CD Review: Nick Costley-White. Detour Ahead

Nick Costley-White (guitar); Matt Robinson (piano); Conor Chaplin (bass); Dave Hamblett (drums): Sam Rapley (bass clarinet).

(Review by Lance).

It may be June but it seems to be jazz that is bursting out all over going by the endless stream of albums and young musicians that are arriving on the scene almost daily. Not just in London, but wherever there are seats of musical learning that incorporate jazz into the curriculum such as Birmingham, Leeds and, of course, Durham, Newcastle and Sage Gateshead. Whereas in the past an aspiring bass player would turn up at a jam session with an instrument still showing the chalk marks on the fingerboard hoping to sit in and thus further his knowledge from the gnarled veterans on the stand, these days, it's the gnarled veterans learning from the youngsters whose minds are crammed full of pentatonic scales, Lydian or Dorian modes along with polytonal themes.

CD Review: Alchemy Sound Project - Adventures in Time and Space

Samantha Boshnack (trumpet/flugel); Erica Lindsay (tenor); Salim Washington (tenor/flute/bass clarinet); Michael Spearman (trombone), Sumi Tonooka (piano), David Arend (double bass), Johnathan Blake (drums/perc)

(Review by Dave Brownlow)

Adventures in Time and Space, the second album by the group Alchemy Sound Project, displays its further development since 2016. The five core members, all talented players and composers, have  contributed charts to the project which aims to combine “chamber jazz, symphonic music, modern jazz and big band.” Trombonist Michael Spearman and drummer Johnathan Blake complete the band for this release. There is much to like about this CD – imaginative themes, ‘far-out’ but logical contemporary solos, wide-ranging tonal palettes, a terrific rhythm section built on some ‘foundational’ bass playing from Arend (who plays bass like it should be played – not like a guitar !) and ‘chivvying’ drums from Blake.

Mark Williams & Joel Byrne-McCullough @ Blaydon Jazz Club - June 17

Mark Williams (guitar) & Joel Byrne-McCullough (guitar)

(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy of Roly). 

A select audience, as they say, comprised of Blaydon Jazz Club diehards and the jazz guitar fan. It so happened Brazil (versus Switzerland) entertained a global television audience as Mark Williams and Joel Byrne McCullough took to the stage in the lounge of the Black Bull. All thoughts of football were banished to the back of the mind to focus attention on two fine guitarists at work.

The Jazz Lads with James Harrison @ Saltburn Golf Club - June 3

James Harrison (keys); Ray Dales (alto); Ian Bosworth (guitar); Adrian Beadnell (bass); and Mark Hawkins (drums)

A record audience at the Golf Club were given a special treat when James Harrison guested with the band for the first time.

The evening’s programme was a mix of popular Jazz standards starting with Coming Home Baby and Sonny Rollins Doxy. It soon became clear to the members of the audience that James was an exceptional keyboard  player particularly after he was featured in a rousing rendition of Caravan. 

Ian was then featured in George Benson's version of Affirmation followed by Ray with Since I Fell For You. Further numbers included Misty and Work Song,

When Sunny Gets Blue, the funky Jazz style of The Chicken then finishing the night off with There Will Never Be Another You.

The monthly Jazz night at Saltburn Golf Club now seems to be firmly established.

 Ron H

Preview: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe - June 21

Five talented individual singers performing 15 or maybe 20 songs between them, accompanied by the wonderfully talented Alan law on piano – what’s not to like? The songs will include It’s Alright With Me; Willow Weep For Me; The Touch Of Your Lips; and Just One of Those Things. And the singers are Jenny Lingham, Jen Errington, Carrie McCullock, Barry Keatings and David Edgar.

The music begins at 7.30pm and there is a charge of £5, cheap at the price.

Be there next Thursday, or miss a good evening of jazz!

Ann Alex

Tonight! Great Guitars @ Blaydon Jazz Club

At the end of the twentieth century, two Belfast lads travelled to Newcastle to study jazz guitar with James Birkett. Dr Birkett had developed the pioneering BMus (Hons) degree programmes in Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music and the Irishmen were to prove to be two of many success stories down the years. This evening (Sunday, June 17) the Belfast lads make a first visit to Blaydon Jazz Club to play a concert as an accomplished jazz guitar duo.

Following graduation Mark Williams and Joel Byrne-McCullough went their separate ways; Mark decided to make his home here on Tyneside with Joel moving to Manchester where he became an in demand session musician. Recently, Joel returned to the northeast and they resumed their jazz guitar duo partnership. A gig at their old haunt (then Keith Crombie’s Jazz Café) confirmed that the boys were playing better than ever. An appearance at Ushaw Jazz Festival quickly followed and as and when they have a free date in their busy schedules they’ll happily play a duo set together.

Tonight at the Black Bull on Bridge Street in Blaydon Mark and Joel will play some of their favourite numbers. Perhaps some Jim Hall, perhaps Bill Frisell, John Scofield. Whatever they choose to play it’ll be masterful stuff. Get along in time for an eight o’clock start, it’s a mere fiver on the door. Jazz guitar at its very best.

Russell

(Photo courtesy of Mike Tilley)          

CD Review: Lenore Raphael, Wayne Wilkinson & Chris Hodgkins @ Pizza Express Live, Dean Street, London

Chris Hodgkins (trumpet); Lenore Raphael (piano); Wayne Wilkinson (guitar).

(Review by Lance)

Think back to Sweets at The Haig or Jonah Jones at The Embers or Ruby Braff at the Guildhall complaining of the smell from the river. You've got all of that here and more (apart from the smell). For those, such as myself, who think of Chris Hodgkins only as a former director of Jazz Services the revelation that he plays such swinging, lyrical trumpet is a very pleasant surprise indeed.

Twelve choice standards and a blues credited to the trio serve to remind me what jazz used to be like.

The Early Birds @ The Lit & Phil - June 16

James Metcalf (trumpet); Alex Thompson (tenor saxophone); Ben Lawrence (piano); Alex Shipsey (bass); Dylan Thompson (drums) + Paul Edis (MD, alto saxophone)

(Review by Russell). 

Saturday morning, eleven o’clock, the Lit and Phil, it’s the Early Bird Band. The guys had been on the premises from nine in the morning working on one or two charts and at the appointed time the doors opened to the public. And there is a public for this workshopping band, such is the interest generated by the new wave of musicians making a name for themselves. MD Paul Edis said there would be three and a half, perhaps four numbers in the set.

Martin Speake @ Opus 4 Jazz Club, Darlington - June 15

Martin Speake (alto saxophone); Paul Edis (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums)

(Review by Russell) 

Ingerlund! Ingerlund! Ingerlund! Yes, it’s that time of year, England expects…not very much. The quadrennial global festival of football is underway. In the lounge of the Traveller’s Rest the World Cup match in progress – Portugal v Spain, Even-Stephen at 2-2 – was being watched by the few, with the majority more concerned with getting the beers in and then climbing the stairs to claim a seat in readiness for the appearance of Martin Speake.

Durham University Big Band @ The Jazz Café - June 15

(Review by Lance/Photos courtesy of Ken Drew.)
If I thought the Bold Big Band were loud at the Dun Cow on Tuesday, DUBB, in the Jazz Café's upper room, made them seem like a string quartet. This is no reflection on either band but on the dimensions of the room. The Dun Cow had more space for the sound to travel and the chat level of some of the infidels in the audience also absorbed the band's decibels with a few decibels of their own. At the Caff, the sound was trapped and the audience a more attentive one. The main thing about both gigs was the sight of so many young musicians playing, so brilliantly, the music we love.

There was also an aura of sadness at both gigs as, being the end of term, several of the key players are departing for pastures new.

Tonight saw final appearances from alto/soprano saxist Dan Garel and drummer Tristan Bacon. Star players both, their departure akin to that of a Newcastle United Number 9 (Jackie Milburn, Super Mac, Alan Shearer etc.) leaving/retiring.

CD Review: Gary Brumburgh - Moonlight

(Review by Ann Alex)

Gary Brumburgh is a trained actor and it shows in his authentic interpretation of these songs. I’d like to suggest that all jazz singers should study some acting. Brumburgh comes from Buffalo, New York. He has acted in theatre, films and television, but in 2003 he decided to focus on music, and he performed in jazz clubs around Los Angeles. This was interrupted by serious illness from 2012, but he was able to return to singing in 2016. He had issued a CD in 2008, and Moonlight is his second CD.