The Bill Evans/Scott LaFaro Songbook. Cadogan Hall, London. August 29.

 Out To Lunch Jazz Series.

Gareth Williams (piano/vocal); Dave Green (bass).

On entering the room I heard the buzz of anticipation, like being in a beehive. It was an hour before performance  start, and  not an empty seat to be found.  I had to position my back to the wall......by the time  the strains of My Foolish Heart flowed around the room.  I would have happily stood on my head without a murmur.
Even standing, I’m short, not possible to see the musicians, I was surprised  to hear a voice singing You To Me Are Everything  one word  says it all    mellifluous.   A masterly stroke by Gareth, to set the scene with lyrics, instrumental in between, concluding with words.   This strategy was repeated later in the only  piece by Johnny Mandell  In Love In Vain.
Following the interval I was fortunate enough to be given a seat by Romy an attentive member of staff - little things do mean a lot. I was then able to look around the audience, most were on the edge of their seats - enthralled.
Some day My Prince Will Come, Lucky to Be Me, Gloria’s Step,  Young And Foolish, Very Early/What Is This Thing Called Love all beautifully crafted, without exception
I took the slow bus route home, oblivious of my fellow travellers, with the words percolating round my head "When a bee lies sleeping in the palm of your hand you’re  bewitched..........I most definitely was.

Flore

Henchmen Sextet @ Sage Gateshead August 30

Arthur Higgins (ten); James Harrison (pno); Tim Bloomer (gtr); Katie Trigger (bs); James Carmichael (dms); Belinda Voshtina (vcl).
(Review by Lance, photos by Paul Anthony Ennis.)
It does your heart good to hear young guys(and gals) playing jazz that swings and jumps and rocks. These six know where it's at  and deliver the goods as only musicians, however young, can do after long hours of practice. Clifford Brown's Sandu got the show rolling with kickass solos from James and Tim and some sublimity from Arthur to keep the temperature just below boiling point. Belinda sang Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You and Georgia on my Mind  with once again good solos all round.

Newcastle's Loss London's Gain

Peter Gilligan has said farewell to Newcastle on Facebook as he heads down south. A great loss to the north east jazz scene we wish him the very best of luck but will miss his powerful piano playing and his sense of humour..
Lance

More Newcastle Big Band Memorabilia

The trips the Newcastle Big Band made to San Sebastian are the stuff of north east legend and I was fortunate to be a very small part of that legend. Dave Brown (sax/clt) who was heavily involved in setting up the gigs has uncovered some more photos which can be seen here. There are also shots of the band within a band the Tyne River Jazzmen. For those curious, this was in the pre-Sting days!

Photo album.

Lance.

As a footnote, a few weeks back I was in one of the supermarkets and couldn't believe my eyes when I came across a tee shirt with "San Sebastian" emblazoned across the chest. I had to have it even though I still have the faded original jazz festival one. In the above photo I'm the zonked out sax player on the left of the picture. Charlie Carmichael is the soloist and Dave Brown at the far right of the saxes..

Tina May & Nikki Iles “Raising the Bar” @ Highgate Jazz & Blues Festival. August 25

Tina May (vcl); Nikki Iles (pno) + Brandon Allen (ten)

(Review by Flore - pictured with Tina left and Nikki right)

The musical pairing of Tina and Nikki was inspired by the angels but, here on Earth, the invitation came from Sheffield Jazz  who invited Tina to sing with the Nikki Iles Trio in October 1995.

The rest is history.

Lauderdale House’s  Long Gallery provided an intimate setting for what turned out to be a very enjoyable evening.

The first set offered a mélange of variety.

Make Someone Happy – seamless changes of tempo. Sun Shower (Kenny Barron) – call and response passages exquisitely defined. Change of Sky (Springer/Harburg) – title track from their first CD together only one word for it – exquisite!

CD Review: Charles Evans – Subliminal Leaps

Charles Evans – baritone saxophone, Dave Liebman soprano saxophone, Ron Stablinsky – Piano, Tony Marino – Bass

(Review by Steve Horowitz)

This album was written by Charles Evans specifically for the Soprano Sax of Dave Liebman the album was recorded in St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Pennsylvania.

Dreamed-Out March sees  staccato  type exchanges between Soprano and Baritone then Stabinsky’s light piano takes over  before the horns join in for the finale. 

CD Review: Stefano Bollani/Hamilton de Holanda - O Que Será

Stefano Bollani (pno); Hamilton de Holanda (bandolim).
(Review by Lance).

I approached this one cautiously, the way one circles uncertainly around a piece of unattended luggage in a busy rail station. Was this going to be some Italian/Brazilian axis seeking world domination by defeating all the musical values we have treasured over the years?

Thankfully not.

Prom 62: Django Bates - A celebration of Charlie Parker - Radio 3 10:15pm tonight.

Details here.

Steve Swallow Quintet Victoria Hall , Geneva. July 22

Steve Swallow (bass guitar); Carla Bley (Organ); Chris Cheek (Ten); Steve Cardenas (El.Gtr); Jorge Rossy (Dms)

(Review by Ron Ainsborough)

Another sell out in Geneva!

This concert took place in a typically continental beautifully  ornate Hall, worth being there for the architecture and interior design alone as well as for the wonderful music.
Your comments, Lance, in the Carla Bley CD review were all reflected in this brilliant concert. Obviously well rehearsed without one note out of place, and yes, Carla Bley is a very economic keyboard player, but perfect in her promoting and prodding of the melody with the rest of the quintet.

Kenny Barron Platinum Trio @ the Cour De L' Hotel-De-Ville, Geneva Old Town. July 15

Kenny Barron (piano); George Mraz (contrabasse); Lewis Nash (batterie)

(Review by Ron Ainsborough)

On a very hot evening this concert took place an open atrium surrounded by a very old beautiful stone building, an absolutely terrific setting. A sell out as well!

What a trio! Kenny Barron played all styles of piano and his music covered many different genres of jazz, which we all know he is more than capable of. His solo dedicated to Monk, Blue Monk, was great and the trio was top drawer playing standards mixed with one or two own compositions. He even touched on free form within one number to great effect, but used as a contrast within the mainly melodic composition. it did not break the three rules that I love, Rhythm – Harmony - Melody.

CD Review: Carla Bley/Andy Sheppard/Steve Swallow - Trios.

Carla Bley (pno); Andy Sheppard (sop/ten); Steve Swallow (bs).

Deep explorative seams richly veined with ne'er a note out of places. All three are joined at the hip musically. Each one plowing his or her own furrow but always in sympathy with the other. Sheppard has grown in stature over the years enabling him to stand tall alongside Bley and Swallow who are both equally impressive.

No pet shop fires here but musicality of the first order.

Ronnie Scott's Hoarding Tribute

Ronnie Scott’s jazz club is to celebrate the legacy of the late, great Ronnie Scott, with a giant 12 metre-square hoarding of the legendary saxophonist, to be placed on the Frith Street façade of Ronnie Scott’s while the building is redecorated.

The iconic photograph of Ronnie enjoying a cigarette outside the club used for the hoarding was taken by renowned writer and photographer Val Wilmer and the giant tribute features one of Ronnie’s legendary bon mots ‘I love this place, it's just like home, filthy and full of strangers’.
Sian Williams.

Liverpool Venue to reopen.

Studio 2, Parr St., Liverpool has undergone a change of ownership and undergone a complete refurbishment. The new look venue promises an exciting mix of jazz/blues/swing live music.

Check it out here.
Lance

CD Review: FRED FRIED and CORE - Core Bacharach

Fred Fried (acoustic guitar), Michael Lavoie (double bass) & Miki Matsuki (drums)

(Review by Russell).

Guitarist Fred Fried resides in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Gigging musician, teacher, Fried is a busy man with a substantial back catalogue documenting his craft. At school he played clarinet. It wasn't until he went to college that he first picked up a guitar and made the journey from playing six strings to seven to his present nylon eight string model made for him by luthier Steve Connor.

High Bridge Quarter Bank Holiday Special!

This afternoon was quite an extravaganza albeit not jazzwise. The flier boasted "Exquisite Culinary delights from all four corners of the Globe" I'm not sure if globes do have corners but on such a warm sunny day who cared?

I opted for a Hog Roast from the "Piggin' Lush" stall and it certainly was just that. I'm not sure which of the global corners it came from - possibly Hexham. Into the Duke of Wellington for a pint of Prince Bishop to help the hog on its way prior to a set from Static Sound - punkish rock band who jumped up and down and spun around as they played. Full marks for athleticism. More Prince Bishop was needed. A walk into Eldon Square then back to "The Quarter" and a £2 plastic cupful of Ouseburn coffee.

Next up was Jeff Dingle and the Moodswing Trio. The grapevine had whispered that Dingle did Bublé - not today he didn't. 1960's pop a la Bobby Vee and Sam Cooke - Take Good Care of my Baby, Twistin the Night Away and then Mustang Sally. I left as the audience was chanting "Ride Sally Ride". Having said that, it was an entertaining, crowd pleasing performance that, coupled with the food, the beer, the sun and the atmosphere I didn't miss the jazz. It was a fun afternoon and I can't stop singing Mustang Sally!

Lance.

The Great American Songbook -

- a study course, starting 09:30  Tuesday October 1, at the Wylam Institute.

Five weekly 2-hour sessions, costing £15 for the course.

In this second series we confront the abundance of  twentieth century. popular music, their ancestry, development, maturity – some 300,000 songs were written!

We'll examine the vibrant, mixed ethnic seedbed of musical life in that early & mid-century Manhattan.
We'll explore the songs of the ‘second line’ songwriters who enriched the great ‘book’ over some six decades.  We may not know all their names but we bought records, listened to, sang and danced to their songs.

- to enrol, contact rguariento@btinternet.com        

or    29 Falcon Tce,  Wylam  NE41 8EE
Ron Guariento

CD Review: Ken Peplowski - Maybe September.

Ken Peplowski (clt/ten); Ted Rosenthal (pno); Martin Wind (bs); Matt Wilson (dms).
(Review by Lance)

With a cover painting by Edward Hopper the omens were good and the contents lived up to my expectations. Peplowski's in fine form here - come to think of it, when isn't he in fine form? Over the years I've heard him in various formats including memorable sessions with Marty Grosz and also Alan Barnes and he never fails to deliver.

Lyrics and Rhymes

Apart from the wonderful music, the Gasbook contains some of the greatest poetry and rhyming couplets of the 20th century.

One of my favorites is "Our veranda will command a view of meadows green the kind of view that's simply got to be seen" - Folks Who Live on the Hill music Jerome Kern lyric Oscar Hammerstein II.

Anne DeVere Harper likes "My bones denounce the buckboard's bounce and the cactus hurts my toes" - Buttons and Bows - m. Jay Livingstone l. Ray Evans.

What's your favourite?

Lance.

CD Review: Cruz control - Le Comment du pOurqÙoi?

Julie Dehaye (Rhodes); Francois Lourtie (ten/sop); Jérome Heiderscheidt ( el. bs.); Jerome Klein aka La Normand (dms).
(Review by Lance).

I don't get too many review CDs from Belgium - in fact this may be the first! I viewed it with a little suspicion. Often discs from mainland Europe exceed my comfort zone. However, whilst this one occasionally pushes that zone to within sight of the limit it remains more or less inside it.

Jazz at the Proms and More

Tune in to BBC Radio 3 next week to hear two jazz performances at this year’s Proms. Proms Plus Late (Monday, 10:10 pm) features Emily Dankworth and her quartet. On Wednesday night (10:15 pm) – BBC Proms 2013 – Django Bates takes on the onerous responsibility of presenting the very best of British (and European) jazz to a world wide audience. Bates’ Beloved Trio, augmented by the Norrbotten Big Band, celebrates the music of Charlie Parker. Bates will be reunited with his Loose Tubes comrade Ashley Slater. On this occasion Slater will forsake his trombone, working as a vocalist. A bonus, a welcome one at that, sees the return of the excellent Moira Stuart (Tuesday Sept. 3. Radio 2, 10:00 pm) as she presents one of her occasional series on an aspect of jazz. This time Stuart focuses on Moira Stuart’s Jazz Guitarists. The first of four programmes looks at the work of Charlie Byrd.      

Russell.

Take it to the Bridge (second set) @ The Chillingham. August 21

Dave Weisser (trumpet, flugelhorn & vocals), Don Forbes (trumpet), Barrie Ascroft (keyboards), Ray Truscott (electric bass) & Norman Redhead (drums) + Dave Stephens (guitar)

(Review by Russell)

A prior commitment resulted in our late arrival at the Chilli. The boys in the band were taking “five”. Had the interval just commenced? When would the second set start? We were on Weisser Time, so it was anyone’s guess. Big Lamp Prince Bishop was the order at the bar – a quality beer, if ever there was one.

The Come Back Kid!

After yesterday's Monk disappointment I returned to the charity shop and, lo and behold 4 jazz lps!
25p each this time but I wasn't complaining - they were going to a good home!
Lance.

You Win Some - You Lose Some!

Browsing in one of the local charity shops I came across a book by Fay Weldon The Leader of the Band. A tale about a woman who leaves her husband to go off to France with a trad band. It's quite funny. However, whilst waiting to be served in the shop I noted the guy in front buying an LP - Thelonious Monk at the Black Hawk on Riverside.
"20p" said the assistant. My jaw dropped and I scurried back to browse the LPs but decided I didn't want Max Bygraves, Jim Reeves or Mantovani. At 50p Fay Weldon was now less of a bargain! The Monk has Joe Gordon on trumpet and Harold Land and Charlie Rouse on tenors - wow!
Why did I choose today to give the LPs a miss?
Lance.
PS: At least it's on Spotify so I can hear what I missed - and it is a cracking album...

CD Review: Various - Salsa De La Bahia Vol. One

A double CD of Salsa and Latin Jazz from the San Francisco Bay area. What a party album this doubler would make!

Infectious Latin grooves that could make a dead man get up and dance Too much to detail here save to say there is plenty of jazz peppered among the bongos and congas and maracas and guiros. Flute solos, high note trumpet men and some sizzling baritone sax pop out from these denizens of the waterfront. A Cuban cocktail of music to be savoured and enjoyed on a hot summer's day or night. Let your body shake and gyrate to sounds that are aimed at your feet but also hit your head and your heart.

For more on this trip down to Frisco Bay visit here.

The double CD Salsa De La Bahia Vol One was released on August 13, 2013 on Patois  PRCD 015.

Lance.

Guest Musicians at Ned's

This Monday we will be having a visit from some top notch musicians from the show The Adams Family on Broadway who have been  on tour in the USA and Asia, and on Monday, 26th, August a few of them will be at Ned's to have a jam session with the band around 10pm, so if you are in Hong Kong, and passing by, please drop in to Neds.

Colin.

LP Review: Back Door - BBC 'In Concert'

Ron Aspery (horns & keys); Colin Hodgkinson (bs gtr & vcl); Tony Hicks (dms) + Alexis Korner gtr/vcl/compere)

Who can forget the impact Back Door made on the jazz scene back in the early '70s. Not only that, they were from the north-east (Teesside/North Yorks). Just as the Emcee 5 had impacted 10 or so years earlier so did Back Door.

New Mag on the Block

Another new North East free music/listings mag has appeared on the scene. NE:MM is now displayed in the usual places alongside The Crack and The Informer. The current issue (number 2) has Benjamin Britten on the cover and an excellent bit of jazz writing by Lindsay Hannon inside.. Check it out in a library, gig venue or tourist info office near you.

Lance.

Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Millstone, South Gosforth.

Graham Hardy (tpt); Barry Soulsby (clt/vcl); Lawrence McBriarty (tmb); Brian Bennett (bjo/vcl); Ian Heslop (bs); Paul Thompson (dms) + Ann Alex (vcl).

(Review by Lance).

Fred Thompson was at a funeral, Fred Rowe had teething troubles so reinforcements were called upon.

Graham Hardy is no stranger to the band easily adapting his more forward looking playing to suit the idiom. Paul Thompson, son of Fred, proved to be a chip off the old block behind the traps. However, neither of these two splendid chaps are strong in the vocal department so it was left to Barry Soulsby, with occasional assists from Bandleader Bennett and A.N. Other, to provide the words.

CD Review: Ali Ryerson's Jazz Flute Big Band - Game Changer.

Ali Ryerson (fl/md)Hubert Laws, Holly Hofmann and Nestor Torres + 16 flutes and Mark Levine (pno); Rufus Reid (bs); Akira Tana (dms).

(Review by Lance).

For years the flute was dismissed as 'not being' an authentic jazz instrument - the polls included it in their Miscellaneous Instruments section which was a disservice to the many fine flautists on the jazz scene. Wayman Carver with Benny Carter in the 1930's was perhaps the first but, since then, first with Frank Wess and Jerome Richardson, sax players who doubled, the instrument gained recognition. Herbie Mann was probably the first modern jazz player to make the instrument his main axe. In this country Harold McNair did the same during his brief spell on this planet. Then they all came along including Hubert Laws who is heavily featured on this disc.

Death of an Icon - RIP Marian McPartland OBE.

We knew it had to come but even so we weren't prepared for it. I refer to the death, announced yesterday (August 20),.of British expat pianist Marian McPartland, perhaps our greatest jazz export.

Marian was more than just a pianist, albeit a very good one who was never static but always willing to absorb new ideas providing they were harmonically sound. She was also a legend in your own living room via her radio series Piano Jazz. Over a period of 30 years she interviewed just about every jazz pianist of note as well as other instrumentalists and singers. Inevitably she would play a duet with her guest which led to the title of Paul De Barros' superb biography Shall We Play That One Together. An earlier book, by McPartland herself, was also appropriately titled - All In Good Time for, whether playing or interviewing her timing was perfect.

RIP Elmore Leonard

Not a jazzman but one helluva writer. Commended by critics for his gritty realism and strong dialogue, Leonard sometimes took liberties with grammar in the interest of speeding along the story. In his essay "Elmore Leonard's Ten Rules of Writing" he said: "My most important rule is one that sums up the 10: If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it." He also hinted: "Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip."

Elmore Leonard has been called "the Dickens of Detroit" because of his intimate portraits of people from that city; however, Leonard had said, "If I lived in Buffalo, I'd write about Buffalo. His ear for dialogue has been praised by writers such as Saul Bellow, Martin Amis, and Stephen King. "Your prose makes Raymond Chandler look clumsy," Amis told Leonard at a Writers Guild event in Beverly Hills in 1998. Stephen King has called him "the great American writer.

Leonard often cited Ernest Hemingway as one of his most important influences but at the same time criticized Hemingway for lack of humor.

RIP - Elmore Leonard died August 20, 2013 - age 87.

Lance.

PS: I'm gonna rewatch Get Shorty and pick up on some of the novels I missed. Hadn't realised he wrote 3-10 to Yuma. that was triple ace

CD Review: Jacqui Dankworth - Live To Love

Jacqui Dankworth (vocals); Charlie Wood (Fender Rhodes, piano, organ); Chris Allard (acc/elec guitars,); Geoff Gascoyne (elec/acc bass, synth programming, celeste); Ben Castle (sop/ten sax); Mike Smith, Ralph Salmins (drums); Paul Clarvis (percussion) The Brodsky Quartet: Daniel Rowland, Ian Belton(violins); Paul Cassidy (viola);  Jacqueline Thomas (cello).

(Review by Ann Alex)

I agree with the quote from the Guardian critic, who says ‘she exhibits a subtle control of dynamics and a voluptuous tonal richness that seems to make almost any material sound special.’ This is a fine album of love songs, but love in the widest sense, four standards and ten original songs, not wholly jazz but with strong jazz influences.  I was interested to note that there is a slight similarity of tone reminiscent of her mother’s voice (Cleo Lane) and just a hint of her mother’s looks, but Ms Dankworth is very much her own person as a singer.

Next Month at Blaydon

Sunday 15th Sep    8pm    Adm. £4.00 
Paul Edis Sextet

Paul brings his brilliant and much acclaimed sextet. As heard on Radio 3's 'Jazz Record Requests'. The cream of young NE jazz musicians. 

When Paul first expanded his acclaimed trio to form a sextet, it was soon being hailed as "one of the most accomplished and original bands of recent years", and it's certainly lived up to the billing. 

With a front line of Graham Hardy on trumpet, Graeme Wilson on sax and Chris Hibbard on trombone, it has the look of a classic hard bop band, and it certainly has the drive and energy of a Horace Silver or Art Blakey ensemble. But Paul's imaginative arrangements of jazz standards, and a growing book of original compositions, make sure that there's also a distinctly contemporary feel. If this is music that has its roots in the 1960s, its blossoms are absolutely of today! 

RIP Cedar Walton.

Jazz pianist Cedar Walton died earlier today at his home in Brooklyn. Walton was a superb pianist in the post hard bop style - who made many albums both as leader and sideman. Sonny Criss' album Up Up and Away contains some of Walton's best work in a supportive, but not subdued role.. I was knocked out when I heard him at Ronnie's as part of the 2011 London Jazz Festival. A truly memorable session and I'd hoped to hear him live again - Sadly, that's not going to happen.

Cedar Walton was 79.
Obituary.
Lance.

GRAPHIC SCORES Celebrating the art of music Featuring Joanna MacGregor, Elaine Mitchener, Tom Arthurs, Oliver Coates & Isambard Khroustaliov UK Tour – 3 – 11 October

How do you play a picture? Composers and artists from John Cage to Brian Eno have experimented with notation to create extraordinary visual scores that rival the best contemporary art. Featuring innovative pianist Joanna MacGregor at the heart of a super group of the UK’s most original musicians, this specially created project celebrates the vitality of this inspiring area of music and art.

LP Review: Michael Garrick Sextet - Prelude to Heart is a Lotus.

Michael Garrick (pno/harpsichord/celeste); Ian Carr (tpt); Don Rendell (alt/sop/fl); Jim Phillips (fl/ten?); Coleridge Goode (bs); Trevor Tompkins (perc.) - 1968.

(Review by Lance)

Gearbox records are a class act presenting previously unheard recordings on quality vinyl. This has to be one of the most precious.

The Michael Garrick Sextet have long held a justifiably revered position in the annals of British jazz and this release goes a long way to explaining the reason why.

In 1970 Garrick recorded The Heart is a Lotus with Norma Winstone, it was released on Argo. Prelude to Heart is a Lotus, recorded two years earlier for a BBC radio broadcast, has never been available until now,

Polly Gibbons & The James Pearson Trio @ Cadogan Hall August 8.

Polly Gibbons (vcl); James Pearson (pno); Arnie Somogyi (bs); Matt Skelton (dms).

(Review by Flore)

As usual Cadogan Hall was well attended the for the weekly Out To Lunch Jazz Series. This week it featured Polly Gibbons with the James Pearson Trio who opened up with C Jam Blues. Pearson, the house pianist at Ronnie’s, is a prodigious talent who played in the style of several pianists even down to grunting like Keith Jarrett.  The Way You Look Tonight,  very much in the Erroll Garner style, concluded with some inspired work by Somogyi and Skelton.

Enter Polly Gibbons.

Ruth Lambert Trio w. Graham Hardy @ Blaydon Jazz Club (Black Bull) August 18.

Ruth Lambert (vcl); Graham Hardy (tpt/flg); Mick Shoulder (bs); Giles Strong (gtr).
(Review by Lance).

A delightful vignette - it was almost like being in church the respectful silence that was shown during the numbers. Apart from occasional, tentative, rounds of applause after solos. the appreciation was withheld until the tune was over when right hand and left hand struck each other mightily and repetitively.

Ruth was in good voice tonight.

Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Tyne Bar

Michael Lamb, Tom Hill,; Gordon Marshall, Pete Tanton (tpts); Don Fairley, Peter Morgan, ? (tmb);  Steve Summers, Nadiah Killick (alt); Paul Gowland, Jamie Toms (ten); Laurie Rangecroft (bar); ? (pno); Ed Carr (gtr); Michael Want (bs); Guy Swinton (dms); Lindsay Hannon (vcl).

(Review by Lance).

The last time I stood in the rain listening to a big band was in San Sebastian in 1973. It was the Clark Terry Big Band. Sitting in front of me was Hugues Panassie the famous French jazz critic. He was comfortably ensconced under a golf sized umbrella - he didn't invite me to join him! I didn't care, the music drowned out the rain if you'll pardon that silly statement!

Ray Dales w. James Harrison Trio @ Sage Gateshead. August 16

Ray Dales (alt); James Harrison (pno); Anthony Ord (bs); Tom Chapman (dms). + Bob Caswell (vcl).
I laughingly said this could be my gig of the year and then, suddenly, I wasn't laughing - this one was going to be damn close to being a contender!
It was an absolute dream. Ray Dales is just such a beautiful alto player - Benny Carter/Charlie Parker lives beneath his fingers. This gig shouldn't have been on the Concourse - it should have been Hall 2 eying Hall 1.
In a perfect world.
What we got was awesome alto, pulsating piano alongside  a rhythm section that did them justice  and swung.

Balboa Gathering 2013 Latest

Love Balboa presents

Rob Heron and the tea pad orchestra

Rob Heron (lead vocals, guitar); Colin Nicholson (accordian, vocals); Ben Fitzgerald (lead guitar, vocals); Rob Blazey  (double bass) Dav Shiel (drums, vocals)

Thursday 26th September  | 9.00pm

Hoochie Coochie | Pilgrim Street | Newcastle 

Free admission

Flap! @ Hoochie Coochie August 15.

Jess Guille (vcl/uke); Eamon McNelis (tpt/vcl); ? (tmb); Mark Elton (bs); Ben Hendry (dms).
(Review by Lance).

A romping, stomping, multi genre Europe touring Australian quintet that had the Hoochie's dancing from the opening number. I even managed to shake an arthritic knee myself at one late stage!

CD Review: Anya Malkiel – From the Heart

Anya Malkiel – vocal; Randy Porter – piano; John Wiitala – acoustic bass; Jason Lewis – drums; Jim Schneider -  tenor saxophone & flute; Christian Tamburr – vibraphone.

(Review by Debra M.)

This is the debut album from St Petersburg  raised  American jazz singer Anya Malkiel.  With an intimate atmosphere  created by her quiet, languid vocal and a sympathetic ensemble of musicians, she explores a  range of well-known and less familiar standards with sensitivity. The opening  relaxed, swinging blues ‘Fine and Mellow’ sets the tone , and  features an expressive  tenor solo from Jim Schneider . 

Work NOT Play

I note that musicians are being booked to perform at 'The Café' in Alnwick Gardens. 

Apparently, the A G Facebook page invites 'talented musicians' to play in their café for a few hours for 'no fee' but that they will be 'allowed to keep any tips or donations'. 

As an experienced band leader on the local jazz scene for more years than I care to remember, having worked 'on the road' in Holland, France, Germany and throughout the UK, played in bands with Sting, Jools Holland and Fred Rowe, my advice to musicians is 'don't do it!'. It's the thin end of the wedge and it's setting an extremely bad precedent for other musicians, especially those with babies to feed and mortgages to pay. 

We all work on the premise that one gig will lead to another (better paid) gig - but don't perform for nowt! The MU is very aware that their members are being asked by organisations and charities such as National Trust to play for 'nobbins' and the opportunity to sell CD's, etc. to the exclusion of a reasonable fee - check out the MU's campaign for 'Work NOT Play'. 

It's a jungle out there for the majority of working musicians! Let's not make it worse than it already is. 

Brian Bennett.

Richmond (North Yorkshire) Jazz Festival September 7 - September 21

Full program here - note the ubiquitous Paul Edis Quartet with the Lindy Dancers!
Lance.

Jazz at the National Centre for Early Music (NCEM), York

NCEM Box Office: 01904 658338, Web: www.ncem.co.uk

 Adriano Adewale and Benjamim Taubkin

Thursday 10 October 7.30pm

NCEM, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York YO1 9TL

Brazilian pianist Taubkin has been making waves with his sensual mix of lush traditional arrangements laced with cutting edge technique and contemporary harmony. For this tour he has teamed up with exhilarating and innovative percussionist Adewale.Their work together revolves around the play of push and pull between two instruments, which are often considered the backbone of bossa nova.

Tickets: £12.00 (concessions £10.00; students £5.00)

Box Office: 01904 658338, Web: www.ncem.co.uk

www.benjamimtaubkin.com, www.adrianoadewale.co.uk

Jazz Co-op Launches Program 0f Music Workshops.

Details..
See also top LH column.

Reminder From Roly

Black Bull, Blaydon. Sunday 18th Aug - 8pm Adm. £4
Ruth Lambert Trio plus special guest Graham Hardy (tpt/flgl). 
Much loved and respected NE jazz singer Ruth Lambert brings her new trio (Giles Strong gtr, Mick Shoulder bass) and is also joined by trumpet/flugel ace Graham Hardy for a program of songbook classics. 
Roly.

CD Review: Tom Kennedy – Just Play

Tom Kennedy (bs); George Garzone (ten); Renee Rosnes (pno); Dave Weckl (dms) + Mike Stern, Lee Ritenour (gtr); John Allred (tmb); Steve Witts (ten).

(Review by Dave Brownlow.)

This album “Just Play” is an unashamedly swinging session led by bassist-extraordinaire Tom Kennedy where he and several friends, accomplished players all, enjoy work-outs on classic material.

The core group is a quartet comprising George Garzone on tenor, Renee Rosnes on piano, Dave Weckl, drums and the leader on acoustic bass, supplemented on separate tracks by Mike Stern on guitar, Tim Hagans on trumpet, Lee Ritenour on guitar, John Allred trombone, and Steve Wirts, tenor.

CD Review: Claudia Morris: Secret Love: A Celebration of the Music of Doris Day

Claudia Morris (vocals); Malcolm Edmondstone (piano/Fender Rhodes/arranger);  Andrew Bain (drums/percussion); Julian Jackson (bass); Freddie Gavita (trumpet);  Simon Allen (saxophone); Iain Mackenzie (backing vocals).

(Review by Ann Alex)

This is not an easy CD to review because it is simply so good that there’s not much to say except ‘listen to it for yourself’.  Claudia Morris has a sweet pure toned-voice with excellent diction, you’ll be able to hear every word.  She doesn't imitate Doris Day but has her own distinctive style and she sings in ‘English’, that is, without any trace of Americanisms, which emphasises the universal quality of the songs.The musicians are more than up to the task; they have short solos as the emphasis is on the singing.

Phoenix From The Ashes - Flap! @ Hoochie this Thursday

The Aussies may have failed to regain The Ashes but this Thursday, at Hoochie, Aussie band Flap! are sure to hit a few boundaries. Their music is based on pre-war swing but with a contemporary twist. This review from Edinburgh Festival gives you an indication of what it's all about.

"Towards the end of a ridiculously easy and enjoyable hour spent in their company, Flap!'s singer and ukulele player Jess Guille described "Rock in Space' as "jazz-folk-disco' – and, you know, it kind of was. A bawdy, slap-happy five-piece from Melbourne, their root note is pre-war American jazz, but to that foundation they add ska, gypsy music, blues, folk and flickers of more contemporary styles, mixing them all together with deceptive ease. And although their defining aim is to get the audience to laugh, dance (and drink), they can really play, too." -  Review from Edinburgh Festival. 

What more do you want? and it's free!

Lance.

RIP Eydie Gormé

Really sad to learn of the death of Eydie Gormé. Not a jazz singer but one of the most classy interpreters of the gasbook. I first came across her singing Guess Who I Saw Today that classic portrayal of middle class infidelity. There've been jazzier versions by Nancy Wilson and Carmen McRae but I still love Eydie's version schmaltzy as it is and on this occasion I use the word in a complimentary vein. It just so fitted the mood of the piece. My day has been saddened.

Her husband, another fine singer, Steve Lawrence survives her.
Eydie died only 6 days before her 85th birthday on August 10.
Obituary. 
Guess Who I Saw Today.
Rest in Peace.
Lance

CD Review: Larry Corban - The Circle Starts Here.

Larry Corban (gtr); Harvie S (bs); Steve Williams (dms).
(Review by Lance)

I've got CDs waiting to be reviewed piled up to the ceiling (it's a low ceiling) and about 75% seem to feature guitarists which prompts me to say that if any fingerpickin' fretters fancy their chances as a reviewer please get in touch. You get to keep the CD.

However, you won't get to keep this one - it's quite a delightful disc.

Corban has worked with many big hitters including Robert Glasper, Big John Patton, Wayne Krantz and Roy Hargrove to mention but a few. This is his debut trio recording as a leader and it's an impressive start. This is no "Jazz Metal" thrash but a selection of meaningful originals by Corban plus one standard. The comments below are mainly his.

Katherine Stone Quartet/Dean Stockdale Trio @ Ashington Jazz Club August 7.

Dean Stockdale Trio.

Dean Stockdale (pno); Neil Harland (bs); Steve Doyle (dms).

(Review by Peter S.)

With the passing of time and the years sadly our Jazz Artistes pass away, as you will have  noticed in Bebop Spoken Here. Fortunately they leave behind a legacy of great recorded music which remind us of our younger maturing years, while today through the media we can still look back and recall so many talented performers. It is also a delight to know that their music and styles can influence younger musicians today across the world and also here in the North East. These talented youngsters keep our music alive and we are grateful for this.

The AJC, therefore anticipated something special on Wednesday when the Dean Stockdale Trio gave a reflection of the life and music of Oscar Peterson.

Small Change : The Newcastle Vintage Shop (From F/b)

Wes Stephenson: Today (11am - 3pm.) begins in the 20's with the Soulful Blues of James P. Johnson and accompaniments, we have Illinois Jacquet coming up and Groovin' with His Orchestra, we take a trip to England in 1957 for Jack Teagarden and Earl Hines All Stars, then it's Paul Barnes Quartets, some Boston Bounce from The Sabby Lewis Orchestra and Sextet before we finish up "Shake It and Break It" with Michael White's New Orleans Music recorded on New Years Day 1981!

Small Change : The Newcastle Vintage Shop

Next Door To The Star & Shadow Cinema, Stepney Bank, Ouseburn, NE1 2NP Newcastle upon Tyne

View Map · Get Directions

Steve Lockwood @ JG Windows. August 10

Lee Oskar Harmonicas endorsee Steve Lockwood started his day-long in-store appearance at JG Windows in Newcastle by setting up in the Central Arcade (home to Windows for decades) to take advantage of the wonderful acoustics of the listed structure. Regular Saturday morning buskers went elsewhere to do their thing as a good sized crowd gathered to hear Lockwood play, sing and talk about all things harp. From blisteing blues to the Last of the Summer Wine theme to Moon River and back to the blues cruisin' along Route 66. Get on down, the man is around till about four o'clock today.

Russell.

King Bee @ Hoochie Coochie. August 9.

Graham Hardy (tpt/flg); David Wilde (ten/bar/fl); Jason Holcombe (tmb); Mark Hand (keys); Chris Jelly (vbs); Steve Glendinning (gtr); Dan Brady (bs gtr); Darren Moore (dms).

(Review by Lance)

Good to be back in Hoochie and to see it packed. That I was the oldest by at least a 100 light years didn't matter once the band hit the tarmac running.

I didn't note the tunes, I just chilled out and listened. It was jazz, it was rock, it was funk, it was fusion, it was music with soul, it was the kind of music that made you want to dance. If you weren't dancing you were enjoying the waves of sound emanating from the stage. 

Sage Gateshead Special Guest Revealed

Music Beyond Mainstream presents Symphonic Grace Paloma Faith with the Guy Barker Orchestra Paloma Faith and the Guy Barker Orchestra will present full-blown orchestral arrangements of Paloma’s Brit-nominated 'Fall to Grace' album, including the hits 'Picking Up The Pieces' and '30 Minute Love Affair', intermingled with classic jazz ballads. With a 42-piece orchestra, backing singers and fabulous costumes, the concert promises to show Paloma Faith at her most epic. In 2010 and 2012, to critical acclaim, she wowed the Cheltenham Festival and London Barbican by teaming up with the Guy Barker Orchestra and she now takes that to a new level with the 'Symphonic Grace' tour.

Berry Yaneza's Funeral

Here are the details of Berry Yaneza's Funeral

The service will take place on Wednesday, 14th, August, 2013 .
The Holy Cross Catholic Church, Holy Cross Path, 
Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong.

Time. 9-30am. 

Colin.

Star Struck Off!

The Wednesday night sessions at the Star Inn on Westgate Rd., Newcastle are no more. Dwindling audiences and low bar takings means the venture is no longer financially viable. Once again jazz fans have been hoisted by their own petard.

This leaves the Chilli on Chillingham Rd., as the only Wednesday evening session although the View Carré Jazzmen at the Crescent Club, Cullercoats and the Jazz Esquires at the Black Horse, Monkseaton, continue to keep afloat on Wednesday lunchtimes.

On a brighter note, come September the sessions at Ernest, down Ouseburn way, are set to re-start on Thursday evenings.

Lance.

Tom Harrison to tour Ireland with David Lyttle

Altoist Tom Harrison may be London based but he's appeared in the north east on enough occasions for us to take an interest in his progress. Tom has played at The Bridge with Dagda - a memorable session that included the great American tenor player Jean Toussaint. The sparks flew that evening. There was another evening with Eyes Shut Tight and one with the Paul Baxter Quartet. Add last year's Scarborough Jazz Festival where, as part of the Paul Baxter Orchestra, he traded choruses and fours with Alan Barnes as well as sitting in with James Birkett in between concerts.

CD Review: Mark Masters Ensemble - Everything You Did..

Mark Masters (ldr/arr.); Tim Hagens (tpt); Ryan Dragon (tmb);  Price (bs); Peter Erskine (dms); Billy Harper (ten); Gary Smulyan (bar); Hamilton Price (bs); Peter Erskine (dms) + Oliver Lake, Gary Foster (sax); Sonny Simmons (cor anglais) and others.

(Review by Lance).

Subtitled Playing the Music of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen you don't need to be a genius to work out that this is a Steely Dan tribute.

The arrangements by Masters are faithful to the spirit of the originals whilst, at the same time, bringing to the fore the jazz elements that were ever underpinning the Steely Dan versions.