Paloma Faith w. Guy Barker Orchestra @ Sage Gateshead. October 30

Paloma Faith (vcl); Naomi Miller, Sabrina Ramikie (backing vcls); Guy Barker (MD) + 42 piece orchestra.

(Review by Lance).

Anyone expecting to hear the jazz trumpet of Guy Barker would be disappointed. Guy's role tonight was that of MD and arranger - a job done brilliantly.

Those who came to hear a sensational soul/jazz/rock singer strutting her stuff, and I guess the three tier full Hall One were there for just that, most certainly weren't - disappointed that is.

From the moment La Paloma made her entrance looking ravishingly gorgeous in a slinky, figure-hugging gown slit tantalisingly high at the back (another inch and...) to the final encore the audience were her slaves.

"Everybody stand" she commanded.

We stood. 

Last Days for Live Vortex Film

LAST DAYS -  LIVE Vortex, filmed for the BBC/Arts Council of England last year in the Vortex jazz club London, goes off-air at midnight 31 October UK time.    We’ve had a great run, since July 2012 but it’s coming to end.  So wherever you are in the world, if you haven’t had a look yet – its free, online and on demand:  14 episodes of concert footage, plus archive and interviews.   

Sol6, including solo piano by Veryan Weston  http://thespace.org/items/s0000eq2

Sons of Kemet, including solo tuba by Oren Marshall   

http://thespace.org/items/s0000usc

Township Comets http://thespace.org/items/s0000ut4

CD Review: Cecile McLorin Salvant – Woman Child

Cecile McLorin Salvant – vocals, piano (track 10); Aaron Diehl – piano; Rodney Whitaker – double bass; Herlin Riley – drums; James Chirillo – guitar, banjo.

(Review by Debra M.)

Cecile McLorin Salvant  first  made an impression in the jazz world  in 2010, when she unexpectedly won  the  Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. Her distinct musical identity was forged growing up in Miami with French & Haitian parents, and by the study of classical and baroque music as well as vocal jazz in Aix-en-Provence, where she began  performing with reed player Jean-Francois Bonnel.

CD Review: Cusp - ....all there is

Chris Bridges (tmb); Keith Phillips (gtr); Dave Tompkins (bs); Hugh Lawrence (dms).
(Review by Lance)

A contemporary modern group based in the Manchester area, Cusp, incredibly manage to marry lyricism and the occasional burst of musical anarchy without causing offence. This is due mainly to Bridges whose trombone playing retains a degree of musical sanity even when the shot and shell are flying! The trombone is relatively rare in contemporary small groups which is a blessing when you think of the mayhem that could be caused had some loose canon been operating the slide! Fortunately, Bridges has a strong melodic flare to his playing that, coupled with a full round tone, makes him a delight to listen to.

Not a Happy Chappie!

A fall has resulted in Frank Brooker being unable to appear with his Happy Chappies at Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club this Saturday. A replacement saxist has not yet been named.
We wish Frank a speedy recovery.
Lance.

Ray Stubbs R & B All-stars @ Central Bar. October 27

Ray Stubbs (harmonica, guitar & vocals), John Hedley (guitar), Mike Waller (keyboards), Max Whitehouse (bass & vocals) & Brian Ferry (drums)

(Review by Russell)

The Central Bar, Gateshead, 1:30 pm. Sunderland versus Newcastle United on satellite television. A rare sighting of cask Double Maxim on the bar, pint ordered, keenly aware of the delicious irony of a Wearside beer being available on Tyneside on this of all days. Howay the Lads! Toon! Toon!

Telling it like it is (maybe)

Had to repost this quote by jazz harpist Corky Hale from the Bebop Spoken There Archives: 
Corky Hale: "Mel (Tormé) is probably the most talented of all the singers and I think that the only reason he didn't make it as big as Sinatra is that he is somewhat difficult to get along with." - (Jazz Journal September 1997).
And Frank wasn't?
Lance.

Hexham Hotline

Just to let you know that Hexham Jazz Club will be back in December for our monthly treats of live music from bands around Hexham and surrounding areas. 

We're going to move from Thursday nights to WEDNESDAYS, and will still be in the Café.  
So the next gig will be our good friends, the HJQ  (Hexham Jazz Quartet (or Quintet)) - fingers crossed - on Wed December 11.   We'll be having the jam as usual.

In the meantime, next Friday there is an interesting trio coming to the Queens Hall : Preston/ Glasgow/ Lowe.   Book via the box office for this. 
http://www.queenshall.co.uk/whats-on/seasons-diary/784

Hazel Hanley.

Zoe Gilby, a rising start of the British jazz scene, presents her eagerly awaited third album ‘Twelve Stories’ at the Dacre Hall, Lanercost.

Rising star Zoe Gilby brings her versatile jazz vocals and  her outstanding band to the Dacre Hall, Lanercost on December 7^th at 7.30pm as she embarks upon the launch tour for her new album, the third to date, Twelve Stories.   
Having played the Koktebel Jazz Festival, Ukraine and the Feng Qing Ju Zhou International Jazz Festival in Changsha City, China Zoe returns to the UK for her Twelve Stories launch tour.

The tour takes in the cities of Newcastle, Manchester, Norwich, London and Bristol so it’s a real honour to have Zoe and her band play in Lanercost.

Arun Ghosh Sextet featuring Zoe Rahman A South Asian Suite (Sage Gateshead, Friday Nov. 1)

Three years since his stunning début at Gateshead International Jazz Festival, Arun Ghosh brings his trademark IndoJazz sound back to the Sage Gateshead, featuring the MOBO Award winning pianist, Zoe Rahman.

The British-Asian clarinettist and composer has become a leading light on both the national and international jazz scene, captivating audiences and critics with his passionate and dynamic performance style, eloquent musical expression and a healthy dose of rock 'n' roll spirit.

On Friday (Nov. 1), the Arun Ghosh Sextet will be performing Ghosh's IndoJazz chamber work, the recently recorded A South Asian Suite. This mesmeric and enchanting six movement suite is inspired by the music, landscape and peoples of Nepal, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, as seen from the viewpoint of a British-Asian from a Northern town.

Pieces from Ghosh's acclaimed albums Northern Namaste and Primal Odyssey, plus euphoric live favourites comprise the second half.

Presented with Sage Gateshead, GemArts and Jazz North East

Jazz North East Crowd Funding Appeal

A few weeks ago in the 'Jazz Alert' I expressed my shock at hearing that the Arts Council had rejected Jazz North East's most recent funding application. 

The result of that rejection is that JNE and their partners Schmazz will run completely out of funds by the end of December, and will be unable to continue their promotion activities. Unless you come to their aid . . . 

To try and keep themselves going for the first half of next year, while they work on securing more reliable funding, JNE have set up a Crowd Funding appeal, encouraging audiences and musicians to contribute. You can find the appeal at <http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/2014-programming-fund/x/5120454>.

Verve - The Sound of America.

Read this review of a new book on Norman Granz and Verve Records in today's Observer newspaper. 

VERVE - The Sound of America by Richard Havers (Foreword by Herbie Hancock) published by Thames and Hudson is a 400 page saga of Norman Granz and the company he founded Verve Records.

It's available from W.H.Smith, Amazon and all good book stores.
Thanks to Miles Watson for drawing this review to my attention. The on-line review also includes a link to Ella singing Love For Sale.
Lance.

Pink Lane Jazz Co-op: Lindsay Hannon and The Blue Jazz Quartet @ Salsa Cafe, Westgate Road, Newcastle (Parts 2&3)

Personnel as Part 1 + James Harrison [piano])
(Review by Kath Jobes)
The second set started with the trio of piano, bass and drums introducing Tenor Madness from Jeff Smith… this was complemented by a lovely piano solo.  Lindsay’s opening song of this set,  All of Me,  saw  an interesting exchange between drums and double bass, and, not to be left out, the sax played a beautiful and haunting solo in the next song – Body and Soul.  The Boy from Ipanema was just lovely with an exquisite solo from Chris Finch.  A lively arrangement of Four, brought an exchange of fours among the band, and the final song of this set saw James Harrison guest on Piano to perform an outstanding version of Blue Monk with Lindsay and the remainder of the Quartet.

Pink Lane Jazz Co-op: Lindsay Hannon and The Blue Jazz Quartet @ Salsa Cafe, Westgate Road, Newcastle (Part 1)

Lindsay Hannon (vocals); Chris Finch (keys); Jeff Smith (saxes); Dave Parker (bass) Michael Howard (drums) Minus Karen Rann (sop. sax, but away doing an art commission)

(Review by Ann Alex).

I entered to see lots of people eating deliciously at small square tables, but there were seats at the front for those who only wanted to listen.  A lively atmosphere with pleasant food smells and a younger audience than at many jazz gigs.  The band began with three instrumentals, an angular tune - Work Song; Beautiful Love; and Alice In Wonderland. Jeff was in fine soloing fettle, there was a drum and bass section in the second tune, and Chris played lovely lyrical keys, as we've come to expect.  

CD Review:The Chris Parker Trio

Kyoko Oyobe (pno); Ameen Saleem (bs); Chris Parker (dms)

Kyoko Oyobe could be the new Marian McPartland - not that there ever could be another Marian Mac but if there was this Japanese lady could be it.

Oyobe has that lovely delicate flow that women jazz pianists are so adept at - I know that is sexist but I hope I'm excused as her playing is just so beautiful. The rhythms and the harmonies are totally absorbing and yet, when the going get's into a heavier groove she discards the kimono, pulls on her jeans and sweatshirt and kicks! The mood varies, the jeans are replaced with the slinky gown and you know she's playing a song about love. Bassist Saleem performs as if he too is in love. It's one of those discs where love is the dominating factor. Wednesday Morning is so romantic, one wonders about Tuesday night!

Vasilis Xenopoulos with the Paul Edis Trio @ The Traveller’s Rest. October 25

Vasilis Xenopoulos (tenor & soprano saxophones), Paul Edis (keyboards), Tony Abel (double bass) & Adam Sinclair (drums)

(Review by Russell)

Having attended an event at Sage Gateshead, it was unseasonably mild as I strolled across the High Level Bridge to Central Station in time to catch the 19:03 train to Darlington. The Opus 4 Jazz Club at the Traveller’s Rest in Cockerton, Darlington had secured a return visit by Vasilis Xenopoulos. It was the Greek tenor player’s sole engagement in the north east this year making it a ‘must get to’ gig. Central Station was crowded, more so than usual. Trains were going nowhere fast, at a standstill at platforms, stationary on the King Edward Bridge. Down the East Coast mainline at Chester le Street there was an ongoing trespass incident. Don’t you realise this is Friday rush hour? Don’t you realise there is soon to be some great tenor being played in Darlington? One wag said: Run the b****** over!

Eyes Shut Tight @ Free Thinking, Sage Gateshead. October 25

Paul Baxter (double bass), Tom Taylor (piano) & Kristoffer Wright (drums)

(Review by Russell)

The annual Radio 3 Free Thinking Festival at Sage Gateshead began with In Tune, Sean Rafferty’s weekday programme of convivial conversation and diverse musical offerings. Novelists Lionel Shriver and Michael Chaplin had books to plug, New Generation Artist Kittie Whateley had songs to sing, bearded thinker John Gallagher thought and Eyes Shut Tight had much jazz to play.

Whitley Bay Jazz Party - November 1-3

Well it's almost here again, only a week to go. The Whitley Bay Jazz Party that was, for twenty years, known as the Whitley Bay Jazz Festival, returns next weekend. Welcome back! But, sadly, without its creator Mike Durham. Without Mike this incredible event that has brought jazz musicians and enthusiasts from across the globe wouldn't have existed. The fact that so many people have returned year after year is proof that he got it right.

This year, he isn't here to "Get it right" but, family, friends and fans are, and maybe, Mike is offering gentle guidance from above.... Patti Durham, Allan and the others involved have certainly done their bit and, looking at the program, tell me of a better jazz weekend!

Highlights are many but, to have,arguably, the worlds two greatest jazz vocalists in Shiremoor on the same weekend? Eat your heart out London, New York, Paris, Rome and anywhere else! Yes Daryl Sherman and Cécile McLorin Salvant are with us over the three days. Of course there are many many other great musicians  like Jeff and Anne Barnhart, Spats Langham and, OMG, just about every musician in Europe who knows the truth.

If you like jazz - this is the place! Hey Patti, are there any tickets left?

Lance.
PS: Don't miss the eve of party concert at the Customs House, South Shields. (Thursday October 31.)

Musical Healing

Had a cataract operation today. As they wheeled me into theatre my past life was flashing past me and I tried to remember what came after "Our Father..." then, would you believe it but they had an Ella Fitzgerald disc playing in the background?! I've never listened so intently to a record in my life but it worked - the op was a doddle!

Lance.

Shiver @ The Central Bar, Gateshead. October 23

Chris Sharkey (guitar), Andy Champion (electric bass) & Joost Hendrickx (drums)

(Review by Russell/photo by Ken Drew).

Gateshead’s Central Bar hosted the debut performance of Shiver. Two Gateshead lads, mates since school days, have been working hard with drummer Joost Hendrickx on their new sound. What to expect? Elements of Spelk and trio VD? The obvious parallels are there – the trio format, the chimerical Sharkey, the driven, focused Champion. Drummer Hendrickx, of the new wave with astounding technique, would surely bring something to the table. The keen and the curious filled the upstairs room of the Head of Steam's Gateshead hostelry . Signed, limited edition CDs Shiver #1 (numbered CDs - fifty only, number 10 of #1 is in the possession of this reviewer), badges and other freebies were available on the night.

Book by Jim Douglas

For those folk who were fans of the fantastic Alex Welsh band, guitar player Mr. Jim Douglas has just written a book about his life on the road with the band. I understand that "Tunes, Tours and Travel-itis" ..... 18 yrs on the road with the Alex Welsh band... is now available from Amazon as a paperback or on Kindle. I'm advised that it's a great read so am looking forward to getting my copy!
Roy Willis.

My Inspiration!

This is where the blog name came from!
Thanks to John Carstairs Hallam for uncovering this gem. Arranged by Vic Schoen who was once married to Kay Starr.
Lance.
Bebop Spoken Here - Charlie Barnet.

CD Review: Mary Coughlan Live

Mary Coughlan (vocals); other musicians are Brian Connor; Ciaran Wilde: Conor Barry;

James Delaney; Pawel Grudzien.  Instruments not listed but I heard tenor sax, keys, guitar, trumpet, pedal steel guitar.  Album recorded live in Galway, Sydney and The Olympia Theatre, Dublin

(Review by Ann Alex)

Yet another CD that I feel privileged to review.  I was given this album at the Mary Coughlan concert at Caedmon last week.  I had gone there with some trepidation as Mary Coughlan is a sort of ex-folkie so I didn’t know what to expect.  What a marvellously powerful performance – I couldn't help but warm to this woman’s strength and enthusiasm, and the CD is no disappointment either. 

CD Review: Andre Canniere - Coalescence

Andre Canniere (tpt); Ivo Neame (pno/acc); Hannes Riepler (gtr); Ryan Trebilcock (bs); Jon Scott (dms).

(Review by Lance)

Whirlwind seem to be moving rapidly to the forefront of British jazz labels. In recent months the King's Place epicentre has released a number of releases that may well feature in the Album of the Year scenario for those who are looking beyond yesterday but not quite as far forward as late tomorrow.

This is just such a disc.

CD Review: Jonathan Silk Big Band with Percy Pursglove - Uncouth.

Percy Pursglove, Matt Gough, Mike Adlington (tpt/flg); Nick Dunham, Sam Wooster (tpt); Kieran McLeod, Richard Foote, Rob Anstey, Tom Dunnett (tmb);  Mike Fletcher (alt/fl); Chris Maddock (alt/sop); John Fleming, Joe Wright (ten); Colin Mills (bar/bs clt.); Andy Bunting (pno); Tobie Carpenter (gtr); Nick Jurd (bs); Jonathan Silk (dms/comp/arr).

This is not your average 16 (or in this case 17) men swinging style big band  but rather a contemporary orchestra. At times, it's a thoughtful, contemplative ensemble. Featuring Percy Pursglove on trumpet and flugel it's difficult not to think of those Miles Davis/Gil Evans' collaborations or maybe Kenny Wheeler or Mike Gibbs. Rich textured harmonies behind Pursglove's cool statements and his puck-like agility on the faster numbers bring those illustrious grandmasters to mind.

CD Review: Kevin Coehlo - Turn It Up.

Kevin Coelho (Hammond B3); Derek DiCenzo (gtr); Reggie Jackson (dms).
(Review by Lance)

It's rare for an 18 year old to have his second CD reviewed in as many years on Bebop Spoken Here but, then again, there aren't that many teenagers who can pedal a B3 like this young man does. His début album Funkengruven--the Art of Driving a B3 was a knock-out and, given that he's had another 2 years to absorb the pearls of wisdom from his mentor Tony Monaco, this one is, not surprisingly, a worthy follow-up.

Jamie Cullum @ Sage Gateshead as seen by the Guardian.

Jamie Cullum's Friday night gig at Sage Gateshead was reviewed by the Guardian.
You can read all about it here.
But why no mention of support act Iceni? This was arguably the biggest night of their career - presumably the Guardian reviewer was propping the bar up.
Thanks to LondonJazzNews for bringing the review to the attention of non-Guardian readers.
Lance.

Havana Club 5 @ the Salsa Bar and Café – October 19

Sarah Travena (Sop Sax); Paul Grainger (Bs Gtr); Alan Law (Piano); Paco Rivera (Congas/Hand Perc.); Carlos Luis Rivera (Vocals, Timbales/Bongos).

(Review by Kath, Photo courtesy of Sara Sarita Lourenco)

The inaugural night of the Havana Club 5 at the Salsa Tapas Bar and Café just blew me away!
Spirited Latin and Afro Cuban music combined with delicious tapas and a superb ambience was the recipe for a perfect Saturday evening; the music had me dancing in my seat with a huge grin on my face, and looking around the audience the atmosphere was one of immeasurable enjoyment.

Hannabiell & Midnight Blue present: Retro - 3rd Annual Halloween Party

8pm on Friday 25th October 2013; Reds Bar (Northumbria University)
Tickets £6 advance /£8 on the door

Hannabiell & Midnight Blue are back with their annual sell-out Halloween spectacular, with guests invited to get creative and dress retro style with prizes for the best dressed!. Never ones to disappoint, the dynamic ensemble are presenting an evening to be remembered including a stellar line-up which showcases both the North East’s most established and emerging talent; Celebrating the independent artists who populate the City’s vibrant scene and invigorating it further by encouraging musical collaborations.

Jazz Café @ The Star and Shadow October 18.

The North East Four (NE4), [Paul Gowland (tenor), Ray Truscott (6 string electric bass), Alan Law (piano), Paul Wight (drums)]; Scott Tyrrell (poetry); The Debra Milne Ensemble, [Debra Milne (vocal), Steve Glendinning (guitar), Paul Grainger (double bass), Rob Bates (drums)]; plus a presentation of a teaser segment of Abi Lewis’s forthcoming film ‘The Jazz Man’ about Keith Crombie.

(Review by Minnie Fraser.)

Pink Lane Jazz Co-op’s latest big splash event was as interesting and varied as you could wish for, and attracted good numbers despite the weather on a rainy Friday night. The evening began with a presentation, by director Abi Lewis, of a teaser of her forthcoming film about The Jazz Man. The sequence suggested that the finished film is likely to hit an appropriate balance, and should be a fitting tribute to Keith and the venue(s) he created.  Abi is looking to raise some additional funds to complete the film to the appropriate standard to be submitted to film festivals, and will be establishing a Kickstarter campaign soon, giving us all the chance to become Executive Producers. Watch this space for your chance to be the new David O. Selznick.

CD Review: ReDiviDeR - Meets I Dig Monk Tuned

Matthew Jacobson: drums, Nick Roth: alto saxophone; Colm O’Hara: trombone; Derek Whyte: electric bass: Ben Davis: cello (4); Kit Downes: keyboards (1, 5); Alex Roth: electric guitar: (6); Alex Bonny: trumpet, electronics (3).

(Review by Veets)

Well this one will certainly have those poor unfortunate creatures fleeing the pet shop before the blaze has hardly got under-way.  Although inspired by amongst others  Thelonious Monk and Charlie Mingus,  The I Dig Monk Tuned  is an anagram United Kingdom .This Irish palindromically named quartet  led by drummer composer Matthew Jacobson  is supplemented by  the addition  of some of the UK’s  rising star musicians.

Bill Harper Trio w. Anne DeVere @ The Cherry Tree.

Bill Harper (pno); Neil Harland (bs); Adam Sinclair (dms); Anne DeVere (vcl).
(Review by Lance.)

I would guess that everything Russell wrote about last night's gig at Blaydon applied to tonight's outing at the Cherry Tree. However, tonight wasn't just about reviewing a gig, it was meeting up with a couple of old acquaintances and being pleased to note that they had retained their old magic.

Bill Harper is still the master craftsman that he was when backing all those visiting Americans at the Corner House 25/30 years ago. As site regulars will know, Bill's committed his memories to these pages and he tells me there are more instalments to come. Anne, despite not being in the best of health, retains the magnetism that she once wove at the Mayfair and La Dolcé Vita.

Bill Harper Quartet with Anne DeVere @ Blaydon Jazz Club. October 20

Bill Harper (piano), Roly Veitch (guitar), Neil Harland (double bass), Adam Sinclair (drums) & Anne DeVere (vocals)  

(Review by Russell)

Bill Harper was house pianist at Blaydon Jazz Club for something like fifteen years before upping sticks with Anne DeVere for the good life in Brittany. This return visit reunited him with guitarist Roly Veitch and they were supported by the first call bass and drums pairing of Neil Harland and Adam Sinclair. Anne DeVere got up to sing a few numbers during the evening, an evening that got under way a few minutes early. A jazz gig starting ahead of the advertised time! 

Lindsay Hannon Plus - Live @ The Bridge Hotel. October 20

Liindsay Hannon (vcl); James Harrison (pno); John Pope (bs); Tom Chapman (dms).
(Photo by Ken Drew)

A live recording session at the Bridge by Lindsay Hannon Plus was something not to be missed. Having heard Lindsay earlier at Hoochie I knew the girl was in good voice and well worth dragging my tired body the short distance to The Bridge Hotel.

By the time I arrived there was already a goodly throng awaiting with bated breath for the recording to begin.

Joni Mitchell's The Hissing of the Summer Lawns, The Doors' The Spy, Joni's An Old Fashioned Hat, The End of a Love Affair, Why Try to Change me Now? and So Long Big Time were just some of the tracks laid down by these four superb musicians - yes drummers and singers are musicians too.

This is a well coordinated band led by a top singer. Lindsay doesn't play safe but takes chances that always seem to come off. Likewise Harrison, Pope and Chapman - a rhythm section to die for.

After the recording session a jam session was afoot but by this time I was flagging so I reluctantly left to be delivered home intact by the number 27.

Truly a velvet evening.
Lance

Strictly Smokin' Big Band/Strictly Smokin' Small Band @ Hoochie Coochie. October 20

Michael Lamb (leader/tpt); Pete Tanton. Gordon Marshall, Bill Watson (tpts); Mark Ferris, Don Fairley, Mr John Flood, Robert Perry (tmbs); Steve Summers, Nadiah Killick (alt); Paul Gowland, Jamie Toms (ten); Laurie Rangecroft (bar). Marc Jolliffe (pno); Pavel Jedrzejewski (gtr); Michael Whent (bs); Guy Swinton (dms); Lindsay Hannon, James Hedley (vcls).

(Review by Lance).

A good crowd and a great band! Caravan kicked things off with some delightful dissonance reminiscent of Kenton's Peanut Vendor  followed by One Note at a Time. The sax section in this latter number were an absolute delight - four men and a girl playing as one.

Lindsay Hannon revived the old Ella classic A Tisket a Tasket then, after a Buddy Rich number, returned to give us Alright, Ok, you Win, Too Darn Hot and a sensitive Angel Eyes which included a moving solo by Gowland on tenor. Lindsay left after this - she had other fish to fry today as we will discover later.

CD Reviews: Eileen Howard - Blues in the Green Room and Street of Dreams

Blues in the Green Room - Eileen Howard Live at the Garden Theatre: Eileen Howard (vcl); Ed Moed (keys); Randy Mather (sax); David Bennett (gtr); Chris Ciampa (bs); The Governor (dms).

---- 

Street of Dreams: Eileen Howard (vcl); Richard Lopez (pno); Roger Hines (bs); Matt Wagner (dms); Michael Cox (sax/clt).

(Review by Lance)

Two CD's from Eileen Howard, a lady unfamiliar to my ears. Paradoxically, Eileen tells me that ten years ago she was in Corbridge with her husband on a tour of the Roman Wall. Ten years ago I could have been cycling in the Corbridge area! who's to say we weren't having lunch in the same pub? If we had I'm sure it would have been Easy to Remember. - a song sung beautifully on the live recording. Both discs have much to recommend them not least because of the choice of tunes but particularly the way Howard deals with them. My reaction to Fever and Black Coffee was to groan - "Not again!" And then I listened! Nothing will replace Peg's versions but, if you'd heard these tracks first then maybe, just maybe the positions would be reversed.

Monday Night @ The Cherry Tree.

Pea and ham soup, crispy ham
Grilled red mullet, fregola and mint, red pepper coulis
Cheddar cheese and spinach soufflé (V)

~~*~~

Salmon fillet, cauliflower and spinach aloo, riata, crispy shallots
Bistro rump, café de paris butter, onion rings, fries and garden salad
White onion and tomato tart, feta, soft boiled egg, olives and basil (V)

~~*~~

Baked rice pudding, ginger nut crumb
Glazed lemon tart, raspberry sorbet
Selection of ice creams and sorbets

2 Courses £15.00

3 Courses £18.50

All the above with music by The Bill Harper Trio and Anne DeVere!

The Beeb, Sinatra, Cécile & The Blues

Today (Saturday 19) Frank Sinatra is profiled on BBC4 (10:55 pm) Frank Sinatra: the Voice of the Century – Arena Special.

Earlier on BBC Radio 4 Loose Ends (6:15 pm) includes an appearance by Mary Coughlan.

BBC Radio 2 (Tuesday 22), 7:00 pm is essential listening as Jamie Cullum’s programme welcomes Cécile McLorin Salvant .

Radio 2 Thursday (10:00 pm) revisits the 1964 television programme Blues and Gospel Train (14 million viewers tuned in) featuring a stellar cast – Muddy Waters, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Otis Spann, Willie Smith and others.      

Lance.

Fred Wesley and the New JB Horns @ Hoochie Coochie October 19.

Fred Wesley (tmb/vcl); Gary Winter (tpt); Philip Whack (ten); Barney McAll (keys); Reggie Ward (gtr); Dwayne Dolphin (bs); Bruce Cox (dms).

(Review by Lance).

This was a gig! wall to wall punters digging the soulful funky jazz of this, with the exception of Australian born McAll, all-American combo. And what a coup for Hoochie! The only UK date and then Zurich, Paris, Milan, Austria, Berlin and Brno.

In my younger days, I twice ran the Great North Run and cycled 100+ miles on innumerable occasions yet never ever have I felt so exhausted or perspired so much as I did tonight! Not that I was dancing, there was little room for other than a few hip twitches - I thought I'd hit lucky when an adjacent pair of hips and mine made repeated contact - sadly it was another guy!

James Birkett & Bradley Johnston @ Lit & Phil.

James Birkett (guitar) & Bradley Johnston (guitar)

(Review by Russell/Photo by Jerry)

Bradley Johnston first came to the attention of Bebop Spoken Here at Blaydon Jazz Club  playing a couple of numbers during the interval with James Birkett. At the time Johnston was about fourteen or fifteen years of age. He made a huge impression then, now, three or four years later, something of a veteran, he continues to win plaudits for his fearless, yet sensitive approach to some challenging material. He has enrolled on the BMus degree programme at Sage Gateshead (his tutor is none other than Dr.J.Birkett) and can be heard gigging around town with Birkett or in the company of his fellow students.

Mary Coughlan @ Caedmon Hall, Gateshead. October 17

Mary Coughlan (vcl); Steve Watts (pno); Jamie Lawson (gtr/vcl); Pauline Murray (gtr/vcl).
(Review by Lance.)

Mary Coughlan has lived the life, known the pain and came through it as an artist capable of talking about and overcoming her demons and, ultimately, turning them into some of the most heartfelt and impassioned works of art heard in recent years. This was hardly a jazz gig although the sheer depth of emotion displayed evoked the spirit of Billie Holiday and Judy Garland without sounding remotely like either.

Coughlan is unique - her own woman - a singer revered the world over who drew a good crowd into Caedmon Hall including some of the few who'd bought tickets for Wednesday night's Darlo gig that was cancelled because of poor ticket sales. No such problem tonight at this Tyneside Irish Festival/Jumpin' Hot Club event, the audience soon filled up the cabaret style set up and when the lady came on for the final set they gobbled up every word from her - blarney and all.

Jazzwise is Champion!

Bass player and leader of ACV, Andy Champion, is interviewed in the November issue of Jazzwise - a full page no less!
Well done Andy!
Readers, hurry on down to Fenwick's before they sell out.
(Photo courtesy of Pam Young).
Lance.

Jazz Singing in Bon Marche

Advice for jazz singers.  Get yourself into Bon Marche in King Street South Shields.  I went there for a new coat today.  As I tried on garments in the fitting room, what did I hear but the strains of a woman singer doing Night And Day, complete with verse.  Then came The Lady Is A Tramp.  I couldn’t resist joining in – goodness knows what the assistants thought.  Probably a good job there were no other customers.  Congratulations to Bon Marche on their choice of corporate music – Frank Sinatra was starting a song as I left, so we need male singers in the fitting rooms as well.

Caffe Nero in South Shields is also good on music.  There’s sometimes jazz there and also some unusual and classy rock which I’ve never heard anywhere else.

Jazz and clothes shopping.  What next?  Bach in the butchers? Folk in the photographers?

Ann Alex

CD Review: Chaise Lounge - Dot Dot Dot, Dot Dot Dot, Dot Dot Dot

Charlie Barnett (guitar, piano, tenor banjo); Tommy Barrick (drums); Gary Gregg (tenor sax, clarinet); Joe Jackson (trombone); Marilyn Older (vocals); Pete Ostle (bass)
(Review by Ann Alex)

I enjoyed this CD so much that I played it twice, and no reviewer can give higher praise than that.  And the inserts were a reviewer’s dream – all the song words were supplied, with a short and accurate description of each track, photos of all the musicians, not just the vocalist, and musicians listed as above in an egalitarian way, the drummer not left till last, nor the vocalist mentioned first.  The impression given is one of genuine teamwork.

Reis Demuth Wiltgen @ The Recital Room. October 15

 Michel Reis (piano), Marc Demuth (double bass) & Paul Wiltgen (drums) + Taube: Jamie Stockbridge (alto saxophone), Mike Parr-Burman (guitar) & Adam Stapleford (drums)

(Review by Russell/ Photos by Ken Drew.)

A piano trio led by Michel Reis or three musicians collaborating as equals? Reis, double bassist Marc Demuth (double bass) and drummer Paul Wiltgen contribute compositions to recording projects and their in-concert performances are all about

the collective, collaborative experience. 

This Sunday @ The Black Bull, Blaydon

Sunday 20th October - 8pm - Adm. £4.00 
Billy Harper Quartet with Anne DeVere. 

For 15 great years Bill played some wonderful jazz piano every week at Blaydon Jazz Club. He was also first call pianist for 'Jazz North East' concerts, backing top UK, European and American visiting soloists. Bill and his wife, superb jazz singer Anne, are back on Tyneside for a short stay. For this concert they are joined by Neil Harland bass, Adam Sinclair dms and Roly Veitch gtr.

RIP Tommy Whittle

Very sad to learn of the death of Tommy Whittle on Monday October 14 - one day after his 87th birthday. One of the UK's greatest ever tenor players he could out-swing just about anyone. He played several times at Blaydon Jazz Club and I remember a memorable gig he did at Live Theatre with the great Polish pocket trumpet player Janusz Carmello. I first heard Tommy Whittle live at the Hopbine, a pub in Wembley, where he ran a Wednesday night jazz club for many years. I've also got a live recording from there with Tubby Hayes - that was quite a night! As well as the Hopbine he had another residency - The Dorchester, talk about contrast!

Married to singer Barbara Jay they made a formidable team and our sympathy goes out to Barbara and family.

Tommy Whittle will be sadly missed.

More at LondonJazzNews.
Obituary.

Lance.

CD Review: Matt Ridley Trio - Thymos.

Matt Ridley (bs); John Turville (pno); George Hart (dms) + Jason Yarde (alt/sop); Attab Haddad (oud); Vasilis Sirikis (perc).

Released yesterday (October 14), Thymos is an ambitious undertaking by bassist Ridley, an album blurring the line between genres, fusing the modal and rhythmic elements of Middle-Eastern music with the harmonic complexities of jazz. So the notes tell me and I think they're right.

CD Review: Diane Hubka - West Coast Strings

Diane Hubka (vocal/guitar); Anthony Wilson, Mimi Fox, Peter Sprague, Larry Koonse, Barry Zweig, David Eastlee, John Pisano, Ron Eschete, (guitars); Bobby Pierce B3); Jeff D’Angelo, John Leftwich (bass); Kendall Kay, Enzo Tedesco (drums).

(Review by Debra M)

This album from LA based jazz guitarist & singer Diane Hubka  is an assembly of top notch west coast guitarists in a variety of combinations, plus special guest soul/jazz veteran Bobby Pierce on Hammond B-3. The choice of material is eclectic, with some  subtly delivered  ballads including  ‘Never Let Me Go’ and  Mancini & Gimbels’ ‘Slow Hot Wind’.  

CD Review: Brooklyn Jazz Collective - Sketches Volume One.

Matt Holman (tpt); Jeremy Udden (alt); Jarrett Chernier (pno); Martin Nevin (bs); Ziv Ravitz (dms).

(Review by Lance).

Sketches is a Brooklyn-based collective built around a unique and profoundly simple idea: truly collaborative composition. Before rehearsal each member shares a sketch from his notebook (e.g. any musical fragment, a collection of fragments, an incomplete tune) and another member uses that as the basis for a new composition. The band then rehearse and develop the piece further, making each  musical choice together in a completely democratic way. Inherent in each piece is the challenge of blending two distinct musical personalities, yet with an ensemble of strong composers and sensitive performers, the results are as engaging as they are unpredictable - so says the album note.

R.I.P. Eric Clegg.

The sad news has only just reached me of the death of sax/clarinet player Eric Clegg who died on September 30. Best remembered as a member of the Phoenix Jazzmen, the Savoy Jazzmen and later with his wife, singer Carole Clegg, in Speakeasy.
Although thought of as a New Orleans stylist, the first time I heard Eric was at the Bluebell in Felling where he played an excellent version of Johnny Hodges' Sideways.
A fine player who will be sadly missed.
Lance.
PS: In the photo Eric is at the far left of the picture.

Congratulations

Special mention of Andy Hudson's boys Harry and Alfie AKA Hudson Taylor whose EP Osea has hit the album charts at No 8 in the UK and No1 in Ireland!
Well done guys.
Lance.
PS: Andy Hudson was former Newcastle Big Band leader, Director of various Newcastle Festivals and co-director with George Wein of the Capital FM Jazz Festival in London.

Tonight @ The Cherry Tree...

As well as listening to the Birdlike alto of Mark Toomey with the Jeremy McMurray Trio have a butchers at the Cherry Tree's exciting new

FIXED PRICE MENU For Week beginning Monday 14th October Served from 11.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Saturday and 6.00 pm till late on Monday music night

Rachael Cohen Quartet @ The Bridge, Newcastle Oct. 13

Rachael Cohen (alt); Tom Ford (gtr); Calum Gourlay (bs); James Bashford (dms).
(Review by Lance. Photos by Ken Drew.)

The disappointment guitar buffs may have felt at the replacement of Phil Robson by Tom Ford was swept away within 32 bars! Young Ford is a comer and his solos were as good as anything I've heard from most guitarists lately. Watch out for this guy.Brilliant as Ford was - and he was - nothing could detract from Rachael Cohen's alto playing.

Ola Onabulé @ Hoochie Coochie

(Review by Lance)
I didn't know much about Onabulé except that the London based Nigerian had sung solo at the wedding of Posh and Becks. Deciding that those iconic figures wouldn't hire crap I decided to check him out.

I'm glad I did - it was a cracking night well appreciated by a slightly older than the normal Hoochie crowd.

Fronting a six piece band (trumpet, tenor, keys, guitar, bass-guitar and drums) he delivered a soul packed performance.

Rendezvous Jazz @ The Black Horse, Monkseaton.

Maureen Hall (Vocals); Barry Soulsby (Clar.), Don Fairly (Tromb..), George Davidson (Drums/Vocals), and Roy (Keyboard & Bass Pedals) - Joined by special guests John Minnion (Tpt) Paul Bacon (Drums), Liz Bacon (Clar.) Also in the picture GORDON SOLOMON (Trombone [Retired])

What a jam session this was!!! A swinging gig with endless changes in line up and styles. Every time I looked up someone else had arrived on stage. George sang by his self while Paul played the drums for part of the second set.  Liz and Barry did two Clarinet duos and Peter Wright look alike John Minnion completed the full front line presentation. Barry made an excellent job of the Clinton Ford number The Old Bazaar in Cairo. Nice to see so many old friends in jazz including Gordon Solomon (Solly) who said he really enjoyed the gig

All strength to Maureen for putting together such a great afternoon of jazz & the chips with the corned beef and onion toasties weren't bad either!

John T.

They Say...

Bebop Spoken Here is like having the old Melody Maker delivered with your morning paper!

Slade

Is this not the best B side ever of a pop single? - I can't even remember what the A side was!
Kill Em At The Hot Club Tonight by Slade.
Lance.

Yesterday's Chronicle

Michael Janisch's Purpose Built Quartet in North Yorkshire

(Press Release)
Michael Janisch is an award-winning electric & double bassist. An American based in London, his multitude of talents across the music industry have seen him become one of the most active and in-demand musicians of his generation, as well as a linchpin figure between US & European artists.

He has performed with legends such as Quincy Jones, Sir John Dankworth and Lee Konitz and now comes to North Yorkshire to present music from his critically acclaimed album ‘Purpose Built’, one of the most important releases in the UK in the last five years.