Album review: Frank Morelli & Keith Oxman - Classicool (Capri Records)

Frank Morelli (bassoon); Keith Oxman (tenor sax); Jeff Jenkins (piano); Gonzalo Teppo (bass); Todd Reid (drums)

An appealing album that takes me back to those halcyon days when so much jazz was being played and recorded on America's west coast. Musicians such as Shelly Manne, Shorty Rogers, Lennie Niehaus, Howard Rumsey, Gerry Mulligan and many more, worked days in the film studios and played the jazz spots in the evening.

There was much innovation particularly in the use of instruments not generally seen in a jazz setting. Bob Cooper frequently recorded on oboe and at least once on cor anglais. I don't know if he ever dabbled on bassoon. 

Preview: Donna Hewitt @ The Chapel, Middlesbrough TS5 4BY Nov. 1

Next month (Nov. 1) our regular, first  Sunday in the month jazz afternoon at the Chapel, 16 Whitehouse St, Middlesbrough TS5 4BY, will again be the superlative saxophonist Donna Hewitt.  This is the second time this year that  Donna has been our guest and is joining us again by public demand.  The afternoon runs between 1.00pm and 3.00pm. The Chapel was voted Cleveland CAMRA Pub of the Year in both 2024 and 2026.  Entry is free. Adrian B 

Album Review: Event Horizon Jazz Quartet – Consternation (GRB Records)

Jim Kaczmarek (tenor/ soprano saxes); Scott Mertens (piano, keyboards); Donn DeSanto  (string bass); Rick Vitek (drums, cymbals, doumbek); Victor Garcia (trumpet) + Raphael Crawford (trombone tk 6)

It has been six years since the release of their first celebrated album, Event Horizon (GRB Records, 2020). Now with Consternation the quartet is back on the scene and is locked and loaded. The album offers thirteen original selections from the pens of Jim Kaczmarek and Scott Mertens. The fare here is eclectic and enjoyable with both straight-ahead jazz and more textural offerings. The puckish spirit of the quartet is vividly apparent throughout the entire recording.

Album review: Nishla Smith - The Things We Did Last Summer

Nishla Smith (vocals, artwork); Aaron Wood (trumpet, flugel, arrangements); Anna Chandler-King (saxes, arrangements); Bim Williams (guitar, arrangements); Tom Harris (piano); Josh Vadiveloo (double bass); Kai Chareunsy (drums); Elly Hanson (violin); Triele Tat (cello)

The first of the festive season albums to arrive features Nishla Smith, an Australian born, Manchester based vocalist who has plenty of BSH form via album reviews, gigs and jam sessions etc.

Supported by a stellar group of instrumentalists Nishla applies her  appealing vocal chords to four seasonal standards as well as one of her own compositions - all exquisitely performed.  Blossom Dearie crossed my mind.

 

Album review: Giacomo Smith Quartet - Artfullness (Stunt Records)

Giacomo Smith ( clarinet, bass clarinet, soprano/alto sa); Joe Webb (piano); Anders Fjeldsted (bass); Snorre Kirk (drums)

Having heard Smith with SSBB earlier this year (LINK) and Joe Webb at Bonner's Music Store in Kingston Park just under a year ago (LINK) it was good to hear them together on this album of six originals by Smith and one by Ellington.

It's quite a session with all four at the top of their game. Smith, at times romantic and lyrical, on other occasions it's as if Benny Goodman had formed a relationship with John Coltrane. Webb swings, stomps meditates captures the moment whatever the mood. Fjeldsted and Kirk add their own drive to an excellent album.

Bonnie Raitt + Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen @ Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz, CA - Oct. 14

Bonnie Raitt (vocals, guitar); Jon Cleary (piano, vocals)

After losing so much time with live music after Covid, tonight was a beautiful reintroduction to what music can do for the soul by two great artists.

Bonnie hasn’t lost her ability to reach her audience and tonight was no exception. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute she was on stage and felt grateful for the experience - she had everyone in the auditorium captivated!

Album review: Darius Brubeck Quartet - Live Again (Gathering Forces/ECN)

Darius Brubeck (piano); Dave O'Higgins (tenor sax); Matt Ridley (bass); Wesley Gibbens (drums)

Following on from the quartet's album Live in Poland, Live Again takes them to Italy  - these jazz musicians do get around!

It's a worthwhile trip. Darius has undoubtedly inherited his dad's talents as composer, pianist, improviser and bandleader with all four musicians given their moment in the sun.

Another holiday snap!

Kevin Eland sent me this iconic photo that he snapped in a back street in Civitavecchia, an Italian coastal port north west of Rome and a popular calling port for cruise ships.

Jazz, it seems, is everywhere!

 

The 2026 APPJG Awards @ World Heart Beat, London - Oct. 13

© Patti

London was busy - what's new? Shirt sleeves in mid-October, what's going on? The All Party Parliamentary Jazz Group (APPJG) awards at World Heart Beat in Nine Elms invariably attracts a who's who of the UK's jazz scene. 

This evening's star-studded occasion included a couple of self-styled 'Geordie Jazz' characters - Stan and Ferg. More anon.

Chris Hodgkins once again took the role of MC. Throughout the evening the very mention of a 'name' would elicit whoops and hollers. The usual gaggle of parliamentarians didn't materialise. It seems they were busy voting on various motions. 

Stockport Jazz

Join us on Sunday for our 100th Stockport Jazz gig at the Moor Club! This week features multi-award-winning saxophonist Simon Spillett with Andrzej Baranek (piano), Ken Marley (bass) and Eryl Roberts (drums).

Sunday 18th October 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)

Photo supplied by Stockport Jazz.