Full House! - Gala Big Band @ Durham Town Hall, Nov. 29.

(Review/photos by Jerry).

Despite “Clodagh” spitting and howling like a banshee outside, the Gala Big Band were welcomed by a full house (120+) and proceeded to blow up a storm of their own! Despite this being, I think, only their third public concert, they entertained the audience so successfully that when the applause had died down their departure into the inhospitable storm (Silver Street was like a wind-tunnel!) was accompanied by much animated chat (“I haven’t seen these before – why have I never seen these before?”) and a protective warm glow inside. Very seasonal!

CD Review: Thomas Maintz/Aaron Parks - Duets in June

Thomas Maintz (guitar/soundbox); Aaron Parks (piano/melodica).
(Review by Lance).

A duo disc drifts in from Denmark. Deliberative, delving, neither duelling nor dynamic and yet, delightfully delicious. To quote Cole Porter - D'lovely!

Not that Porter or any other songwriters are represented here. All ten compositions are by Maintz with Parks sharing the honours on one of them.

Jazz Co-op @ The Globe: The Budtones – Nov. 28

Stu Finden (tenor sax); Fiona Finden (soprano sax, vocals); Lin Lee Wong (piano); Jim Crinson (bass); Eric Stutt (drums)

(Review by Ann Alex).

The set began with a boppy quirky tune - The Message, saxes in joyful harmony, solos all round, fours, culminating with a very long sax note from Fiona, who then said something about circular breathing.  I guess Fi, as a physiotherapist, must know something about breath control, and this note certainly showed that she can breathe!

Tonight @ The Globe

Tonight's Jazz Coop monthly trad session at the Globe features the ever popular Vieux Carré Jazzmen. Doors are at 7pm and stomp off will be circa 7:30pm.
A snip at a fiver.
Globe Jazz Bar, 11 Railway St., Newcastle NE4 7AD.
22 or 12/12a bus takes you there.

News Flash!

George Benson is to play Sage Gateshead on June 21, 2016. Tickets are £67/£57/£47 and are selling very fast!
Lance.

Pete Gilligan/Chris Jelly Duo @ the Jazz Café - Nov. 28

Pete Gilligan (pno); Chris Jelly (vbs).

(Review, b&w photo, by Lance/colour photo courtesy of  Mike Tilley).
There have been many Saturday night duo sets at the Jazz Café - some worked well and some not so well. This surprise pairing was most deffo of the former variety - Gilligan and Jelly, gelled.

After an opening Blues in F to warm-up (and with the weather outside we all needed warming up!) the temperature rose by the note. Sonora, by Hampton Hawes, is a longtime Gilligan favourite and I guess it's now one of Jelly's.

And the winner is…Hoochie Coochie!

Proprietor Warren Thomson must be smiling. On Wednesday evening Hoochie Coochie picked up two awards at the Newcastle Benevolent Awards organised by Licensed Trade International. Newcastle’s classy soul-jazz establishment was overall winner of Best Bar of the Year and also won the coveted Best Live Music Venue award. Congratulations to Warren and co!
Russell.

Manjula @ The Jazz Café – Nov.27

Vanessa Rani (vocals & percussion), Joe Harris (guitar), Simon Read (double bass) & Sam Bell (percussion).

(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy of Mike Tilley).

Leeds College of Music has cultivated many fine musicians. Many of them find their way to Newcastle to play a gig. At the Jazz Café a new voice captivated the audience. Vanessa Rani possesses a fabulous voice, she’s a natural talent. Working with Ms Rani in the band Manjula are three top notch musicians; percussionist (and reassuring presence) Sam Bell, bassist Simon Read (himself leading a band at a young age) and guitarist Joe Harris.

Keith Morris CD/DVD Launch @ The Jazz Café – Nov 27

An early evening gathering at the Jazz Café was entertained by an opening half hour set by Tango Zapatito. Cello and accordion played as if at a literary salon; music secondary to the greeting, the embrace, the convivial catch-up conversation. They were there for a low-key CD/DVD launch. The late Keith Morris, musician, educator and promoter, was remembered at a concert earlier in the year at Gateshead Old Town Hall. The event was recorded and has now been made available as a CD or DVD to add to your collection. A cast list as long as a slide trombone gave their services at the Gateshead commemorative event including some notable jazz names (Lewis Watson, Neil Harland and Rob Walker to name but three). Archive material – both stills and moving image – filled the screen at the Jazz Café. The memory of Keith Morris will live on. 

Russell

(Photo courtesy of Mike Tilley.)   

Belatedly discovering Philip Larkin

Readers may have noticed the preponderance of Philip Larkin comments in the Bebop Spoken There section at the top of the page.

I make no apology for devoting so much space to the late writer and Commander of Honour's quips and observations, Larkin is simply the most humorous of jazz writers and, at times, one of the most perceptive.

Sinatraland - Sage Gateshead. Nov. 26

Claire Martin, Liane Carroll, Ian Shaw (vcl) w. BBC Big Band; Mark Nightingale (MD) inc. Martin Shaw, Brian Rankine (tpt); John Higginbotham, Gordon Campbell, Ashley Horton (tmb); Steve Main, Jamie Anderson, Howard McGill, Jay Craig, Stewart Forbes (reeds); Robin Aspland (pno);  Dave Whitford (bs); Tom Gordon (dms).

Didn't get the full personnel, it differed from anticipated line-up.

(Review by Lance).

Has the Sinatra Centenary bubble finally burst? judging by last night's poor turn out it may well have. Not surprising as it has been running in one form or another throughout the world since January in halls large and small and it's now almost December in one of the biggest halls of all!*

Claire Martin did the announcing and provided the highlight of the evening with as emotive a reading of In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning as you will hear anywhere. Accompanied by just guitar and bass this was something I doubt if even Frank could have bettered.

CD Review: Bokani Dyer - World Music.

Bokani Dyer (pno/keys/synth); Shane Cooper (bs); Marion Witbool (dms); Buddy Wells (ten); Justin Bellairs (alt); Robin Fassie-Kock (tpt); Sakhile Moleshe, Lee-Ann Fortuin (vcls); John Hassan (perc/vcls).

(Review by Lance).

Botswana born, South African based pianist, Dyer encompasses the many moods of expression that have embraced and influenced him. From Bach to Soul, from Ellington to Mbira music justifying the somewhat ambiguous album title of World Music.

Tonight @ Sage Gateshead - Sinatraland

(Press release)

Tonight (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.

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.

Inner Space Music @ the Jazz Café - Nov. 24.

Rachel Musson, Chris Biscoe (reeds); Loz Speyer (trumpet); Olie Brice (bass); Gary Wilcox (drums).

(Review by Steve H)

Yet another superb gig at the Jazz Cafe on Tuesday night; it was Loz Speyer’s Inner Space Music who were the purveyors of this fine fayre. The make up of the band is slightly unconventional with two reeds players and a trumpet. This combination gives a somewhat hard edged feel to parts of the music but some of the harmonies conjured up were simply sublime. 

LINE-UP REVEALED FOR GATESHEAD INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL 2016

(Press release)

Gateshead International Jazz Festival is back! As always there’s the best of the UK, European and International jazz scene, hotly-tipped emerging talent and exciting cross genre artists with a programme that truly brings something for everyone. The festival, the UK’s biggest held under one roof, runs from Friday 15 – Sunday 17 April 2016 at Sage Gateshead.

We’re proud to welcome back GRAMMY award-winning singer Gregory Porter after his sell out show last year to open this year’s festival.  Saturday night’s stellar double bill opens with leading British saxophonist and festival favourite Courtney Pine with fellow Mercury nominee and MOBO award winning pianist, Zoe Rahman who play the music from their acclaimed album Song (The Ballad Book).  In contrast, trumpeter, composer (renowned for his work on Spike Lee’s movies), and former member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers Terence Blanchard brings his new quintet, the E-Collective, in a powerful fusion of funk, R&B and rock.

CD Review: Steve Fishwick/Osian Roberts/Frank Basile Sextet - In The Empire State.

Steve Fishwick (tpt); Osian Roberts (ten); Frank Basile (bar); Jeb Patton (pno); Mike Karn (bs); Matt Fishwick (dms).

(Review by Lance).

The CDs drop through the letterbox daily. Sometimes my eyes light up with delight but, more often than not, I groan and wonder, wtf will I make of this!

I'm pleased to say that this album is very much in the former category. In fact it epitomises what this site was primarily aimed at - bebop in the new millennium. Recorded in New York last year after the Fishwick Bros and Roberts, along with New Yorkers Basile, Patton and Karn played several gigs in the Big Apple as part of Dave Douglas' Festival of New Trumpet. 

What a richly deserved accolade for Steve who isn't always given his due as one of the UK's finest jazz trumpet players.

Jones Remembers Herbie Goins…and Nigel Stanger

Paul Jones’ weekly blues programme is essential listening. This week the Blues Band’s front man paid tribute to Herbie Goins. An Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated version of I Got a Woman featured two tenor players – Brian Smith and Nigel Stanger. On alto was Ray Warleigh. Jones remembers meeting Stanger for the first time in 1962.  

Post Alexis Korner material included a track of interest to Tyneside jazz and blues fans. Mike Carr and, John McLaughlin (one time resident of Whitley Bay) feature on Comin’ Home to You.    

Guitarist Norman Beaker, similarly name-checked, happens to be in Newcastle in three weeks’ time with Chris Farlowe at Newcastle Labour Club (December 17).

Russell

Paul Jones (BBC Radio 2, 7:00pm, Monday) is available on BBC iPlayer for thirty days.   

CD Review: Malija – The Day I Had Everything

Mark Lockheart (tenor & soprano saxophones, bass clarinet), Liam Noble (piano) & Jasper Høiby (double bass) + Ligeti Quartet: Mandhira de Saram (violin), Patrick Dawkins (violin), Richard Jones (viola) & Val Welbanks (cello) (tracks 2 & 11)

(Review by Russell)

Malija comprises three familiar names on the contemporary European jazz scene; Mark Lockheart (Loose Tubes, Polar Bear), Liam Noble (Julian Siegel, Bobby Wellins, Tom Rainey) and Jasper Høiby (Julia Biel, Phronesis). The reeds, piano and double bass trio began their enduring working relationship in 2009 recording, and subsequently touring, Lockheart’s In Deep CD project. The Day I Had Everything is, according to Lockheart: about many musical things…to me this is London jazz music, distinct and different from the American sound.

Gerry Richardson's Big Idea @ Hoochie Coochie - Nov. 22

Gerry Richardson (vcls/Hammond SK2); Rod Sinclair (gtr); Sue Ferris (fl/ten/bar); Garry Linsley (fl/ten/bar); Stuart Johnson (ten/sop); Dave Hignett/Mark Webb (tpt); David Gray (tmb); Paul Smith (dms).

(Review by Lance).

The turnout's good, the music's great, what's not to like? Answer - nothing! This is more than just a nostalgia trip even though 3 years have passed since their last gig. I'm surprised it hasn't been longer! each and everyone is gigging here, there, and teaching everywhere which is good. If you want to learn, this is the place - all possessed of the knowledge.

Hoochie's also a good place to learn to drink or, if you already have, to consolidate that knowledge,

Mesmeric Metamorphic Rolls with Røyst @ Newcastle Jazz Cafe - November 20

Metamorphic Laura Cole (Piano); Kerry Andrew (Voice); Chris Williams (Alto Sax); John Martin (Soprano/Tenor Sax); Oliver Dover (Bass Clarinet); Paul Sandy, Seth Bennet (Double Basses) Tom Greenhalgh (Drums).

Røyst Trio  Kari Bleivik, Ceceilie Giskamo , Maria Jardardotti (voices)

(Review by Steve H/Photo courtesy of Mike Tilley).

The collaboration of Laura Cole’s Metamorphic and Norwegian a capella trio Røyst really rocked Newcastle’s go to place for jazz on a Friday night. This night began with short sets from each band: a very folksy a capella offering from the Nordic trio, and a gutsy couple from the octet - the highlight being a wonderful improvised non-lexical vocal from Kerry Andrew.  

Maciek Pysz Trio @ The Globe Jazz Bar - Nov. 22

Maciek Pysz (gtrs); Yuri Goloubev (bs); Asaf Sirkis (dms).
(Review by Lance/Photos courtesy of Ken Drew).

Newcastle United lost 3-0 to Leicester City but, the big losers in Newcastle on Saturday were those who weren't at the Globe Jazz Bar for what could be the gig of the year, musicwise, for the Jazz Coop.

Maciek Pysz, an original and outstanding Polish guitarist, the legendary Asaf Sirkis, who must be ranked among the best kit-men anywhere, and Yuri Goloubev - a bassist of great dexterity. This was the real deal and how sad that so few made the effort.

Paul Edis - Not Like Me / Just Like Me Album Launch @ The Lit & Phil. Nov. 19

Paul Edis (piano)

(Review by Jerry)

I have always found it difficult reviewing gigs involving my son and have usually sought to deflect accusations of bias by ensuring that most of my comments focus on other performers in the band or at the microphone. A solo concert affords no hiding place! However, consanguinity should be no barrier to plain speaking so here’s a fact: that I am biased does not mean that Paul is not brilliant. He is: the gig was and the double CD will be! (I have still not heard it all on disc and look forward to seeing it reviewed by impartial listeners on this blog and elsewhere). Paul, being (in the words of another audience member) “so self-effacing”, will probably be mortified by the foregoing parental effusion but no matter – all three of our children are familiar with the old saying: “You can choose your friends but….”

CD Review: Jacob Varmus Septet - Aegean.

Jacob Varmus (tpt/cor); Hashem Assadullahi (alt/sop); Pete McCann (gtr); Leonard Thompson (pno/keys); Broc Hempel (pno/keys); Sam Trapchak (bs); Christian Coleman (dms).

(Review by Lance).

Greek born, New York jazz educator Varmus, is equally at home in both a jazz and a classical setting having played Carnegie Hall wearing both hats (on different occasions).

No doubt about which hat he's wearing here. A jazzy fedora I guess! Although the music leans towards the more contemporary end of the spectrum, the trumpet player maintains a sense of lyricism even when Assadullahi is 'going off on one' as he does on occasion.  

2 million not out!

To mark passing the two million page views I looked back to the early days of BSH and, although I cringed at some of my own postings, this one from Roly back in 2008 I thought was worth reprising -"I've come to the conclusion that the bass player is the most important guy in the band! A good bass can make ordinary players play their best. A poor bass can make good players seem ordinary. " - Roly Veitch. 

Words of wisdom that still stand (providing they don't take too many long solos!)
Lance.

CD Review: Peter Ehwald - Double Trouble Live.

Peter Ehwald (Tenor/Soprano); Robert Landfermann, Andreas Lang Jonas (Double Basses); Jonas Burgwinkel – Drums.

This live quartet album is somewhat different in that it features two double bass players (does that make it a quadruple bass?). I can’t say it adds to the overall listening experience to be honest, but I’m sure those present at the recording would have appreciated the novelty of the 8 strings. In the main this album is a vehicle for Ehwald’s compositions. His sax playing on both tenor and soprano is well supported by the double double bass players and I detected some very fine work by drummer Burgwinkel which I guess makes me a bit of a winkelpicker.  Ehwald is indeed a very fine player and in this format plays in a very free and uncompromising manner. Not easy listening but well worth a concentrated listen.

Sample.

Amazon.

Steve H.

CD Review: Maciek Pysz - A Journey

A reminder of tomorrow night at The Globe.
Maciek Pysz (gtr); Daniele di Bonaventura (bandoneon/pno); Yuri Goloubev (bs); Asaf Sirkis (dms).

(Review by Lance).

If this record is anything to go by, every guitar enthusiast in the north east will be heading for the Globe Jazz Bar, Newcastle, on Saturday Nov. 21 when the Jazz Coop present the outstanding Polish guitarist Maciek Pysz in concert. This is a major coup for the Coop and I can't visualise anyone wanting to miss it. If you can't make it (like you're in jail or on an Antarctic expedition) then this album is a good substitute for the real thing. But, be warned, once you've played it you'll want to be there anyway!

Jo Lawry and Will Vinson @ Sage Gateshead.

Jo Lawry (vcl/gtr/pno); Will Vinson (pno/alto).

(Review by Lance),

The game was afoot tonight, ne'er a square inch of space at any of the bars! The main attraction was Ralph McTell in Hall One. Across the great divide there was also a quorum for Mercury Rev in Hall Two. Sandwiched in between, in the Northern Rock Foundation Hall, was Jo Lawry and Will Vinson.

This was the one for those who'd made the near impossible choice of choosing between the Lit and Phil for Paul Edis' solo CD launch, the Stronger Jazz Voices gig at the Globe or this remarkable duo.

You want stronger jazz voices? You got it tonight with Jo Lawry although, it has to be said, the jazz content wasn't high. But, when it was, move over you gals on the ladder, you've still got a long way to go,

The Unheard Sinatra

(Radio Times by Russell.)

This weekend’s Saturday Classics (Radio 3, Saturday, 1:00pm) is presented by Geoffrey Smith. The avuncular American will be playing some jazz including Duke Ellington and Keith Jarrett. At five o’clock Gareth Williams’ European trio can be heard on Jazz Line-Up. This year’s Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival features on Hear and Now at 10:00pm. 

DVD Review: Frank Sinatra at The Royal Festival Hall - June 1, 1962

Frank Sinatra (vocals); Bill Miller (piano); Emile Richards (vibes); Harry Klee (saxes, flute); Al Viola (guitar); Ralph Pena (bass); Irv Cottler (drums).

(Review by Ann Alex)

They say ‘better late than never’ but 53 years is a bit much!  I’d better explain, otherwise I’ll be sacked from BSH and replaced by Daphne. I found out about this concert when I was on a Frank Sinatra themed holiday recently.  It seems it was broadcast on television, then the tape was lost because of changes among various television companies.  The tape was rediscovered in 2014 after some clever research done by a friend of the tutor who led the holiday, and it is now on general release as a DVD.

Some Cats Know

OMG! We're getting close to the 2 million mark. Watch the top left hand corner!

(Photo, Daphne, our new reviewer - she gave 5 miaous to Buck Clayton's All the Cats Join in as I served her a plate of Whiskas.)

Lance.

Zoe Gilby’s Stronger Jazz Voices; End of Term Gig; Thursday Nov. 19

Please come along to our gig this Thursday, 7.30pm at the Globe.  You’ll hear 8 of us who’ve been tutored by Zoe over the last few very enjoyable weeks.  And you’ll hear Zoe singing a couple of songs as well, what’s not to like?  Listen to songs such as Sway; When Sunny Gets Blue; St James Infirmary Blues and many others.  And all accompanied by a trio of Alan Laws (piano); Dave Parker (bass) and Michael Howard (drums) Admission £5

Be there!

Ann Alex

Jazz Café Jam Session Nov. 17

(Review by Lance).

At first it looked like no one was there then, suddenly, everyone was there! The usual suspects and a few not so usual. As usual the house trio got things moving with, I think, A Weaver of Dreams and they were kicking ass from the first bar and this was just the start of another memorable evening!

Time Remembered and Senor Blues followed before 'Bradders' joined the mix for A Foggy Day and a Michel Petrucciani number the title of which escapes me. The young guitarist's resolution of the closing bars on the former was masterly whilst the latter, a brisk Latin piece, saw all four take it round the block a few times.

The Poetry of Jazz

A New Project: Poetry by Keith Armstrong & Images by Peter Dixon

Tyneside artists and jazz enthusiasts Keith Armstrong and Peter Dixon have created a display of colour paintings, images and poems celebrating the greats of the jazz world from Lous Armstrong to George Melly, Billie Holiday to Charles Mingus and many more. The exhibition can be viewed at JG Windows in Newcastle's Central Arcade in the Printed Music Department on second floor of the store for the immediate future. A live jazz and poetry event is being planned at Windows to launch the display - look out for details of this later.

Contact - Keith Armstrong tel 0191 2529531 or Rupert Bradbury (JG Windows) tel 0191 2321356 for further information.

This Sunday (Nov. 22) @ Hoochie - Gerry Richardson's Big Idea Sounds Like a Good Idea!

This Sunday afternoon sees a rare live performance by Gerry Richardson's Big Idea at Hoochie Coochie. 

The Big Idea features Gerry on Hammond B3 and vocals with a host of big hitters in the line-up.

Dave Hignett, Mark Webb (tpts); David Gray (tmb); Gary Linsley, Sue Ferris; Stuart Johnson (saxes); Paul Smith (dms).

Expect nothing less than sensational!

Doors 4pm; stage 5pm.

£7 (sitting)/£5 (standing).

Further info.

Lance.

Keith Stephen’s Hot Club Trio with Caroline Irwin @ The Black Bull, Blaydon – Nov 15

Keith Stephen (guitar), Roly Veitch (guitar & vocals), Bruce Rollo (double bass) & Caroline Irwin (vocals & ukulele)

(Review by Russell).

Friends of Blaydon Jazz Club for many a year, Keith Stephen’s Hot Club Trio made a welcome return to the Black Bull. Club regulars made the effort on a surprisingly mild evening for the time of year. The undemonstrative Stephen spoke reluctantly. Caroline Irwin – his other half – cajoled him into making announcements, which he duly did. An unsung guitarist and fine exponent of the Hot Club idiom, Stephen led his trio through two sets of classic material with several vocal numbers from the ‘lovely Caroline’.

Arts Council England award Norvol Jazz £32,000

The Northern Voluntary Jazz Promoters Network (NORVOL JAZZ) in partnership with Apollo Jazz Network have been awarded over £32,000 by Arts Council England to establish a touring network for live jazz and to present three tours featuring world-class international musicians. Through the development of a touring infrastructure, NORVOL clubs will host tour dates and workshops and Apollo Jazz Network, run by trumpeter Kim Macari, will manage the project. 

Voshtina & Williams @ The Jazz Café – Nov.14

Belinda Voshtina (vocals) & Mark Williams (guitar)

(Review by Russell)

Late afternoon the last knockings of an Atlantic storm lashed Tyneside on its way out to the North Sea. Newcastle’s night time economy would suffer as a result. Pubs and clubs would be quiet, inner city residents, for once, would be able to hear themselves think. A case of wishful thinking! Pubs doing a brisk trade, a Happy Mondays sold out gig at the Academy, takeaways re-fuelling the sodden and the Jazz Café busy with few seats to be had.

HOOCHIE COOCHIE.DFDS & JUMPIN HOT CLUB PRESENT....FUNK & SOUL SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Newcastle is buzzing after the soul and funk weekend trip to Amsterdam on the 13th-15th November where Smoove and Terrell were joined by the Brand New Heavies and the Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club on the DFDS mini cruise.

Those who were not able to take the trip will be able to join the party at Hoochie Coochie on the 15th November for a free funk and soul Sunday. The day will be hosted by Warren Thomson from Hoochie and from SOSA Dave Hancock. Special guest will be DJ Smoove from Smoove and Terrell “fresh” from 48 hours in Amsterdam. The party will run from 11am-4pm and will feature the finest northern and modern soul, funk and house. It's going to be some party with revellers from the cruise coming straight to Hoochie Coochie with tales of their trip to Amsterdam plus a strong contingent of Dutch funk and soul fans who will be spending the day in Newcastle before returning to Holland.

Hoochie Coochie will close at 4pm & re-open @ 5.30pm for a gig by Groove Train, tickets £5.

CD Review: Menno Daams' Unaccounted Four - Playground

Menno Daams (cornet/arr); David Lukacs (clt/ten); Martien Oster (gtr); Joep Lumeij (bs) + Harrie van de Voort (pianola final track).

(Review by Lance).

A delightful vignette that looks both forwards, backwards and maybe even sideways! Daams and his fellow Dutchmen have taken some Dixie standards a few gassers and some originals and given the tired old warhorses the kiss of life"!

Daams, who featured heavily at last weekend's Mike Durham's Whitley Bay Classic Jazz Party is heard here in perhaps a different setting. I say perhaps because it's difficult to pigeonhole this in any category other than brilliant!

CD Review: National Youth Jazz Orchestra - NYJO FIFTY

A gem! Surely the big band album of the year! Over the years (50 of them!) NYJO has spawned a host of the UK's most outstanding jazz artists - four of them guest on this half-centennial celebration and they are walking/blowing adverts for their alma mater. However, we already know the skills of Rahman, Siegel, Nightingale and Lochrane and, whilst it's always good to hear then in whatever the setting, the ace in the hole here is in spotting the stars of the future and, take my word for it, there's a whole galaxy of them!

Blind Monk @ The Jazz Café - Nov. 13

Bob Whittaker (ten); Hugo Harrison (bs); Johnny Hunter (dms).
(Review/bw photo by Lance/Colour photos courtesy of Mike Tilley).

Friday the 13th, unlucky for some, but not for those at the Jazz Café last night where the lads from Liverpool, the Blind Monk Trio, pleased all but the most discerning ears. Tenor/bass/drums trios are becoming more and more the norm these days both here, in Europe and New York and, with the absence of guitar or keyboard, allows the saxophonist a freer hand, carte blanche if you will, to travel where e'er he care to.

This, Whittaker did well only rarely trespassing beyond the bounds of sanity.

Laura Jurd's Dinosaur/Lab Trio @ the Lit and Phil - Nov.12

A Match and Fuse gig

Laura Jurd's Dinosaur: Laura Jurd (trumpet); Elliott Galvin (piano); Conor Chaplin (electric bass); Corrie Dick (drums).

Lab Trio: Bram de Looze (piano); Anneleen Boehme (double bass); Lander Gyselinck (drums).

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

Laura Jurd has visited Tyneside several times in recent years and on Wednesday night she returned to the Lit and Phil with an original line up which had not previously played here before. The band rebranded as Dinosaur proved to be anything but extinct. The set started off safely and pleasantly with all 4 musicians demonstrating their considerable talents both collectively and individually. 

Laura then introduced a piece she had previously played in Newcastle with a string quartet whilst also explaining that Conor Chaplin’s electric bass had somehow got left behind, luckily local hero bass supremo Andy Champion was able to provide a suitable replacement.  

London-centric Jazz Radio?

(Preview by Russell).

The mammoth EFG London Jazz Festival tends to dominate the jazz landscape but there is an alternative schedule. Saturday’s Jazz Line-Up (Radio 3, 5:00pm) sees Alyn Shipton in Budapest for this year’s European Jazz Network Conference from where he takes the opportunity to survey the scene in Hungary. At midnight Radio 3’s Geoffrey Smith’s Jazz looks at the career of band leader Maria Schneider.

Zoe Gilby - Take Five

Zoe Gilby has been selected as part of the Take Five Career Development Scheme, a scheme promoted by Serious which aims to support emerging jazz talent and to provide mentorship in the music industry.

Full details.
Lance
(Photo courtesy of Ken Drew).

Pilgrim St. Set @ Hoochie Coochie - Nov. 12

Richard Burns (tpt); Gary Turner (ten); Paul Edis (pno); Paul Susans (bs gtr); Rob Walker (dms).
(Review by Lance).
I'm running out of superlatives for these guys. What can you say about a band that gets better month by month - particularly when they were something special to begin with!?

Band originals smattered with a couple of contemporary standards. One of this latter category, a Wayne Shorter tune, was dedicated to my humble self. I didn't catch the title but someone suggested that it may have been a reference to the ill-founded rumour of my advancing years. Rubbish! I'll take anyone on at conkers, which just happened to be the name of one of Master Turner's compositions (it may have been Conkers, Conquers or even the Geordie version - Konkas. Whatever, it was a number that kicked up the dust.

BBC Music Jazz

BBC Radio today, at 2pm, launched a  pop up digital jazz station in conjunction with Jazz FM and the EFG London Jazz Festival. It will run for 4 days finishing midnight on Sunday Nov. 15.

Details here.
Lance.

CD Review: Alex Merritt Quartet - Anatta.

Alex Merritt (ten); John Turville (pno); Sam Lasserman (bs); Jeff Williams (dms).

(Review by Lance).

Four of the younger stalwarts of today's jazz scene (the legendary Williams is young in spirit!) Musicians capable of producing inventive, contemporary, sounds without raising the hackles of those with an ear for a well-turned phrase.

Merritt incorporates the sound of early Stan Getz with the approach of Warne Marsh. He quotes Joe Henderson and Coltrane amongst his influences which isn't a bad place to be. Five of the pieces are originals by Merritt with some quirky titles. Conn Artist which, in an ideal world, if Alex is blowing a Conn tenor, should have every aspiring tenor saxist wanting a Conn (do they still make them?). Justin Time-berlake! - I ask you!