That Was The Year That Was

Nothing is ever clear-cut in the jazz world and the "Sound of Surprise" covers more than just the actual notes played.

Paul Edis - not just a first-class pianist, bandleader, arranger and composer but, in company with Adrian Tilbrook, via Jazz Action and the NEJC, an organiser and promoter too - has seen full and empty houses at the Side Café in Newcastle and at the hotel in East Rainton. The latter venue failed because, 'they' - the 'fans' said, it is too far from Newcastle. Yet 'they' managed to fill the room for free gigs for Julien Siegal and Tony Kofi but couldn't make it for local players. In their shortsightedness 'they' failed to see that by supporting the local talent they were laying down the foundation for more visits by big name musicians.

The latest Jazz Action venture is the Sunday night sessions at The Bridge Hotel in Newcastle. So far it has been well-attended so fingers crossed that the jazz-public doesn't do another U-turn.

Dave Weisser's Take it to the Bridge's regular Wednesday night at 'The Chilli' on Chillingham Road, Heaton is another paradox. Apart from the more than capable regular band, sitters-in drop by and there is a monthly set by the Alan Glen Trio, Budvivar and other big-hitting locals.

If Alan Glen changed his name to, say, Al Glendino, acquired an American accent and a Green Card he would be playing Birdland such is the man's ability. As it is, so-called 'Modern fans', seem to find the £1 admission too much yet happily pay £20+ at The Sage.

Crazy!

One currently successful venue is The Cherry Tree Restaurant on Jesmond's Osborne Road. The Monday night gig which couples Cordon Bleu Cuisine with first rate, accessible, modern jazz at reasonable prices deservedly draws a good crowd. Whether they are there because of or despite the jazz is a question that only time will tell.

Elsewhere, Roly Veitch at Blaydon and Mike Durham in North Shields strive to juggle diminishing grants and gate money to bring quality classic and mainstream jazz to their localities. Neither will say it is easy. Highlights for me at Blaydon were Vasilis Xenopolous (who also stormed the Cherry Tree), Janusz Carmello, John Hallam and intimate sets by Zoe Gilby/Andy Champion and Roly Veitch's trio with Noel Dennis and Neil Harland.

Over in North Shields, a return visit by French band Nany Swing, Keith Nicholl's Blue Devils with Jeff Barnhart and Dutch violin wizard Tim Kliphuis were some of the highlights.

An unconnected event was Ruth Lambert's highly successful CD launch in the same venue (The Saville Exchange).

Jazz North East and Schmazz at the Cluny had their usual innovative programmes of which I hope to have more in seperate articles.

The Festival scene was, for this year at least, quite healthy. The Sage Jazz Festival produced some of the most outstanding music the region has known with two superb sessions by Sheila Jordan - almost certainly our 'Gig of the Year'.

Joshua Redman Trio, Guy Barker's Big Band were just two other outstanding performances.

This year's festival also looks promising.

I enjoyed a third successive visit to Scarborough - the music and the ambience are just something else with too many great concerts to list here.

The Whitley Bay Jazz Festival again went well and this coming year looks to be even better however, unless a replacement can be found for Festival Director Mike Durham it will be the last bringing to an end a glorious celebration of classic jazz.

Likewise, at the other end of the musical spectrum, Gateshead's "On The Outside" Festival proved a great hit with fans of free improvisation but, sadly, a withdrawal of funding may contribute to its demise.

The trad scene continued much as before with The Maine Street Jazzmen, The Vieux Carré Jazzmen and the Rae Brothers dominating. Many of the sessions are lunchtime gigs.

There were, of course low points this year - very low points indeed.

The death of Jazz North East supremo Chris Yates being a major one. Sax player Darren Grainger and drummer Marshall Walker were two other deaths that hit many of us hard.

Nationally, but with local interest, Ian Carr's death was also a sad moment. An anniversary celebration of his life takes place at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall on Feb 23 which should be in all of our diaries. Ian was, arguably, the north-east's greatest jazz ambassador.

Internationally, the passing of Chris Connor, Blossom Dearie, Bud Shank, George Russell, Les Paul, Charlie Mariano...

Merry Xmas everyone.

Lance.