Album review: Sam Barsh, Mark Guiliana, Keyon Harrold - Straight08 (La Reserve)

Sam Barsh (keys/synths); Keyon Harrold (trumpet); Mark Guilliana (drums)

Another overlooked gem. This time by a trio of like-minded souls who between them composed all but three of the eleven tracks. Freddie Hubbard's Little Sunflower and two versions of Monk's Green Chimneys being the others.

With the three musicians joined at the hip I'm hesitant to pass individual judgement but, to my ears, Harrold's trumpet playing is what stands out, what makes the album special. His tone and technique hints at tomorrow whilst his yesterday moments hit just the right balance.

Initially I was a tad less enthusiastic about the sounds emerging from Barsh's keyboards. However, the more I listened the more musical those 'noises' become. With Harrold it was love at first blast with Barsh it's a love that gradually matured. Guiliana's intricate drum patterns are like a cyclist's heartbeat in Le Tour at the top of Alpe d'Huez. Throughout he links the other two turning three individual voices into one.

Jazz Score 2026

Listening to the archival Jazz Score on BBC Sounds got me to thinking (always a dangerous exercise) who would be the panelists if it were broadcast live today?

As Digby Fairweather is, to the best of my knowledge, the only survivor from the original participants he would be chosen by rite of passage. Alan Barnes, Pete Long, Nigel Price and Simon Spillett would also be good to provide stories and memories with Andy Hudson curating the affair. Any other obvious choices? Lance

The Tannery Jam Session @ Tannery, Hexham - August 12

© Russell

Living in Northumberland means that it is not as easy as it used to be to pop out from Newcastle to local jazz gigs, but this is more than compensated by the beautiful Northumberland countryside and coast, particularly during a summer like this one.

However, jazz fans exist in all parts of the country so I have found jazz gigs in Rothbury, Warkworth and Hexham and others I couldn't get to in Amble, Alnmouth, Berwick and Blyth.

Having heard a lot about Joe Steels and been to a few of the jazz gigs he has curated at the Queen's Hall in Hexham, the jam session he organises in the Tannery pub seemed like a good opportunity to find out more about jazz in Hexham.

Sunday night @ the Globe: Tango Jazz Quartet - August 30

© Sheila

Having seen the band on several of their previous visits I was primed for an enjoyable evening of tango jazz - a combination of genres that works well. Then the rumble of thunder became a roar and lightning crackled across the sky so I decided to take a 'raincheck' and instead tuned into djazz and watched live concerts by Jamie Cullum and Jazzmeia Horn - I should have braved the weather!*

Press release: Tonight @ the Globe - Tango Jazz Quartet

The Globe proudly presents Tango Jazz Quartet a wonderful and creative collision of Argentinian Tango and Jazz roots.

With 10 albums released 31 international tours made, including 7 consecutive years in UK, the band performed in the most prestigious jazz clubs and festivals in Europe, USA, China, Russia, South America and Africa.

TJQ is distinguished by its innovative approach to interpreting Argentine Popular Music and by its constant activity and innovation in its musical offerings. The music of Tango Jazz Quartet ranges from traditional tango to the music of Astor Piazzolla, without ever leaving the realm of jazz.

Frank Griffith Radio Show- THE JAZZ CAVERN

On www.purejazzradio.com (from NYC) on Mondays at 12PM, Fridays at 6AM and Saturdays at 7AM- NYC time. (5 hours later in the UK)

None of the above shows are available on a catch up option.

This Monday (August 31) Frank features previously unissued tracks by Tubby Hayes.

Jazz Score

Remember the BBC radio programme Jazz Score? It's long gone and sadly missed by those of us who remember it.

Fortunately for those who didn't there's an example on BBC Sounds where Benny Green hosts Humph, Ronnie, Digby and Bob Wilber who have a host of funny stories to tell. 

Paul Grainger sent me The link which can be opened HERE. Thanks Paul.

Also, you might also check out The Best of Jazz Score compiled by Roy Pellett. Lance

Jazz Time Aycliffe Radio - Sundays 6.30-8.00pm (repeated Tuesdays 8.00-9.30pm).

https://www.ayclifferadio.co.uk/listen. 

Playlist 30/08/26 (repeated Tuesday 01/09/26)

Memories: Charlie Parker with Miles Davis.

Requests: Louis Armstrong, Branford Marsalis Quartet & Dianne Reeves, Ben Webster/Johnny Hodges, Havana Swing, Gato Barbieri, Art Pepper Quartet.

Memories: Dinah Washington, Kenny Dorham. 

Peace: Horace Silver.

What’s on in the NE: Alligator Gumbo.

Memories: Lester Young.

Aycliffe Radio is available on DAB in County Durham & the Darlington area or via your smart speaker. 

Graham Hardy Eclectic Quartet @ Gala, Durham - Aug. 28

© Malcolm Sinclair

Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Ben Lawrence (keyboards); Andy Champion (double bass); John Bradford (drums)

A bank holiday weekend of competing attractions didn't deter the Jazz at the Gala faithful. A programme of Graham Hardy compositions, plus Clifford Brown's Daahoud and Romberg and Hammerstein's When I Grow Too Old to Dream, attracted a good crowd to the Gala Theatre's top floor studio space. 

John Bradford's N'Awlins drum pattern set up the opening number, Gumbo Time. The tune could be described as 'trade mark Hardy'. Indeed the Northern Monkeys would have some fun with this one. Step Five referenced the five note pentatonic scale. The musicians in the audience were hip to it, the rest of us took Hardy's word for it. 

Press release: From the Royal Albert Hall to Riding Mill: International musician brings unique sound journeys to the North East

A North East musician whose remarkable career has taken him from Gosforth to some of the world’s most famous concert halls is returning to his roots with a mission to use music to promote relaxation and wellbeing.

Nick Able, originally from Gosforth and now living in rural County Durham, has spent more than two decades performing alongside legendary Indian sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar and his daughter, internationally acclaimed musician Anoushka Shankar. Having played in venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall in New York and the Sydney Opera House, Nick is now bringing his unique wellness-inspired performances to audiences across the North East.

His latest venture will see him performing immersive “sound journeys” at prestigious venues throughout the region, including Wentworth Grange, a luxury residential and nursing hotel for the elderly in Riding Mill, where guests, including members of the aristocracy and those with distinguished backgrounds will experience a relaxing blend of music, meditation and storytelling.