Request from Chris Hodgkins of Jazz Services.

We've been asked to forward this request from Chris Hodgkins of Jazz Services to complete their brief on-line survey on the 'Needs of the Jazz Community'

There's a link below and it would be very helpful if you're willing to give your views.    Closing date Nov 5th. The survey information is followed by a press release about an appeal to help 'Keep Jazz on the Road' - and see also the offer of 6 copies of Jazz UK delivered to your home if you make a donation to Jazz Services.

Lance.

Watson Walker Edis @ The Cluny. October 30

Lewis Watson (tenor saxophone), Rob Walker (drums) & Paul Edis (keyboards)
(Review by Russell).

 Cluny 2, the Cluny’s additional space deep in the bowels of the earth, hosted the latest of Schmazz’s regular last Tuesday of the month gigs. 

Watson Walker Edis have kept a low profile since their début performance at the Jazzathon fund raiser some fifteen months ago at the Lit and Phil. Indeed their only other outing was at the library in June of this year. They were two memorable performances and the Cluny date promised much. 

Moss Project: Short Stories @ Lit & Phil. October 29

Moss Freed (guitar), Alice Zawadzki (violin & vocals), Ruth Goller (electric bass), Marek Dorcik (drums) & James Miller (readings)

The Literary and Philosophical Society seemed the perfect place to stage the event. An event combining literature and music couldn't fail to draw a large audience. It didn't quite work out like that. Did the project deter the non-jazz loving literary type? Was the jazzer dissuaded by the promise of ‘readings’? Perhaps the occasion didn't quite connect with either persuasion; not enough jazz, not enough literature. 

Guitarist Moss Freed took as his inspiration the work of six writers to produce compositions for his quartet. One of the writers - James Miller – joined the musicians in the library’s Loftus Room to read passages from each of the writers including his own work. Freed’s guitar and Alice Zawadzki’s violin and voice worked in unison as Ruth Goller’s subtle bass lines peppered percussionist Marek Dorcik’s featherweight brush work. Chamber jazz, folk melodies and Zawadzki’s resonant violin responded to Miller’s measured readings. A CD – What Do You See When You Close Your Eyes? -  is to be released in early 2013 on the Babel label. For the record the featured writers are Naomi Alderman, Hanan al Shaykh, Joe Dunthorne, Colum McCann, James MillerLawrence and James Miller.

Russell                  

Gateshead International Jazz Festival 2012's Ayanna returns to The Sage Gateshead Tuesday November 6, 2012

MOBO-award nominee, Ayanna, returns to The Sage Gateshead following her captivating performance at Gateshead International Jazz Festival 2012 supporting Roberto Fonseca. This time Ayanna will be supporting Kairos 4Tet in an intimate gig on Tuesday 6^th November as part of their extensive 2012 UK tour.

Mark Williams Trio @ The Bridge. October 28

Mark Williams (guitar), Andy Champion (electric bass) & Richard Brown (drums)

Guitarist Mark Williams played at the Splinter summer season finale. On that occasion he opened his set with a solo guitar piece of which Joe Pass or Martin Taylor would have been proud. This latest outing began with the Irishman digging the blues. Two bars in and it hit home…1980s Jimmy Witherspoon at the Corner House – Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good to You? Had Williams been on the gig back then Spoon would surely have said: Give the man a hand! A magical start to the evening. Williams called to the stand regular drummer Richard Brown and depping bassist Andy Champion. The trio had a blast. Familiar tunes, a new tune ‘written this morning’ according to Williams, cranked-up numbers, a ballad, a waltz (Weird Waltz), a blues (Booze Blues). Funk, swing, Michael Brecker, Scofield, a McLaughlin chord, Champion’s five string walking bass lines, Champion’s chops-busting solos, Brown’s spot-on drumming – the gig chalked up five stars. ‘Play some blues’ exclaimed a voice three sheets to the wind. Williams played Filth – a filthy blues. One way or another that is what Williams played all night long. Williams took the time to announce next week’s gig – ACV. He said he may well turn up. I hope he does…he’s in the band! The set drew to a close with the monster Minor Detail. It doesn’t get any better than this.

Russell               

Whitley Bay Classic Jazz Party - Day 3, Sunday October 28.

(Review by Lance.)
Well, with the help of the Metro and the number 309 - and, of course, that Good Old Wagon the number 27 for the final leg of the return trip I made it.

The Whitley Bay Jazz Party is  something special and well worth the problems non-drivers or reluctant drivers (myself) sometimes face.

If the worst came to the worst I'd walk!

It's simply a wonderful, friendly weekend.

Maine Street Jazzmen Rule in Rochdale.

Maine Street Jazzmen played their first gig at Rochdale Jazz Club back in July this year, which was very well received.

The club operates on a Sunday Night and features visiting and local bands.

Every year the members/committee have an opportunity to vote for who they think is the best band to have played at the club, in the previous year.

The band learnt last week that they have chosen Maine Street Jazzmen as their new "Band of the Year".

Consequently MSJ have been booked for a return gig to Rochdale Jazz Club in January 2013 to receive their "Band of The Year" trophy.

Attached are some photo's taken by local photographer and jazz club member Valerie Bracken at the July gig. She sends a selection of her photos to the local newspaper as well as Jazz North West's website.

The drummer in the pictures is Rod Macnamara, a Leeds based Drummer, who helped out on the night.  Also featured in the photos are jazz club members Pat & Dave, celebrating the arrival of a grandchild, having a dance to the band.

 MSJ have two more "away" gig's in the near future, Boston Spa Jazz club near Wetherby on Sat 1st Dec, and also Edinburgh Jazz Club on Friday 7th December.

Further details on band's website www.mainestreetjazzmen.com

Photos.

Lance.

The Very "Best" of Jazz Club

Colin Aitchison sent me this YouTube link that would be funny if it wasn't too far away from real (jazz) life. I've seen bands that were pretty close to some of these!
Lance.

"We'll Make Fun For You" - 2012 Whitley Bay Classic Jazz Party Day 2 Saturday Oct. 27.

Josh Duffee   (drums/leader). Rico Tomasso,     René Hagmann & AndySchumm (trumpets), Kris Kompen (trombone), Matthias Seuffert, Jean-François Bonnel, Michael McQuaid  & Gavin Lee (reeds), Keith Nichols (piano/vocal), Martin Wheatley (banjo) and Richard Pite (sousa).Mike Durham, Spats Langham (vcl).
(Review by Lance.)

2012 Whitley Bay Classic Jazz Party - Day One Friday October 26.

As I wasn't at the Classic Jazz Party yesterday I can but give you a run-down on the concerts that took place.

In fact if you look at the line-ups you'll realise it speaks for itself! Better still - go to Jazz Lives.

Lance.

A Gardenia for Lady Day: Cecile Mclorin Salvant Sage Hall 2 Thursday October 25

Cecile Mclorin Salvant (vocals); Enrico Tomasso (trumpet/cornet); Jean-Francois Bonnel  (ten/alt sax and clarinet);  Martin Litton (piano); Roly Veitch (guitar); Manu Hagmann (bass); Richard Pite (drums). (Review by Ann Alex).

What a good time was had by all!  Nearly every seat on all three levels of Hall 2 was occupied for this tribute to Billie Holiday, sung by Ms Mclorin Salvant, who was an attractive, elegant lady in red, with large-framed spectacles.  Her voice has many vocal colours, sweet and persuasive, pleadingly sad, then wonderfully dark and rich in the lower ranges.  The emphasis was on the songs that Billie sang in the 1930’s, a relatively happier time of her life.  Our singer brought her own style to the songs, with effective interpretations.  I felt that she could have had an alternative career as an actor.

Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Millstone, South Gosforth. October 25

Brian Bennett (banjo & vocals), Fred Rowe (trumpet & vocals), Barry Soulsby (clarinet & vocals), Lawrence McBriarty (trombone), Brian Sibbald (double bass) & Fred Thompson (drums & vocals) - (Review by Russell).

At the conclusion of John Law’s lunchtime performance at Newcastle University the lure of some Crescent City jazz proved too much. A short bus ride from Barras Bridge is the city of New Orleans…well, the Millstone pub in South Gosforth. The Vieux Carré’s Thursday residency has gone from night time to day time and best of all the session is now in the downstairs lounge. A pint of Mordue’s Five Bridges (‘a bit lively, this one’ said the barman), a place at the bar, it would be good to say the joint was jumpin’. In truth it could have done with a few more in.

John Law Trio @ King’s Hall, Newcastle. October 25

John Law (piano & keyboards), Yuri Goloubev (double bass) & Tim Giles (drums)

Pianist John Law returned to the King’s Hall to play a trio concert with bassist Yuri Goloubev and drummer Tim Giles. The lunchtime date drew a sizeable audience to hear the trio present a few numbers from Law’s recent CD release Three Leaps of the Gazelle together with one or two other tunes. The Nick Drake tune River Man opened the one set performance. The King’s Hall’s acoustics did little to help the amplified instrument and at times Goloubev’s excellent bass playing wasn’t heard to best effect. Insistence matched Law’s percussive approach with the inventive Tim Giles (Goloubev’s smile affirmed his appreciation of Giles, the ‘new boy’ of the trio). Law combined jazz and classical piano styles (a concert-goer remarked ‘I heard Bach in his playing’) most notably in Three Part Invention followed by The Quiet Dignity of the Minor. The use of an electric keyboard introduced an unwelcome discordant note. This proved short lived as the trio swung out on Brubeck’s          

In Your Own Sweet Way with Giles to the fore.

Russell

Return to Shanghai!! Sunday, October 28, 6- 8:30 pm

DARYL SHERMAN with JAMES CHIRILLO, guitar ... STEVE LASPINA, bass
Chinese food and jazz have always been a great duo and with Daryl Sherman on the bill, the combo is a perfect match. Not only does she pick great musicians and songs, but no one knows how to order (and consume) Chinese food like Daryl Sherman! Join in on the fun ....an easy Midtown Direct train ride from Manhattan or easy to reach by car...

Shanghai Jazz
24 Main Street, Madison, NJ
973-822-2899 http://www.shanghaijazz.com/

If I hadn't been at Whitley Bay...
Lance.
PS: Russell has just reminded me that Daryl is appearing at next year's Whitley Bay Classic Jazz Party.

CD REVIEW: All Upon A Lovely Summer’s Day: Burton Bradstock

Burton Bradstock aka Jimmy Cannon (vocals, arranger); Dorian Ford (piano); Iain Ballamy (saxophone); Julian Ferraretto (violin); Pete Berryman (guitar and co-arranger); Riaan Vosloo (bass); Tim Giles (drums); also various musicians playing strings

(Review by Ann Alex). 

This is an unusual CD of traditional folk songs played and sung in a jazz-like manner by very talented musicians who have excellent credentials and much experience.  My reaction, as a jazz-loving folkie, was mixed. 

Nationwide search for best unsigned Blues Musicians chooses Redcar for North East heat - musicians from across the country urged to enter now!!

It has just been announced that entries for this year’s highly prestigious and nationwide competition - The New Brunswick Battle of the Blues - will open on 1^st October.  For a third year the cream of unsigned bands and singer/songwriters is being sought from across the UK and particularly from the North of England where, organisers believe, the area’s great blues talent deserves higher recognition. 

CD Review (link): Westbrook Trio - Three Into Wonderful

Kate Westbrook (vcl/euph/bamboo flute ); Chris Biscoe(alt/sop/alt.clt); Mike Westbrook (pno).
A cross-section compilation taken from 30 years of recordings by the Westbrook Trio.
Press Release.
Westbrook Trio - Three Into Wonderful - Release date October 29, 2012.
Lance.

Barclaycard Mercury Prize ‘Album of the Year' TONIGHT Channel 4 12.55am - 1.10am

(Press release from Siân Williams.)

Roller Trio are interviewed before their Mercury show at LSO St Lukes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urUa01btEGo

The meteoric rise of Roller Trio now seems unstoppable as the Leeds twenty-somethings, described by Gilles Peterson as “…the new sound of UK jazz”, have now been nominated for Best UK Newcomer at the Inaugural Jazz FM Awards 2013. This comes on top of their MOBO nomination and their debut album being named a 2012 Barclaycard Mercury Music Prize ‘Album of the Year’ - all within just 18 months of their first gig together.

Drugs

Well, most people that know me know I'm a cycling fan. I never did drugs but many a 100 mile ride was fuelled with alcohol.

Which brings me to my namesake - Lance Armstrong.

He has been lambasted, humiliated, stripped of his glory by the testimony of so-called team mates.

Well, my view is that, Not only was Lance the best cyclist of his era but he was also a better doper than the others. If you were to disqualify all the dopers in the Tour de France then the winner would be the Lanterne Rouge!

And whilst we're on the subject, imagine if, overnight, the albums of say - Art Pepper, Dexter Gordon, Stan Getz, Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley, Hampton Hawes, Tubby Hayes, Pete King and a hundred others were deleted from the catalogue for the same reason?

Jazz, just as cycling is,would be the loser.

Oh yes and you could add The Stones, The Beatles and just about every other pop band that ever played!

Maybe dope should be legal bought over the counter - the gang wars would end!

Lance.

Jazz Summit 2012

The good thing about this meeting was the number of people who showed up. The bad thing was those who didn't show. Apart from Mike Durham, Keith Crombie, Brian Bennett and the guys from Saltburn, I didn't see any of the more mainstream orientated promoters. Their input would have been valuable.

As it was, it was a constructive evening which, inevitably for an opener, ended up as a work in progress.

The Future of Contemporary Jazz in the North East of England

I'd like to urge fans, musicians and promoters of all forms of jazz in the north east to attend tonight's Public Meeting - The Future of Contemporary Jazz in the North East of England - held at the Lit and Phil, 23 Westgate Rd, Newcastle. Several jazz people involved in the wider spectrum of our music have told me that they won't be going because of the insertion of "Contemporary" in the heading. This is unfortunate as, personally, I think this gives them all the more reason to attend and let their voices be heard.

To put it another way, it's no good complaining about your MP if you didn't bother to vote.

The meeting, which is chaired by Chris Hodgkins of Jazz Services, starts at 7:00pm. The bar will be open - always conducive to free speech - and afterwards there will be a set by Zoe Gilby and Andy Champion.

Lance.

Bob Belden Unveils a Dark Narrative of Manhattan On Second Animation Project for RareNoise Records

(Press release)

Following on the heels of Animation’s 2010 RareNoise debut, Asiento (the group’s live take on Miles Davis’ 1970 fusion landmark, Bitches Brew), and 2011’s Agemo (a radical remix of the six tracks from Asiento utilizing the new 3D60 surround sound technology), saxophonist-composer-bandleader Bob Belden tells his own story on Transparent Heart. With his new Animation lineup consisting of young students he recruited from his own alma mater, the University of North Texas (23-year-old keyboardist Roberto Verastegui, 24-year-old bassist Jacob Smith, 32-year-old trumpeter Pete Clagett and 19-year-old drummer Matt Young), Belden unveils a dark narrative of Manhattan as seen through the musical diary he has composed over 29 years of living in the Big Apple.

Graeme Wilson Quartet @ The Central Bar, Gateshead. October 21

Graeme Wilson (tenor & baritone saxophones), Paul Edis (keyboards), Andy Champion (double bass) & Adam Sinclair (drums)

(Review by Russell - photos courtesy of Graeme Wilson and Cath.)

The Head of Steam’s Central Bar on Half Moon Lane in Gateshead stepped into the breach when Splinter’s regular session at the Bridge Hotel was inadvertently double booked. 

The new quartet was ready to go with a set list of Wilson’s tunes ranging  from established pieces to new charts. 

Jazz Café Jam. Sunday October 21.

Mark Williams (gtr); Chris Finch (tpt); Paul Grainger (bs).

(Review by Lance)

There Will Never Be Another You was the opener. I looked around the Jazz Café and couldn't help but think that there will never be another place like this.

Outside, the black and white shirts were staggering about but they knew, from past experience, that they wouldn't be allowed inside. A shirt with Birdland or Village Vanguard may have made it...

CD Review:Julian Shore - Filaments.

Julian Shore – piano; Kurt Rosenwinkel – guitar; Jeff Miles – guitar; Alexa Barchini – vocal; Shelly Tzarafi – vocal; Phil Donkin – bass; Tommy Crane – drums; Noah Preminger – tenor sax; and others.

(Review by Debra M.)

Filaments is the second album by American pianist Julian Shore, recorded in Brooklyn following collaboration with a number of New York based jazz musicians, including vocalists Alexa Barchini & Shelly Tzarafi.  

Philip Clouts Quartet @ New Hartley Memorial Hall. October 20

Philip Clouts (keyboards), Carlos Lopez-Real (alto & soprano saxophones), ? (double bass) & Jon Desbruslais (drums).

(Review by Russell)

New Hartley Memorial Hall does well with folk gigs. Kathryn Tickell packed out the place and Jez Lowe, a favourite, returns in the new year. Jazz, contemporary or otherwise is another matter. The jazz fan, the curious and the Memorial Hall patron assembled in sufficient numbers to constitute an audience keen to hear to some jazz, contemporary jazz at that. 

CONTEMPORARY JAZZ IN THE NORTH EAST: WHICH WAY FORWARD?

(Announcement by Paul Bream)
A couple of weeks ago I send out a preliminary notice about a public meeting on the future of jazz provision in the North East. That meeting is now imminent, and I cannot stress strongly enough how important this could be to maintaining, indeed improving, a vibrant jazz scene in the region . . . I urge everybody who has an interest in jazz, whether as musician, promoter, educator, student or audience member, to get along - even if you don't feel able to contribute to discussion, your very presence at the meeting will help show how strongly we all feel about the music we love.

CD Review: The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra - Christmas Time is Here.

Mark Tucker or Tim Green, David King (alt); Greg Tardy, William Boyd (ten/clt); Tom Johnson (bar/ bs. clt); Michael Wyatt, Stewart Cox, Michael Spirko, Tom Cox, Vance Thompson (tpts); Tom Lunberg, Don Hough, Chris Mac Tavish, Brad McDougall (tmbs); Robert Owen, Jeffrey Whaley, Mark Harrell, Mitzi Hall (fr. horn); Sande MacMorran (tub); Bill Swann (pno); Dan Trudell (org); Rusty Holloway (bs); Keith Brown (dms); Bob Adamcik (perc); Jill Andrews, Kelle Jolle,  + choirs.

(Review by Lance)

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, so please put a CD in the old man's hat.

When this disc arrived it reminded me that there were but 65 bopping days to Christmas and I hadn't even picked out a turkey!

The Jazzman by Kevah Emami.

Kevah Emami posted this portrait of Jazz Café Supremo Keith Crombie on Facebook.

I felt it worthy of reproduction here.

A product of the early years of Trad, Skiffle and Rock and Roll Keith has kept his modest, yet charismatic, venue going against all the odds. Jazz loving visitors from around the world make a beeline for The Caff when in town (Newcastle). It's a place that is becoming isolated because of its individuality - rather like the corner shop surrounded by supermarkets. We should support it whilst it's here. The music is honest and, on Friday nights, reminiscent of what you might have been listening to at Birdland in New York, The Flamingo in London or the Down Beat in Newcastle in the late '50s early '6os. Drop by, say hello, enjoy a drink and hear the truth.

The Jazz Café, Pink Lane, Newcastle. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays.

Lance.

CD Review: Skamel

Ian White (ten); Nick Walters (tpt); Johnny Hunter (dms); Tim Cox (tmb); Anton Hunter (gtr); James Adolpho (bs).

After Thursday's gig by Skamel at Hoochie it was with a sense of deja vu that I listened to the CD. As the gig also served as the album launch, this wasn't surprising. However, with the album sleeve (fantastic artwork by Angela Guyton!) in front of me I'm now able to pick up on the titles which I didn't always catch correctly at the gig.

Blue Notes in Bristol

Down at Bristol on holiday. A friend who is a member of Bristol Jazz Society took me to a gig held in the Crypt of St Mary's Church

Excellent band. The Blue Notes reminded me very much of the Alex Welsh Band. Talking to Ron Brown their trombone player he mentioned that he had deputized for Roy Williams with the Welsh band in the old days. What a super job he did of my request Tangerine - a favorite of Roy's. Reed man Hugh Roberts got a lovely tone on his Chinese Tenor Sax. Young singer Hannah Wedlock made a good job of some Cleo Lane numbers and several blues. Hannah is the daughter of the late West Country comedian Fred Wedlock.

If ever you're in the Bristol area check out Hannah Wedlock and The Blue Notes.

John.

I Used to be a .com but now I'm a .co.uk!

Overnight Bebop Spoken Here's address seems to have changed from
www.lance-bebopspokenhere.blogspot.com
to
www.lance-bebopspokenhere.blogspot.co.uk.

Don't ask me why! Indeed if anyone can solve this mystery I'd appreciate their help.

This is particularly annoying as I've a lot of cards with the old address on.

So if anyone tells you they can't access the site advise them to change .com for .co.uk or else just Google Bebop Spoken Here.

Lance.

Djangologie @ The Sage. October 18

James Birkett (guitar), Giles Strong (guitar), Emma Fisk (violin) & Mick Shoulder (double bass)

(Review by Russell).

 The Sage Gateshead’s intimate four hundred capacity Hall Two hosted the opening concert of this year’s International Guitar Festival. Hot Club specialists Djangologie could not have wished for a better platform on which to launch their new CD. Djangologists, students of the guitar and other discerning concert goers heard classic   material and a few numbers in the idiom composed by bassist Mick Shoulder.

Skamel @ Hoochie Coochie

Nick Walters (tpt); Tim Cox (tmb); Ben Cottrell (ten); Anton Hunter (gtr); James Adolpho (bs); Johnny Hunter (dms/ldr).
(Review by Lance.)

What a sound these guys get! The trumpet, trombone, tenor frontline could grace a Jazz Messengers line-up and not be out of place.The gig was billed as Reggae  and the off beat rhythm from Anton Hunter and brother John on drums was most definitely of Jamaican origin .

Everybody say "Aaah!"

Congratulations to singer, ukuleleist, cornetist, Caroline and banjo, guitarist, Keith Stephen on the birth, on October 14, of Olivia Rose and Benjamin James. Mum and babies doing fine.

Lance.

CD Review: The Bad Plus - Made Possible.

Ethan Iverson (pno); Reid Anderson (bs); David King (dms).
(Review by Lance)

The Bad Plus are certainly one of the hottest acts around at the moment pulling in audiences around the globe and releasing this, their eighth studio album.

Not your average piano/bass/drums trio, TBP move in many directions as they discover and digest new dimensions. Taking a repetitive phrase, Iverson will gradually build it up increasing the tension with bass and drums doing similar things differently until, somehow, it all comes together in a glorious cascade of notes lighting up the musical horizon as if to say this is our way - The Way.

Ronnie Scott and All That Jazz

Degree Welcome Gig @ The Sage Gateshead. October 16

(Review by Russell)

A celebratory gig to welcome the Class of 2015 to the BA (Hons) Community Music and BMus (Hons) Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music degrees delivered at The Sage Gateshead in partnership with University of Sunderland. So said the blurb and that’s exactly what we got. 

The new intake of music students gathered to hear just what their tutors could do. A cast of thousands over two sets, the jazz element led the way.

R.I.P. Eddie Harvey.

The sad news that I've belatedly received is of the death of trombonist, pianist, composer, arranger, educator Eddie Harvey. My memories go back to hearing him with the Dankworth Seven at Newcastle City Hall back in the early fifties - one of the first jazz concerts I ever attended. I later heard him with Woody Herman's Anglo-American Herd at the Royal Festival Hall in 1959 and later once or twice with Humph. An impeccable player, in later years I had to be content with reading interviews in magazines. His reputation as a teacher was second to none.

Sadly missed.

Eddie Harvey died October 9 aged 86.

Obituary.
See also LondonJazz
Lance..
Photo supplied by Colin Aitchison.

CD Review: Accidental Tourists - The L.A. Sessions.

Markus Berger (pno); Joe LaBarbera (dms); Bob Magnusson (bs)
(Review by Lance.).

German born, Santa Monica based, Markus Berger is, like so many of today's jazz people, classically trained and it shows in his impeccable renditions of his own and other's compositions. Jazzwise his overriding influence is Bill Evans. In years to come, possibly the Evans' persuasion will be the guiding light for contemporary pianists even more so than say Bud Powell, Keith Jarrett or Herbie Hancock.

CD Review: Justin Horn - Hornology.

Justin  Horn (vcl);  Mike DeRose (gtr);  Jim  Sodke  (keys); Eric Hervey (bs); Ryan Schiedermayer (dms/ perc); Thomas Barber, Jeff Pietrangelo (tpts); Warren Wiegratz (alt);  Andrew Spadafora (ten/bar); Patricia Horn (perc); Ameerah Tatum (vcl).

(Review by Debra M.)

Justin Horn is a composer, arranger and vocalist, currently pursuing a PhD in Auckland, New Zealand, studying the philosophy of music.  Presumably, this information has been provided partly to explain why he won't be touring to promote his newly released CD. On the evidence of Hornology , he has majored in groove based pop with a definite jazz funk influence. 

Graham Don Trio @ The Cherry Tree

Graham Don (vcl/pno); Neil Harland (bs); Paul Smith (dms).

I started the evening with Braised Lamb Broth with Pearl Barley - not to be confused with the late Pearl Bailey. In the meantime, the trio played Wave. A gentle bossa that didn't disturb the diners and went down well with the aforementioned broth which was delicious.

Sons of Kemet @ The Bridge Hotel. October 14

Shabaka Hutchings (tenor saxophone & clarinet), Oren Marshall (tuba), Seb Rochford (drums) & Tom Skinner (drums)

(Review by Russell.)

Splinter, the Bridge Hotel’s resident jazz promoter, joined forces with Jazz North East to present Sons of Kemet. The Four Sons pre-gig preparation showed commendable discipline. Band leader Shabaka Hutchings warmed up as reeds players do – in a corner, then on the wander checking out the acoustics (he chose to play acoustically). Tuba player Oren Marshall limbered up with some nineteen sixties’ football style exercises (the ghost of Joe Harvey swept through the room – ‘Pick those knees up, son!’). Drummer Seb Rochford (a high profile example of Newcastle College’s successful jazz degree course) slept on the floor and percussion partner Tom Skinner went down to the bar. 

Come gig time the place was packed.

Scotland’s National Jazz Orchestra salutes the Duke

Known as The Duke, Edward Kennedy Ellington was considered amongst the world’s greatest composers and musicians, who reached out and touched a worldwide audience in a fashion that may never be equalled.  His legacy covers six decades and as a pianist and bandleader, Ellington’s music was evocative and emotional as well as richly textured in mood, ranging from lyrical simplicity through to dense complexity. 

The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, the UK’s best jazz ensemble, have chosen a fabulous range of his pieces with which to pay their respects and thrill their audiences - foot tapping favourites, infectious swing, mellow mood and contemporary jazz to inspire and entertain all – an evening not to be missed!

Northern Monkey Brass Band @ Hoochie Coochie

Graham Hardy, Alistair Lord (tpts); David Gray, Mark Ferris (tmb); Jamie Toms (sax); Phil Rosier (tuba); Nik Alevroyiannis (snare drum); Brendan Murphy (bs dm).

(Review by Lance).

This was one of those fun nights that make all the gig-going worthwhile. The youthful audience (well most of them were youthful) were somewhat taken aback when the Northern Monkey Brass Band formerly known as Horndogs marched through the hall playing What a Friend We Have in Jesus (Was this a reference to Alistair Lord?) A young lady standing nearby did indeed mouth "Jesus!" However, by the time the tempo had upped and the band were on stage the girl was dancing and did so for the rest of the set. It's always  a good sign when folk are dancing to jazz - it lets the outside world know that it isn't necessary to sit in reverential silence to enjoy good jazz.

Whitley Bay Classic Jazz Party - Village Inn, Shiremoor.

Here is the running order for those farsighted enough to book early. For the rest I'm afraid booking starts in November for next year's event.

CD Review: Danny Green - A Thousand Ways Home.

Danny Green (pno); Justin Grinnell (bs); Julien Cantelm (dms).; Tripp Sprague (sop/ten) + Eva Scow (mand);  Peter Sprague (gtr); Chico Pinehiro (gtr); Claudia Villela (vcl); Dusty Brough (gtr).

(Review by Lance)

A gem! San Diego based pianist Green is a new name to me even though his debut album With You in Mind won the San Diego Music Awards for Best Jazz Album. I haven't heard that album but if it's half as good as this one it must have walked off with the prize 64 bars ahead of the rest!

Sandi Russell @ The Lit & Phil. October 12

Sandi Russell (vocals) with Paul Edis (piano) & Mick Shoulder (double bass)

(Review by Russell).

 The Lit & Phil’s commitment to presenting jazz gigs shows no signs of abating. Twenty four hours after Swiss pianist Christoph Stiefel wowed the audience in the Loftus Room it was the turn of Durham resident Paul Edis to occupy the piano stool as accompanist to Durham resident jazz singer Sandi Russell. Edis opened the show in the company of regular bassist Mick Shoulder with a rich interpretation of A Foggy Day in London Town.

CD Review- Introducing The Verve.

Jon Hanser (keys, Voice, tpt, compositions); Kenny Shanker (sax, keys, voice);Brian Fishler (dms, perc., voice) + special guests - Richard Bona (bs); Andrea Valentini (dms); Danny Conga (perc.)

(Review by Lance).

Firstly, let me say I like this CD - I don't love it - but I do like it. The musicality is rather special with Shanker outstanding and the tunes are, generally, only a few degrees short of memorable. Difficult to categorise it, I would guess Smooth might be close.

You can’t play that music tonight, that music belongs to the morning!

(By Ann Alex).
And that restriction, jazzers, is one of the rules about playing Indian ragas, as I learned when attending the lecture about South Asian music, at the Sage on Tuesday this week, given by Prof. David Clarke of Newcastle University.  This was an interesting and fascinating illustrated talk.  I'll try to convey the information given, though I'm no expert.  Jazz musicians will identify with some of the ideas behind this form of music.

Christoph Stiefel Inner Language Trio @ Lit & Phil. October 11

Christoph Stiefel (piano), Arne Huber (double bass) & Kevin Chesham (drums)

(Review by Russell).

 Jazz North East’s piano gigs at the Lit & Phil usually work well and this one, presented in association with the library, was no exception. Swiss pianist Christoph Stiefel had fulfilled a prestigious CD launch engagement at London’s Pizza Express before heading up north to play a gig at Zeffirelli’s in Ambleside. Next morning the trio, much impressed with the scenery, took to the Lakeland hills. Driving cross country Stiefel and co. arrived late afternoon in good fettle keenly anticipating their first appearance in Newcastle.

Jammin' @ Hoochie Coochie. Oct.11

Pete Gilligan (pno); Mark Williams (gtr); Paul Grainger (bs); Jeff Armstrong (dms) + Lindsay Hannon (vcl); Belinda (vcl); James Harrison (pno); Ian Simpson (gtr).
(Review by Lance).

Things got off to a good start with Blues For Pete - or was it Pat? followed by Waltz for Debby which swung all the way in 3/4. The guys were giving it everything on a Bud Powell number and I remarked to my neighbour "who's going to have the guts to get up here?" Needless to say, Lindsay took up the challenge with an incredible Take The A Train. Our girl didn't just take the A Train she drove it like crazy up to Sugar Hill in Harlem. If she'd been at the wheel of my number 27 bus I'd have been home in half the time!. Things mellowed with a slower but rockier Watermelon Man which saw the worthy member from Ashington, John T, tripping the light fantastic. 

CD Review: Two for The Road Tianna Hall and The Mexico City Jazz Trio

Tianna Hall (vocals); Augustin Bernal (bass); Miguel Villicana (piano); Gabriel Puentes (drums)

Also David Caceres (vocals/saxophone); Mike Wheeler (guitar); Lisa Vosdoganes (cello) on some tracks.

(Review by Ann Alex.)

Tracks; Till There Was You/ What is This Thing Called Love?/ When October Goes/ They Can't Take That Away from Me/ Creep/ You'd be so Nice to Come Home to/ Black Hole Sun/ I've Never Been in Love Before/ Good Morning Heartache/ I’m not in Love/I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter/ So In Love/ Moon River/ Two for the Road. 

RIP Colin Farrow

Received this email from Lewis Watson: "Just  heard that my old friend and bandmate from way back, Colin Farrow passed away at the weekend, he'd been suffering for a few years with the dreadful  Motor Neurone disease, If you could post notice on your site hopefully some people who knew Colin might get to hear the sad news,*
----- 
Yes, Lewis this is sad news indeed. I remember well the Sneck sessions at the Corner House with Colin on alto and you on tenor and soprano blowing some great stuff. I would hazard a guess that Sneck was the first young modern band to make an impact on the local scene in the late 1970's/early '80's.
Thoughts are with you and Colin's  closest.

RIP.
Lance.

CD Review - Harry Allen & Scott Hamilton: 'Round Midnight.

Harry Allen, Scott Hamilton (ten); Rossano Sportiello (pno); Joel Forbes (bs); Chuck Riggs (dms).

This is my kinda disc - I'm totally in my comfort zone here. Think Dexter and Wardell, Zoot and Al, Gene and Sonny, Lockjaw and Griff and you'll get the idea.

Allen has been described as "The Sinatra of the saxophone". If that's the case then Hamilton is the "Tormé of the tenor" although personally I'd reverse the comparatives. Allen, as smooth as ever, and Hamilton with a Webster-like edginess, make for a pair of contrasting yet complementary stylists. No notes for notes sake - every note, every phrase counts.

Both players are a delight to listen to and together they make a great front line.

Standards include My Melancholy Baby; How Am I To Know?; Baubles, Bangle and Beads; Lover; 'Round Midnight plus Hefti's Flight of the Foo Birds; Lockjaw's Hey Lock; Allen's Great Scott and a swinger - The Opener. What am I saying? - They all swing helped along by a rhythm section to die for.

This is going to be on my player for the rest of my life or at least until Saturday.

Harry Allen & Scott Hamilton: 'Round Midnight. Challenge Records CR73348.

Lance.

Vieux Carré Jazzmen Thursday Update.

Just to let everyone know that commencing Thursday 25 October we are switching our free session at The Millstone from evenings to afternoons (showtime 1.00 - 3.00pm). We're also moving from the upstairs function room to the downstairs lounge where there's an excellent selection of hot meals, snacks, sandwiches, tea & coffee - always a good choice of real ales, too. 

British Summertime ends that weekend and the clocks change by 1 hour (shorter days, longer nights) so the afternoon session will have broader appeal throughout the winter. 

Brian.

Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo @ Customs House. South Shields. October 9

Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo + Joe Peterson (guitars)

(Review by Russell).

It Might as Well be Spring, Stardust, Getting Sentimental Over You the tunes came thick and fast – revue style. No time for introductions, no small talk. Guitarists Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo suited (not particularly sharply), stood throughout the performance - not a chair, not a stool in sight. In fact their performance or routine was that of stand up comedians; Vignola the funny man, Raniolo the straight man. The Americans put on a show; scripted wise-cracking, ad-libbing, audience participation. Now, let me make one thing clear…I didn't travel to South Shields to be entertained, I didn't go out to have a laugh. After all, I'm a jazz fan! Alright, truth be told, this was good fun. 

CD Review Jacqui Sutton, Notes From The Frontier, A Musical Journey

Jacqui Sutton (vocals, producer and musical director); Paul Chester (banjo, guitars); Anthony Sapp (basses); Ilya Janos (percussion); Eddie Lewis (trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet); Henry Darragh (keyboards, trombone, melodeon); Lyndon Hughes (drums, background vocals); Cindy Scott (background vocals) Aralee Dorough (flute); Bob Chadwick (Irish flute).

(Review by Ann Alex).

Simon Woolf

Update from bassist Simon Woolf on a few gigs coming up in London and the Home Counties.

October 12th Friday  8.30 Sheryl Bailey Trio Verdict Jazz Club 159 

Edward Street, Brighton BN2 0JB Geoff Simkins– alto sax; Sheryl Bailey – guitar; Simon Woolf – bass;

October 15th Monday  9.15 Sheryl Bailey Trio Boisdale Belgravia 15 Eccleston Street, SW1W 9LX; Sheryl Bailey – guitar; Allison Neale – 

alto sax; Simon Woolf – bass;

October 16th Tuesday  11pm Simon Woolf  Quartet Ronnie Scott’s Club; Karen Sharp – tenor sax; Graham Harvey – piano; Simon Woolf – bass; 

Steve Brown -  drums

October 18th Thursday 12.15 – 14.15 Sheryl Bailey Trio Croydon Clock  Tower  Sheryl Bailey – guitar; Alex Garnett – tenor sax; Simon Woolf – 

bass

October 18th Thursday 8.30 – 11pm  Zoe Francis Quartet Bull’s Head Barnes;  Zoe Francis – vocals; Colin Oxley - guitar; David Newton – 

piano; Simon Woolf – bass

October 21st Sunday  5 – 7.30pm Jazz at the White Horse  94 Brixton Hill, Brixton, London SW2 1QN; Olly Wilby – tenor sax; Paul Clarvis – 

percussion; Simon Woolf – bass + 2.

Check out Sheryl Bailey on YouTube.

Lance.

CD Review: David Sanborn "Then Again" - The Anthology

(Review by Lance).
Warner Jazz present the first ever comprehensive two-disc collection of the renowned American saxophonist David Sanborn. ‘Then Again’ - The Anthology spans 20 years of his illustrious career at both Warner Bros and Elektra Records.

A six-time Grammy winner and sought-after session contributor who has sold over 6 million albums worldwide, David Sanborn is also well-known for his flawless sax performances, as well as stints as a sideman with such prestigious names as David Bowie, James Brown, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, Gil Evans, Mose Allison, Jaco Pastorius, John McLaughlin, and Maynard Ferguson.

John Tchicai dies

Free Jazz saxophonist John Tchicai died today aged 76 in Perpignan, France. Of Danish and Congolese nationality he is perhaps best remembered for his recordings with Albert Ayler and John Coltrane (Ascension).
Obituary.

Lance. 

Marsden (Yorkshire) Jazz Festival This Weekend.

The annual Marsden Jazz Festival will be held in the beautiful Pennine village on October 12-14th 2012.  Described as "Montreux meets Vicar of Dibley" and "the good old days of Brecon", the village oozes jazz from every nook and cranny.  With more than 80 events scheduled over 48 hours, there really is something to suit every taste.
As well as gigs, there will be plenty of opportunities to get involved, whether you are a serious musician, or a toddler wanting to make some sounds. In addition to ticketed events Marsden Jazz Festival features many free concerts, giving festival-goers the chance to experience jazz from traditional to contemporary to experimental. This year, in 48 hours, Marsden expects to host over 8,000 visitors at 78 events in more than 20 indoor and outdoor venues.

Spelk @ The Bridge Hotel. October 7.

Chris Sharkey (guitar), Andy Champion (electric bass) & Adrian Tilbrook (drums)

Left-handed powder blue Fender Strat, Rickenbacker bass, Gretsch drum kit. 

Spelk! 

Cymbal crash. Fasten your seat belts. Restless punk-jazz bass lines. 6 string alchemy. 

Spelk! 

Concentration etched. Four-fingered fretwork. Destination unknown. 

Spelk!

Jaco and Jack attack Andy attack! Bass snare tom nowhere to run. 

Spelk! 

Sharkey hit on a blues. Sharkey shook it off. Sharkey ripped it apart. 

Spelk! 

Pedals bass drum and boards. Eyeballs-out workout. 

Spelk! 

Chameleon. Chimera. Kamikaze. 

Spelk! 

Keep your seat belts fastened. Concede. Submit. Survive. 

Spelk!

Russell            

CD Review: Kaylé Brecher - Spirals and Lines.

Kaylé Brecher: vocals, percussion; Jimmy Parker: sousaphone; Stan Slotter: flugelhorn & trumpet; David Dzubinski: piano; Frank Butrey: electric and acoustic guitars; George Rabbai: trumpet; Tony DeSantis: trumpet; Fred Scott: trombone; Jarred Antonacci: bass trombone; George Barnett: french horn; Mike Jarosz: flugelhorn; Grant MacAvoy: drums; Erik Johnson; drums.

(Review by Lance)