New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Trinity Church, Gosforth, Newcastle - June 20

Caroline Irwin (MC, vocals); Jim McBriarty (MC, reeds, vocals); Josh Bentham (reeds); Gavin Lee (reeds); Alastair Lord (trumpet); Ben Chinery (trumpet); Neville Hartley (trombone); Emma Fisk (violin); Dean Stockdale (piano); Keith Stephen (banjo, guitar); Phil Rutherford (tuba); Nick Ward (drums)

On a beautiful summer's evening Trinity Church in Gosforth attracted a fair few of the New Century Ragtime Orchestra's long standing supporters. In the absence of Steve Andrews, MC duties would be shared between Caroline Irwin and Jim McBriarty. A couple of more than capable deps stepped in to replace the indisposed Martin Litton and Dave Hignett, namely Dean Stockdale and Ben Chinery.

Nick Ramm Ensemble @ Vortex Jazz Club, Dalston - June 19

Nick Ramm (piano); Pete Wareham (tenor sax, flute); Byron Wallen (trumpet); Tom Herbert  (double bass); Corrie Dick (drums)

An extraordinarily talented quintet of heavyweights of the UK jazz scene performed a set list of Nick Ramm composed tunes at Dalston’s premier Jazz Club on 19 June to provide a rich evening of entertainment on a sultry Friday evening. It was the first time I had seen Nick Ramm play live. Nick has been playing with Pete and Byron since the 1990’s and with Tom and Corrie more recently. I saw Corrie leading his own band at the Vortex last year and I have also seen him play with others such as Laura Jurd in the band Dinosaur. I have recently been enjoying the 2023 double album London Brew which celebrates the 50^th anniversary of Miles Davis’ record Bitches Brew which features amongst others Nick Ramm and Tom Herbert so I was expecting a very special show and I was not disappointed.

Sunday night @ the Globe: the Magpies of Swing - June 21

© Sylvia

Neil Hopper (valve trombone, drums); Elise Hopper (vocals, drums); Lachlan Fotheringham (soprano sax, clarinet); Paul ?, Rachel Richman (alto sax); Fiona Finden (tenor sax, vocals); Stu Finden (baritone sax); ?, Polly Corbishley   (trumpets); Nigel Robson, David Gray (trombone); Alan Law (piano); Alex J. Gamble (guitar, vocals); Owen Jones, ? (bass); Kate Stebbing, Liv Worrell (vocals - pictured above)

When I first got into jazz it was like stepping through the looking glass into a wonderland of new (to me) sounds. It was fun, the music provided danceable rhythms, couples caressed and caroused. Come the morrow I'd have to explain the absence of my homework, but for now ...

Last night at the Globe was a bit like that - how could it not be with the Magpies of Swing or their parent group the House of the Black Gardenia?

Knats - as heard by Scott Yanow

When your album is reviewed in DownBeat  you can  say that you've made it. Even more so when that reviewer is Scott Yanow, arguably America's number one, and most knowledgeable, jazz critic.

It is very much to Knats' credit that in the June issue of DownBeat their latest album, A Great Day in Newcastle is allocated to Yanow.

Album review: Bria Skonberg - Indigo (Cellar Music)

Bria Skonberg (trumpet, vocals); Gil Goldstein (piano, accordion, arranger); Eric Wheeler (bass); Darrian Douglas (drums, perc.) + Antoine Silverman, Enthcho Todorov (violins); Yuko Naito-Gotay (viola); Emily Brausa (cello); Kathleen Nester (alto flute); Charlows Pillow (bass clarinet)

Bria Skonberg, a singer who plays trumpet (or is she a trumpet player who sings?), Who cares? She does them both well as this, her latest album goes to show.

Watch What Happens: The Legrand tune lopes along nicely. the voice grabs you from the first note. A scat chorus and some muted trumpet sets the scene for a good start.

I'm Glad There is You: The Jimmy Dorsey tune has been a long time favourite of mine but this the first time I can recall hearing the verse. The string quartet sawing away provide a cushion for some mellow trumpet.

Emma Rawicz: Chroma – Upstairs at Ronnie’s – June 18

Emma Rawicz (tenor/soprano saxes); Scottie Thompson (piano); Freddie Jensen (bass); Marc Michel (drums)

There are few places quite like Soho on a warm summer evening. As the working day fades and the weekend edges into view, the streets take on a life of their own. Office workers spill from pubs onto crowded pavements, restaurant terraces fill with conversation and laughter, and every corner seems alive with possibility.

 

Emerging from Leicester Square Underground station and heading towards Chinatown, Soho was enjoying one of those glorious summer evenings that seem uniquely London. The late sunshine lingered between the buildings, casting a warm glow across the streets as people gathered for a drink before making their way home for the weekend. Passing beneath the red lanterns of Chinatown and cutting through the heart of Soho towards Frith Street, the unmistakable buzz of the neighbourhood surrounded us. Outside Café Boheme on Old Compton Street, diners spilled onto the pavement, glasses clinked and conversation drifted effortlessly into the warm evening air. It felt as though the whole of Soho had decided to stay out just a little longer before surrendering to the night.

 

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

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

Playlist 21/06/26 (repeated Tuesday 23/06/26)

Requests from gigs: Thelonious Monk, Phineas Newborn Jr., Adrien Moignard Quartet, Pat Metheny, Tchavolo Schmitt, Artie Shaw, Jelly Roll Morton/Sidney Bechet, Jabbo Smith and His Orchestra, Sonny Rollins, Fats Waller, Preservation Hall, Edmundo Ros.

Seasonal: Charlie Parker.

Requests: Clare Teal, Peter Long, Benny Goodman, Ray Charles.

Father's Day: Horace Silver.

Memories: Charles Mingus Sextet/Eric Dolphy.

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

Zoë Gilby Quartet @ Bookends Jazz, The Gregson Centre, Lancaster – June 14

Zoë Gilby (vocals); Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (bass); John Bradford (drums)

Newcastle based vocalist, Zoë Gilby and her trio presented an eclectic blend of song and improvisation at the Gregson Centre in Lancaster on Sunday June 14.

Gilby’s remarkable versatility as an interpreter of classic song, improviser and lyricist along with provider of detailed verbal forays to the audience was as impressive as it was informative.

What was of particular interest to this listener was Gilby’s inclusion of four songs co-written by herself (lyrics) and American trumpeter, Tom Harrell (composer). Titles like Shadowed in Solitude, Forget the Past, Ebb and Flow and Leap to the Limelight might give the listener a sense of the depth and introspection of the lyric. This, coupled with the similar and supportive melodic and harmonic shapes of Harrell’s tunes resulted in  deeply heartfelt and uniquely memorable  collaborations between Gilby and Harrell.

Andy Hudson's Early Archive

This FASCINATING VIDEO, courtesy of Andy Hudson and Californian Sting researcher Jay Matsueda, has some amazing shots of Andy, the Newcastle Big Band, San Sebastian  and Newcastle Jazz Festivals back in the 1970s. Many familiar faces both past and present can be seen and it's fun tring to put a name to some of the faces 50 years on!

Andy talks with inside knowledge on the early days  of the Newcastle Jazz Festivals and many other aspects of jazz in general. Lots of it never seen before. Lance

Jazz at the Lit & Phil: The Joe Steels Group - June 19

© Pam

Joe Steels (guitar); Ben Lawrence (piano); Andy Champion (bass); John Hirst (drums)

The Lit and Phil's Loftus Room was, as per usual on jazz afternoons, well attended. Whether this was to escape the blazing sun or to listen to some cool, laid back guitar jazz, I know not. However, I'd like to think it was the latter and deservedly so.

Steels has an impeccable technique that he uses to great effect without resorting to any extraneous effects. He also composed all six originals that made up the programme including A Blue Patch, the title track of his most recent album.