Jazz UK - Current Issue 115

Jazz UK - the House Organ of Jazz Services - is always worth a read. It's free (although subscriptions are welcome to help keep it afloat) and usually available at a gig or from a record shop near you.

The  February/March issue which is out now is of particular interest to North East fans containing, as it does, articles by Dave Parker and Paul Bream.

Dave, one of the founder members of the Pink Lane Jazz Co-op, writes about the aims of the PLJC which include buying a pub, and hosting a monthly Jazz Workshop held at Sage Gateshead. He makes reference to venues large and small that feature bands on a regular basis as well name checking some of the musicians who keep jazz alive at grass-roots level. I'm pleased to say Bebop Spoken Here gets a favourable mention!

Paul Bream of Jazz North East, as well as acknowledging the work done by PLJC and other organisations twixt Tees and Tweed, writes about JNE, it's beginnings in 1966 up to today and beyond. Bereft of Arts Council funding the future of JNE, its ability to continue to provide a platform for national, international mainstream and contemporary jazz artists looked bleak. However, a recent fundraising event in which 40 artists gave their services free in an all-day jazz extravaganza helped to refill the coffers so, at least for the present, the wolf hasn't crossed the threshold!

Lance.

PS: You can also become one of the Friends of Jazz by visiting www.jazzservices.org.uk.