MIKE DURHAM’S WHITLEY BAY CLASSIC JAZZ PARTY – NOVEMBER 5-8

Next weekend sees the annual Mike Durham's Classic Jazz Party at the Village Hotel on the Cobalt Business Park nr Shiremoor. For fans of classic jazz this is the World Series, the Superbowl, the Cup Final, an Ashes Test, Wimbledon, Le Tour, Twickenham and Madison Square Gardens all rolled into one - just look at the various themes - Shangri-La! Mike, Patti and the gang have done you proud!

(Details)

Lance. (Pictured swing violinist Emma Fisk who features in several sessions).

James Birkett & Bradley Johnston @ The Jazz Café – October 31

James Birkett (guitar) & Bradley Johnston (guitar)

(Review by Russell/Photo courtesy of Mike Tilley)

From the brilliance of the Buck Clayton Legacy Band at Sage Gateshead to the brilliant guitar duo of Birkett and Johnston at the Jazz Café to catch the last half an hour or so of their set. Party goers were getting in to the swing of things, ten thirty a little early for the stop-outs. Herbie was in his horse box, patched up, he’ll survive. At skateboard central – the Head of Steam –an indie thing was going on, wannabe dudes on the street practicing dude-ism at the door. Pink Lane and wouldn’t you just know it, Oh when the Saints…go marchin’ in. The party goers needed little persuasion, singing (and swaying) along to the resident Pink Lane Balkan street band.

Buck Clayton Legacy Band @ Sage Gateshead – October 30

Ian Smith (trumpet), Alan Barnes (alto saxophone & clarinet), Matthias Seuffert (tenor saxophone & clarinet), Karen Sharp (tenor & baritone saxophones, clarinet), Adrian Fry (trombone), Martin Litton (piano), Alyn Shipton (double bass) & Bobby Worth (drums)

(Review by Russell)

Some gigs are a ‘no brainer’. This was one of them. A top class line-up, first rate material and a world class venue. The Buck Clayton Legacy Band returned to Sage Gateshead and they brought with them a new show – A Celebration of Duke Ellington. Edward Kennedy Ellington maintained a close friendship with trumpeter Buck Clayton and, as co-leader of the Legacy band Alyn Shipton explained, the focus of the evening would be on Ellington and his musical associates, particularly Duke’s small group oeuvre.

RIP Nat Peck

Trombonist Nat Peck whose playing career ranged from Glenn Miller to the Clarke-Boland Big Band via Dizzy Gillespie has died aged 90. Peter Bevan kindly brought to my attention this Daily Telegraph obituary.
The last surviving member of Miller's AEF band, Nat Peck died on October 24.
May he rest in peace.
Lance.

Dom and the Ikos @ Hoochie Coochie - Oct. 30

Dom Pipkin (pno/vcl); Tony Ricco (ten); Jay Darwish (bs gtr); Pat Davey (dms).
(Review by Lance).

Warren does it again and, even though he takes a few hits, he brings to his venue the music he loves.

An unsubsidised guy who, like many other local promoters, puts his money where his mouth is.

Dom and the Ikos were superb. An example of how foolish genre guide lines are! This was jazz, it was rock 'n' roll, rhythm 'n' blues, it was a compilation of the lot - the works! And this band works!

Pannonica @ The Lit & Phil - Oct. 30.

Zoe Gilby, vocals, Andy Champion, bass and Paul Edis, Piano.

(Review/photo by Jerry)

Pannonica is Zoe Gilby’s tribute to the music of Thelonius Monk (via Carmen McRae i.e. Monk with lyrics). I’d not seen the show before but was glad I caught this abbreviated version today as it was a real treat: nine Monk tunes interspersed with anecdotes and explanations and, in passing, a top-notch impersonation of Graeme Wilson! I look forward to seeing the full programme sometime soon.

Glaswegian Hoochie Coochie Men

In January Hoochie Coochie will welcome back the James Taylor Quartet. As a foretaste, tune in to Jazz Line-Up tomorrow (Saturday) at five o’clock to hear the band in concert at this year’s Glasgow Jazz Festival and Sebastian Scotney reports from Birmingham on the jazz  scene in England’s second city. Also on Radio 3 (midnight Saturday), John Coltrane is in the spotlight on Geoffrey Smith’s Jazz.

RIP Herbie Goins

R 'n' B, Soul singer Herbie Goins passed away on October 27. Although American born he spent most of his working musical life in Europe and the UK in particular. He brought his distinctive vocals to the bands of Eric Delaney, Chris Barber and Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated before forming The Nightimers a band that included, at various times, Mike Carr and Harry Beckett. I recall the band playing the Club Agogo in Newcastle although I wasn't there myself.

Without doubt one of the legends.

Herbie Goins died in Italy aged 76.

Sadly missed.
Obituary.

Lance.

CD Review: Matthew Stevens – Woodwork

Matthew Stevens (acoustic & electric guitars), Gerald Clayton (keyboards & piano), Vicente Archer (bass), Eric Doob (drums) & Paulo Stagnaro (percussion)

(Review by Russell)

Woodwork is Matthew Stevens’ first album as leader. His pedigree is not in doubt having worked with tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III, Christian Scott and Esperanza Spalding. Described as a ‘stellar’ quintet, the musicians on this recording are ‘first call’ individuals. Stevens chose to record the twelve tracks at the Clubhouse Studio, Rhinebeck, New York over two days in May, 2014. The studio happens to own an acoustic guitar played by the late Pete Seeger. Stevens took the opportunity to play it and it is heard on this recording.

CD Review: Ella Fitzgerald - Live at Chautauqua Volume 1.

Ella Fitzgerald (vcl); Tee Carson (pno); Keter Betts (bs); Joe Harris (dms).
(Review by Lance).

Recorded on July 11, 1968 at the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheatre in New York and released as the first album of the Dot Time Legends series, we have an album that finds "The First Lady of Song" in good voice, despite the acoustical vagaries that typify concerts in amphitheatres. The opening, It's All Right With Me, sounds as though Ella was at the back and the drummer up front. The voice distant and echoing, the drums overpowering. Fortunately, by the second number - I'm Beginning to See the Light - the sound seems to have been, if not resolved, at least improved and the balance levelled out. Whether this was done on the night or, as the notes indicate, newly remastered with the goal of presenting these recordings in a modern format while striving to keep the original atmosphere of the records.

Whatever, what really matters is the opportunity to hear the most swinging jazz singer ever in concert whilst still close to her peak.

GIJF 2016

More details have been released by Sage Gateshead re the 2016 Gateshead International Jazz Festival (April 15-17).

As well as Gregory Porter (pictured), other names include: Courtney Pine and Zoe Rahman; John Surman and the Alexander Hawkins Trio; Chris Sharkey; Phil Meadows Group with Royal Northern Sinfonia and Jambone; Arun Ghosh Band and BBC Radio 3 Jazz Line-Up on the Concourse Stage.

Full program will be released shortly but it looks to be another interesting one.

Lance.

CD Review: Mike Holober - Balancing Act.

Mike Holober (pno); Kate McGarry (voice); Marvin Stamm (tpt/flug); Dick Oatts (alt/sop/fl); Jason Rigby (ten/clt/bs clt); Mark Patterson (tmb); John Hebert (bs); Brian Blade (dms).

(Review by Lance).

A clever record - and I use the word as a compliment. It's clever and effective in the way voice and ensemble are merged. This is no chanteuse avec accompagner but a voice incorporated as a frontline instrument. It has been done many times over the years, probably beginning with Ellington and, closer to home, Norma Winstone. The tradition continues here without loss of momentum although maybe doesn't add advancement. If it ain't broke don't fix it! This certainly ain't broke!

SINATRALAND – EXPLORING THE MUSICAL WORLD OF FRANK SINATRA

(Press release)

On Thursday 26 November the BBC Big Band along with three of today’s leading jazz vocalists; Liane Carroll, Claire Martin and Ian Shaw perform a unique musical tribute to the 20^th Century’s greatest interpreter of popular song at Sage Gateshead. (Photo shows Claire Martin and Ian Shaw with local songsters Ann Alex and Claire Kelly).

In a career spanning 60 years Frank Sinatra set the standards, defined and in many cases redefined ‘the great American songbook’.  From his early days with the swing era big bands of Harry James and Tommy Dorsey to his sold out stadium tours of the 70’s and 80’s, Ol’ Blue Eyes laid down the musical route that his contemporaries would follow, and in the process created a unique sound and style which remains hugely influential in today’s world of music.

Let Spin @ Jazz Café - Oct. 27

Chris Williams (alto sax); Moss Freed (guitar); Ruth Goller (bass); Finlay Panter (drums).

(Review by Steve H/Photos courtesy of Ken Drew).

Having returned recently from New Orleans, the jazz capital of the world, it was refreshing to see a contemporary modern jazz band playing in the jazz capital of the UK. Don’t get me wrong the music in New Orleans is magnificent with musicians playing on every corner 24/7. The main music sidewalk Frenchman Street has dozens of bars with live music all seeming to feature several bands a night. However, the music tends to be of the ‘tourist variety’- entertaining but nothing to write home about.

Song Lyrics - Why do we like them?

(By Ann Alex)

If Lance, Blogmaster, allows, this will be the first in an occasional series of appreciation of song lyrics, a subject which I’m particularly interested in.  

Here goes! It seems to me that the song No Moon At All is especially clever, both lyrically and musically.  I first heard this sung delightfully by Claire Kelly (pictured) a few weeks ago at the Globe, and was intrigued by the idea that it is the opposite of the standard ‘moon in June’ songs.  Then a piece of luck - the song turned up in our repertoire on the Blue Jazz Voices jazz singing course.

It’s written by Redd Evans and Dave Mann:

Band Library Seeks Good Home

I've currently been asked to seek out a suitable recipient of the sheet-music, band parts (partic. horns/woodwind) and arrangement 'book' of highly respected Jazz and Swing musician / arranger Derek Bridge (centre at rear), who sadly passed 3yrs ago. This is an extensive collection of 'dots' covering an extremely wide-range. His widow would like it to go to an established band/ orchestra as a fitting 50+yr tribute to her late-husband. Contact : Chris 01642-653286.

R.I.P. Lee Shaw

Amazingly, Lee Shaw is an unfamiliar name to me but, when our Stateside rep Ann Braithewaite sent me this, I knew she was 'The Business" - Lance. Listen.

Internationally acclaimed pianist, composer, and bandleader Lee Shaw passed away on Sunday, October 25 in Albany, NY at the age of 89. Shaw — who studied with Oscar Peterson, taught piano to John Medeski, and worked with countless jazz luminaries including Dexter Gordon, Thad Jones, Chico Hamilton, Pepper Adams, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Richard Davis, Slam Stewart, Major Holly, and Eddie Jones — was one of jazz’s unsung heroines whose late-career resurgence began in 2001 when she began performing with drummer Jeff “Siege” Siegel and bassist Rich Syracuse. 

CD Review: Hot Jazz Jumpers - The Very Next Thing

(Review by Lance.)

The music here is of such an eclectic mix that I wonder if there is an audience out there capable of being empathetic to the variety of styles and modes/moods on this CD/DVD. It's trad, skiffle, gospel, funk, hip-hop, bossa and probably a few other genres too!

Indiana - more or less, straight Dixie. Freight Train - updated skiffle. Caravan - Duke, Tizol and co turning in their graves. You Are My Sunshine - a little cloudy. Nobody But My Baby - Hershey, best bar none. In a Mellow Tone - Duke's stopped turning, maybe even loves this madly. Griffith's vocal brings Jon Hendricks to mind. 

Jock-A-Mo -  a calypso sort of thing with with Hershey "Iko Iko-ing".

CD Review: Home Away From Home – The Colours Jazz Orchestra Plays the Music of Ayn Inserto

(Review by Dave Brownlow)
This is a startling album from the outstanding Composer/Arranger Ayn Inserto and the Colours Jazz Orchestra. Since 1999 Ayn has been steadily making a name for herself in the U.S. receiving countless awards but is, currently, perhaps less well-known in the U.K.
A musician writing avant-garde charts in sound, taking risks and creating some of the most complex, sophisticated, and clever music I’ve ever heard.
 Smooth-jazz this is not!

Tetra @ Sage Gateshead - Oct. 26

Julian Argülles (ten/sop); Kit Downes (pno); Sam Lasserman (bs); James Maddren (dms).

(Review by Lance)
Our reviewer, Hugh, said, of Tetra's new CD, "Tetra is a burst of golden sunshine and will warm the listener during the shortening autumn days".

The golden sunshine didn't quite warm my Autumn days. Indeed, at times, it made them even shorter. This was music aimed at the jazz thinker (I know a few). It was cerebral, reflective, searching, probing.

Vasi X plays Ornette!

(Review by Russell/Photo courtesy of Roly Veitch)

 As Bebop Spoken Here’s editor left the Black Bull, Xenopoulos wowed the standing room only audience with more imperious tenor playing on I Fall in Love Too Easily. Another Kenny Barron number – Sunshower – all but closed a fantastic evening at Blaydon Jazz Club. All but…Xenopoulos enquired of club organiser Roly Veitch if Ornette Coleman would be an appropriate way to send us on our way! Vasi X assured Veitch (and all present) that it would be a Coleman blues. When Will the Blues Leave? will live on in the memory.

Earlier in the day news reached Roly Veitch of Xenopoulos’ Friday evening gig at the Traveller’s Rest in Darlington – a ‘best ever’ occasion, apparently. A full house at the Black Bull made this Sunday evening appearance truly unforgettable. The unexpected cameo from Billy Harper and Anne DeVere with Andy Champion and drummer Matt Mackellar (detailed in the editor’s review) pointed to the future – the Harper/DeVere legacy has been taken to another level by Champion and the other guys on the gig. The participation of Mackellar, representing the next generation, made the night.

Russell.

Double Bill @ Ushaw – Paul Edis & Vasilis Xenopoulos/The Gala Big Band Ushaw College, Durham - October 24

Paul Edis (piano); Vasilis Xenopoulos (tenor sax). (Apologies to Gala Big Band – not all names known.)

(Review by Jerry)

If, on my first visit here, I found the bar/café area impressive, the theatre is jaw-dropping! I know as much about architecture as I do about jazz and I guess this is neo-gothic with its panelling and its statues projecting from the beams like benevolent gargoyles. I think I like neo-gothic: I know I liked the jazz!

The opener, Almost Like Being in Love, showed, immediately, the intuitive understanding these two musicians have after a decade or more of playing together. Vas joked that they were like “an old married couple” – each able to finish the other’s musical sentences before they got there themselves. I hope, as half of an old married couple, that this was meant to be a positive! Either way, the interplay between the two instruments/musicians throughout the set was almost uncanny!

Vasilis Xenopoulos Quartet @ the Black Bull - Blaydon Jazz Club. Oct. 25

Vasilis Xenopoulos (ten); Paul Edis (pno); Andy Champion (ns); Russ Morgan (dms) + Anne DeVere (vcl); Bill Harper (pno); Matthew Mackellar (dms).

(Review by Lance).

If this isn't our "Gig of the Year" it will only be because Stan Getz was discovered not to be dead but living nearby in Crawcrook. However, even in that unlikely case scenario this gig  may still get the nod. Few in the packed room would, I think, disagree.

You Do Something to Me did something to me - made me realise that tonight was going to be something special. Over the years I've heard Vasi several times and, unfailingly, each one is better than the previous - and the very first one at the old Side Café was fantastic!

Monday Oct 26 @ Sage Gateshead - Tonight!

Interview.
CD Review.
Not to be missed!
Lance.
JULIAN ARGÜELLES' TETRA - Sage Gateshead. 8pm. £13.50/£11.50. 0191 4434661.

Liam, Leroy & Humph

Monday’s Jazz on 3 (Radio 3, 11:00pm) presents Liam Noble from the Vortex, London. Tuesday’s In Tune (Radio 3, 4:30pm) welcomes the Leroy Jones Quartet into the studio to play some New Orleans jazz and over on Radio 4 Extra at half past six That Reminds Me reminds the listener of Humphrey Lyttleton’s engaging conversational manner, first broadcast in 2009. Also on 4 Extra at 6:30pm, Friday, Soul Music looks at Cole Porter’s Every Time We Say Goodbye. Goggle box watchers may like to tune in to a repeat of a recent BBC 4 programme – Len Goodman’s Big Band Bonanza – on Wednesday night, BBC 2, 11:15pm.  

Russell.

Charles Gordon & Kenny Hewitt @ The Jazz Café – October 24

Charles Gordon (keyboards & vocals) & Kenny Hewitt (tenor & soprano saxophones)

(Review by Russell)

Seats were at a premium this busy Saturday night. The Jazz Café did good business early on and it stayed that way. From one week to the next there’s no guessing as to how many people will turn up. Perhaps the prospect of an extra hour in bed (British ‘Summer’ Time ended at 2:00am – did anyone notice a seasonal change?) persuaded some to venture out.

Alter Ego @ The Globe Jazz Bar - Oct. 24

Kevin Eland (tpt/flug); Niall Armstrong (ten); Keith Robinson (alt); Tony Abell (bs gtr); Andy Hawking (pno); David Francis (dms).

(Review by Lance).

Alter Ego hardly ever bop, and I use the words advisedly, out of the woodwork so that when they do it should be a cause for celebration with Arena-like queues.

In a perfect world that is. 

We weren't in a perfect world, or should I say Globe?

Few punters punted which was sad as this is a band that epitomises the very best in modern jazz of the hard bop variety.

A nicely balanced programme of originals and unhackneyed classics by such names as Joe Henderson, McCoy Tyner, Stanley Turrentine, John Coltrane and Hank Mobley made for a most enjoyable set. 

The Last of the Legacy…going, going, almost gone!

Be quick, tickets for the Buck Clayton Legacy Band at Sage Gateshead are selling fast. All seats on level one have sold, a handful remain on level two. The third tier is selling too. Matthias Seuffert, Alyn Shipton and co will be playing small group Ellingtonia. A treat waits. Book now! Telephone Sage Gateshead’s ticket office: 0191 443 4661. The phrase ‘standing room only’ is sure to apply to this gig. S/he who hesitates…  

Russell.

Swinging into Blaydon this Sunday

 (Preview by Russell).

Win, lose or draw (Sunderland v Newcastle), as a way to celebrate or as a pick me up, be sure to get to the Black Bull on Bridge Street in Blaydon on Sunday evening. At eight on the dot the Greek God of Vasilis will blow the finest swinging tenor saxophone since the era of one-nighters at the Corner House Hotel in Newcastle featuring some of the all time great American tenor players.

Taylor made for the Vermont - Oct. 23

 A flying visit to the Vermont Hotel before heading along to the Jazz Café to catch Gerry Richardson. The advertised attraction – Andrea Pattison and Stu Collingwood – received a better offer: a spot on a television show being recorded in London. Understandably the duo went south.

The late dep of Hannah Taylor and Alix Shepherd did nothing to lessen the quality in the Redwood Bar, far from it. Vocalist Taylor sat on a high stool, pianist Shepherd alongside. The Vermont gig is a low key affair affording musicians the opportunity to run through a selection of tunes they want to play, perhaps haven’t played in a while. Taylor looked the part dressed in black, high heels and pearls. The waist-coated Shepherd’s accompaniment ever-professional. Route 66 cabaret-style, Gas book and Stevie Wonder. A half hour or so   of classy sounds. On to the Caff for some goings on Back at the Chicken Shack.

Russell.

Gerry Richardson Quartet @ the Jazz Café - Oct. 23

Gerry Richardson (Hammond SK2/vcl); Garry Linsley (alt); Rod Sinclair (gtr); Paul Smith (dms).

(Review by Lance).

This was an unusual gig, no ipads or tablets just good old fashioned ms paper and ears. Good to hear Garry Linsley again, it had been awhile, he still blows some of the most blistering alto around without losing the melodic touch, Likewise Rod Sinclair, on Telecaster tonight, fusing jazz, rock and blues licks into a funky, soulful blend. Paul Smith drove the train (Trane?) along powerhouse style slotting in solos and breaks dynamically. The build up to his solo in African Sunset was masterly. As for Gerry, well, he is surely at the top of his game. Much has been said about being the best Hammond operator north of Watford Gap. I'd have added east of Detroit to that too. The original All About McGriff proved that. He uses the bass pedals as good as anyone and better than most. To me, an organist without a bass pedal board is like a violinist using only 3 strings. 

Andy Hudson Remembers Don Rendell

I first got to know Don's music when he played with Ian Carr, He could be a hard-driving and also lyrical tenor player and was also accomplished on Clarinet, Soprano and Flute.

In the early days of the Newcastle Jazz Festival, he would come up with small combos that we could just afford along with Tony Crombie, Dave Green and other luminaries of around 1970.

We all got to know him well through when he started a teaching and playing relationship with the Big Band. Don stayed with us and although he was a committed Jehovah's Witness he never sought to foist his beliefs on others. Just after he'd left though there would be the odd copy of Watchtower or Awake conspicuously on a bookshelf or the bedside table. Due to the vagaries of the MU rules at the time, he appeared as an anagram on the Album as Dene .N. Droll along with Ken Gibson (Geno Binks) and Henry Lowther (Ethel Wryhorn).

Dominic Lodge @ Culture Lab, Newcastle University – October 22

(Review by Russell)

Culture Lab was full to overflowing. Late arriving students stood at the back of the room for this week’s installment of student musicians’ public performance. A short session, as at least one of the performers had to dash down to St Nicholas’ Cathedral for some other engagement in their busy lives. An organ scholar perhaps or choir practice, who knows?

Stevie Jackson sang folk, played fiddle (Norwegian Hardanger) and for one number she was accompanied on guitar by a talented fellow student. Alto sax player Dominic Lodge played a Paul Desmond-Jim Hall blues with piano, bass (the excellent Tim Farrow) and drums (from a distance it looked like Lewis West) and a female vocalist in support. His short set concluded with Duke Pearson’s Sweet Honey Bee.

Finger style guitarist James Wade closed the show with more dazzling playing (earlier in the year Wade gave an impressive recital in Culture Lab). Scott Joplin’s Silver Swan Rag (arr. Tom van Bergeyk), Plymouth House and a John Renbourn tune rounded off a fine set.        

Russell.

Tutors Live! @ Sage Gateshead – October 21

(Review by Russell)

Tutors working on the BA/BMus degree course based at Sage Gateshead performed to an audience of ‘freshers’ – the ‘Class of 2018’. The new student intake arrived on time, most of them with phones switched off, ready to listen. Hall Two’s cabaret table layout made it an informal occasion. What would the new lot make of it all?

A degree at Sage Gateshead prepares young musicians for a working life in music: jazz to popular music, to the commercial to music technology. On stage a roll call of the region’s teaching talent demonstrated no nonsense performance skills. 

Friday Night?

Tomorrow night sees Pizza Express, Dean Street move into a parallel universe. Not only is the Soho venue continuing to thrive but Newcastle's Dean St. operation is dipping its toe into the jazz/pizza experience. Most people who love jazz love pizzas - correct me if I'm wrong! - so this is an opportunity to savour the mix.

The Matt Jacobs Trio are the featured band in the upstairs room and if you heard Matt at the Jazz Café Jam Session on Tuesday you will have a hint of what's in store. Doors are at 7pm with the band hitting the stage at 8pm. Admission is free but there is a price to pay, The Gerry Richardson Quartet are at the Jazz Café starting at 9pm and you don't want to miss them either! So, get there for 8pm have a pizza and a few Peroni's then get yourself over to The Caff.

Of course, if Matt's trio are as good as he was at the jam then you may have to toss a coin - tough call.

Lance 

RIP Mark Murphy

First Don Rendell and now Mark Murphy! I know your heroes don't live forever but two in one day! Mark passed away yesterday (October 21) leaving behind a legacy that should have been enormous but wasn't although, in artistic terms it was as big as Porter or Elling. He was the consummate jazz singer - he should have been playing stadiums, but I'm glad he wasn't on 9/11.  9/11 1984 that is.

On that Tuesday evening he was at the Corner House in Newcastle where, accompanied by the Willie Payne/Sid Warren Sextet, he gave one of the most memorable performances that venue had ever seen and, in that era, they'd seen plenty!

RIP Don Rendell

The devastating news has come through that Don Rendell died on Tuesday (October 20) aged 89. One of the greatest British tenor saxophone players Don Rendell is remembered in the north not only for his association with Ian Carr (Pictured left with Don on photo by Jack Goodwin) but also for his appearance with the Newcastle Big Band. It was in 1973 on that day when Sunderland won the FA Cup in the afternoon and Don Rendell played with the Big Band in the evening The big difference was that I was only listening to the match on the radio whereas I was actually on stage with the great man!

Work Song performed by Alex & Dylan Thompson & Nathan Lawson at Jazz Caf...

Sax in the Lab – October 22

Newcastle University’s regular term time music student performances have temporarily taken up residence in the laboratory. Armstrong Building is currently undergoing major renovation works resulting in music students giving public performances in Culture Lab on King’s Walk located at the Barras Bridge entrance to the main city centre campus.   

The hour-long concert series features an eclectic mix of accomplished young musicians. Classical, folk, jazz, rock, you name it, you’re likely to hear it on a Thursday, beginning at half past four. This week’s selection includes saxophonist Dominic Lodge playing the tunes of Paul Desmond, Jim Hall and Duke Pearson.  

Russell.

Jazz Café Jam Session - Oct. 19

(Review by Lance).

18 and counting! Last night was one of those nights when everybody and their grandmother were there. On stage the age range went from 13 to infinity and they came from Norway and America as well as Durham, Sunderland and points west.

I Thought About You and Someday My Prince Will Come by the house trio set the ball rolling. They were on fire from bar one and it served as an appetising taster for tonight's Cherry Tree gig by Peter, Paul and Steve Glendinning (guitar).

From now on, with a few exceptions, it was New Faces - some barely reached puberty!

Erroll Garner - Concert by the Sea

I haven't received a review copy of The Complete Erroll Garner Concert by the Sea recently released by Columbia/Sony/Legacy as a 3 CD package. I won't lose sleep, my 1955 LP has served me well over the years and, despite repeated playings and the odd drink spilled over it, it remains one of those iconic recordings that will forever, like the definitive recordings of Oscar, Art, Fats, Teddy, Earl and Bud, remain the benchmark for aspiring pianists with chops to aim at and one I'll play whenever I'm up, or whenever I'm down, or maybe just in between!

Even Oscar never played Where or When like this!
It's simply the business!
Lance.

EFG London Jazz Festival

Circumstances decree that I'm not going to make it down to the LJF this year.

What I'm going to miss can be found here:  

http://www.efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk/. Any of our site reviewers who are planning on going down please get in touch.

Lance.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/bbc-radio-jazz-pop-up-station

CD Review: Nicholas Bridgeman - Wheel of Life

Nicholas Bridgeman (keys).

I'm assuming this is a solo album as the drumming has the metronomic qualities associated with robotic drummers! Nevertheless, this is a very listenable and danceable album in the funky smooth vein. Left hand piano/guitar, right hand organ/piano, drum machine. Eight originals plus two covers - Black Orpheus and Cantaloupe Island.

Sage Gateshead this Wednesday

Wednesday October 21 - Paul Edis and Bradley Johnston, 12.30-1.15pm

Bradley Johnston is already a well-known figure on the local jazz scene, gigging regularly with James Birkett and now leading his own quartet. Still studying for his BMus at Sage Gateshead (now in his third and final year) Brad is joined by BMus lecturer, pianist and composer Paul Edis for a free, 45 minute concert of jazz on the concourse at Sage Gateshead.

Tutors Live! Oct 21 - 8pm - free but ticketed.

A celebratory performance to welcome the Class of 2018 and returning students to the BA/BMus Degrees delivered at Sage Gateshead in partnership with the University of Sunderland.

Blaydon this coming Sunday...

Sunday 25th October - 8pm - £6.00

Vasilis Xenopoulos/Paul Edis Quartet
He's back! The wonderful tenor sax player - warm toned, lyrical and exhilarating. Vas is supported by three of the region's finest - Paul piano, Andy Champion bass and Russ Morgan drums.

Roly.

National Jazz Archive wins Heritage Lottery Fund support for oral history and reminiscence project

The National Jazz Archive, based in Loughton, Essex, has been awarded £83,300 by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the Intergenerational Jazz Reminiscence Project, which will begin in January 2016.

Thanks to National Lottery players, this project will give people the opportunity to learn about and contribute to the National Jazz Archive through a programme of performance, oral history and reminiscence. It will explore how different generations have promoted, performed, supported, and documented our jazz heritage. Using materials from the Archive and from other local sources, the project will inspire members of Age UK Activity Centres, local jazz clubs, local youth groups and young jazz musicians to share and discuss what music has meant and still means in their lives.

Jazz Co-op @ The Globe: Gabriele Mit Drei - October 17

Gabriele Heller (vocals); Paul Beck (piano); Steve Glendinning (guitar); Dave Parker (bass)

(Review by Ann Alex)

It’s about a year since I’ve heard this band and they were great then.  I’m tempted to say they’ve moved up to the next level, which is true, except that I don’t really agree with talking about levels as every band contributes what they can.  But they were great, let’s just say, and this may even be my gig of the month or even of the year.

CD Review: Kristine Mills - BOSSAtoo

Kristine Mills (vocals, guitar, percussion, songwriter); Klaus Mueller (keys, arrangements, production); Itaiguara Brandao (acoustic guitar, 5-string electric bass,); Portinho (drums);

Rafael Barata (percussion, tracks 1, 8, 11).

(Review by Ann Alex).

It must be Latin week at BSH – here is another CD of Latin jazz, mostly originals from the pen of Mills, except for Jobim’s Meditation, his Inutil Paisagem (If You Never Come to Me) and Sting’s its Probably Me.  Mills voice, a pleasant sweetish jaunty tone, is hard to describe but easy to listen to. 

CD Review: Baden Powell - Live In Berlin.

Baden Powell (guitar/voice).
(Review by Lance).

Although nothing to do with the founder of the boy scouts movement, after whom the guitarist was named, "be prepared" to hear some of the greatest Brazilian guitar music ever - an iconic piece of musical history. 

A double CD of solo Brazilian guitar may, I thought at first, be regarded warily - surely I'd be bored silly by the end? Bored? by track 2 I was already in the virtual rainforest wallowing in the artistry of an amazing musician who blends jazz and his native music so seamlessly.

Jambone Make Capital

Jambone, Sage Gateshead’s student big band, is heading to this year’s EFG London Jazz Festival! The Tyneside youth ensemble will be performing at Rich Mix on Saturday November 21 at 4:45pm. Shepherding the flock of school/college fledglings will be Dr Paul Edis (representing Sage Gateshead), and composer/arranger/educator Ben Cottrell doing various beats & pieces. Others on the bill, starting at three o’clock, include Led Bib.

If you’re in the Smoke on the day why not go along and show your support? That’s Rich Mix, Bethnal Green  Road, London E1 6LA, Saturday November 21. Tickets: £5.00.  

Kora Band @ the Jazz Café, Newcastle - Oct. 16

Andrew Oliver (piano); Kane Mathis (kora & vocals); Chad McCullough (trumpet); Brady Millard-Kish (electric bass); Mark DiFlorio (drums/calabash).
(Review/bw photo by Lance/colour photo courtesy of Mike Tilley). 
This probably won't be my "Gig of the Year" but I'm sure it will be a contender! What is for sure is that it will be the most unique. Five American musicians playing a fusion of jazz and West African music and featuring the kora - a lute shaped, 20 plus stringed harp-sounding instrument originally indigenous to West Africa but now more widely used. Mathis' instrument was made by, quote: "a hippy guy out in the Oregon mountains".