CD Review: Pigfoot - Pigfoot Shuffle

Chris Batchelor (trumpet/cornet); James Allsopp (baritone sax/bass clarinet); Liam Noble (piano/keys); Paul Clarvis (drums)

(Review by Lance).

Well! This one came out of left field. I put it on blindfold and what did I hear? Bubber Miley blowing Heartbreak Hotel! Of course it wasn't actually Bubber - dead many a long year - but his spirit had certainly taken over Batchelor's mindset. The trumpet (or was it cornet?) growled like as though that infamous rooming house had moved from Lonely St. to Duke's Place or maybe a joint in New Orleans where Allsopp was 'walkin' the bar' blowing bari for the strippers. This was 'bump and grind' music - so much so, I could only type in time to the rhythm!

Dan Garel Quartet @ Holy GrAle, Durham - August 15

Dan Garel (alto sax); Mark Williams (guitar); John Pope (bass guitar); Russ Morgan (drums)

(Review by Russell)

It was billed as the 'Daniel Garel Quartet' but as it was a Thursday not a Sunday the 'Dan Garel Quartet' seemed like a better fit. Twelve months on from graduating Dan returned to Durham to meet up with old buddies Mark Williams, John Pope and Russ Morgan to play two sets in Holy GrAle on Crossgate.

Dave Rae's Levee Ramblers New Orleans Jazz Band with Ian Wynne @ Springwell Village Community Venue - August 14

Dave Rae (banjo, vocals); Mick Hill (cornet, vocals); Liz Bacon (clarinet); Jim Blenkin (trombone, vocals); Ian Wynne (piano); John Robinson (double bass); Paul Bacon (drums)

(Review by Russell)

All the Girls Go Crazy - don't know 'bout that but in its own way Wednesday's New Orleans jazz session in Springwell Village stirred more than a few with an all-too-rare appearance by Ian Wynne. Sitting at the upright our unassuming pianist opted for being one of the guys rather than hog the limelight as Dave Rae sang the opening number. 

In addition to leading the frontline, Mick Hill sang two or three numbers - Put on Your Old Grey Bonnet, Basin Street Blues and When You and I Were Young, Maggie - as well as playing some half decent N'awlins' cornet. Fellow brass man Jim Blenkin knew the melodies inside out and chipped in with a vocal or two, Harry Warren's Crying for the Carolines particularly effective. From time to time, clarinetist Liz Bacon glanced over her left shoulder to acknowledge pianist Wynne's sterling contribution.

Body and Soul @ Dormans Jazz Club,Middlesbrough - August 1

Richie Emmerson (tenor sax); Kevin Eland (trumpet/flugelhorn);Rick Laughlin (keys/synthesizer);  Keith Peberdy (bass); Stuie Ellerton (drums).

(Review by Ron H)

A good sized and enthusiastic audience turned out for this month’s guest band Body and Soul - a band with a reputation for playing exciting jazz.

Cantaloupe Island set the standard followed by a swinging Speak Low with impressive solos all round.

Tadd Dameron's Good Bait had a relaxed feel with Rick, Kevin and Richie in top form.

CD Review: Quentin Collins - Road Warrior

Quentin Collins (trumpet/flugelhorn); Meilana Gillard (alto sax); Leo Richardson (tenor sax); Dan Nimmer (piano/Rhodes on track 4); Joe Sanders (bass); Willie Jones III (drums) + Jean Toussaint (tenor sax - 2 tracks).

(Review by Lance).

They don't come any better than this! It's Jazz Messenger territory but these jazz posties aren't walkin' the streets they're running, they're flying - this isn't snail mail it's superfast broadband and what a band!

I've only just recovered from hearing Leo Richardson live at Pizza last week and here he is again but who's complaining? Not me that's for sure.

Yorkshire village takes on traditional jazz clubs at national awards

(Press release)

A West Yorkshire village will take on traditional jazz clubs for the title of ‘venue of the year’ at a national jazz awards ceremony later this year.

Marsden Jazz Festival has made it through to the final of the prestigious Parliamentary Jazz Awards in London and has been shortlisted in the venue of the year category alongside jazz clubs in Bristol, Dorking and Brighton.

Preview: Dan the Man is in town!

(Preview by Russell)

In recent times jam sessions in Newcastle, Durham and elsewhere in the region have offered a platform to some immensely talented musicians. One of the joys of going to a session is not knowing who'll turn up. Vocalists, trumpeters, saxophonists, drummers, all of us have our favourites. For two or three years one universally popular figure lit up the scene with, no pun intended, a series of incendiary performances. 

Francis Tulip Quartet @ The Fox, Hexham - August 13

Francis Tulip (guitar); Ben Lawrence (piano); Michael Dunlop (bass guitar); Matt MacKellar (drums)

(Review by Russell)

The train pulled into Hexham. What's this? The Platform Bar was open for business! Three years and more in the planning, ten days ago Matfen Brewery's micro pub opened its doors for the first time. Several Tyne Valley commuters had called in for a swift half, the temptation to join them was there but the Fox on West End Terrace beckoned. 

Trains, planes and automobiles, they arrived from all four quarters - Birmingham, Durham, London (UK), Boston (Massachusetts, USA) - to meet up with family and friends and play a few gigs (and jam sessions) together. Two days on from a Jazz Co-op date the Francis Tulip Quartet stopped off at Hexham Jazz Club to play a final gig on the band's 2019 'summer vacation' tour.

Eales Grooving to Grover

County Durham correspondent Tony Eales reports a good turn-out for Grover Washington Jr at Darlington’s Forum Music Centre. The soul-jazz saxophonist is long gone (the New Yorker died almost twenty years ago) but not forgotten, not least by five of the region’s finest - reeds men Richie Emmerson and Alan Thompson, pianist Rick Laughlin and bass and drums pairing Keith Peberdy and Ian Halford. On Tuesday evening the quintet entertained a crowd which, according to Eales, is keen to support more jazz at the Borough Road venue. The next installment on Tuesday September  17 features Acoustic Infusion augmented by the Mighty Horns.          

Russell

Paul Taylor on Bandcamp.

Paul Taylor has kindly sent me this link to his digital discography including music performed at his Sage Gateshead concert on March 23 this year where he shared billing with Daniel Herskedal.
Lance

2019 APPJAG Nominations

Last year, Bebop Spoken Here won the APPJAG* Jazz Media Award and, although not nominated this year, we're pleased to announce that the northeast is once again represented with Zoë Gilby (photo courtesy of Ken Drew) being nominated in the Jazz Vocalist of the Year category - we wish her well.

All nominations:

Jazz Vocalist of the Year

Claire Martin

Georgia Mancio

Cherise Adams-Burnett

Zoë Gilby

Latest on jazz @ the Block & Tackle

The management of the Block and Tackle, Ashington, wish to confirm that the monthly jazz night featuring the River City Jazzmen is definitely continuing on the third Tuesday of the month. 

Please note that this has no connection with the now defunct Ashington Jazz Club, the previous organisers of the event. 

The next session is on Tuesday August 20 and includes as guest players Australian reed man, Don Armstrong and Brian Chester on keyboards. Starting time is 8.30pm and entrance fee is £4.00, with the option of buying raffle tickets. 

We look forward to keeping the jazz flag flying in the area, and will be pleased to welcome all followers of jazz.

Gordon Solomon.