TJ Johnson Trio @ Jamboree, London - Sept. 9

TJ Johnson (piano, vocals); Eleazar Ruiz Spreafico (double bass); Wesley Gibbens (drums)

If it's three o'clock on a Wednesday afternoon you'll find TJ Johnson in residence at Jamboree, King's Cross. Advertised as a quartet featuring trumpeter Björn Ingelstam, things didn't, to the disappointment of some, work out as planned. TJ informed his audience that Ingelstam's flight earlier in the day from Copenhagen had been cancelled. Oh, well...

Pianist Johnson was joined by his regular bass and drums pairing of Eleazar Ruiz Spreafico and Wesley Gibbens. Out trio opened with I've Got the World on a String, TJ his usual casual self. St Louis Blues, Percy Mayfield's Stranger in My Own Home Town (a refreshing selection), Baby, Won't You Please Come Home, Alberta Hunter's My Castle's Rockin' (another choice number), TJ, Eleazar and Wesley were a study in relaxed performance. 

Album review: Visions Jazz Ensemble - Of The People

Sam Butler (trumpet, arranger); Jeff Parker (trombone); Garrett Fasig (alto sax, arranger); Caleb Robinson (tenor sax, clarinet); David Linard (piano, Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Hammond B3); Alex Turner (guitars); Alex Hoberty (bass); Francis Bassett-Dilley (drums) +April Varner (voice)

Released on July 31 to commemorate America's 250th birthday, it didn't reach me until today which turned out to be an apt date (9/11) to play the album. The sadness of that day still reverberates around the world and what better way to reflect upon that day than by listening to songs rooted in American folklore and to hear them played in the format of America's greatest contribution to the world (apart from the movie Casablanca) - Jazz (capital J intentional).

The arrangements are shared between Butler and Fasig with wistful vocals from April Varner and solos all round with Linard utilising the many sounds from his array of keyboards.

R.I.P. Steve Gilbert

Mike Farmer has sent me the sad news of the passing of the legendary Mancunian drummer and educator Steve Gilbert. Although I never actually heard him play, the accolades, tributes and eulogies on the various 'socials' indicate that he was a rather special person both as a man and a musician.

Rest In Peace

Lance

Frank Griffith Nonet @ Morley Green Club, Mobberley Rd., Wilmslow - Sept. 8

Frank Griffith (tenor sax, clarinet); Andor Jensen (baritone Sax); John Padfield (alto sax); Cliff Ray, Martin Smith (trumpet, flugelhorn); Sam Crooks (trombone); Misha Grey (keyboards); Ed Harrison (double bass); Eryl Roberts (drums)

With the exception of John Padfield who played on both gigs, this was a different line-up to the one that Frank brought with him on his last visit here.  Although the only name new to me was trombonist Sam Crooks, some of the musicians involved in tonight's show were guys I have known for ages like Ed Harrison, one of the best bass players around, and some, like baritone saxman Andor Jensen, I met at a jam session at the Liner Hotel in Liverpool back in the day when I could drive. Although sometimes  I'd take a bus to Liverpool from Manchester and stay in a hotel if I knew of a jam session happening.   

Album review: George Garzone - Themes For Good Friends (Jojo Records)

George Garzone (tenor sax); Randy Brecker (trumpet); Luis Perdomo (piano); Santi Debriano (bass); Jeff "Tain" Watts (drums)

Theme For Ernie: Not sure which Ernie Garzone refers to but it's a plaintive duet between tenor and piano. An attempt (successful) to relate to the proactive energy of John Coltrane and the tonal beauty of Stan Getz. The same instrument yet poles apart in their quest for perfection. Different roads, same destination. Garzone and Perdomo do likewise.

U-Jaama: An Archie Shepp composition that has the whole gang present with Brecker stretching out left right and centre - the sky's the limit. Garzone too hits the spot with every cascade of notes and angular phrases. "Tain" is no shrinking violet either. It's boppier than anything I ever heard Shepp play.

It Will Happen to You: I'm sure you'll work out from the title where this one comes from! More blistering tenor and trumpet pyrotechnics with bass and drums ensuring the whole kaboosh swings - Trane and Dizzy spring to mind.

Alex Clarke with the Paul Edis Trio @ The Wheatsheaf, Tooting, London - Sept. 8

Alex Clarke (alto sax); Paul Edis (piano); Simon Read (double bass); Steve Brown (drums)

A first visit to Paul Edis' monthly jazz night in Tooting. The Wheatsheaf, situated across the road from Tooting Bec underground station, is a big barn of a place with an upstairs function room. The pub's management is happy for pianist Edis to get on with it, in some ways, the ideal arrangement. 

Online advance tickets or pay at the door, Tooting Jazz presents many of the very best working on the London jazz scene. This evening's guest was the exceedingly busy Alex Clarke. Edis' trio, comprising bassist Simon Read and drummer Steve Brown (themselves two of the best around), would provide impeccable support to Ms. Clarke.

Album review: Aria – Rectify

Aria (voice) – See footnote for complete personnel.

I first ran into Aria at the She Write Songs gig at Ronnie Scott’s, and then again, rather unexpectedly, at an after-show party at The Ivy Club following Nicole Zuraitis’s appearance at Ronnie Scott's later that year. At some point, the party turned into an impromptu set, with Nicole and Jo Harrop joining Aria. It was one of those wonderfully unplanned musical moments, but what really struck me was Aria’s versatility. She seemed completely at home alongside two quite different singers, adapting to the moment without ever losing her own identity.

 

Listening to her debut album Rectify, it turns out that versatility is very much the point.

 

Stockport Jazz - Preview: Ken's Favourite Album

This week Stockport Jazz welcomes ‘Ken‘s Favourite Album’ with Ken Marley (double bass), Andrzej Baranek (piano) and Dave Walsh (drums) performing the Christian McBride Trio 2015 album ‘Live At The Village Vanguard’. 

Expect ‘ferociously fast, full-on driving swing and slow heartbreaking ballads’ along with a reflective nod to the history of jazz, insightful knowledge and the joy this album brings to the listener. 

For those who would like to give the album a listen before Sunday, it can be heard using this link: https://open.spotify.com/album/3UJbQf5jRzsa1B6mad1gVB?si=Mf854ifKQmORYBmf8TH3SA&utm_source=copy-link&nd=1&dlsi=dc52277f5bda468a: *

Sunday 13th September 8-10pm 

£5 entry on the door - all welcome

The Moor Club, 35 Heaton Moor Road, Stockport SK4 4PB Paul

* Spotify link doesn't work on my P.C. Lance

Neil Yates Sextet @ Llandudno Jazz Club - Sept. 7

© Richard Morris

Neil Yates (trumpet); Colin Campbell (alto saxophone); Andor Jensen (tenor saxophone);  Andrzej Baranek (piano); Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley (double bass); Luke Flowers (drums)

A wonderful sextet assembled for the usual Monday evening of quality jazz at Llandudno Jazz Club. Led by Neil Yates on trumpet (his flugelhorn needed repairing) the band’s horn section was completed by Andor Jensen on tenor sax, a Scouser, now based on the Wirral and a Licentiate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and Colin Campbell, a fellow Scouser on alto sax. Add to that one of the UK’s top jazz piano players Andrzej Baranek from Chorley and two Mancunians: Luke Flowers on drums and Joshua Cavanagh- Brierley on double bass. Luke is a longstanding member of the Cinematic Orchestra and rarely does two weeks go by without me seeing Joshua playing in the north west of England or Wales.

Album review: ALG Trio - In Between The Vistula and the Hudson (Aesthetiko)

Gilad Atzmon (alto sax, clarinet); Piotr Lemanczyk (bass); Adman Golicki (drums)

It's always a thrill to hear Gilad Atzmon. I've heard him in many situations and he never fails to deliver. The last time was as part of Organology feeding on Ross Stanley's harmonics to guide him. This time, as the front man of the ALG Trio he has only Lemanczyk's bass to point the way. Does he need a musical map? I don't think so. He could solo unaccompanied and the result would be no less pleasing.

Nevertheless, the presence of bass and drums do serve to make for a fuller sound. If you have added your initial to the trio's name then you deserve an equal share of the pie.