Neil Yates’ Trumpet Fatty Jazz Band @ Llandudno Jazz Club - September 28

© Richard Morris

Neil Yates (trumpet and vocals); Liam Byrne  (saxophones); Andrew MacKenzie  (trombone and vocals); Andy MacKenzie  (guitar and banjo)

Billed as trad jazz, the audience were treated to many of the songs and tunes from the New Orleans and Dixieland canon. It has been too long since I last came to the trad jazz evening at Llandudno Jazz Club. 

All four musicians are regulars on the north-west jazz circuit and all are band leaders in their own right.

Neil, who has been the curator of jazz at this venue every Monday evening for the past few years and is one of the UK’s top trumpeters, was celebrating his 56th birthday. Liam had brought three saxophones to the gig: a Selmer tenor, Conn soprano and the rarely sighted Conn bass. The bass sax is a monster which, due to its weight, Liam played on a stand. He effortlessly switched between the three often playing two on the same tune. This provided huge variety in the concert and was something of a virtuoso performance by Liam which I count as being fortunate to witness.

Adrian Cox Quartet @ Henley Jazz Festival - September 26

© Richard Morris

Adrian Cox (clarinet); Harry Evans (double bass); Honey Boulton (guitar); Enrico Tomasso (trumpet)

This concert took place on a paddle steamer cruising up and down the River Thames on the aptly named “The New Orleans”  departing from Henley at 3.00pm on the most glorious autumn day with temperatures in the mid 20s. The boat was provided by Hobbs of Henley who have 150 years experience of offering boat hire and public/private cruising on the Thames.

The musicians involved need little introduction although I had not seen Harry Evans live before. Adrian is simply one of the world’s best jazz clarinet players. Enrico Tomasso is a renowned jazz trumpet, flugelhorn and cornet player. He is widely celebrated as one of the UK’s premier brass players and has won awards as best trumpeter multiple times.

Joe Webb Trio @ Purdy’s Pop Up, HAODS Studio, Henley-on-Thames -September 25

© Richard Morris

Joe Webb (piano); Will Sach (double bass);  Kai MacRae (drums)

Purdy’s Pop Up, a live music and jazz club founded and hosted by Rebecca Poole (Purdy) and Danny Ilett, opened the first jazz festival in Henley with the Joe Webb Trio performing concurrently with a concert given by Clare Teal at the Kenton Theatre.

The trio’s usual drummer Sam Jesson was on family duties so the very talented Kai MacRae stepped in. He had joined the band on a recent tour which included China and Asia. Kai leads his own band and I have seen him play multiple times. A big talent.

The Stray Horns @ Davenham Players Theatre - September 24

© Richard Morris

Jamie Brownfield (trumpet); Antony Stevens (sousa);  Andrzej Baranek (piano); Mike Smith (alto sax); Gaz Hughes (drums)

A ticket at short notice took me to Davenham Players' Theatre - an intimate, very well run, establishment which provides jazz monthly save for the holiday months of July and August. Not my first visit here and as usual a friendly welcome was received. The Stray Horns are described as Shropshire’s top roaming party band, offering infectious fun and top quality music that's perfect for a wide range of functions covering a variety of genres including a whole lot of jazz.

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

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

Playlist 04/10/26 (repeated Tuesday 06/10/26)

Seasonal: Kenny Barron.

Requests from Durham Gala: Aretha Franklin, Wes Montgomery, Sonny Stitt, Artie Shaw.

Memories: Buddy Rich Big Band, Oscar Pettiford.

Durham Jazz Festival: Dean Stockdale, Joe Harrop/Jamie McCredie, Knats, Marvin Muoneké, Strictly Smokin' Big Band.

What’s on in the NE: Nina Simone.

Requests: Woody Herman Big Band.

Seasonal: Anita Wardell, Ron Carter reinventing Autumn Leaves!

NFJAiM 2026: Zoe Rahman Trio @ the Lit & Phil - Oct. 2

Photos © Pam

Zoe Rahman (piano); Andrea Di Biase (bass); Gene Calderazzo (drums)

The final weekend of the tenth Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2026 began with three sets, each approaching the music from different directions in the form of Alison Gill; Zoë Gilby and Johnny Hunter; Andy Champion and the Zoe Rahman Trio. All three sessions were sold out and I felt fortunate to have been present at the latter of the three. After the show I felt more than fortunate - I felt blessed!

I've heard Zoe Rahman several times over the years but it had been quite awhile since the last time and I'm now consigned to a life of regret thinking about the concerts I missed.

Another interview by Nick Mondello

Album (LP) review: Blair/Huber - Eclipse (Leiter)

Darius Blair (tenor sax); Niko Huber (guitar) + Noah Fürbringer (drums on Prism Break); Khadim Seck (perc. on Titan, voice on 01/01/25)

It's nice, in this age of vanishing CDs and the advancement of digital downloads, to receive an album on good old fashioned vinyl. Not that there's anything old fashioned about Eclipse. The sound is perfect, a skilfully crafted 12" black vinyl disc full of magic. Produced, mastered and overdubbed in various German studios.

However, irrespective of what goes on behind the scenes it's the music that's all important and Blair/Huber don't disappoint the interplay between the two is awesome. League and Lawrence of Snarky Puppy spring to mind.

Tenderly: The Life & Times of Nat King Cole @ The Hearth, Horsley - Sept. 30

Duane Forrest (narration, vocals, guitar)

Nat King Cole, a global superstar, reaching an audience far beyond that of a jazz piano trio. Duane Forrest's Life & Times of Nat King Cole would range far and wide: Louis Armstrong (What a Wonderful World), Jim Crow, Capitol Records, NAACP, Strange Fruit, Civil Rights, Martin Luther King and more, much more.

Nathaniel Adams Coles his subject, Forrest's engaging performance/presentation would surprise many here in Horsley. The Hearth's audience sat rapt as our Canadian guest sang and talked about Nat King Cole, then sang some more, placing the American entertainer's life and career in the context of the times. Frim Fram Sauce, Sweet Lorraine. Sing-along? It  could have been, but no, Forrest took to singing a verse then seamlessly reverting to the storyline (no script, no iPad). 

It's a busy October!

The first long weekend in October (Friday 2-Sunday 4) sees the culmination of this year's Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music (NFOJAiM). Some concerts are sold out, others are close to being sold out. Details at: facebook.com/newcastlefestivalofjazzandimprovisedmusic. 

Apphia Campbell's one-woman stage play Black is the Color of My Voice return to the region on Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th at Northern Stage, Newcastle. Telling the story of Nina Simone, it's a gripping account of Simone's music and activism. Book at: www.northernstage.co.uk.   

At two o'clock on Tuesday 6th, pianist Alan Law begins a new, weekly residency at Whitley Bay's Ticket Office. Alan's guest will be Paul Grainger (double bass). Friday 9th, Bishop Auckland Jazz presents the Dean Stockdale Trio (1pm), £9.00. at the door.