CD Review: Brother Strut - The First Strut is the Deepest

Stevie Jones (ten); Andrew Murray (pno); Steve Pearce (bs); Otha Smith (gtr); Melvin Duffy (gtr); Frankie Tontoh (dms) + vocals by: Sam Tanner; Megan Henwood; Mike Davies; Ben Lee and John James Newman.

(Review by Lance).

You go along to an Elkie Brooks gig and you're knocked out! I always am. You know the tunes off by heart, the on stage moves, everything. You love it. Then you get around to thinking about the band. What a band! What a sax player!

Alex Baker Quartet @ The Forum, Darlington. March 30

Alex Baker (tenor saxophone), Dean Stockdale (piano), Amy Baker (electric bass) & Stephen Fletcher (drums)

(Review by Russell).

The Forum on Borough Road, tucked away behind Darlington Civic Theatre, presents a range of arts activities across the week including music, cinema and workshop sessions. Early Sunday evening Darlington Jazz Club opens for business. Jazz musicians from the north east and occasionally further afield play two sets to an attentive audience in the bar. This week’s guest Alex Baker (tenor saxophone) was on home ground. A local lad now living in Sheffield, Baker met up with bass playing sister Amy and the ‘award winning’ drummer Stephen Fletcher (Baker was to gently tease Fletcher about his recent success) One hour before the gig Baker made the acquaintance of pianist Dean Stockdale. 

Havana Club 5 - Splinter @ The Bridge

Carlos Luis Rivera (perc/vcl); Paco Rivera (perc/vcl); Alan Law (pno); Sarah Travena (sop); Paul Grainger (bs) + Zoe Gilby (vcl).

(Review by Lance).

The north east is blessed with a variety of Latin American influenced bands and always has been - some more authentic than others. I well recall listening, some years ago, to the Andean music of Apu busking at Monument and elsewhere (are they still around?). More recently we've seen the emergence of Hannabiell and Midnight Blue, Burundanga and now Havana Club 5.

Double LP Review: Nat Birchell Quintet - Live in Larissa... Divine Harmony in Duende Jazz Bar.

Nat Birchall (ten/sop/bells.perc); Adam Fairhall (pno); Corey Mwamba (vbs/bells); Nick Blakka (bs); Paul Hessian (dms).

(Review by Lance)

Although my review copies were on CD this interesting double album is available only on vinyl or Download.

Recorded live in the Duende Jazz Bar, Larissa, Greece, Birchall took this decision after listening to the tapes. His conclusion was that the music really suited the warmth of vinyl although I've no complaints about the CD sound.

Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club - Change of Band.

Just to let you know that the Keith Little Band unable to perform on Saturday 5th April.

Replaced by the Red Stripe Band  foot stomping boogie woogie, swing, jive and rock & roll. Not one for the purists!!

Best Newcomers Montreux Jazz Festival 2008

Best Band Marlborough International Jazz Festival 2010.

Graham Foster.

CD Review: Donna Singer and The Doug Richards Trio - Jazz In The Living Room

Donna Singer (vocals); Doug Richards (bass); Billy Alfred (piano); Mike Cervone (drums); Also Jeff Otis (guitar).

(Review by Ann Alex).

I know why Lance gave me this CD to review – because it includes the song he dreads most!  You’ve guessed, it’s Summertime, one of many standards on the CD.  Other numbers are Honeysuckle Rose; Bye Bye Blackbird; On Green Dolphin Street; The Nearness Of You; Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me; Satin Doll; S’Wonderful; Dindi; I Got Rhythm; and Route 66, though not quite in that order as 3 of the tracks come up at different times from that listed on the CD, a bit disconcerting.  The other 2 of the 14 tracks are originals Another Bossa (Otis) and Reve Aver (Richards).  The latter is a tuneful whole band instrumental and the former a catchy guitar number.  

Alan Glen Trio @ The Jazz Café. March 29 (second set)

(Photos by Mike Tilley) 

The interval afforded bassist Neil Harland the opportunity to rearrange the furniture. Alan Glen struggled to hear properly during the first set, the sloping ceiling and limited floor space making for a cheek by jowl set-up. Harland repositioned his bass cabinet to the side windows and it appeared to do the trick. Had LL hung around, his second set review would have been no different to the first – top class piano playing supported by two of the best in the business (Harland and drummer Paul Wight). The material every bit as good as the first set, tunes included Four, All Blues, Autumn Leaves and What is This Thing Called Love?    

Russell.

Places still available for Play Jazz! workshop at the Gateshead International Jazz Festival

There are a few places left for our Play Jazz! workshop at the Gateshead International Jazz Festival this coming weekend.

This special workshop will be led by Joakim Milder the artistic director of the Norrbotten Big Band, supported by our own tutors Judith Thompson, Dean Stockdale and Stuart Finden.

Joakim Milder is a highly regarded jazz educator. He says he aims to create music that is 'less predictable and proper'.

The workshop runs from 2pm to 6pm on Saturday 5 April downstairs in the Music Education Centre at the Sage.  Tickets cost £25 (or £22 for members of Pink Lane Jazz Co-op).

You can book online

http://www.sagegateshead.com/event/play-jazz-workshop30840/ 

or by phone 0191 443 4661.

Dave Parker.

Alan Glen Trio @ The Jazz Café

Alan Glen (pno); Neil Harland (bs); Paul Wight (dms).
(Review by Lance/Photo by Mike Tilley).

Newcastle was awash with girls in mini-skirts. At weekends they flood the town centre and it has to be said these visions (well some of them) warmed the cockles of my heart much more than my top coat did! However, tonight I was intent on feasting my ears rather than my eyes hence this trip to the Jazz Café.

Ron Carter Trio @ Blue Note Jazz Club Milan. March 18.

Ron Carter (dbl bass); Donald Vega (piano); Anthony Wilson (gtr).

(Review by JC)

A brief trip to Milan is always nice but it was an added bonus to discover that there is now a top-notch jazz club in the city and even greater excitement to see that the legendary Ron Carter was playing on the night we were free. The club in Milan is a European offshoot of the legendary New York Blue Note and there are also two more clubs in Japan (why not?).

We decided to have a meal so went early before the jazz started. The house lights were full up when we arrived and it was clear that blue was the dominant colour. The walls were blue, the stage backdrop was blue and even the table tops were blue – not just blue notes, more all blues. The meal itself was not a patch on the Cherry Tree and twice as expensive. Although the waiter warned in advance that the pasta was 'al dente', I've chewed softer bricks. However, to be fair, after some extensive mastication, the dish was actually quite tasty. But the reason we, and everyone else, were there was for the music and by the time the lights were dimmed, the club was full.

Info Required on Tommy Hines

Can anyone supply information on Tommy Hines? A jazz musician (not sure which instrument) and former Chairman of Newcastle Jazz Club circa 1957 he is believed to have died round about 1990.

Tommy's daughter Jane, who never knew her father, is anxious to hear from anyone who knew or remembers him.

Looking forward to hearing from some of our older jazzers.

Lance.

EVERYONE DESERVES MUSIC AT SAGE GATESHEAD

Sage Gateshead is hosting its second annual festival - ‘Everyone Deserves Music’- aimed at everyone interested in the value of music in our lives.

Teachers, musicians, music practitioners and music organisations will descend on the international music centre from April to hear from inspirational cultural leaders as well as performances from music degree students studying at the venue. The festival is being run in partnership with Sound Sense – the UK professional association promoting community music and supporting community musicians.

A Lighter Shade of Pink

There seems to be some confusion at present regarding the Pink Lane Jazz Co-op and the Jazz Café in Pink Lane.

I’ve been asked to point out that these are two separate organisations and the slight connection is tenuous to say the least.

CD Review: Basin Street Brawlers - It's Tight Like That

Pete Horsfall (tpt/vcl); Ewan Bleach (clt/sax); Malcolm Earle-Smith (tmb); Colin Good (pno); Martin Wheatley (gtr/bjo); Dave O'Brien (bs); Mez Clough (dms).

(Review by Lance).

A breath of fresh air might seem to be a strange description of a band playing music from the early part of the last century but after so many 'boundary bursting' CDs of angry young men seeking to extend the jazz horizons it's nice to wallow in the ambience of good tunes played by young(ish) musicians with a melodic flare to their improvisations.

Don't get me wrong, I've got nothing against progress and I appreciate the need for young musicians to look to the future. However, it isn't always a journey I want to take with them.

Tyne Valley Big Band & Tyne Valley Youth Big Band @ The Phoenix, Hexham. March 27

(Review by Russell)

Approaching the Phoenix the thought occurred that on walking into the place it could be an audience of one. How wrong could I be? The place was packed! Hexham is the home of the Tyne Valley Big Band. MD Dave Hignett’s commitment to music education is well known throughout the north east and beyond.

The TVBB is a big band – eight trumpets, ten saxophones, four trombones (four, is that all?), piano, guitar, bass and two drummers. The youth band, formed less than two months ago, has been gigging and competed in the recent Great North Big Band Jazz Festival. The sections comprise eleven trumpets, five saxophones, three trombones and a rhythm section of piano, guitar, bass and drums.

Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Millstone. March 27

Brian Bennett (banjo & vocals), Fred Rowe (trumpet & vocals), Barry Soulsby (clarinet, alto saxophone & vocals), Lawrence McBriarty (trombone), Bill Colledge (double bass) & Fred Thompson (drums & vocals)

(Review by Russell).

The weather on Haddricks Mill Road couldn’t have been worse – hailstones resembling golf balls, sleet, torrential rain. Top Cat had returned from Moscow so the boys in the band were on their best behaviour. Looking out of the window bandleader Bennett said April Showers seemed like a good one to start with, so they did, the month of April but a few days away. Fred Thompson and Barry Soulsby shared the vocal duties.

CD Review: Sara Serpa & Andre Matos - Primavera

Sara Serpa (voice, Fender Rhodes, piano); Andre Matos (guitar, electric bass, cymbal). Also Greg Osby (soprano sax); Leo Genovese (melodica, kosikas, bombo legiiero, piano, toy guitar; Pete Rende (prophet keyboard)

(Review by Ann Alex).

Pin back your ears for something delightful when you listen to this CD. Ethereal, flowing, interweaving harmonies and rhythms that suggest jazz as JS Bach may have written it, with hints of the sound of free jazz on some tracks.  Sara Serpa sings sweet-voiced vocalese on most tracks, and all the music except Vanguard and Se Me Va La Voz is written by either Serpa or Matos.  Lyrics for another 2 tracks (in Spanish or Portuguese, not sure) are by a poet Alberto Caeiro, and the final track ‘Earth’ has music by Serpa, set to a poem by e.e. cummings.

Playtime in Edinburgh

Jazz tourists from the Bebop Spoken Here constituency looking to pop over the border to Edinburgh for live music have another attraction to tempt them. The Playtime sessions began a regular Thursday series of adventures in new music at the Outhouse on March 22 and the response suggests that the team of musicians behind these informal presentations have found a winning recipe.

CD Review: Matt Newton Trio - Within Reach

Matt Newton (pno/Rhodes/whistles); Dan Fortin (bs); Ethan Ardelli (dms) + (on one track only) Felicity Williams (voice); Harley Card (gtr).

(Review by Lance)

An Ontario based contemporary piano trio that pushes a few borders without crossing them completely - just enough to let the listener know we're in Century 21. Within Reach is an apt description and the opening title track reveals Newton to be an able pianist with an inventive turn of phrase. This inventiveness applies equally to the eight compositions of which he wrote seven, bassist Fortin supplied the penultimate piece which, surprisingly, is named Ends.

Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Crescent Club. March 26

Fred Rowe (trumpet & vocals), Barry Soulsby (clarinet & vocals), Lawrence McBriarty (trombone), Dave Rae (banjo), Bill Colledge (bass) & Fred Thompson (drums & vocals) + Theresa Armstrong (vocals), Derek Fleck (clarinet)

(Review by Russell)

Trumpeter Fred Rowe apologised for the absence of Brian Bennett, informing the crowd that their bandleader was in Moscow negotiating with President Putin over the threatened use of  banjos in the Crimea.

When the cat’s away…these cats played, feeling Black and Blue (Fred Thompson, vocals, Barry Soulsby, clarinet). Fred Rowe sang about a Glad Rag Doll and Thompson told us: I Never Knew I Could Love Anybody Like I’m Loving You (snappy title). Back in Your Own Back Yard rattled along and hot jazz topped the menu in China Town (Dave Rae, banjo, Maitre D).

GIJF News.

Gateshead International Jazz Festival was recently previewed by Russell within these pages. Last week LondonJazzNews featured an interview with Performance Programme Director Ros Rigby OBE. This should help to whet the appetite for this year's Festival held at Sage Gateshead on April 4/5/6 and, in the process, tell the jazz world the important standing that Gateshead International Jazz Festival has achieved in the ten years of its existence.

Lance. 

Trio Riot @ Schmazz at the Jazz Café. March 25

Sam Andreae (tenor saxophone), Mette Rasmussen (alto saxophone) & David Meier (drums)

(Review by Russell/Photo by Ken Drew)

Trio Riot made a return visit to Tyneside to play a Schmazz date at the Jazz Café. The increase in audience numbers – up on the band’s Newcastle debut at the Bridge Hotel – suggests word had got around that this was a trio worth hearing. The ‘punk jazz’ label seems to have stuck and it does, to a degree, give an indication of what the listener could/should expect to hear.

R.I.P. Malcolm Gray

Just heard that Malcolm Gray died on Monday March 24. North East trumpet player and bandleader for many years he was also a friend who will be sadly missed.
Malcolm was 80 year old and had been in ill health for several years.
Funeral is at Whitley Bay Crematorium  next Wednesday April 2 at 3pm and afterwards at the Grand Hotel.
Lance.

Jazz @ Nairn to Return

Jazz promotions are returning to Nairn. Once renowned for high quality jazz concerts and an annual jazz festival that saw musicians including Stanley Turrentine, Gene Harris, Benny Green, Scott Hamilton and Warren Vache appear in the small seaside town in the Scottish Highlands, Nairn was left without any regular live jazz when promoter and jazz festival founder Ken Ramage died in 2011. Now a group of enthusiasts is hoping to renew the town’s jazz reputation through the recently formed Jazz Nairn, promoting concerts and working towards the jazz festival’s return. Italian pianist Rossano Sportiello, a popular visitor to Nairn during Ken Ramage’s time, plays the first concert on Thursday May 8 at Nairn Community and Arts Centre. The National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland, with guest saxophonist Gordon McNeill, follows on July 17.

Rob Adams.

CD Review: Vijay Iyer - Mutations

Vijay Iyer (piano, electronics), Miranda Cuckson (violin), Michi Wiancko (violin), Kyle Armbrust (viola) & Kivie Cahn-Lipman (cello)

(Review by Russell).

Mutations is Vijay Iyer’s first recording as a leader for ECM. The album comprises three pieces for piano and the suite Mutations 1-X scored for piano, electronics and strings. The New Yorker’s jazz affiliations are known to those with an interest in the contemporary American scene, collaborators include Roscoe Mitchell, William Parker, Matana Roberts and John Zorn. Mutations reveals another side to the pianist.

Ray Stubbs All-Stars @ The Schooner, Gateshead March 22.

Ray Stubbs (vcl/harp); John Hedley (gtr); Brian Ferry (gtr); Max Whitehouse (dms); Martin Walker (?) (keys).

(Review by JC)

I've been wanting to hear Ray Stubbs and his band for a long time but somehow whenever I heard of a gig in the area it was either too late or I couldn't go. So seeing on Friday on the BSH listings that they were appearing in a pub in Gateshead the next day, I resolved to make it this time.  I thought I had been in the Schooner once before many years ago so had a rough idea where it was and crossing the Tyne Bridge I turned left along the river bank and wandered through a post-industrial landscape of warehouses, office buildings and derelict sites. Fortunately there was clear sign indicating the pub and the sound of the All-Stars blasting out of the bar room was also a clue. The Schooner is in a great location, all on its own right on the riverbank, which is probably just as well on music nights.

Pink Lane Jazz Co-op extending its community share issue

Pink Lane Jazz Co-op is extending its community share issue to allow supporters more time to invest in its venture to buy and refurbish The Globe pub/venue in Newcastle.  The new closing date will be Monday 14 April 2014 at midnight. 

The co-op plans to use this extension to attract new investors during the Gateshead International Jazz Festival (4-6 April) which brings thousands of jazz lovers to Tyneside.  Pink Lane Jazz Co-op is running a jazz workshop at the Sage during the festival.

By midday on 24 March, the co-op had received share applications totalling £106,040, over 84% of the way to the target of £125,500.

Preview: Sage Gateshead International Jazz Festival. April 4-6 2014

(Preview by Russell).

This year’s Gateshead International Jazz Festival, the tenth, sees the return of the Americans. Sage Gateshead’s booking policy in association with Serious admirably presents developments in contemporary jazz in three halls, on the concourse and in a number of smaller spaces around the striking river front building. Hall One, seating seventeen hundred people, demands careful scheduling in order to maximise numbers. The arts’ funding climate is such that taking a chance on lesser know names could be tantamount to financial suicide. So, the big names are back. The Spring Quartet - Jack DeJohnette, Joe Lovano, Esperanza Spalding and Leo Genevese - take to the stage at 7:30 pm on Saturday 5 April. Their credentials are well known to jazz fans, perhaps the debut Tyneside appearance of double bassist and vocalist Spalding will persuade many that they cannot miss this opportunity. A further incentive is the support act - Marius Neset and Daniel Herskedal. Festival goers who heard saxophonist Neset on an earlier visit to Gateshead will need little persuading and those who missed out last time will, no doubt, have heard about the Scandinavian’s sensational performance and the audience reaction to it.

CD Review: Tommy Smith & Brian Kellock - Whispering of the Stars

Tommy Smith (ten); Brian Kellock (pno).

Brian Kellock and Tommy Smith - a musical marriage made in Heaven or at least in Bonnie Scotland. Don't expect any boundary stretching or explorations of the unknown. Instead, wallow in the artistry of two master craftsmen treating the familiar in an unfamiliar(ish) way.

Smith has possibly the purist saxophone sound since Stan Getz whilst Kellock is the grandmaster at choosing the perfect substitution in accompaniment and soling with a flowing lilt that more than makes up for the lack of bass and drums.

Alan Glen @ The Cherry Tree Restaurant, Jesmond.

Alan Glen (pno); Paul Susans (bs); Paul Wight (dms).
(Review by Lance)

You wait months for an Alan Glen gig and then three come along at once!

The first one at "The Chilli" on March 5 was reviewed by Russell - follow link. The third one is on Saturday night at the Jazz Café and, in between, we had tonight at the Cherry Tree.

There are literally thousands of tunes in the GAsbook and I swear that Alan Glen knows every one of them!

Tonight's starter was You'd Be So Nice to Come Home to followed by Days of Wine and Roses or, in my case, a bottle of Black Sheep and the Lincolnshire Poacher and Early Wild Garlic Soufflé. I now know the meaning of Shangri-la!

A Strictly Combustible Evening. March 23

(Review by Russell)

Big bands are dead, long gone. Oh, yeah? The recent Great North Big Band Jazz Festival in Sunderland would suggest otherwise and behind the scenes here in the north east of England (in clubs, pubs, community halls) year-round rehearsals and workshops go largely unnoticed. A Sunday afternoon at Hoochie Coochie couldn’t possibly attract a large crowd keen to experience the thrill of a big band up close. Oh, yeah? The Pilgrim Street venue in Newcastle was busy. Bottles of Fuller’s London Pride, a cocktail if you prefer, being supped or sipped, ahead of an appearance by the Strictly Smokin’ Big Band. For a review of the gig read LL’s piece. Suffice to say it was every bit as good as he said it was.

CD Review: Paul Higgs - Pavane

Paul Higgs (tpt/pno);  Graham Cutill/Russ Morgan (dms, percussion); Andy Watson (class. gtr.); Helen Yousaf (cello/vla); Jerome Davies (bs). 

(Review by Lance)

Paul Higgs is a new name to me although he has such jazz luminaries as Digby Fairweather and Dave Gelly, among others, in his corner.

Musical Director and Composer at the National Theatre and the RSC for 24 years Higgs also worked with notable names such as Dankworths John and Cleo, Peggy Lee, Al Martino, Buddy Greco, Shorty Rogers and Rosemary Clooney (cited as George Clooney's aunt. I always think of George Clooney as Rosie's nephew!).

Jam Session @ Salsa. March 23.

Stu Finden (ten); Fiona Finden (ten/vcl); Chris Finch (pno); Dave Parker (bs); Stuart McKie (gtr); ? (gtr); Peter Ninnin (dms).

Prior to Hoochie Coochie I dropped by the Salsa Café for a pleasant half hour or so by the above ensemble.Autumn Leaves; Watermelon Man; 
There Will Never Be Another You; God Bless the Child (vocal by Fi) and Doxy were the numbers I heard. I would have stayed longer but Hoochie beckoned..... Lance. 

Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Hoochie Coochie

Michael Lamb (MD), Pete Tanton (tpt), Gordon Marshall, Dick Stacey (tmpts); Don Fairley, John Flood, Chris Gurgi-Smith, Mark Ferris (tmb); Steve Summers. Niall Armstrong (alt); Paul Gowland, Jamie Toms (ten); Laurie Rangecroft (bar); Marc Joliffe (pno); Pawel Jedzejewski (gtr); Michael Whent (bs); Guy Swinton (dms); Lindsay Hannon. James Hedley (vcl). 

(Review by Lance)

Stan Kenton proclaimed at the end of his recording of Prologue,  "This is an Orchestra!" Michael Lamb would have been equally justified in making a similar proclamation after this afternoon's session at Hoochie Coochie. He didn't need to - the packed bar knew exactly what they'd heard and, if there were any complaints, it was having to wait 3 months for the next one!

In the confined, low-ceilinged venue that is Hoochie, hearing a power house unit like this is the most mind-blowing experience you're ever going to experience outside of ODing on London Pride.

Unbelievable, sitting in the dugout it was, close your eyes and you're at the Reno Club in Kansas City, or maybe the Village Vanguard with Thad and Mel.

Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Jazz Café. March 22

Ruth Lambert (vocals), Giles Strong (guitar) & Mick Shoulder (double bass)

(Review by Russell).

A busy Saturday night in the Jazz Café. A prime spot bagged, a table shared with a clutch of jazz singers in town to hear Ruth Lambert. West Coast Blues. Lambert had a gig goin’ in the Caff. The band – Giles Strong and Mick Shoulder – relaxed, in form, a winning formula.

Gregory Porter on Andrew Marr Show this morning.

Tune in to the Andrew Marr Show on BBC1 (9 am) today and catch Gregory Porter.
Hoochie Coochie one day Andrew Marr the next!
Lance

Oxford Gargoyles in Hong Kong

Colin, our intrepid trumpet player, band leader and entrepreneur from Hong Kong, sent us this clip of jazz acapella group the Oxford Gargoyles doing Ornithology/How High the Moon.
The Gargoyles, who look anything but like gargoyles, are young and vibrant and currently somewhere East of Suez.
Listen/watch here.
Lance.

Song Lyric Course

The word schemes of P.G. Wodehouse, Dorothy Fields, Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Lorenz Hart, Oscar Hammerstein, Gus Kahn, Yip Harburg, Johnny Mercer, Stephen Sondheim, and others, were written for particular audiences in the N.Y. theatres and Tin Pan Alley. In the Manhattan mixed ethnic culture of early last century there were big changes in the literary and theatre arts generally, and something unique in the verse-prose of the popular song.  

For five weekly Tuesday mornings, starting October 7 at the Wylam Institute, we will listen to and study these popular song lyrics – course cost likely to be about £15 p.p.

To enroll contact rguariento@btinternet.com or phone 01661 852 632. 

Empty Shop HQ Update

Pink Lane Jazz Co-op is working in association with Empty Shop HQ to run a regular live jazz night in the centre of Durham City.

On the first Thursday of each month there will be a different live jazz ensemble at Empty Shop HQ, 35c Framwellgate Bridge, Durham DH1 4SJ.  Gigs start at 8pm; admission £4 on the door.

The programme for the next four months is

3 April   Debra Milne Ensemble

1 May   Safe Sextet

5 June  Redemption Jazz

3 July   Ray Burns Trio

Pink Lane Jazz Co-op also programmes jazz on the first Thursday of each month at No28, Nelson Street, Newcastle NE1 5AN, so whether you are in Newcastle or Durham on that day you’ll be able to catch some live local jazz.

Stu Collingwood Trio @ The Jazz Café. March 21

Stu Collingwood (organ & vocals), John Waugh (tenor saxophone) & Paul Smith (drums) + Mo Scott (vocals)

(Review by Russell)

Stu Collingwood mined Jimmy Smith’s Hammond groove and mixed it up with Trane, Metheny, a Yellowjackets’ number and one or two originals. The trio couldn’t wait to get started, so much so that the first set started the best part of half an hour ahead of the advertised start. Jimmy Smith’s Ready ‘n’ Able seemed rather apt – they were ready and didn’t hang around.

Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Millstone. March 20

Brian Bennett (banjo & vocals), Fred Rowe (trumpet & vocals), Barry Soulsby (clarinet, alto saxophone & vocals), Lawrence McBriarty (trombone), Bill Colledge (double bass) & Fred Thompson (drums & vocals) + Harry Stephenson (clarinet)

(Review by Russell)

Thursday afternoon, a trip down to the Millstone to hear the Vieux Carré Jazzmen, the place busy. Many a publican would kill for numbers like this on a Friday night! Brian Bennett and co serve up an entertaining couple of hours of classic era jazz tunes. The Millstone offers popular pub grub to feed the jazz fan, lunch hour business types, the pub regular and the occasional visitor. One such in the latter category, having a quick pint on his way to visit at the Freeman Hospital, observed Mr Bennett picking up his banjo said: Oh, a ukulele! He heard the first number, said his mother would have liked it, drank up and left.

Customs House Big Band @ (wait for it) The Customs House, South Shields. March 21.

Michael Lamb, Darren Owen, Gordon Marshall, Ken DeVere (tpts); Gareth Weaver, Chris Gurgi-Smith, Michael Fletcher (tmb); Peter Morgan (bs. tmb/MD); Alan Marshall (alt/sop/clt/fl), Kim Webb (alt/clt), Richie Emmerson (ten), Peter Hepplewhite (ten); Sue Ferris (bar); Gavin Smith (pno); Roy Willis (gtr); Alan Smith (bs); Barry Black (dms); Ruth Lambert (vcl).

Quite a few deps and unfamiliar faces tonight. Long time since I heard Barry Black - still a very fine drummer. Richie Emmerson blew excellent tenor whilst regular tenor player Alan Marshall proved equally adept on alto. Michael Lamb, moonlighting from the Strictly Smokin' Big Band took care of the jazz trumpet pad. Ruth was, quite simply, Ruth. Just as Ella was 'Ella' and Billie was 'Billie'.

Mo Scott, Paul Edis & Neil Harland @ The Gala Theatre. March 21

(Review by Russell)

The monthly Friday lunchtime jazz gigs at the Gala have become so popular they are now selling out in advance. The appearance of Mo Scott was no exception. The printed programme bore little relation to the set list Scott devised on the spot. Pianist Paul Edis and double bassist Neil Harland scrambled (most professionally) to find their parts as the Empress of the Blues counted ‘em in. Scott added, helpfully: Everything’s in numerical order except for the one’s that aren’t!

Taupe @ King’s Hall. March 20

(Review by Russell)

Thursdays, term time, is the time students take to the stage to do their thing in front of their peers and the public. Young musicians – classical, folk, rock, jazz, experimental, other – perform in familiar surroundings, to a supportive audience. This week, of interest to Bebop Spoken Here, were Taupe. Three musicians keen to experiment, with a CD about to hit the streets, presented one original piece – Mammatus – and the barometer of success (audience response) registered high on the scale. 

Ned Kelly's coming to London

This is just to let everyone know that the band and Ned Kelly's, Hong Kong, will be featured in a film at the Westminster Film Forum Festival in London, the short film was made by our black & white photographer Xu Han and his girl friend Jenny Song, both from Shanghai. Here is a photo of the 3 of us and below a link to the trailer.

http://youtu.be/tEnwJbcBSus.

Colin

The Pilgrim St. Set @ Hoochie Coochie March 20

Richard Burns (tpt); Gary Turner (ten); Paul Edis (pno); Paul Susans (bs); Rob Walker (dms).

(Review by Lance).

The Media informed us that March 20 was "Happiness Day"! I'm not sure who decides these things but they certainly got it right last night at Hoochie. 

This band of pilgrims hit the ground running on only their second gig and the first with this line-up. The music ranged from early Blue Note to late Blue Note with some funky grooves in between.

The man from Melbourne proved himself to be a fine modern trumpet player and his announcements - when translated - showed that some Aussies do have a sense of humour!

Jazz Café Update

The refurbished Jazz Café opened to an exciting start for the New Year and quickly established itself as a vital live venue and a new daytime Café of real quality. From the start we welcomed the whole Jazz community and made space for promotions by Jazz North East , Schmazz and the Pink Lane Jazz Coop. Our commitment to live events continues with the launch of a larger more flexible venue upstairs at the Jazz Café on April 4^th. We celebrate this step forward by hosting the Late Night Club of the Sage International Jazz Festival on the weekend of April 4^th and 5^th.

CD Review: Yvonnick Prene - Wonderful World

Yvonnick Prene (hca); Scott Tixier (vln); Michael Valeanu (gtr); Lorin Cohen or Eric Wheeler (bs); + (Strollin')Michael King (pno);  Jay Sawyer (dms).
(Review by Lance)

Hot Club music has always held a high place in my affections. Whether it be the original Grappelli/Django recordings or more recent incarnations such as our local heroes Djangologie (Cherry Tree, Jesmond, Monday March 31) or the London based Man Overboard (Omnibus, Clapham March 23) I'm invariably hooked by the aroma of Gauloise, Gitanes and Croix Monsieur evoked by the music.

Thursday Night @ Hoochie - Looks Good.

The question I get asked every week - well perhaps not every week - is where is Gary Turner? rumour had it that he was taking a sabbatical and woodshedding on the Tyne Bridge like that other tenor legend, Sonny Rollins, once did on Brooklyn Bridge. Whatever, Gary's back and guesting, along with Paul Edis, at Hoochie tomorrow night with the newly formed PILGRIM STREET SET.
This is going to be something. Hoochie is on a roll at present and this one's free so get along and park it (but not in "The Dugout").
Lance.

Gavin Lee’s Dixieland Band @ The New Inn, Durham. March 18

Gavin Lee (clarinet & tenor saxophone), Alf Langthorne (keyboards), Tom Darbyshire (double bass) & Jimmy ‘Stix’ Robinson (drums) + June Francis (vocals)

(Review by Russell)

The New Inn, in the heart of Durham City, drew a crowd of Durham University’s Bright Young Things to watch Chelsea v Drogba in the Champions’ League on big screen tvs and to sit and drink beer, chat and remain oblivious to the jazz band in the corner. Gavin Lee’s Dixieland Band set up with a minimum of fuss, covering, then pushing the pool table to one side – a familiar tale of the well-appointed jazz venue!

Erlend Skomsvoll to form top young JM Jazz World ORCHESTRA 2014

KONGSBERG, NORWAY– JM Jazz World, the leading international youth jazz orchestra, is looking for talented musicians between the ages of 18-26 for its 2014 programme. The orchestra is looking for saxophonists, trombonists, trumpeters, hornists, tubists, guitarists, bassists, drummers, pianists and vocalists.

Under the leadership of renowned jazz musician, Erlend Skomsvoll, 16 young musicians will spend a week together in the ideal settings of baroque churches and the Lågen River to rehearse, jam and revel in this international jazz exchange. The week will culminate with a grand performance at the Kongsberg International Jazz Festival, 27 July - 4 August.

R.I.P. Al Harewood.

Drum legend Al Harewood passed away on March 13 aged 90. A Blue Note houseman back in in the 1950s and '60s Harewood played on many sessions with Dexter Gordon, Stanley Turrentine, J.J. Johnson, Horace Parlan, Stan Getz and a host of others.

His passing is not without a north east connection as fellow drummer David Carnegie, former north east resident, studied with Al Harewood and wrote a tune paying tribute to Al during his time as leader of Extreme Measures.

Sadly missed.

Obituary.
Lance.

Calling All Jazz Promoters

Jazz Promoters in the north should find something of interest in this latest project by Norvol Jazz.
Details here.
Lance.

Jazz Café Jam Session Number 4. March 18.

Peter Gilligan (pno); Paul Grainger (bs); Paul Wight (dms) + Simon Stephenson (gtr); Johnny Davis (ten); Eric Stutt (dms); James Harrison (pno); Stuart Finden (ten); Fiona Finden (vcl/ten); Kathryn Lowdon (vcl); Ian Forbes (dms); John Rowland (ten).

(Review by Lance).

Make Someone Happy played at Tempo Di Lick got the ball rolling and it certainly did roll as the house trio not only made the less than crowded room happy but also had them breathless! I Remember Clifford was a more sombre rendition as befitted Benny Golson's tribute to the late trumpet player killed almost 60 years ago. Bolivia brightened things up in anticipation of the jammers who were now queuing up in the wings.

CD Review: Lena Bloch - Feathery.

Lena Bloch (ten); Dave Miller (gtr); Cameron Brown (bs); Billy Mintz (dms).
(Review by Lance).

Bloch, a Russian  émigré now residing in Brooklyn,. looks to a time in the past when the past was looking to the future and she continues that quest into the unknown pioneered by such as Lennie Tristano, Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh. Indeed the lady has very much the same dry, tonal qualities associated with Marsh which she incorporates into her current explorations. Bloch can swing when the moment demands swing as well as doing some indulgent contemplation of the naval when activating brain cells is given preference over tapping of the feet. As I recall, Tristano and co. operated in much the same way.

Pink Lane Jazz Co-op on BBC Look North

The PLJC's efforts to buy the Globe pub in Newcastle moved up a gear last night with a spot at the end of the BBC Look North News program. As the share issue entered into its final week Dave Parker and Minnie Fraser spoke of the scheme and their ambitions for its fruition.

Music was played by John Rowland (ten); James Birkett (gtr); Dave Parker (bs) and Michael Howard (dms).

Thanks to John Taylor for bringing this to my attention.

Watch here - about 24 minutes into the program.
Lance.

Nic Svarc Trio @ The Bridge Hotel. March 16

 Nic Svarc (guitar), Martin Longhorn (organ) & Steve Hanley (drums)

(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy of Ken Drew.)

Splinter at the Bridge welcomed the return of guitarist Nic Svarc. Toting a cherry red Gibson 335 and a pedal board approaching XL proportions, at a glance Svarc resembled a youthful Larry Coryell. Mining the rich seam of the classic Hammond organ trio, the mono-syllabic Svarc let his Gibson do the talking; touch, time, feel, technique.

Salsa Cafe Jazz Jam: Sunday March 16

Pete Gilligan (keys, drums); Steve Brown (bass guitar, keys); Joel Brown (keys); John Usher (guitar); Kay Usher (violin); Stuart Mckie (guitar); Stuart Findon (tenor sax, bass guitar); Fiona Findon (tenor sax, vocals); John Rowland (tenor sax); Paul Ruddick (alto sax);  Peter Ninnim (drums); Someone Else? (drums); Jenny Lingham (vocals); Ann Alex (vocals).

(Review by Ann Alex).

Readers will be able to tell from the above list that this was an informal, lively, thoroughly enjoyable session, with lots of mixing and matching, and people trying instruments that they don’t play so often.  I could maybe find myself on drums next time, so bring earplugs just in case. 

RIP Iola Brubeck and Med Flory

Iola Brubeck - wife of the late Dave Brubeck - died on March 12 aged 90. Iola. Among other things, Iola contributed the lyric to perhaps her husband's most famous ballad. In Your Own Sweet Way.

RIP.

Obituary.

On the same day, altoist and actor Med Flory died aged 87. Flory, best known for his work with the legendary Supersax who specialised in transcribing Charlie Parker solos for a five piece sax section, also made many TV appearances in such shows as Maverick and Route 66.

RIP.

Obituary.
Lance.

Paul Gowland’s Allstars @ The Jazz Café March 15

 Paul Gowland (Tenor/Alto Sax)  Marc Jolliffe (Piano)  Willie Angus (E. Bass) Mark Robertson (Drums)

(Review by Kath Jobes)

Night out with the ladies, brought us to the Jazz Café and a decent crowd, Lance and I had a quick chat about who was going to review, but as he was off to Salsa after the first set,  I got the job.  We managed to get a table with some other Jazz regulars, thanks to Jamie Toms and co.   Charlie Parker’s Scrapple From The Apple was a lively start to the set, and featured Paul Gowland on Alto, with a great section of 4s to exhibit the skills of this cluster of fine musicians. 

Thursdays Are The New Fridays

Our monthly jazz gigs at No28, that super cool bar above Grainger Market, are changing days.  In future they will be on the first Thursday of each month instead of the first Friday.

This is convenient because the next gig, on Thursday 3 April, won't clash with the Gateshead International Jazz Festival.  It's Redemption Jazz with John Hall (tenor), Jim Hall (keys), Keith Tulip (bass), Martin Wake (drums).

We are also going to have a slightly early start, 8.30pm.  Admission free.

Pink Lane Jazz Co-op.

Paul Skerritt Band @ Salsa Café March 15

Paul Skerritt (vcl); James Harrison (pno); Anth Ord (bs); Tom Chapman (dms).
(Review by Lance).

I caught the first set by Paul Gowland at the Jazz Café then Salsaed around the corner to the Westgate Road Tapas Bar resisting the urge to join the milling throng eager to see Stiff Little Fingers who were performing at the Academy.

Paul G's gig will be reviewed in a separate post by Kath J.

Gregory Porter Goes to School in Houghton Le Spring!

It's in today's Journal. Read it here!
Lance

Gregory Porter @ Hoochie Coochie March 14.

Gregory Porter (vcl); Chip Crawford (pno); Aaron James (bs); Emanuel Harold (dms); Yosuke Sato (alt).

(Review by Lance).

Gig of the year? Gig of the Century - any century!

It was standing room only for the sardines - sorry, fans - sandwiched into Hoochie. I opted for a vantage point next to the fire door, just in case, and the flames that Gregory Porter was igniting on stage made this a distinct possibility!

What a performer! I missed out on seeing him at the Royal Albert Hall  last October but how could that compare with seeing him on stage only a few  feet away?

Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Lit & Phil. March 14

Ruth Lambert (vocals), Giles Strong (guitar) & Mick Shoulder (double bass)

(Review by Russell/Photo courtesy of Jerry Edis).

Paul Edis’ monthly Friday lunchtime promotions at the Lit and Phil have been a resounding success. Full houses have become commonplace and it was anticipated that the appearance of Ruth Lambert would continue the trend. Well, numbers were slightly down, due, in part, to the inexplicable omission of the gig from an on-line what’s on subscription service and the venue’s own website! A glance at the printed programme available at the door confirmed one’s hopes – an afternoon of classic material selected from the Great American Songbook. Porter, Carmichael, Berlin, Jobim and others…an hour of sheer bliss.

Celebrating Roy @ The Bridge Hotel. March 11

Nick Malcolm (trumpet) & Roger Turner (percussion)

(Review by Russell/Photo courtesy of Ken Drew.)

Late last year Jazz North East secured a return visit in 2014 by American free jazz trumpeter Roy Campbell to perform in a duo with British drummer Roger Turner. In January Campbell died at the age of sixty one. The Tyneside promoters had a decision to make – scrap the date altogether or attempt to stage something in memory of the man. An invitation extended to young British trumpeter Nick Malcolm was readily accepted and the pairing of Malcolm and Roger Turner would, it was hoped, be a fitting tribute to Roy Campbell.

CD Review: Trio Riot Trio Riot

Mette Rasmussen (alto saxophone), Sam Andreae (tenor saxophone) & David Meier (drums)

(Review by Russell).

The eponymous debut CD from Trio Riot, recorded in November 2012, documents the trio’s instant impact as a gigging band. Described as a ‘punk-jazz’ outfit, formed in Helsinki in 2009, inspiration is drawn from twentieth century musics – contemporary composition, jazz, punk and a healthy dose of Zappa irreverence. The opening track – 3 – recalls NYC’s pranksters The Hub; killer articulation, guessing-game switch-back writing. Lala-Lala, heard live on previous tours, develops an irritating hook until Sam Andreae’s rasping tenor briefly breaks free. An audible ‘Yeah’ reigns in the tenor, hook reinstated and they take it out.

RIP Terry Willits.

Peter Bevan has kindly, albeit sadly, drawn my attention to the death on February 14 of Terry Willits - trumpet player, lecturer, broadcaster and pillar of Teesdale Society.

Born in South Shields, he spent much of his formative years in Darlington. He later became a lecturer at Leicester University and was a member of the 1981 award winning Radio Leicester Big Band. Upon retirement he moved to Barnard Castle where he was very much involved in community affairs including promoting jazz concerts in the area. He also hosted a weekly jazz program on Radio Teesdale as well as playing with the Teesdale Jazz Quartet.

Terry Willits was 80 year old when he died. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

RIP.
Obituary. 
Lance.

The Collective @ Hoochie Coochie March 13.

Al Saxon (alt/fl); Tim Bloomer (gtr); Dominic Snaith (keys); Martyn Dixon (bs gtr); Paul Crown (dms).

(Review by Lance).

The young guns were shooting from the hip and taking no prisoners. This month's guest was the appropriately named Al Saxon although it wasn't all sax as he played some funky flute too. On sax he's a fully paid up member of the paintstrippers' union blowing some blistering alto. It was remarked that he was reminiscent of the young, now sadly departed (15 years as of tomorrow - March 15) Nigel Stanger and he did indeed have much of the fire in his belly associated with that legendary player.

Tori Freestone Trio – Splinter at the Bridge March 9

Tori Freestone (tenor) Dave Mannington (D. Bass) Tim Giles (Drums)

(Review by Kath Jobes/Photo courtesy of Ken Drew.)

Tori’s Trio are currently touring with their latest CD, In the Chop House and this evening featured tunes from this latest Album… which I bought by the way… because I loved this lady’s music… what a musician!

Greg Spero and his Amazing Chicago Jazz Quartet - First Northern Dates Announced

Chicago has produced many Jazz greats- Herbie Hancock, Lou Rawls, Benny Goodman, Ramsey Lewis and Anthony Braxton. That’s just to mention a few! And the city continues to generate the very best jazz musicians. Four such young Chicago lions arrive in the North West to play a series of concerts in May. With each member of the quartet being an outstanding musician in their own right, the combined talents will make the Greg Spero Quartet an irresistible force on stage.

Zoe Gilby Trio - Jazz Café Saturday Feb 8.

Zoe Gilby (Vocal) Andy Champion (D. Bass)  Mark Williams (Guitar)

(Review by Kath Jobes).

Saturday night and I’m in a dilemma… which café to go to… Pink Lane Jazz Café or Salsa Café and Tapas Bar, both had good gigs going on, but we opted for Pink Lane and Zoe Gilby, as my mate Kathryn hadn’t heard her sing before… and boy can Zoe sing!

The café was well attended, with a growing audience of jazz appreciation and a few of the Jazz regulars in the audience.  Tonight was to be a mix of Jazz Standards with a few originals thrown in for good measure… and what a lovely evening of music and memories. 

CD Review: Dominic J. Marshall Trio - Spirit Speech.

Dominic J. Marshall (keys/comps); Tobias Nijboer (bs); Jamie Peet (dms).
(Review by Lance.)
Gestating in the Womb.
a blind future which would destroy us.
a precocious potentiality
to elevate us toward the golden city walls of Ancient Egyptian demigods.
but it is the vibrations coming from outside.
celestial sound waves impinging on that foetal conciousness
that will make or break us.
and before we know if we want to be made or broken
time will pass us by like a shooting star,
leaving us alone again on this spherical blue rock
orbiting our own inflated self-image.
The above is a poem from the album notes by pianist Dominic J. Marshall.

Alan Glen Trio @ The Chillingham. March 5

Alan Glen (keyboards), Paul Grainger (double bass) & Paul Wight (drums)

(Review by Russell).

From time to time Dave Weisser offers one of the region’s bands a guest spot at his weekly jazz workshop at the Chillingham. The latest such occasion featured an all too rare appearance by the doyen of north east pianists Alan Glen. Beautiful Love opened the programme with bassist Paul Grainger (depping for John Pope) alongside regular drummer Paul Wight. Glen’s intros are the stuff of legend, keeping the audience guessing, bass and drums awaiting their cue. 

R.I.P. Joe Mudele

I've just learned via Londonjazznews of the death of bassist Joe Mudele aged 93. One of the early British bebop bass players - he spelt his name Muddel back then - a founder member of the Club XI and the Dankworth 7 he also played in the big bands of Ambrose, Jack Nathan, Paul Adam, Kenny Baker's Dozen and small groups led by Norman Burns and Tommy Whittle.

I recall Eric Delaney once saying to me that his ambition was to outlive Joe Mudele! Well Eric didn't manage it and now they're both up in that heavenly rhythm section.

Joe Mudele died on March 7.
Sadly missed.
Lance
PS:  Anyone know why and when he changed his name from Muddel to Mudele?

Customs House Big Band Open Rehearsal/Concert @ The New Crown. March 4

(Review by Russell)

MD Peter Morgan assembles his troops first Tuesday in the month at the New Crown Hotel down on South Shields seafront. The hotel’s function room resembles the Village Vanguard or the Iridium on a typical Monday night, a musician’s night. Alright, the hotel doesn’t resemble any of the New York nite spots. One can but dream! A pint of Marston’s Pedigree (medicinal purposes, ‘man flu’), a front row seat, the audience outnumbered by the band by a ratio of at least 3:1.

Lest We Forget ....

Today March 12 marks the first anniversary of the death of Mike Durham. Bandleader, trumpet player, entrepreneur, jazz historian, organizer of Whitley Bay Jazz Festival and Classic Jazz Party and all-round family man  Mike is remembered by many musicians and friends from around the world, not just for the above skills but also for his wonderful sense of humour.

Lance.