The Bold Big Band @ The Dun Cow - Dec 11

(Review by Russell)

This band does what it says on the tin - BOLD in name, BOLD in performance. Comprising Newcastle University graduates and undergraduates with, on occasion, one or two professionals beefing up the numbers, the Bold Big Band certainly makes a big impression. 

The Dun Cow has previously played host to the band and tonight's gig pulled a large crowd of fellow students there to enjoy the music, the crack and, of course, to sink a few end of term beers.

CD Review: John Allee – Bardfly

John Allee (vocals, composer, arranger, additional lyrics); Mahesh Balasooriya (piano); Aaron Mclendon (drums); Dominic Thiroux (bass); Javier Vergara (saxophone); Matt Von Roderick (trumpet).

(Review by Ann Alex)

Is Lance favouring me with the most unusual, interesting CDs to review? I ask after listening to this latest humdinger by John Allee, veteran stage and TV actor and singer/songwriter from LA. We get 13 delightful tracks of songs from Shakespeare's plays, set to jazz, with some added lyrics by Allee, who adopts the persona of Feste the jester. The plays range from Othello to Henry IV to Hamlet and the music includes elements of blues, ballads, swing, and even hymns and spoken word.

A Comment on the Black Swan Jam Session - Dec. 10

(By G.Fernanduez)

I love jazz, live performances and jam sessions. I've seen many and had the chance to report on festivals and concerts before. It's not the first time I’ve happened to be at the same event as BSH reviewer Russell and this time, as it's the end of the year, I thought I'll allow myself the freedom to pass on my own opinions.

When considering last night’s event, it raised the question; what is a review? What makes a critique? Is it simply a description, an itinerary of people who turned up and the songs they played, or is it something more? Does it itself help to shape the context, reach and influence of the event?

Middlesbrough Jazz & Blues Orchestra @ Dormans Jazz Club Middlesbrough - Dec.5

(Review by Ron H)

A 23 piece band + vocalists led by trombonist Christine Britland played to an enthusiastic capacity audience drawn from all age groups. 

The night began with the aptly named Strike up the Band followed by American Patrol both ideal numbers to show the audience how well they all played together giving that nice big band sound.

Vicky Jackson then took to the stage to sing the classic Georgia On My Mind before the band played an impressive version of John Coltrane's Blue Train with a nice tenor sax solo from Jim Madrell.

Angelina Smyschlajew: Interim Recital @ Band Studios, Newcastle University - Dec 11

Angelina Smyschlajew (voice); accompanist Stuart Collingwood (piano)

(Review by Russell)

Angelina Smyschlajew first appeared on BSH's radar last month when the German born Newcastle University music student sang at a Black Swan jam session. Today's formalities - ANGELINA SMYSCHLAJEW VOICE MAJOR SPECIALIST STUDIES IN PERFORMANCE MUS3014 Teacher - Ruth Lambert Accompanist - Stuart Collingwood. Yes, at lunchtime today Angelina gave her interim master's recital singing four songs accompanied by pianist Stu Collingwood. 

Year End Jam Session @ The Black Swan - Dec 10

(Review by Russell)

An encouraging full house from the off, an attentive full house, many new faces. Three numbers from tonight's house trio (Mark Williams, Paul Grainger, Rob Walker) - Without a Song, Two for the Road and All the Things You Are - to get things under way. It's been noted many times...Mark Williams is as good a guitarist as any, his harmonic invention a marvel to mere mortals. 

We were to be treated to the Three Tenors in action, no, not that lot, rather the Black Swan's frequent feast of tenor saxophonists out to impress. Tonight, Messrs Keeble, Sykes and Gould blew in turn, supported variously by the house trio and/or a top class supporting cast of sitters-in including drummer Abbie Finn and pianist Joel Brown. 

Royal Variety Performance

Tonight see's the Royal Variety Performance shown on TV. Over the years, many great artists have appeared with the occasional jazzer being allowed a slot in between the bad and the worse.

Bands such as Basie, Ellington, Buddy Rich, Dankworth, Heath and Parnell all made their mark - Basie made a couple of appearances and Ellington's dedication to HRH was later reproduced on record.

Singers included Nat King Cole, Lena Horne (w. Chico Hamilton Quartet), Peggy Lee, Mel Tormé, Tony Bennett and just about everybody but Sinatra - maybe he had another gig that night and Sammy Davis Jr. depped!

Claire Martin's A Very Merry Christmas

Tomorrow (Wednesday 12 December) be sure to tune in to In Tune on Radio 3 at five o'clock. Recent star performer at Hoochie Coochie with the Strictly Smokin' Big Band Claire Martin would like to wish you A Very Merry Christmas as our award-winning vocalist prepares for her show with Joe Stilgoe at the Barbican on December 22.

Martin and Stilgoe will be in the In Tune studio alongside A Very Merry Christmas' arranger and conductor Andrew Cottee to talk about their show with the Dream Team Orchestra.    

Russell

NYE: Roaring Twenties' Special

Mitch, proprietor of Newcastle's Prohibition Bar, invites you to step back in time to an era of guys and gals drinking hard liquor, partying the night away listening to some late night jazz. New Year's Eve on Pink Lane is the place to be, Prohibition Bar to be precise. 

APPJAG award winner Zoë Gilby and Mark Williams will provide the jazz, Mitch will provide the burlesque show, Prohibition Bar's resident magician will amaze and confound and, on the stroke of midnight, you can raise a complimentary glass of fizz to 2020. Tickets are on sale now (£20 plus £2 booking fee) from www.prohibitionbar.co.uk. Doors open at 9:00pm to lucky ticket holders and here's the thing...tickets have been on sale for a few days now and most of them have already been snapped up! So, if you want to be there, act now or be a stay-at-home-reveller.

Russell.

CD Review: Paul Edis & Friends - On Christmas Day

(Review by Russell)

On Christmas Day as gifts are unwrapped, champagne sipped and sprouts prepared it would be a splendid idea to listen to On Christmas Day. The new album by Paul Edis and a stocking full of talented friends is a seasonal delight but shouldn't be consigned to the 'once a year' section of your CD collection, on the contrary, pianist, composer and arranger Edis' album isn't just for Christmas, it's for any and every day of the year!

The majority of the album's thirteen tracks are bona fide classic numbers, two are of more recent pop chart vintage and there is an original penned by bandleader Edis with lyrics by Kate Edis. The eleven-strong ensemble does Edis proud; flawless performances from all ranging from established names Jo Harrop, Matt Anderson, Graham Hardy, Jason Holcomb, Emma Fisk, Edis' regular trio partners Andy Champion and Russ Morgan to rising stars Faye Thompson, Megan Robinson and Francis Tulip.  

New York Comes to The Globe

Yes! New York, New York,  is one of the songs that you'll hear at the Globe on Thursday as the Indigo Jazz Voices take to the stage to sing, (individually) a selection of swing, bop, blues and Latin. They'll be accompanied by excellent local musicians Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); and Abbie Finn (drums).

The singers that you'll hear are Jenny Lingham, Jen Errington, David Edgar, Carrie McCullock,  and newcomer Paul Close. And lots of other songs, including Puttin' On The Ritz; Let It Snow; She's A Woman and I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.   

Wait, it gets better! There's mince pies and nibbles to be had at this IVJ Christmas do, and all for the meagre price of £5. So get yourself along, remember, The Globe, Thursday December 12 at 7.30pm.

Ann Alex

Jason Isaacs @ Hoochie Coochie - Dec. 8

(Review by Lance).

Last Sunday it was Michael Bublé knocking ‘em dead at The Arena. This Sunday it was Jason Isaacs knocking ‘em dead at Hoochie Coochie. Both venues were packed to capacity and deservedly so.

Just as it had been at The Arena there was a buzz of anticipation about Hoochie. Chris, a charming lady sitting next to me, told me she’d once fallen asleep watching Rod Stewart in Las Vegas. I told her you didn’t need to go to Vegas to fall asleep listening to Rod Stewart and promised her she wouldn’t fall asleep listening to Jason. Nobody sleeps at Hoochie Coochie! 

Conversation ceased as the unmistakeable intro to Cry Me a River signified the show had begun.