Jazz Night @ Jesmond Library - May 27

(Review by Russell)

Newcastle’s Jesmond Library reopened in November 2013 as a community-run asset in the wake of philistine political vandalism. It isn’t the same, one wouldn’t expect it to be. Volunteers trying to provide a professional service on a shoestring can’t be easy. More power to their elbow that they plough on and they’re currently in the middle of this year’s Jesmond Community Festival. Tonight members of Newcastle University Jazz Orchestra entertained local residents.

Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Ushaw - May 26

(Report by Russell & Tony Eales/Photo courtesy of Ken Drew).

County Durham correspondent Tony Eales filed a brief report on the Strictly Smokin’ Big Band’s gig at Ushaw. A warm early summer Friday evening at Ushaw encouraged fans to turn out in numbers. The magnificent Exhibition Hall was all but sold out. Who said jazz is dead? Michael Lamb’s SSBB featured vocalist Jennifer Davies, guitarist Pawel Jedrzejewski (and other instrumentalists from the sections) and at the heart of the performance the British premiere of trumpeter Gerard Presencer’s suite written for the acclaimed Danish Radio Big Band.

Ushaw’s June concert (Friday 30, 7:30pm), features the superb Matt Anderson Quartet. As Michael Lamb’s big band drew such a large crowd it could be advisable to book in advance www.ushaw.org

Paul Wilkinson @ St Nicholas Cathedral - May 26

Paul Wilkinson (piano)

(Review by Russell)

St Nicholas Cathedral presents performances week in week out, from the liturgical to the devil’s music…jazz! This lunchtime recital – a gig if you will – located in the south transept featured an experienced tutor and gigging musician from down the road in Leeds. Advertised as part of the cathedral’s ‘International Recital Series’, Paul Wilkinson’s set of forty five minutes included two bona fide jazz tunes and three improvisations.

Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Millstone - May 25

(Review by Russell)

On entering a sweltering Millstone Michael Lamb indicated that the pub’s upstairs room offered a cool refuge from the heat of the day, hastily adding: Only joking! Sure enough the first floor room  resembled a boiler house. MD Lamb’s troops arrived in ones and twos for the Strictly Smokin’ Big Band’s monthly public rehearsal night. Several members of the band arrived in shorts. Where did they think they were? The Costa del Plonk?

Strike Up the Band, Sister Sadie, Basically Blues – a typically eclectic selection from the SSBB. A noticeably absent Alice Grace (presently, the woman has more important things to attend to!) gave some present a first opportunity to hear Jennifer Davies. Orange Colored Sky (more like cloudless blue!) and Too Darn Hot (darn right!) revealed Ms Davies to be a fine singer (a more than capable dep for AG), reading the charts as in standard rehearsal mode.

Lindsay Hannon & Bradley Johnston @ Vicolo - May 26

Lindsay Hannon (vocals); Bradley Johnston (guitar)

(Review by Ann Alex/Photos courtesy of Russell)

... or I should say they performed in the lane (it was billed as ‘Live in the Lane’), opposite Vicolo’s coffee shop, which is next to the side entrance of the Tyneside Cinema. Not the easiest of venues, as the people drinking outside are seated in a line against the walls, not necessarily paying much attention to the music, chatting, laughing, so musicians have to make the best of it, which these two did. After quite a time sorting out sound problems, Lindsay struck up with a song from the great Ella, Take It Easy (?) in a pleasantly relaxed, easy, low-voiced style, followed by Dindi and the first very welcome guitar solo of the set.

Ruth Lambert Quartet @ the Jazz Café - May 26

Ruth Lambert (vocals); Alan Law (piano); Neil Harland (bass); Russ Morgan (drums)

(Review by Lance).

"Not only the grooviest band, but also the tallest" quipped Ruth as she introduced her three henchmen. She asked them to stand up and it was as if the Manhattan Skyline had taken human form with Ruth as the Statue of Liberty.

A first gig for her new band but who could tell? I couldn't - they gelled from the off. No Moon at All followed by On a Clear Day told us she meant business. Don't think I've heard her in better voice. She had no choice, with these three guys behind her it was a case of put up or shut up.

Ruth put up!

Jazz Loses a Stalwart - R.I.P. Margaret Barnes

Margaret Barnes, one of the northeast's most enthusiastic supporters of jazz, sadly passed away on Thursday, May 25, after a long battle with cancer. Despite her illness, until fairly recently, Margaret continued to attend jazz concerts at various venues throughout the region. Outwardly oblivious to her failing health, she was always concerned as much about others as she was about herself.

Big bands were her forte with Stan Kenton being a particular idol. We were both fans of Daryl Sherman; pictured here with Margaret at one of Mike Durham's Whitley Bay Classic Jazz Party's which Margaret attended every year.

Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone - May 25

Brian Bennett (banjo & vocals), Bob Wade (trumpet), Laurence McBriarty (trombone), Bill Colledge (bass) & Fred Thompson (drums & vocals)

(Review by Russell)

The Vieux Carré Jazzmen’s regular Thursday lunchtime session in Holystone sees the band set up at one end of the bar, the band’s regular supporters occupying front rows seats, and the seen-and-heard-it-all-before veterans sitting in the cheap seats with a pint of Deuchar’s. The Holystone pub’s lunchtime trade devours generous-sized portions of food from its busy kitchen…the jazz comes as a free-of-charge side platter. 

On a blue sky day a local business elected to hold a staff meeting in the Holystone’s beer garden… someone’s got to do it! 

CD Review: NYSQ - Sleight of Hand

Tim Armacost (tenor/soprano); David Berkman (piano); Daiki Yasukagawa (bass); Gene Jackson (drums).

(Review by Lance).

Another gem from Michael Janisch's  Whirlwind Recordings. And a 9 carat gem it is too! 

Mal Waldron's classic Soul Eyes kicks things off. Armacost is my kind of tenor player playing with a fluency that matches any of his historically better known predecessors. Chorus after chorus he soars, flying high, each one better than the one before then it's over, 'cept it isn't. Berkman takes control and the tension doesn't flag, Yasukagawa doesn't drop the baton either.

Wow! And this is just the first track.

Talinka @ St Ives Jazz Club - May 23

Gilad Atzmon (bass clarinet, sorprano sax, accordian and classical guitar); Tali Atzmon (vocal); Jenny Bliss Bennett (viola da gamba); Yaron Stavi (bass).

(Review by Peter Jones/ Photos courtesy of Trevor Lever)

A good-sized St Ives crowd gathered at the self-styled ‘last jazz club before New York’ on Tuesday night. As Talinka took the stage, many were wondering how the band would compare with Gilad Atzmon’s other musical ventures. In fact, though, the brains behind this project belong to his wife, the singer Tali Atzmon.

Looking at the line-up of bass clarinet, viola da gamba, double bass and vocals, one might predict a coalition of chaos. But one would be wrong. Very wrong. Talinka have a strange yet distinctive musical style whose main feature is an intense other-worldly melancholy, part middle-eastern, part Brazilian, part Berlin cabaret, part Tom Waits.

CD Review:: Elijah Rock - Gershwin for My Soul

Elijah Rock (vocal); Kevin Toney (piano); John B. Williams (bass); Greg Paul (drums); Jacques Lesure/John Stone (guitar).

(Review by Lance)

I must confess, I didn’t know Elijah Rock from Adam Ant (biblical/music joke) and it maybe wasn’t intended for me anyway as our vocal prophet made reference to me alongside the Birmingham/London based jazz blog, the Jazz Breakfast. However, Peter Bacon was happy to pass the baton on to me and, in retrospect it may not have been the best decision he ever made – unless he’s a Cole Porter man.

Think Billy Eckstine, Johnny Hartman, Cleveland Watkiss and the other rich-toned baritones that have enriched the jazz scene over the years. Elijah is on the fringe of that select group and, on the evidence of this album he’ll soon be an integral part of it.

Thursday 25th MAY 10.15pm (GMT) BUDDY RICH BIG BAND LIVESTREAM

MAY's live stream at Ronnie Scott's will be the tour de force that is the Buddy Rich Big Band on Thursday 25th May at 10.15pm (GMT). Featuring legendary drummer Dave Weckl, Buddy's daughter Cathy Rich and drummer Gregg Potter plus some of the original members of the Buddy Rich Big Band. This run of 12 shows is set to be an historic week at the club, so for those who couldn't get tickets, here is your chance to watch the show - live!

#rslive #freelivestream #buddyrich #jazzdrummerlegend.

Zoë Gilby: Pannonica @ The Fox Inn, Hexham - May 23

Zoë Gilby (vocals), Paul Edis (keyboards) & Andy Champion (double bass)

(Review by Russell)

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Village Vanguard. Tonite, all the way from Newcastle upon Tyne, England, we have a wonderful trio to play for you. Please give a Big Apple welcome to Zoë Gilby, Paul Edis and Andy Champion! 

A sweltering early summer evening down in the village, the habitués of the West End Terrace monthly jazz session were hearing Zoë Gilby for the first time.

It’s a long way from Zoë Gilby’s Tyneside base to the Fox Inn way out west. It was only a matter of time before the acclaimed vocalist would make her debut at this ace jazz club. No $10.00 minimum at the bar here! Two sets, then downtown to take the late nite subway home. It would be worth the journey.

Durham City Jazz Festival - Details announced

Fri 02 DJ set @ Fowler’s Yard, Back Silver Street, Durham DH1. 6:00pm. DJ Andrei Sandu.

           Fowler’s Yard is the DJ Durham Jazz Festival Main Stage & Festival Hub.

           Hill Island Brewery (located in Fowler’s Yard) is hosting a mini beer festival.  

Fri 02 Elvet Quintet @ Fowler’s Yard. 7:00pm. £10.00. weekend ticket, £3.00. on the door.

Fri 02 Archipelago + Taupe + Senza Frame @ Empty Shop, 35c Framwellgate Bridge Durham

           First day of DJazz Festival (Durham Jazz Festival). Doors at 6:30pm to admit weekend

           ticket holders (£10.00.), on the door admission (£3.00.) from 6:45pm. A weekend ticket

           holder will be given priority admission over an on the day single gig ticket purchaser. 

           Senza Frame (7:00pm), Taupe (8:00pm), Archipelago (9:00pm).

     

Fri 02 Mick Shoulder’s Swing Manouche @ Old Cinema Laundrette, 38 Marshall Terrace,

           Gilesgate Moor, Durham DH1 2HX. Tel: 0191 384 1412. 7:00pm. DJazz Festival. Tickets

           £10.00. (weekend), £3.00.on the door.

Fri 02 DJazz Jam Night 1 @ Empty Shop, Durham. 10:00pm-1:00am.

Sat 03 Nintai @ Fowler’s Yard. 1:00pm.

Sat 03 DJ set @ Fowler’s Yard. 4:00pm. DJ WZK

Sat 03 Jazz Jam @ Fowler’s Yard. 6:00pm.

CD Review: New Simplicity Trio - Common Spaces

Bruno Heinen (piano), Henrik Jensen (double bass) & Antonio Fusco (drums)

(Review by Russell).

Common Spaces opens with the angular Groovy. A rhythmic pulse surges through Antonio Fusco’s composition with Bruno Heinen’s robust piano playing and the composer’s commanding drumming suggesting that this New Simplicity Trio album is going to be a swinging, hard driving affair. Making assumptions about what will follow should be resisted for fear of being proved wrong! A further nine tracks - three from Fusco, four from Heinen, one from bassist Henrik Jensen and one standard - go on to disprove any such notion.