CD Review/Gig Preview: Damian Cook & Sam Dunn - Indian Summer.

Damian Cook (ten/clt); Sam Dunn (gtr).
(Review/preview by Lance)

Damian Cook will be remembered as the reedman from the pit band at the Theatre Royal who, during last Christmas' panto season, dropped by the Jazz Café jam sessions as well as blowing up a storm for the Jazz Coop at the Globe.

The good news is that Christmas has come early this year, not only with the release of a beautifully executed duo album with 7 string guitarist Dunn but also a live session scheduled for the Globe on August 22.

Sam Leak Big Band - Summer Tales and Winding Roads

Trust me - the Big Band is alive and kicking and, in many forms! Sunday saw the NCRO working at the roots of the genre whilst, on Tuesday, the Jonathan Silk Big Band were at the other side of the street. The recent release by DUBB took a middle plus path and tonight, had circumstances not decreed otherwise,  I'd have been digging the SSBB at the Millstone whilst, among my CDs awaiting review, is a very tasty offering by the Jeff Benedict Big Band who sail out of LA and other American jazz ports.

So yes, big bands are far from dead!

This particular YouTube video by the Sam Leak Big Band recorded live at London's Spice of Life (ah the memories!) is comparable with any of this year's crop and stands up well alongside many more famous ensembles.

Read this LJN interview.

Check SLBB out.

Lance

CD Review: Durham University Big Band - overDUBB

Durham University Big Band have digitally released an exciting new album - overDUBB.  Those who have heard the band live at the Jazz Coop, Darlington Jazz Club, Sunderland Big Band Festival (as well as at London's prestigious Pizza Express Jazz Club) will know what to expect. If the band is new to you then now's the time to find out what you've been missing.

Cracking soloists, tight section work and tempos that would suit J.K. Simmons to a T - indeed the Whiplash Theme opens up the album which also includes some distinctive vocals from Laura Paul.

Track listing and personnel can be found by following the link below.

Buy/Listen.
Lance.

Vieux Carré are out and about today

AFTERNOON: The VCJ stomp off at 1.00pm at their regular weekly venue THE MILLSTONE, Haddricks Mill Road, South Gosforth, which has been recently refurbished and also has a superb new menu choice. Free. 

EVENING: 'Under the Dome' concert in the inflatable dome on Whitley Bay Plaza with The VIEUX CARRÉ JAZZMEN and The DOO WOP DOLLIES (pictured), a close harmony group who sing the hits of the Andrews Sisters, Boswell Sisters, etc. Showtime 7.00 - 9.00pm. Entry £5. Bar. 

Brian Bennett.

OXYD "Plugged in Nirvana" Summer UK Tour

(Press release) Paris-based label and collective Onze  Heures Onze will bring the band OXYD to the UK this summer for a 3-date tour.   The band will present their new repertoire entitled “Plugged in Nirvana”  (sounds and information below). The tour starts in Newcastle  (The Bridge Hotel), continues in London  (Downstairs @ The Vortex)  and finishes in Manchester  (Soup Kitchen) as part of the Manchester Jazz Festival.

Schmazz presents the Jonathan Silk Big Band @ The Black Swan - July 28

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

The ethereal, tentative, probing, opening bars confirmed, what the pre-concert blurb had hinted at, that this was to be no powerhouse "hit him in the slats Bob"* big band but more of a contemporary jazz orchestra approach. Not that it was without excitement although some wag sitting at the back, stage whispered "I thought they were still tuning up!" - he left shortly after! It was complex and cleverly arranged without seeming to have been arranged at all. Section pitted against section, not in the traditional call and response format but rather like a 20th century symphonic work whereby contrasting melodic lines complemented each other. Dissonant at times? Yes, but dissonance has come a long way since the Peanut Vendor.

Schmazz presents The Jonathan Silk Big Band

(Preview)

For at least the past couple of decades big jazz units have tended to fall into two camps - those that draw their inspiration from the Swing Era, with the various sections (reeds, trumpets, trombones) riffing in unison, and those that play more with the varied orchestral textures that can be achieved through different combinations of instruments.

Dean Stockdale @ The Vermont Hotel - July 26

Dean Stockdale (piano)

(Review by Russell)

The third and final day of the Sunderland International Air Show. The forecast suggested the flying machines could be grounded. In the event they just about got away with it. The first spots of rain landed in Newcastle city centre ‘round four o’clock.

The Vermont Hotel’s late-Sunday afternoon piano jazz set had, without fanfare/publicity, been brought forward a couple of hours to two o’clock. Thankfully Dean Stockdale knew about the change and arrived on time!

Stephanie Trick & Paolo Alderighi with the New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Caedmon Hall, Gateshead - July 26.

(Review by Lance).
Rawicz and Landauer it wasn't, Pete Johnson and Albert Ammons it was - and then some. If you were seeking sounds, I hesitate to use the word music, that were searching for new frontiers you wouldn't find them here and, if you had, the hall wouldn't have been near sold out!
And yet, what we heard tonight was indeed music that broke the mould - in the earlier part of the last century.
Ragtime, stride and boogie woogie by the two guest pianists plus hot dance music and early big band jazz from the finest purveyors of the idiom this side of Slovakia - the New Century Ragtime Orchestra.

Jazz Co-op @ The Globe: The Budtones - July 25

Fiona Finden (vocals, soprano sax); Stu Finden (tenor sax); Andy Porritt (keys); James Archer (bass); Eric Stutt (drums)

(Review by Ann Alex)
The band were straight in, no messing, with The Message, piano chops followed by his solo, solos all round, fours between drums and tenor, smart lively music, which we’ve come to expect from this talented band. And so it continued, music towards the boppy end of the jazz spectrum, playing to a smallish audience – where were you, you’ve all missed a treat?

Gerry Richardson & Adam Sinclair @ The Jazz Café - July 25

Gerry Richardson (Hammond SK - 1/vcl); Adam Sinclair (dms).
(Review by Lance/photos courtesy of Mike Tilley).

I haven't heard all the Saturday night duo sessions at the Jazz Café but this one must be up there with the best.

We realised it would be different when Gerry recited Stanley Holloway's monologue Albert and the Lion as part of his soundcheck - a sad tale and enough to put anyone off taking their child to the zoo (although not other people's children!)

Play Jazz! weekend workshop

There are just four places left on this weekend workshop on 1-2 August. The vacancies are for melody instruments – saxes, trumpets, trombones, clarinets, flutes, violins or vocals – and there is also one vacancy for a bass player.

Although it is designed to be a two-day workshop a few people have asked if they can attend for just one day. Yes you can!

https://www.facebook.com/events/795760603865286/

Join

Play Jazz! weekend workshop

Saturday, August 1 at 9:30am

The Globe in Newcastle upon Tyne8 people are going

CD Review: Nick Finzer - The Chase

Nick Finzer (tmb); Lucas Pino (ten/clt); Alex Wintz (gtr); Glenn Zaleski (pno); Dave Baron (bs); Jimmy MacBride (dms).

(Review by Lance).

A nice, easy contemporary album that doesn't seek to rewrite history nor to forecast the future. The rhythm section tells us we're firmly in the 21st century the horns, however, and to their credit, stick to the time honoured values so beloved of their predecessors. This is the perfect mix with Finzer taking the trombone up front rather than being in the, albeit boisterous, ingénue role it has often  been cast in the past.

And he's a worthy ambassador for the sliders; a rich tone, agility, some earthy plunger moments serve and the eleven compositions he composed and arranged for this enjoyable album serve
to rubber stamp Finzer's credentials.

Alongside, Pino is cucumber cool both on saxes and some explorative clarinet moments. Wintz, Zaleski, Baron and MacBride keep the boat afloat making this particular chase  a sextuple dead heat!
Listen/buy here.
Lance.

CD Review: Mark Winkler - Jazz And Other Four Letter Words

(Review by Ann Alex)

Definitely my CD of the month!  This is the happiest jazz CD I’ve ever heard, swinging, witty lyrics, good musicianship, with piano strongly featured.  Five of the eleven tracks are originals with lyrics by Mark Winkler.  For instance Your Cat Plays Piano (he’s obviously been watching U-tube)‘...mostly on the black keys/ I can swear he’s a jazzer/ ‘cos he will not play the melody.’

Or consider the romantic I Chose The Moon, a love song for his partner of 34 years, ‘cos when the moon shines/ it shines through your eyes’.

The Lighthouse Goes Dark

Howard Rumsey, bassist and entrepreneur, has died at 97. Born in Brawley, California, working in Vido Musso’s band Rumsey met Stan Kenton. He got the job in the first of Kenton’s own bands in 1941 and was featured on the 1942 Decca release Concerto for Doghouse. Rumsey worked with Charlie Barnet and Barney Bigard before forming his own outfit in 1949 to play at the Lighthouse, a café establishment, in Hermosa Beach.

CD Review: Slowlight Quartet - Live at Manchester Jazz Festival

Paul Loraine (keyboards), Tom Quilliam (saxophone), Ian ‘Dodge’ Paterson (bass) & Jonathan Marriott (drums)

(Review by Russell)

Live at Manchester Jazz Festival is the Slowlight Quartet’s follow-up to the five track EP In Flight. The ‘live’ element is particularly welcome as the band is best heard performing in front of an audience. Composer-in-chief Paul Loraine wrote six of the seven tracks, the seventh is from the pen of saxophonist Tom Quilliam. The Slowlight sound is that of Paul Loraine’s tunes evolving from considered piano, saxophone or bass intros, developing the group sound.

RIP Van Alexander

Big band leader, composer, arranger Van Alexander passed away on July 19 age 100.

I particularly remember Van Alexander for his soundtrack for the 1959 film The Big Operator - reminiscent of the Main Title theme from The Man With a Golden Arm. What I only discovered today was that he scored the original version of A-Tisket-A-Tasket for Ella Fitzgerald way back in 1935.

Details of his extensive career working with a host of stars can be found here.

Rest In Peace.

Lance.

DVD/CD Review: Jazz on a Summer's Day

(Review by Hugh).

This reissue contains both a DVD of the film and a soundtrack CD featuring the music in the film.

The Newport Jazz Festival of 1958 was a four day event, filming conducted primarily over the final two days (Saturday and Sunday).   The film takes the form of a documentary, but with sparse voiceover and the sounds are those recorded at the festival, including announcements.  The DVD features both the stage acts and shots of the audience, local life and ocean going yachts, trialling for the Americas Cup Race.

This makes for a great atmosphere.  The film is in colour – apparently a first for a jazz film, “bringing jazz out of the dingy basement into the sunshine”.  Premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 1959,  In 1999 it received its greatest accolade in being selected for preservation in the United States Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

Big Band Blitz

BBC television doesn’t do much jazz but when it does screen something it is invariably good. This weekend two programmes look at the British big band scene focusing on the role Blackpool played during WWII. On Saturday, July 25 on BBC2 (9:10pm) Dancing through the Blitz: Blackpool’s Big Band Story includes co-presenter Jools Holland with his band in the Empress Ballroom. Then on Sunday evening over on BBC4 (9:00pm) A Blackpool Big Band Boogie: Jools Holland and His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra hears Holland’s band in concert playing numbers associated with Basie, Woody Herman and others. Following that, at ten o’clock, Len Goodman’s Big Band Bonanza features more big band swing.

Russell.     

Preview: This Sunday at the Globe - Strictly Smokin' Tiny Big Band

This Sunday (July 26) the Jazz Coop present the Strictly Smokin' Tiny Big Band at the Globe, 11 Railway St., Newcastle NE4 7AD.
This is a scaled down version of Strictly Smokin' but should, nevertheless, be a stompingly good session.
Details.
Lance.

Preview: Swing Manouche - Cherry Tree Wednesday July 29.

Next Wednesday (July 29) sees the first appearance at the highly rated restaurant by Mick Shoulder's new band Swing Manouche which, translated, means Gypsy Jazz. Still roughly based in the Hot Club format that made Djangologie, arguably, the most popular small jazz group in the area this latest venture allows Mick to swap double bass for guitar and bring in Paul Edis on clarinet. Don't look surprised, apart from piano, Paul has also been known to play alto, flute and drums - he probably sings and plays the ukulele as well! 

Completing the line-up is Giles Strong on guitar and Neil Harland double bass.

This looks to be a must for those who like good food and good jazz.

Cherry Tree Restaurant, 9 Osborne Rd., Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2AE. Tel. 0191 2399924.

Lance.

Bratislava Hot Serenaders @ Sage Gateshead July 21

(Review by Lance/Photos courtesy of Paddy M pictured right)
Russell, whose knowledge of Bratislavan musicians far exceeds my own, presented me with a probable personnel listing but, after enduring Rhapsody in Blue for 10 days (or was it 10 minutes?), I decided against deciphering the names - life's too short!

Apart from Gershwin, Duke Ellington was well represented as were the British bands of the period such as Jack Hylton and Carroll Gibbons. History has shown that, far from being poor relations, many English dance bands of the 1930s could hold their own alongside their American contemporaries.

CD Review: Drifter - Flow.

Alexi Tuomarila (pno); Nicolas Kummert (sax/vcl); Axel Gilain (bass/vcl); Teun Verrbruggen (dms).

(Review by Lance).

A quartet based in Belgium led by a Finnish pianist and an album that is aptly named - Flow! That indeed is what the music does flowing gently although not without an occasional burst of turbulence that threatens to turn the flow into a torrent. It never quite does which is part of the charm; taking you to the brink but staying within the bounds of sanity. 

Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Black Bull - July 19

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

(Review by Russell).

You and the Night and the Music, Old Devil Moon, A Love That Never Dies (composer Lambert) and Lullaby (comp. Shoulder). Classic songs, familiar material; the latter two known to those who’ve heard Ruth Lambert give her master class in the art of intimate jazz singing. This ‘audience with’ occasion was at a select gathering in the Black Bull, Blaydon.

Summertyne Americana: The McCrary Sisters/Cedric Burnside @ Sage Gateshead - July 19.

McCrary Sisters (Alfreda, Ann, Deborah, Regina) - vocals + keys; bs; gtr; dms.

(Review by Lance/Photos from Sage Gateshead Facebook page.).

I shouldn't have worn my grey flannel strides - amidst all the denim I felt like a city slicker at the Saturday Night Fish Fry. 

That was my first mistake. The second one was forgetting my pen. I know that in this brave new world pen and paper are practically obsolete but with me the old order has yet to walk on by. So, upon arrival at Sage Nashville, I forked out a couple of sawbucks for a dandy looking blue pen at the trading post where they sell dandy looking blue pens. It also had Sage Gateshead printed on the side - a keepsake.

Jazz Co-op @ The Globe: The Claire Kelly Trio - July 18

Claire Kelly (vocals); Mark Williams (guitar); John Pope (bass)

(Review by Ann Alex/Photo courtesy of Emily Adam)

From the opening song, No Moon At All, I was struck by the rich tone of Claire’s voice which was a sheer joy to listen to. Ms Kelly has been away singing in Thailand for quite a while, doing soul and reggae almost every evening, and the experience seems to have enhanced her voice (mind it was good before she went).  Add to that the superb guitar of Williams and Pope’s adventurous bass providing long solos, and you have a great night of jazz.  I just wish the audience had been more numerous, but there were many other musical events last night such as the Americana Festival at the Sage.

Graeme Wilson & Paul Edis @ The Jazz Café. July 18

Graeme Wilson (tenor saxophone) & Paul Edis (piano)

(Review by Russell/Photo courtesy of Mike Tilley)

Wilson and Edis play Monk. Eagerly anticipated. This Saturday evening the Jazz Café drew Mionk disciples, Caff habitués and the regular slew of city centre circuit drinkers. 

Thelonious Monk would have liked the Caff’s  piano – he surely played worse pianos, much worse.  Graeme Wilson’s flying visit to the north east (he had played the Opus 4 Jazz Club in Darlington the previous evening) heard him on tenor in the company of a long-time musical friend, pianist Paul Edis.

Americana Festival @ Sage Gateshead: James Hunter Six - July 18

James Hunter (guitar & vocals), Damian Hand (tenor saxophone), Lee Badau (baritone saxophone), Andrew Kingslow (keyboards), Jason Wilson (double bass) & Jonathan Lee (drums)

(Review by Russell)

Twenty plus years on the road, the ‘six’ have been there all along. Howlin’ Wilf and the Vee Jays to the James Hunter Six, Billboard Blues’ chart album success, Hunter does as he has always done – rock-up and play. The Essex boy with a rockabilly swagger, long-time Jumpin’ Hot Club favourite James Hunter headlined day two at this year’s festival celebrating everything Americana.

RIP John Taylor (1942 - 2015)

John Taylor, outstanding British pianist collapsed and died after a heart attack during a gig in France.

He made many visits to the north east including the memorable Kenny Wheeler 80th birthday concert at Sage Gateshead in 2010 where, not only did he play fine piano but also helped the then frail Wheeler to his chair. Just a small indication of the compassionate person he obviously was.

See also LondonJazzNews and Jazzwise.

John Taylor died on July 17, he was 72. 

Deeply saddened.

Lance.

The Early Bird Sessions @ The Lit & Phil. July 18

The Early Birds: Ben Lawrence (trumpet), Francis Tulip (guitar), Dan Lawrence (bass guitar) & Matthew Mackellar (drums) + Paul Edis (alto saxophone & piano)       

(Review by Russell)

The second in the series of ‘Early Bird’ jazz tuition/public performance sessions drew a crowd approximately twice the size of the first back in May. The participants numbered one fewer – perhaps school holidays accounted for the absent one. Six numbers in thirty minutes, all taking a solo, mentored by pianist and educator Paul Edis (pictured).

Americana Festival @ Sage Gateshead: Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell - July 17

Emmylou Harris (vocals, guitar, tambourine); Rodney Crowell (vocals, guitar); Jed Hughes (guitar); Steve Fisher (pedal steel guitar); Michael R? (upright bass, bass guitar) Michael ? (keys, accordion); Don McTeague (drums)

(Review by Ann Alex)

Emmylou Harris, winner of numerous Grammy awards, and her musical partner Rodney Crowell, gave a sterling performance to a full capacity Hall 1.  Two solid hours of country music, from a very hard working band of stellar musicians, with just a bit of friendly chat and a few drinks of water to keep our singer going.  Ms Harris told us that she had an idyllic childhood in Birmingham Alabama, and in 1974 she heard the music of Rodney Crowell, which was the beginning of a very fruitful musical partnership, which lasted through ‘Marriage and divorce, though not to each other’.

Roy Ayers @ Hoochie Coochie - July 17.

Roy Ayers (vbs/vcl); Jamal Peoples (keys);  John Pressley (vcl); Donald Nicks (bs); ? (dms). + (I'm told) Chris Jelly (vbs).

(Review by Lance). 

A fantastic night and I missed the icing on the cake! The end, like the 27 bus was nigh, so I slipped away only to discover this morning that local vibes king Chris Jelly joined the great man on stage and in doing so became a legend himself!

I suppose, in years to come, I'll go around saying "I was there" and actually get to believe it! 

But even without this extra moment of magic it was a super session with, for me, Jamal Peoples the one who stood out brilliant as all the rest were.

The packed club showed their appreciation by applauding loudly and vociferously - it was a night and a half (and I missed the half!) Perhaps Roy Ayers will make up for it by sitting in on the next King Bee gig!
Pics.
Lance.

Sue Ferris Trio @ The Jazz Café. July 17

Sue Ferris (tenor & baritone saxophones, flute), Paul Edis (piano) & Neil Harland (double bass)

(Review by Russell)

The printed programme stated: JAZZ @ THE LIT AND PHIL – AT THE JAZZ CAFÉ! Paul Edis suggested it could become a collector’s item. A double booking of the Lit & Phil’s Loftus Room (music examinations taking priority) meant a late change of venue.

The Jazz Café’s upstairs room welcomed Literary and Philosophical Society members, some for the first time. What were their first impressions of the place? Were they jazz fans or Lit and Phil patrons? One thing was for certain, they would be impressed when they heard Sue Ferris!

CD Review: Miles Davis @ Newport 1955-1975 - THE BOOTLEG SERIES VOL. 4

(Press release)

Miles Davis’ 20-year association as an artist at impresario George Wein’s renowned Newport Jazz Festival is a thriving tradition that will be celebrated with the release of MILES DAVIS AT NEWPORT 1955-1975: THE BOOTLEG SERIES VOL. 4.  The four-CD box set, comprised of live performances by Miles’ stellar band line-ups in 1955, 1958, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1973, and 1975, in Newport, Rhode Island, New York City, Berlin, and Switzerland, will be the lynchpin for a 60^th anniversary commemorative weekend of events at this summer’s annual Newport Jazz Festival (July 31, August 1 & 2).  Ahead of the festival, MILES DAVIS AT NEWPORT 1955-1975will be available everywhere on Friday, July 17 -- 60 years to the date since Davis’ breakthrough performance at Newport in 1955 -- through Columbia/Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. 

Book review: Ray Celestin - The Axeman’s Jazz

(Review by Russell)

May 1919. New Orleans is enduring weeks of incessant rain. It’s also enduring a reign of terror. A serial killer is out there and no one knows who he is, or where he is, or when he will strike next. The self styled ‘Axeman’ shows distain for the local cops, writing to the local newspaper warning that he will kill again. City Hall, the police department, private investigators, the mob – they’re all clueless, corrupt and…frightened.

Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller at Carnegie Hall 1939 @ The Gala Theatre, Durham. July 16

(Review by Russell).

Durham Brass Festival 2015 presented a recreation of the legendary 1939 Carnegie Hall showdown between Benny Goodman – the King of Swing – and the latest challenger to his throne – Glenn Miller. The Gala Theatre near to capacity, the band’s MC Pete Long said it seemed rather odd to be playing a concert at two o’clock on a summer’s afternoon. The orchestra comprised many of the big hitters on the London scene. As the band struck up Don’t Be That Way it was with an unoccupied trombone chair, obvious for all to see. Thanks to the inadequacies of the rail network Callum Au was nowhere to be seen. Long suggested the audience applaud upon his arrival. Two numbers in…huge applause as the casual Au strolled out and took his seat in the section for the first set (a Goodman set).

Weather Report - Sage Gateshead

12 noon - Caroline Mary
1pm - El Cid
2pm - Michael Littlefield
3pm - Gilded Thieves
4pm Miss Mary and the Mr Rights
5pm - King Size Voodoo Traveller
6pm - Big Red and the Grinners.

Ravi Coltrane Quartet @ Sage Gateshead - July 15

Ravi Coltrane (ten/sop/sopranino); Adam Rodgers (gtr); Scott Colley (bs); Nate Smith (dms).

(Review by Lance/Photos courtesy of HarrisonAPhotography.)

The quartet hadn't had a good day. Flight cancellations and lost luggage meant them arriving from mainland Europe with barely time to eat let alone perform which, I suppose, puts the failure of my Quaylink bus to turn up at Gateshead Interchange into perspective.

These trials and tribulations didn't show. Coltrane greeted the near three tier full Hall Two audience with, "Aa ye aal reet?" - Clearly a multi-linguist.

Change of Venue.

Owing to a double booking at the venue, this Friday [July 17] lunchtime's concert by the Sue Ferris Trio at the Lit and Phil will now take place upstairs at the Jazz Café on Pink Lane. 1pm. £4.
Lance.

CD Review: Colin Aitchison & The China Coast Jazzmen - The Party Never Ends

Colin Aitchison (tmb/vcl); Peping Ciriaco (tpt/flg); Franco Valussi (clt/ten/sop); Aquilino Espirutu (bjo/gtr/pno/sousa); Joselito Garcia (bs); Robert Flores (dms) + Bert Amparado (tpt); Red Pellini (ten); Tom Cord (dms); Neville Sarony pno/vcl).

(Review by Lance).

Go easy on us, said Colin - our Man in Hong Kong and Numero Uno supporter of BSH East of Suez - bit like asking your son to write his own school report!

Those of us who have known Colin over the years and admired his progress since becoming a pro trumpet/trombone player - not least on his annual visits back to the north east - will know what to expect here.

This Sunday in Blaydon...

Sunday July 19 - 8pm - £5.00 

Ruth Lambert Trio 

Ruth is one of the region’s finest and most experienced jazz singers. From solo (with her guitar) to small group to big band - she can do it all. Here she is with her new trio featuring two great north east musicians - Giles Strong on guitar and Mick Shoulder on double bass.

Also you might like to check out our concerts through to the end of the year. Here's the link – 
http://www.blackbull-blaydon.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=601411

Roly.

Harton Soul?

Today local radio - tomorrow...?

Book now for weekend workshop 1-2 August at the Globe

One, two, one, two, three, and book now. There’s a few places left and all instruments are welcome. We’ve got saxes of all sizes, guitars, basses, drums, vocalists (but no trumpets or pianists – come on don’t be shy). This is a great opportunity to spend the whole weekend playing, listening and learning in the company of others who want to improve their jazz skills – guided by the inspirational James Birkett and Judith Thompson. Participants will be divided into two groups based on experience. Participants also get free admission to the Williams-Tanton Quartet gig on the Saturday evening and a chance to jam with the band. You can read the full programme for the weekend here http://jazz.coop/events/event/play-jazz-weekend-workshop/

RIP Ken Gibson

After some speculation the death of Ken Gibson has been confirmed. The composer, arranger, trombonist passed away on June 12, aged 75. Frank Griffith penned this tribute on LondonJazzNews.
See also Andy Hudson's post.
Sadly missed.
Lance.

(Photo by Patricia Andrade)

Jambone/Jazz Attack Summer Workshop Led by Paul Edis and James Birkett

Join Paul Edis, celebrated jazz pianist and conductor of Sage Gateshead’s youth ensembles Jambone and Jazz Attack, and James Birkett, jazz guitarist and study leader for Jazz at Sage Gateshead, for a day of exploring the world of the big band.

Spend the day working on repertoire as an ensemble, and focusing on your instrument in smaller groups, before joining together for a performance of all that you’ve learned.

Details.

RIP Ashington Jazz Club

It is with great regret and after lot of thought that I have decided that I must close down the jazz club. It is no longer viable in its present format. The final session will be on the 5th August 2015

3 reasons:-

Falling numbers - half of what we need.

Lack of disabled access.

Several health & safety issues with the venue.

Another time another place? I will give my full support to anyone prepared to take it on

Many thanks for your friendship and support over the last 6 years at the Elephant and 31 years for the club.

Friends in jazz
John

Alice Grace and Pete Gilligan @ the Jazz Café - July 11

Alice Grace (vcl); Pete Gilligan (pno).
(Review by Lance).

I knew little about Ms Grace save that Russell had mentioned her in despatches after hearing her singing at an apres GIJF jam session. Russell raved about her on that occasion and now it's my turn!

A tried and tested program - fortunately Summertime missed the cut - and a couple of ringers such as Chick Corea's Crystal Silence and a Kenny Wheeler number that begun just as I had to leave, told us that the lady could sing!

CD Review: Rebecca Kilgore Trio - Just Imagine.

Rebecca Kilgore (vcl/gtr); Dan Barrett (tmb/pno); Paolo Alderighi (pno).

(Review by Lance).

This is just about as close to perfection as you can get, that is, if your tastes run to exquisite vocals, smooth trombone work (rather like what Big T would have sounded like if he'd been still with us), mid period piano playing and a choice of unhackneyed material (Cry Me a River the exception but even that sounds as fresh as the first time around). In short, a 5 star album if ever there was!

Getting Monk is a Habit

(Preview by Russell).

Tonight (Saturday 11, midnight) Geoffrey Smith’s Jazz (Radio 3) listens to the music of Thelonious Monk. One week later Graeme Wilson (saxophones) and Paul Edis (piano) play the music of Thelonious Monk at the Jazz Café, that’s Saturday 18, 9:00pm.

Mark Armstrong, artistic and music director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, drops by the studio to talk to Clare Teal (Radio 2, Sunday, 9:00pm) about the orchestra’s 50th anniversary year.

The Big Band in the Sky is Getting Bigger...

Sadly, Maurice Summerfield drew my attention to another two jazz deaths.
Masabumi Kikuchi - July 6. (r)
Garrison Fewell - July 9. (l)
May they both Rest In Peace.
Lance.