The Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ The Ship, Redmarshall - Dec. 29.

Jeremy McMurray (pno); Mark Toomey (alt); Paul Donnelly (gtr); Peter Ayton (bs); Paul Smith (dms)

A Christmas Special Night by the Pocket Jazz Orchestra led by Jeremy McMurray with guitarist Paul Donnelly as guest alongside some of the best Teesside Jazz Musicians - as I am sure readers will all, already, know. They played many Jazz standards including compositions by Monk and Parker with a few vocals by various guest singers. The Ship at Redmarshall was packed, with many people dining, the food was excellent, a great atmosphere. The Band will be playing at the Ship on the last Thursday of every Month. 
Ron Hampton.

SSBB Review Required

Sadly, a touch of manflu kept me away from the Strictly Smokin' Big Band's Xmas bash at Hoochie Coochie on Tuesday. Russell, who'd been at the afternoon Glenn Miller/Ray McVay gig at Sage Gateshead, chartered a light aircraft to ferry him across the River Tyne to Pilgrim St but, alas, never arrived. It was thought that history had repeated itself but no, Russell was spotted safe and sound the following day in the North Shields/Cullercoats area.

So, as any SSBB gig is of mega interest, and, by all accounts, this was a cracking session, we'd like to ask anyone who was there - and there were a couple of hundred, I'm told, - to send us a few words and a photo so that the occasion can be saved for posterity.

Lance.

CD Review: Peter Kavanaugh - Whisper Not

(Review by Lance)

Kavanaugh cites Pass, Reinhardt, Montgomery, Chet Atkins, Les Paul and Bill Evans amongst the influences he dialled into. Dare I mention that, soundwise, there were also suggestions of Hank Marvin?

Kavanaugh works many of the L.A. Hot Clubs so it isn't surprising that there is a contemporary Django feel to much of his playing and, sometimes it isn't contemporary at all! I'm Confessin' can hold its own in any timescale.

December in the Rain - The "Coasters", Dec. 30

(Weather Report by Russell)

The Magnesia Bank’s house beer Maggie Bank (Cullercoats Brewery) looked the pick. Walked in with trumpeter Miles Watson, hopeful of a turnout to exceed the quintet on the stand. Quintet outnumbered (just), September (December!) in the Rain seemed apt. Don’t Get Around Much Any More (some don’t), then This Can’t Be Love. This is the kind of session the casual visitor would enjoy, sitting with a pint, listening to a relaxed group of friends playing a few tunes. Miles sang, Laurie played tenor, Roy, keyboards (and bass pedals), Robin, tasteful guitar, and the man who can walk on water, Peter on drums.*

Splash the Jazz Cash this New Year’s Eve

(Report by Russell)

Got money to burn? See out the old, give yourself a New Years’ Eve jazz treat at an up-market gig near you! Jazz? Well…expect party-time function material and you won’t be too disappointed. From the Cherry Tree to the Vermont, to swanky countryside hotels, a top-class evening is yours for the princely sum of…   

The Glenn Miller Orchestra (Ray McVay, MD) @ Sage Gateshead – Dec 29

(Review by Russell).

The UK Glenn Miller Orchestra directed by Ray McVay returned to Sage Gateshead to play a sold out matinee show. All 1700 seats occupied a matter of days after Christmas was a sure sign of the band’s popularity and, of course, the enduring popularity of their raison d’êtré – Major Glenn Miller.

The tunes, largely associated with Miller, together with a smattering of other numbers, were instantly recognisable, such was, and is, the popular entertainment status of Miller. Caribbean Clipper, I Got a Gal in Kalamazoo, Jumpin’ at the Woodside, number after number, the audience knew them all. The focal point of the performance shifted from a vocalist to a vocalist, to a vocal troupe to a dance troupe. Catherine Sykes, a graduate of Leeds College of Music, shared the spotlight with veteran Colin Anthony. Sykes sang All of Me, Anthony A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square. Class performers fronting a big band, they vacated the stage returning from time to time to sing some more favourites.

CD Review: John Abercrombie - The First Quartet

John Abercrombie (gtr/mandolin guitar); Richie Beirach (pno); George Mraz (bs); Peter Donald (dms).

(Review by Lance).

I'm always wary when packages arrive from ECM - I sometimes immerse them in water before opening. Could be a musical timebomb which, in a sense, this is!

The three CDs that comprise The First Quartet, released as part of the Old and New Masters series, date back to the period 1978-1980 when Abercrombie made his first albums [Arcade; Abercrombie Quartet; M] as the leader of a regular group. This is their first appearance digitally (Arcade was briefly available on CD in Japan) and serve to reinforce the belief of many guitar buffs that Abercrombie can hold his head up high alongside Metheny and Schofield.

CD Review: Alexis Cairns – This is New to Me

Alexis Cairns (tenor saxophone), Al MacSween (piano), Emlyn Vaughan (double bass) & Kris Wright (drums)

(Review by Russell)

Occasionally, for a variety of reasons, a CD review will bypass Bebop Spoken Here’s all-too-busy editor. Alexis Cairns’ 2011 debut recording This is New to Me is one of them. A graduate of the fertile Leeds scene, Cairns’ album comprises ten original compositions. A bold approach, if ever there was one, to forego at least one or two standards, Cairns had a trump card, maybe two, up her sleeve in being a writer of melodic tunes and in recruiting three fine musicians to work on the project.

Pete Kelly's Blues

Today at 3:00pm on Radio 4 Extra there is a half hour broadcast of the 1950s American series Mystery Theater. Today's episode is Pete Kelly's Blues. There is a repeat at 3:00am! Listen here.

Tomorrow morning at 9:00am  on BBC Newcastle there is a repeat of Alfie Joey's programme about Frank Sinatra (first broadcast yesterday).

Russell.

On the Down Beat

(Report by Russell).

Down Beat’s 80th Annual Readers’ Poll produced few surprises. The consolidation and confirmation of status is evident across the many categories. Inducted into Down Beat’s Hall of Fame is Tony Bennett. The Jazz Group award went to Snarky Puppy. Wynton Marsalis won the Trumpet section by a street with Terence Blanchard placing in the top ten. The Messengers’ alumnus – Blanchard, not Marsalis – will be at Sage Gateshead in 2016 during the Gateshead International Jazz Festival. Marcus Miller, heard recently at Sage Gateshead, came within a whisker of claiming the Electric Bass crown. A mere 13 votes separated him and the top man Stanley Clarke. They polled well over 3000 votes between them. Did the presiding officer call for a recount?

CD Review: Blind Monk Trio – coulrophobia

Bob Whittaker (tenor saxophone), Hugo Harrison (double bass) & Johnny Hunter (drums)

(Review by Russell)

Don’t’ fear them, clowns that is. The Liverpool-based Blind Monk Trio appears fearless in its direct, take-no-prisoners assault on the senses. The trio’s 2014 recording is a roller coaster fairground ride of relentless full-on tenor to swashbuckling swing time invention to manic Balkan episodes. Eight compositions – with a total running time of just short of forty minutes – serve as an accurate summation of the live experience.

A full and varied programme for January at the Globe

We’ve got a very full programme of gigs, jams and courses for January. Jazz gigs include the veteran master of jazz piano Alan Glen, the guitar and vibes of Steve Glendinning and Chris Jelly, the bebop horns of the Safe Sextet, the original guitar grooves of the Mark Williams Trio and the vintage jazz of the Vieux Carré Jazzmen.

Other music includes outstanding contemporary folk duo, Freya Rae and Louis Bingham, on Saturday 23 January and mod/ska band The Style Selektors on Saturday 30 January.

Our monthly jam sessions, Am Jam and More Jam, continue on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, 3-6pm and a new (very old) weekly session, Take it to the Bridge, begins on Wednesday 6 January at 8pm.

Our programme of evening classes, Advanced Jazz Guitar and Play More Jazz, starts on Tuesday 19 January.

Check out our What’s On page for all the details.

The Globe, 11 Railway St., Newcastle, NE4 7AD.

Joanna in New York

Not much happening today - Jam at the Globe was too early for me - then, Flash! Bang! Alakazam! Joanna Wallfisch tweeted details of her forth coming album Gardens in my Mind. 

I think this video, of a track from her new album - Anonymous Journey's - is rather special. 

I met Joanna a couple of times at the Spice of Life in Soho and I'm delighted that she's now well established on the New York scene. The CD is set for release early next year and will, hopefully, be reviewed here.

Lance.

PS: I'm also glad she  remembered me!

2016 Centenaries

January 4 - Slim Gaillard, (d. 1991)

·     January 15 - Artie Shapiro, (d. 2003)

·     February 8 - Jimmy Skidmore, (d. 1998)

·     February 29 - Dinah Shore, (d. 1994)

·     March 6 - Red Callender, (d. 1992)

·     March 15 - Harry James, (d. 1983)

·     March 17 - Ray Ellington, (d. 1985)

·     May 17 - Paul Quinichette, (d. 1983)

·     May 26 - Moondog, (d. 1999)

      June 8 - Freddie Webster, (d. 1947)

Shavian humour

Browsing through some old copies of Crescendo I came across this cartoon by north-east drummer/cartoonist and good friend Bill Shaw in the December 1973 edition!
Lance.

Daryl Sherman in UK next month

Friday/Saturday January 8, 9, 2016

Crazy Coqs/Brasserie Zedel

20 Sherwood Street (off Piccadilly)

London W1F 7ED

020 7734 4888 

info@crazycoques.com

https://www.brasseriezedel.com/crazy-coqs

Sunday January 10, 11:30 am

The Stables/ Wavendon

Jazz Matters: Daryl Sherman & Dave Green, bass

http://www.stables.org

January 20, Swansea Jazzland,

St James Club, Swansea, Wales

http://swanseajazzland.co.uk/

January 28, 8:30 pm Wimslow Jazz

Wilmslow Conservative Club

http://www.jazznorthwest.co.uk/wilmslow.htm

January 30, Grimsby Central Hall, 7:30 pm

http://www.grimsbycentralhall.org  01472 355025

w/ Pat McCarthy, guitar & Dave Green, bass.

Newcastle Jazz Band Ball 1963

George Gray, an old friend from my music store days, kindly sent me an interesting 9 min. clip of a gig at the old Majestic Ballroom (now the o2 Academy). It features (visually) The Terry Lightfoot Band and Newcastle's River City Jazzmen. The RCJ boys include Herbie Hudson, Joe Errington, Joe Shenton and Jimmy Stewart. Clive Gray and Ronnie McLean (I think) can be spotted near the bar and George thinks Eric Burdon, who sang with the Mighty Joe Young Band (they weren't caught on camera), may also be seen on the dance floor (1:47 in wearing a light suit).

It's a wonderful archive of that year when Trad, temporarily, halted the advance of Rock and Roll.

The only disappointing thing is that the music you hear was added later and not played by those on screen which is why it sounds much more sedate than either Lightfoot or the River City Jazzmen did.

Remind me who the clarinet, bass and banjo are...

Lance.

Newcastle Jazz Band Ball 1963.

King Bee @ Hoochie Coochie - Dec. 23

David Wilde (ten/fl/vcl); Chris Jelly (vbs/vcl); Richard Burns (tpt/vcl); Mark Hand (keys/vcl); Steve Glendinning (gfr/vcl); Dan Brady (bs gtr/vcl)); Jonathan Marriot (dms/vcl); Brendan Murphy (perc/vcl).

(Review by Lance).

We've had parties and we've had parties this Christmas, but this one! This was the party to end all parties! When King Bee decide to party they do it in style!

Each player dressed in biblical fashion eg: Murphy and Marriot were the two wise men (they couldn't find a third one). Brady, an angel (complete with halo). Glendinning (wore a coat of many colours), Jelly (not sure if he was King Herod or some other Bethlehem bigwig).  Mark Hand, dep keyboard man down from Glasgow, wore a crown of some sort (I really should have paid more attention in my Sunday School years). Richard Burns, the tallest member of the band, portrayed the infant Jesus (complete with straw from the manger around his neck). However, David Wilde, as the saxophone playing Virgin Mary, may have been miscast!

The Christmas Song - Vasilis Xenopoulos and Paul Edis

Boys of Brass @ Hoochie Coochie - Dec. 22

Damon Britton (vcls); Steven Symonds, Rob McBurnie (tpts); John Rudkin (mellophonium); Chris Bentham (tmb); Phil Rosier (tuba); Phil Richardson (keys); Dave McKeague (dms); Beth Macari (vcl).

(Review by Lance).

Forget about the jazz! This was a hoot - a.k.a. entertainment! Covers of 1960's pop, lot's of motown, soul and funk and how many bands do you know that use a mellophonium? No saxes, guitars or double basses just brass, brass, brass, brass, brass, keys, drums and vocals.

CD Review: Roly Veitch - Wherever Ye Gan

Roly Veitch (vocals, guitar, banjo, ukulele)

(Review by Ann Alex)

Have you finished your Christmas shopping? No? You’d do well to buy this lovely CD for someone. Here we have many typical Geordie songs such as The Keel Row and The Water Of Tyne, but what struck me is that we don’t listen carefully enough to these lyrics: for instance, the title track, Wherever Ye Gan You’re Sure To Find A Geordie, suggests that you’ll meet a Geordie even in the afterlife! How many of us could tell the story of the Lambton Worm in detail, or draw a timeline of the Blaydon Races journey? Roly gives us a gentle, homely take on these songs that we think we know, presented with excellent musicianship and touches of sly humour.  The much-maligned banjo and ukulele come across as serious instruments in Roly’s hands, and the guitar fares well.

All the Right Moves - Square One Take It to the Next Level

(Press release)

Scottish jazz quartet SQUARE ONE are all set for a flying start to 2016 with a significant recording project in the pipeline, and a major funding boost behind their ambitious plans for the future.

Square One have already caught the ear of influential critics, made an outstanding EP of shimmering beauty and originality, and recently became the proud recipients of a Peter Whittingham Jazz Award. This prestigious accolade is the catalyst that will enable them to go to the next level and fulfil their undoubted promise.

Jazz in the Afternoon Xmas Party - Crescent Club, Cullercoats - Dec. 21

Derek Fleck (ten/clt); Brian Chester (keys/tmb); John Hallam (bs/sousa); Ollie Rillands (dms/vcl) + Miles Watson (tpt/vcl); John Broddle (vcl); Teresa Armstrong (vcl); Roy Gibson (keys).

(Review by Lance).

And so the Christmas party season rolls on. Today it was the turn of the Crescent Club at Cullercoats to deal out the delicious delicacies. Sausage rolls, nibbles on sticks, open sandwiches, some unidentified objects - the mystery adding to the sense of adventure without detracting from the taste - and, if this wasn't enough, there was also real ale at £2 a pint and a raffle with 15 prizes.

Oh yes, there was music too!

Jazz!

In the afternoon!

Shangri-la.

The BB Quartet with James Birkett @ Blaydon Jazz Club – Dec 20

Roly Veitch (guitar & vocals), Jeremy McMurray (piano), Neil Harland (double bass) & David Francis (drums) with James Birkett (guitar)

(Review by Russell/photos by Russell & Kathy M)

Blaydon Jazz Club’s Christmas party at the Black Bull attracted the regulars and they did themselves proud in providing a sumptuous DIY buffet. Then there was the music: a jazz club known across the region, and beyond, for its unfailing commitment to swinging jazz welcomed erstwhile club pianist Jeremy McMurray, the always welcome Neil Harland (a musician’s musician), drummer David Francis and special guest James Birkett (guitar).

CD Review: The Count Basie Orchestra – A Very Swinging Christmas (Concord Jazz CJA-38450-02)

(Review by Peter Bevan)

This CD arrived too late for my regular CD review column in the Northern Echo but I think it’s well worth a plug here.

Normally I’m pretty averse to Christmas albums, jazz or otherwise, and long running tribute bands normally start to fade after a while, but this made me think again.

It’s 80 years since the original Count Basie Orchestra was launched and it’s been 30ish since this revival band was formed.

Scotty Barnhart, a member of the trumpet section for 20 years, was appointed director a year or two ago and judging by this he has revitalised the band.

Dirk Washington & The Groove Cats @ The Globe Jazz Bar - Dec. 20

Graham Justin – Trumpet/flugel; Damian Cook – alto/tenor; Stuart Davies – Guitar/vocal; Greg Arrowsmith – Keys; Joe Britton – Bass Guitar; Ollie Boorman – Drums.
(Review by Lance).
Panto party time at the Globe. Once again the Jazz Coop lured the band from the Theatre Royal's production of Dick Whittington to perform, and perform they did! The room was comfortably full with Coop members and Theatre Royalty all enjoying yet another Gig of the Year (in my eyes at least). Next year I think it will be easier to list those gigs that didn't fall into that category - so much good music has been played around the various venues.

Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Black Swan – Dec 19

(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy of Ken Drew)

Take two: a second consecutive night at the Black Swan for the most popular big band around. A second consecutive full house…quite an achievement! The basement venue afforded the band the luxury of setting up without having to squeeze brass, reeds and a rhythm section into the usual small jazz venue with the dimensions of a telephone box. All seats were taken half an hour before the start, latecomers stood to one side. Drinks orders were of the ‘precariously-balanced tray snaking its way through the throng’ kind. The management of Newcastle Arts Centre couldn’t be other than delighted. A success every which way and MD Michael Lamb had yet to strike up the band!

Jazz Party this Sunday (Dec. 20) @ The Globe Jazz Bar.

Why is there an image of Dick Whittington? Because this Sunday, December 20, the musicians from the Theatre Royal (and some of the cast and backstage staff) are coming to the Globe for a let-your-hair-down, after-show party.

When they came last year it was an amazing night of smoking jazz, funky grooves, dirty dancing and hard drinking.

The band will be led by Damian Cook, past winner of BBC Big Band Soloist of the Year, who in addition to his serious jazz credentials, has toured with top R&B acts such as the Temptations, The Four Tops, & Martha Reeves & The Vandellas.

The fun starts at 9pm. It's just £5 to get in (and much harder to get out).
Graham Justin – Trumpet; Damian Cook – Sax; Stuart Davies – Guitar; Greg Arrowsmith – Keys; Joe Britton – Bass; Ollie Boorman – Drums

Frank & Laura Radio

(Preview by Russell)

Kurt Elling presents Radio 4’s Archive on 4: The Selling of Sinatra (Saturday, 8:00pm) in which the Chicagoan looks at the image making of Francis Albert Sinatra. Clare Teal (Sunday 20, Radio 2, 9:00pm) presents a big band concert recorded at the Stables, Bucks, with guests Gary Williams, Pee Wee Ellis and Georgina Jackson. Tonight (Sunday 20) at eleven o’clock the final installment of Radio 3’s annual EBU Day of Christmas Music comes from Sofia, Bulgaria. The Bulgarian National Radio Jazz Chorus and Big Band, conducted by Antoni Donchev, perform Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concert.

 More Sinatra, the actor as opposed to the Voice of the Century, in a 1954 Mystery Theater broadcast written by George Leffert (BBC Radio 4 Extra, Monday, 3:00pm).

Matt Anderson & Aubin Vanns @ The Jazz Café – Dec 18

Matt Anderson (tenor saxophone) & Aubin Vanns (guitar)

(Review by Russell)

It was Black-Eye Friday, apparently. At the Jazz Café it was Fantastic Friday! Heading home for Christmas, albeit by a circuitous gigging route, tenor man Matt Anderson and guitarist Aubin Vanns called into the Jazz Café to play a Friday night duo gig. Outside, those looking to present a seasonal shiner went their merry way; those looking to avoid any such prospect, kept their head down, their metaphorical guard up, on the ‘office do’  merry meander.

Double Hat Trick for Summers - Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Black Swan Arts Centre, Newcastle. Day One - Dec. 18

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

The SSBB's Christmas session at the Black Swan Arts Centre is now so much a 'must have ticket' event that, this year, they extended it to two nights and still the tickets flew. Given the time of year it wasn't surprising that there was much Christmas Fayre on the musical menu but, rather than take away the sound of surprise for tonight's audience I won't give away the set list secrets save to say that some were predictable and some certainly weren't!

Be Warned

Liz, our lady in York, discovered this on F/b!

Led Bib @ The Jazz Café Dec. 16

Chris Williams, Pete Grogan (alto saxes); Toby McLaren (keyboards); Liran Donin (bass); Mark Holub (drums)

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

From the moment the band kicked off with a 100mph hour explosive blast to the moment it ended in a gentle coda this gig was the ultimate in high energy ‘Power Jazz’. There was standing room only for former Mercury prize nominees Led Bib and the audience was not disappointed. The music was loud, brash and unforgiving. Holub on drums and Donin on bass were unrelenting, creating a storm behind the 2 alto players Grogan and Jazz Café regular Chris Williams, (this being his third visit to the upstairs room in as many months).  Mclaren on keyboards got up to all sorts of mischief with the electronics at his disposal. This band certainly don’t do cool and easy listening but rather wild, invigorating and totally uplifting contemporary jazz.
Photos.

Steve H.

SSBB Tonight and Tomorrow Night!

Bar open from 6pm

Doors open at 7pm

Strictly Smokin' at 8pm

ROBERTO FONSECA JOINS GATESHEAD INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL 2016 LINE-UP

(Press release) 

GRAMMY nominated and award-winning Cuban jazz pianist Roberto Fonseca joins the line-up for Gateshead International Jazz Festival. The festival, the UK’s biggest held under one roof, runs from Friday 15 – Sunday 17 April 2016 at Sage Gateshead. 

The fully-fledged Buena Vista Social Club prodigy was born in Havana into a musical family and started studying piano at the age of 8, drawing inspiration from afro-Cuban music and jazz musicians such as Herbie Hancock and Keith Jarrett, but also old American funk and soul classics. Roberto has gone on to work with various members of the Buena Vista Social Club including stars such as Omara Portuondo, Ibrahim Ferrer and Rubén González and he has recently collaborated with Mali’s music sensation Fatoumata Diawara.

Wigan Festival and other Northern News

Festival Update here.

York Music Forum Jazz Orchestra

Trumpet player/composer/educator Ian Chalk (pictured) kindly sent me this YouTube clip of his first term students. Ian is justifiably proud.
Lance.

Hugh's Choice

CD of the year

Andy Sheppard - Surrounded by Sea

Liane Carroll - Seaside

Maciek Pysz - A Journey

Gig of the Year

Buck Clayton Legacy Band - Ellington @ Sage Gateshead

Vasilis Xenopoulos and Paul Edis Trio @ Black Bull Blaydon

Cerebral jazz

Julian Arguelles Tetra @ Sage Gateshead

Visceral jazz

Gerry Richardson's Big Idea @ Hoochie Coochie

Best gig I didn't attend

Vasilis Xenopoulos & Paul Edis/Gala Big Band @ Ushaw College.  Great BSH review which was instrumental (I use the word advisedly) in prompting us to visit Ushaw College - very interesting history and architecture (and a nice tea in the cafe!).

Hugh C.

Lance's Choice.

Russell's Choice.

Gala Theatre, Durham – Lunchtime Gigs Spring 2016

January 15 – Zoe Gilby Quartet

Zoë Gilby is a jazz vocalist and songwriter that has been making a real impression on the jazz scene today. A repertoire starting with her compelling original compositions written with double bassist husband Andy Champion and performed by her highly accomplished band, guitarist Mark Williams and drummer Richard Brown. Her stockpile of music reaches a wide range of more contemporary material from composers such as Pink Floyd to Kate Bush. Also included are some superb interpretations of “The Great American Songbook”

Her influences include Carmen McRae, Sheila Jordan, Kate Bush and Joni Mitchell
Twice she has received touring support from Jazz Services and has performed with some of the UK top jazz musicians, including Jim Mullen Organ Trio, Dave Newton, Alan Barnes and Tony Faulkner.

Lunchtime Jazz at the Literary and Philosophical Society, Newcastle Spring 2016

January 29 - Graeme Wilson and Paul Edis - the Music of T.S.Monk

Saxophonist Graeme Wilson and Pianist Paul Edis combine to perform a concert of music from the hugely influential pianist and composer Thelonious Sphere Monk! The last time this duo played the Music of Monk, Jazz Blog Bebop Spoken Here described is as a ‘contender for gig of the year’.

February 26 - Virtuoso Jazz Trio

Whenever this trio assembles on the concert platform the sense of fun and excitement is palpable. Their repertoire is rooted in the very best of the Great American Songbook. to which audiences of all ages and musical tasted respond with a sense of delight. George Macdonald (Clarinet) James Birkett (Guitar) Tony Abel (Bass)

2015 British Jazz Awards

If you voted - here are the results:
I should have backed them each way! Lance.

Jazz Café Jam Session - Dec. 15

Pete Gilligan (pno); Mike Clarke (bs gtr). Paul Wight (dms); Bradley Johnston (gtr) + Gary Brown (bs gtr); Stu Finden (ten); Matt MacKellar (dms); Paul Gowland (alt); John Pope (bs); George Anyfantis (pno);Rob Bates (dms); Lindsay Hannon, Jen Errington (vcl).

(Review by Lance).

Mike Clarke on bass guitar tonight who, along with Messrs Gilligan and Wight, opened with the very appropriate A Foggy Day. At first it seemed as though the misty conditions outside were going to keep the punters indoors - as if! By the time Alice in Wonderland unfolded (with a very melodic bass solo from Clarke) the Mad Hatters and March Hares were propping up the bar and occupying the seating area. So What? Dear Old Stockholm and Blue Monk followed before the first of the many switcheroo's common to jam sessions.

SHIVER/D'Silva, Pope & Alderson @ Bridge Hotel, Newcastle

SHIVER

Chris Sharkey (guitar); Andy Champion (electric bass); Joost Hendrickx (drums). 

(Review/photos courtesy of Ken Drew)

What can I say?  We’ve seen Shiver in various locations so we know their style, we know what to expect. Or rather, we thought we knew what to expect - would anything be different for a ‘Splinter’ session?

Overall, it began with what appeared to be a slow-burning fuse which gave time for the audience to witness and relish the construction of the multi-layered soundscape which was slowly unfolding in complexity and power.  Bass loops, guitar loops, with adjustments to both yet fully supported throughout by Hendrickx’s own rhythms perfectly complementing the guitar and bass riffs and rhythms.

Sing the Bells - the Honeybirds

We don't do singles! and we especially don't do Christmas singles!! I can already hear Russell Bah Humbugging faster than Ella scatting Lady Be Good! However, Christmas being a time of good will and all that jazz, I couldn't fail to respond to this request from Leeds deity James Hamilton.
Lance.

Jazz North East presents Schmazz, with LED BIB

Chris Williams, Pete Grogan (alto saxes); Toby McLaren (keyboards); Liran Donin (bass); Mark Holub (drums).

(Preview by Paul Bream).
I plugged this in last week's 'Alert', but we've all got lots to think about in the run up to Xmas, so a reminder wouldn't go amiss. In fact it would be remiss to miss it!

I mentioned that the band's newest CD, 'The People in your Neighbourhood', had been widely reviewed as the best of their twelve year career, but it's also worth emphasising that much of the praise centred on the fact that it's a live recording, capturing the excitement they generate at gigs. The Guardian referred to "the in-your-face urgency of a live album", and online magazine The Quietus, rather more expansively, hailed ""a near flawless blend of instantly memorable composed tunes and the kind of wild improvisation-informed sections that only really falls into place when a band has an extensive history of live performances to draw upon."

CD Review: Norbert Kogging - Sketches of Ordinary Life

Norbert Kogging  (vcl); Folkert Oosterbeek (pno); Tobias Nijboer (bs); Felix (Schlarmann (dms); Michael Moore (alt/clt).

(Review by Lance).

Released in October, I've struggled to come to terms with this one. Perhaps, having been in a Sinatra frame of mind coupled with the more accessible Danish vocalist Mads Mathias' recent album Free Falling, this album by Dutchman Kogging looked to be a bridge too far, However, I persevered and, gradually, saw the light and I finally found myself actually enjoying it! Not just the vocal or even Michael Moore's pithy solos but, the power of the lyrics.

The Misterioso Monk @ The Jazz Café – Dec 11

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

(Review by Russell/Photo courtesy of Mike Tilley from a previous gig.)

The Jazz Café’s newly tuned piano awaited a night of Monk. The brethren congregated around the altar to hear some nutty crepusculian sounds courtesy of Thelonious Sphere.

The altar, dedicated to Bacchus, praise be, received the many supplicants, an evening’s cloistered contemplation in the presence of monks Wilson and Edis was upon us.

Euan Burton Quartet @ The Globe - Dec. 12

Euan Burton (bass); Adam Jackson (alto); Tom Gibbs (piano); Alyn Cosker (dms).

(Review by Minnie Fraser/Photo courtesy of Steve Horowitz/Gavin).

The band arrived in good time despite the weather - apparently there was no snow in Glasgow. This was the last date of their UK tour which had seen them travel the length of the country from Aberdeen to Poole in Dorset. Sadly, a number of those who had been planning to attend were prevented by a heavy fall of snow. However, the audience who did make it were very appreciative.
Euan Burton, who played his amazing fold away double bass brilliantly, has assembled an excellent quartet. Tom Gibbs, seen recently with Brian Molley at the Globe, exemplary on piano, Adam Jackson, sublime on alto sax and Alyn Cosker provided precocious percussion at the kit.
Two sets of original music made all the more enjoyable by Euan's explanations of their meaning or what they were meant to evoke.

An Englishman in Love in LA

The Longest Goodbye

My Way of remembering Ol' Blue Eyes.
Lance
PS: More Sinatra links on this site.

CD Review: Mads Mathias - Free Falling.

Today, being That centenary, it seems appropriate that I mention a CD featuring a keeper of the flame who upholds the tradition without losing his individuality.

Mads Mathias is as Danish as Lurpak and as American as any singer/saxophonist working the GASbook side of the street. The difference is that these are, all but one (Sugar), his own compositions that he is adding to that infinitesimal work.

Friday Night is Music Night

It's countdown time for BBC Radio 2's The Sinatra Legacy. 8pm - that's 18 minutes as I type! Tonight, Friday Night really is Music Night. Dig Kurt Elling, Anthony Strong, Clare Teal and Guy Barker and the BBC Big Band in a tribute to the man who would have turned 100 tomorrow. (14 minutes).

Check it out here.

Here's to The Greatest!

Lance.
PS: 10 minutes!

Graeme Wilson Quartet @ The Lit & Phil – Dec 11

Graeme Wilson (tenor saxophone), Paul Edis (piano), Andy Champion (double bass) & Adam Sinclair (drums)

(Review by Russell)

Graeme Wilson is on Tyneside to play a couple of gigs. The first of them at the Lit & Phil went down a storm. The monthly Friday lunchtime concert series continues to attract near full houses and Wilson’s appearance was no exception. Having spent several years as one of Tyneside’s Honorary Geordies, Wilson returned to his native Scotland to take up a job in the world of academia, yet makes time to meet up with, perform, and record with three of the north east’s finest musicians.