Sue Ferris Quintet @ Blaydon Jazz Club - Oct. 19

© Roly

Sue Ferris (tenor sax); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Ben Lawrence (keyboards); Andy Champion (double bass); John Bradford (drums)

A return visit to Blaydon Jazz Club for the Sue Ferris Quintet. A tenor saxophonist of renown, Sue Ferris is one of the region's banker bets. The Black Bull welcomed Sue for the umpteenth time, such is her popularity. Joined by her established quintet - frontline partner Graham Hardy, fast-emerging pianist Ben Lawrence, incomparable bassist Andy Champion and first-call drummer John Bradford - the bookies weren't taking anymore bets, it was odds-on this evening's concert would deliver the goods.

Album review: Jasper Høiby’s 3 Elements – Conversations of Hope (Edition)

Jasper Høiby (double bass); Xavi Torres (piano); Naima Acuna (drums)

It’s great to be able to buy a Jasper Høiby album on CD again as the last couple have only been available on vinyl or download. Høiby first came to notice as a member of the Phronesis trio who toured a few times to the north east, most notably on the Walking Dark tour which, if I remember correctly, was a tribute to Høiby’s sister, who was blind, with the concerts being illuminated only by the emergency exit signs, all other lighting extinguished. Since Phronesis, Høiby has operated as a bandleader in Fellow Creatures and now leads his constantly changing 3 Elements trio in which he has been the only constant member. Across this period he has increasingly turned to the environment for his inspiration, most notably on the Plan B album.

Album review: Sheila Jordan Harvie S Duo - The Concert Volume One (Dot Time Records)

Sheila Jordan (voice); Harvie S (double bass)

Recorded on July 16, 1983 in Quebec and unissued until now, The Concert Volume One (Vol. 2 to follow) is a must for those who left the Sage (Glasshouse) mesmerised by Jordan's concerts and workshops back in 2009 and 2018. Newcomers may take awhile to absorb what's happening. If you're in the latter category, hang on - the breakthrough will come and life will never be the same again. If it doesn't then you'd better consult Doctor Jazz.

Late Night Chicago Radio with Denny Farrell (Oct. 28-Nov. 3)

Georgie Auld: That Old Feeling.

Kenny Burrell: I Let a Song go Out of my Heart.

Coleman Hawkins: My Old Flame.

Charlie Barnet: Bebop Spoken Here. (20 minutes in, namecheck for Lance & BSH.)

Sonny Rollins: Winter Wonderland.

Dinah Washington: Ain't Misbehavin'.

Joe Pass: Out of Nowhere.

Mel Tormé: I'll be Seeing You.

Ella Fitzgerald: I've Got my Love to Keep me Warm.

Benny Green Trio: Something I Dreamed Last Night.

Eddie Heywood: How High the Moon.

LISTEN HERE 24/7.

DJF Reviews

Although the horrendous weather prevented myself attending, BSH still managed to have 'boots on the ground' at this most impressive event. The festival organisers thought big and the public responded likewise.

Richard Morris wrote most of the reviews apart from the Jo Harrup album launch and the Pete Roth Trio which were by Colin Muirhead.

Individual links below:

Durham Jazz Festival: The Pete Roth Trio ft. Bill Bruford @ Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre, Durham – October 24

© Colin Muirhead

Pete Roth (guitars); Mike Pratt (electric bass); Bill Bruford (drums)

Day 2 of the Durham Jazz Festival continued with the much-anticipated arrival of a trio founded just a few years ago - and the return to Durham of a music legend.

I first heard Bill Bruford over 20 years ago with his band Earthworks and I was mightily impressed then.  His drumming was outstanding and literally, he didn’t miss a beat.  I shouldn’t have been surprised; after all, Bill had co-founded Yes in the late 1960s, played for many years in King Crimson and other bands, and was later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Like many others, I was saddened to hear of his retirement from performing and recording in 2009 but delighted to hear of his return to the scene as part of the Pete Roth Trio in 2022.  Nevertheless, as Pete, Mike and Bill took to the stage, I wondered if I would still feel the same way about Bill’s drumming as I had all those years previously.

Durham Jazz Festival: Zoë Gilby and Andy Champion @ Banner room, Redhills Miners' Hall, Durham - October 25

© Richard Morris

Zoë Gilby (vocals); Andy Champion (double bass)

And now for something completely different! A duet concert by virtuoso double bass player Andy Champion and award winning vocalist Zoë Gilby. Pared back songs of various genres with some of these songs written by some of my very favourite artists. I was hooked. Therefore not all jazz songs but many given a jazzy feel, some scatting and Zoë’s unique and very fine vocals - a real treat and, unsurprisingly, was yet another a sell out in an intimate venue.

Durham Jazz Festival: Marvin Muoneke Quartet @ St Chad’s College, Durham - October 25

© Richard Morris

Marvin Muoneke (vocals, trumpet); Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums)

Another sold out concert!

I had the benefit of seeing Marvin live the previous evening guesting with the Strictly Smokin’ Big Band at the Gala Theatre. Such was his performance I was grateful I had had the foresight to put this concert in my diary some weeks in advance. This young man is an immense multi-talented  vocalist, trumpeter and arranger. The three other musicians were well known to me. Dean in fact had led his own quartet immediately prior to this concert. I had last seen Abbie play at the Lit & Phil with Greg Abate.

The concert kicked off with Young Man With the Old Soul composed by Marvin on which he sang and played trumpet. Two standards popular with jazz musicians: This Could be the Start of Something Big and I’m Beginning to See the Light showcased Marvin’s vocal range and power. Play it Cool was a tune Marvin had released the previous Friday. Abbie sat out the next song Moonlight in Vermont which featured Dean on piano and the most beautiful of vocals by Marvin.

Stockport Jazz

This Sunday Stockport Jazz welcomes the Derrick Harris/Paul Hartley Quartet together with Ken Marley (bass) and Paul Smith (drums) - a double guitar fronted quartet featuring special arrangements of well known jazz classics and including some of Derrick’s original compositions.

Sunday November 1st 2026

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)

Durham Jazz Festival: Marvin Muoneké with SSBB @ Gala Theatre, Durham - Oct. 24

© Richard Morris

Marvin Muoneké (vocals, trumpet); Michael Lamb (MD, trumpet); Tom Rushton, Dick Stacey, Billy Bradshaw (trumpets); John Flood, Chris Gray, Kieran Parnaby, Alex Utting (trombones); Steve Summers, Keith Robinson, Jamie Toms, Matthew Forster, Sue Ferris (reeds); Jonny Winter (piano); Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar); Michael Whent (bass); Jack Littlewood (drums); Alice Grace (vocals)

This concert on the second day of Durham Jazz Festival was billed as a thrilling meeting of velvet vocals and full throttle big band swing with classic crooner charm, punchy brass and a show with timeless standards. On this evening as part of the festival  2025 Mercury Music Prize nominees Knats were also  playing down the road at Fabio's Bar and jazz vocalist Eleanor Kouneni was at the Claypath Delicatessen. What a lineup the organisers of the festival had fashioned for this evening. I was pleased with my choice of concert and the Gala Theatre was very close to a full house.