Knats to release A Great Day in Newcastle on Gearbox Records

Stanley Elvis Woodward (writer, arranger, bass guitar, synth bass, words & lyrics); King David Ike-Elechi (drums, percussion, arranger); Ferg Kilsby (trumpet, flugelhorn, co-writer, arranger); Cooper Robson (poetry reading); George Johnson (tenor sax); Sandro Shar (keys); Geordie Greep (producer) + assorted horns and strings)

This is way beyond my perception of jazz but, that is no criticism of Knats, it's more a criticism of my own inability to move with the times - I still play original vinyl, have a petrol driven car and watch black and white movies. I even read books! 

Knats has been given coverage in influential magazines such as DownBeat, Jazzwise, Jazz Journal and the Guardian among others which isn't bestowed upon just any group so whatever they're doing they're doing it right.

JATLP: Alex Clarke with the Dean Stockdale Trio - Feb. 20

© Sylvia

Alex Clarke (alto sax); Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (bass); Abbie Finn (drums)

The stars didn't change in their courses and the planets continued to orbit around the rarely seen Sun. The audience at the Lit and Phil's monthly lunchtime session wouldn't want it any other way. Even the Sun shone as if to say "I'm not going to spoil this one". Other than a busted reed, nothing could.

Opening with How Deep is the Ocean? Clarke's warm sound, rich toned deep vibrato  filled the body of the saxophone before emerging to reach every corner of the room. 

Body and Soul, surprisingly, was played over a bossa nova rhythm that didn't do any harm whatsoever.

Single review: Tony Adamo and the New York Crew - General T (from Tony Adamo in New York) (SanJaz Records)

Tony Adamo (voice/spoken-word); Tim Ouimette (trumpet); Donald Harrison (alto sax); Michael Wollf (piano); Richie Goods (bass). Mike Clark (drums)

One of the words ad hucksters frequently use, probably from their in-house shrinky-dinks - is “experience.” Examples are many: “Experience the luxury of fine leather,“ or “Experience that feeling of owning the road.” The suits have turned the word bland. Now when this reviewer tells you that listening to vocalist/spoken-word artist, Tony Adamo is an experience, I’m telling you that what you will hear covers a spectrum that will surprise, startle, and paint pictures, and in doing so, creates vivid experience.

Album review: Julie Benko - Euphonic Gumbo (Club44 Records)

Julie Benko (vocals); Jason Yeager (piano, B3 tks 1, 2, celeste tk 6, arranger); Andy Warren (trunpet, flugelhorn); Ron Wilkins (trombone); Linus Wyrsch (clarinet, tenor sax); Michael O'Brien (basses); Jay Sawyer (drums) + John Manzari (vocals tk 8, tap dance tks 4, 8); Evan Arntzen (tenor sax tk 10); Sasha Papernik (accordion tks 5, 9); Justin Poindexter (guitar, banjo tk 9); Gabe Terracciano (violin tk 9); Jim Caruso (announcer)

Benko, a renowned Broadway star and enthusiast of things New Orleans, leads an exuberant ensemble through a variety of genres making for an enjoyable 38 minutes.

Down in New Orleans Medley takes us on a Tuba Skinny style romp incorporating Bourbon Street Parade; Go to the Mardi Gras; and Basin Street Blues. Benko is au fait with the idiom and the band sound authentic.

Stockport Jazz

This week Stockport Jazz welcomes the Carole Williams/Helen Pillinger Counterpoint Quintet. The band comprises Helen Pillinger (tenor saxophone), Carole Williams (trombone/piano), Paul Hartley (guitar), Peter Hartley (bass) and Tim Franks (drums).

Sunday February 22nd 8-10pm, doors open at 7.30pm

£5 entry on the door, all welcome

The Moor Club, 35 Heaton Moor Road, Stockport SK4 4PB  (next to the Elizabethan PH)

R.I.P. Gordon Herrick (1940 - Feb. 18, 2026)

Just received the sad news that drummer Gordon Herrick passed away last night after a severe heart attack.

Gordon, who was a well known and much respected drummer on the thriving north east trad scene of the 1960s, played with the Clem Avery Band and later with the River City Jazzmen and the Phoenix Jazzmen. 

Preview: Ruth Lambert @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields - Sunday March 1

Ruth Lambert (vocals); Giles Strong (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass)

The event was initially programmed for this coming Sunday (Feb. 22) however, it will now take place one week later (March 1),

Ruth Lambert is a talented and versatile jazz singer based in the North east who has established herself in recent years as one of the UK's most classy and distinctive jazz vocalists. Ruth brings her trio to the Juke Shed for an afternoon of jazz and Great American Songbook: 3:00pm - 5:00pm. Free.

"Attending a Ruth Lambert vocal masterclass is to hear the GASbook impeccably sung." - Bebop Spoken Here

Jazz @ the Chapel - Feb. 1

Another great afternoon at The Chapel (TS5 4BY) this time with two brilliant guests, Donna Hewett on sax and Bill Watson on trumpet: WATCH/LISTEN!

These jazz concerts take place on the 1st Sunday of every month and are attracting a regular audience of jazz lovers from all over the North East.

 

It's a great atmosphere, real ale is available along with hot food and it's nowt, for those not from these parts that's 'nothing', to get in to see some of the best live music in the North East.

 

Next concert is on Sunday the 1st of March, 1.00 - 3.00, and the guest player is the renowned saxophonist Dan Johnson. KEEP MUSIC LIVE. Adrian Beadnell

John Pope & John Garner @ Northumbria University - Feb. 17

John Pope (double bass); John Garner (violin)

Northumbria University's Sutherland Building is home to a weekly, term time Tuesday lunchtime concert series. This afternoon two of Tyneside's premier improvisers would present half a dozen pieces to a select, but attentive, audience. Composers and compositions would be familiar to most, if not all, present. 

Without fanfare, John Pope (double bass) and John Garner (violin) began their half hour performance by taking another look at Carla Bley's Egyptian. The composition is often heard in a large ensemble setting. The two Johns have form in this regard, they were up for the challenge of making something of it as a duo. And make something of it they did! Anthony Braxton is a touchstone. Our intrepid duo opted to play the octogenarian's Composition 40-F, their near-constant eye contact a noticeable feature of the performance. Afterwards, Garner made reference to the Batman theme, a reference noted by your correspondent during the performance of the piece.     

Album review: Louis Stewart - Joyce Notes (Livia Records)

Louis Stewart (guitar, composer); Eamon Morrissey (narration); Jim Doherty (piano); Brian Dunning (flute); Len McCarthy (alto sax); Richie Buckley (tenor sax); Steve LaSpina (bass); Bobby Rosengarden (drums); Peter Ainscough (percussion)

When a CD sized package with an Irish postmark drops through my letterbox I don't need to call in Sherlock O'Holmes to deduce that it's from Livia Records and that it may well contain previously unreleased or rediscovered recordings by guitar legend the late Louis Stewart, pianist Jim Doherty, flautist Brian Dunning and one or other or both of the brothers Buckley.

Although the album has only one Buckley (Richie) the others and more were present when it was recorded live at the Cork Jazz Festival in October 1982.