly, a few new faces. Hey, Lady be Good, a cookin' rhythm section with Birkett flying, a pretty good way to tune out of roaring big band mode and adjust to a small combo. 

The interval: a Deuchars, please. A raffle ticket, the usual outcome...