John Bailey Quintet @ The Jazz Café. April 29

John Bailey (guitar), Tim France (tenor saxophone), Richard Iles (flugelhorn), Garry Jackson (double bass) & Steve Hanley (drums)

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

Godin Guitars endorsee John Bailey has a nice line in self deprecation. The truth behind song titles – and their meaning, if any – has been exposed by the amiable Leeds College of Music graduate: Google ‘Song Name Generator’, said Bailey. The home page asks an important question: Feeling lazy? Fill entire form with random data. The end result? An entirely random (meaningless) song title!     

Paul Skerritt Band @ Ashington earlier today.

The local musos were surprised to see two members of the band had their gloves on! This was probably good forward thinking as there was a severe hail storm just before the end of the gig!
JT.

CD Review: Chris Ziemba - Manhattan Lullaby

Chris Ziemba (pno); Hans Glawischnig (bs); Jimmy McBride (dms); Michael Thomas (alt/bs clt).
(Review by Lance).
I can't understand why it took me so long to get around to this album - it's so much more accessible than most of the pretentious outpouring of tortured souls on the discs that I receive for review. I don't suppose they [no names no pack drill] really are tortured souls - perhaps they should be!
Ziemba's soul certainly isn't tortured, How could it be? This is Manhattan, a cradle of metropolitan culture, of which he's painting a musical picture!

It's not jazz, it's American music every Tuesday

Alf Symington sent me some info on the band Mosaic Jazz, who play at the Bell & Bucket in North Shields every Tuesday afternoon, between 13:00 - 15:00. Despite the band’s name, Alf says that their motto is “it’s not jazz!! It's a celebration of American music". The line-up is: Marilyn Hunter, Vocals. Dick Straughan, Piano. Gordon Brown, Alto Sax/Clarinet. John Cass, Tenor Sax, Dave Percy, Bass. Alf Symington, Drums (occasionally Piano).

Worth checking out.

Lance.

International Jazz Day

Today is International Jazz Day! Isn't that fantastic? Every venue will be packed, the FM stations will be playing nothing but jazz from Jelly Roll onwards. Every village will be stomping and the BBC will show the complete 625 series well into the night!

In a perfect world!

Truth is that only [some of] the fans and aficionados will have a clue that today is, for jazz people, the equivalent of  St Patrick's/George's/Andrew's/David's day or, on a global scale, the Fourth of July and Bastille Day.

CD Review: Vimala Rowe/John Etheridge - Out of the Sky.

Vimala Rowe (vcl); John Etheridge (gtr); Dudley Phillips (bs).
(Review by Lance).

Those who attended the Café Society Swing show at GIJF 2016 came away with their head in the clouds. This was one outstanding event - for me the highlight! It was maybe the first time most of us had encountered Vimala Rowe and, just as we'd been hit for six when we first heard Cecile McLorin Salvant at Whitley Bay a few years back, Vimala Rowe also hit a few that didn't touch the ground!

The Jazz Esquires Ride Again

To paraphrase Mark Twain, it would appear that the report of the death of the Jazz Esquires is greatly exaggerated!

Peter Ninnim tells me the band, although no longer in a residency, is still together in a revamped line-up and available for gigs playing in a mainstream/early Basie style. The photo shows:

Tenor  Sax: Tony Winder; Trombone: Terry Dalton: Trumpet/vocal: Miles Watson; Piano: Roy Gibson; Guitar: Robin Douthwaite: Drums: Pete Ninnim: Bass: Ray Newton. 

Lance

Gerry Richardson Soul Quartet @ Hoochie Coochie - April 28

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

(Review by Lance).

Woo Hoo! cried the crowd after each number - it was that sort of crowd - and it wasn't long before I was woo-hooing with them! It's that sort of band, mere clapping isn't enough. Tonight, despite there being competition from the east (SSBB), the south (Gala BB) and a Cuban threat from the west (Descarga!) the hoochies and the coochies kept the faith.

The Gala Big Band, @ The Gala Theatre, Durham - April 28

(Review by Jerry)

At the end of a dismal day, weather-wise, this rapidly improving big band (even bigger when augmented with a percussionist) gave a packed Gala audience a musical treat to cheer and warm. It was great fun!

The opener was one of the band’s favourites – Flight of the Foo Birds – and was followed by Miller’s Little Brown Jug featuring an excellent tenor sax solo. My apologies for being unable to name individuals – even the MD, Paul Edis, struggled with that in a name-check towards the end of the evening. My excuse (and his) was that it is a VERY big band.

The Partikel Quartet @ The Jazz Café April 26

Duncan Eagles (saxophone); Max Luthert (bass); Eric Ford (drums); Benet McLean (violin)

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

Five minutes before the gig had started the band outnumbered the audience by a factor of 2 to 1. Fortunately, by the end of a very entertaining evening, the numbers had swelled to, whilst not quite a capacity crowd, it was, nevertheless, a respectable sized one. 

Miles Ahead for the jazz junkie

(Review by Russell)

Of course you’ve heard of this rock star but you don’t really know his music. You’re persuaded to go on a date to the cinema to see the new biopic based upon the life and times of this legendary figure. The lead actor looks like him, doesn’t he? He played a trombone, no, a trumpet, didn’t he? The sets look like they are out of a seventies’ cop series with hip dude dialogue. Lots of motherf***** this and motherf***** that. The journalist character is chasing a story. The rock star isn’t keen to play ball. A Jimmy Cagney car chase, Batman and Robin fisticuffs (split lips, not good for a trombonist).

CD Review: Lady Sings the Blues - Laughing at Life.

Val Wiseman (vcl); Digby Fairweather (tpt); Roy Williams (tmb); Julian Marc Stringle (clt/ten); Brian Dee (pno); Len Skeat (bs); Eric Ford (dms).

(Review by Lance)

One of the highlights of 2015 was the concert by Val Wiseman and her Lady Sings the Blues entourage at Durham's Gala Theatre. I say 2015, but as the show has been on the road since 1987, it could, and probably was, a highlight of any of the years in between!

Recorded live, that same year (2015), at Birmingham Jazz and Blues Festival, this is as good a Billie tribute as you're going to get. 

If you were at Durham or Birmingham or wherever this is the perfect souvenir. If you weren't at one of the live gigs then this becomes an essential!

Leash @ Jazz Café, Newcastle – April 22

Mark Williams (gtr); Andy Champion (bs gtr); Adrian Tilbrook (dms).

(Review by Stephen Tulip/Photo courtesy of Vincent Chang)

Effects pedals seem to have been the order of the day in Newcastle on Friday with Andy Champion and Mark Williams measuring up against each other at the Jazz Café.

It's the first time I've heard Andy on electric bass and, if anything, he's even more impressive, drawing on both Jaco Pastorius and Stanley Clarke, but doesn't everybody?  increasingly dominating the soloing, particularly in part 2, though the Weather Report mantra - we never solo, we always solo - also seems appropriate to this band. One person suggested the guitar and bass had swapped roles.

I know Mark’s playing quite well by now and a relative of mine had hoped to get his hat-trick playing with his local guitar heroes at the jam session, but the axe was hung up by the time we got there; another time perhaps.

Tomorrow night (April 28) @ Hoochie Coochie - The Gerry Richardson Soul Quartet

'The Gerry Richardson Quartet is a dynamic Hammond organ based band exploring the jazz organ genre to the max!  Soul, Gospel, Funk, Swing and Samba are all part of the mix. Add to that some kicking original tunes, many written as tributes to the legendary jazz and soul musicians who have inspired Gerry throughout his career and you get an unbeatable format for a great gig.

The band also cover songs by Mose Allison, Donald Fagen, Van Morrison, John Martin, Sting, Gil Scott Heron, Rufus Thomas and Stevie Wonder. A funky April Thursday night is guaranteed!

RIP Billy Paul.

Although I can only recall hearing Billy Paul's massive hit Me and Mrs Jones that record alone had a profound effect on me and I remembered it well over the years and often wondered why I hadn't heard more of him. Many years later, with the emergence of Gregory Porter, I could see a similarity between the two jazz/soul icons and it didn't surprise me to discover his early infinity with such as Dinah Washington, Nat Cole and other jazz people. Paul also appeared with Charlie Parker at the Club Harlem in Philadelphia shortly before Bird's death saying "I was with him for a week and I learned more in that time than I would have in two years."

Billy Paul died April 24 at home in New Jersey aged 81.

A massive talent.

Obituary.

Lance.

CD Review: Tom Bancroft: Trio Red – Lucid Dreamers

Tom Bancroft (drums), Tom Cawley (piano) & Per Zanussi (bass)

(Review by Russell)

Lucid Dreamers is Trio Red’s follow up album to their 2012 debut recording First Hello to Last Goodbye. Drummer Tom Bancroft contributes two compositions (the opening and closing tracks), five tunes were written by the trio and three other numbers complete a ten track package.

Tom Bancroft and pianist Tom Cawley had previously worked together and their meeting bassist Per Zanussi for the first time in the recording studio created this enduring working relationship as Trio Red. 

Darlington Jazz Festival: Dennis Rollins & Al Wood with the Durham Alumni Big Band & Durham County Youth Big Band. April 23.

(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy of Shaune Eland)

Darlington Jazz Festival’s evening concert in the grand surroundings of Central Hall in the Dolphin Centre attracted a sell-out crowd. Chandeliers, linen table cloths, the scene set, a frisson of anticipation in the air. Penguin suits and gowns the dress code, Durham Alumni assembled on stage ready to go. The orchestra’s guest MD for the evening, Al Wood, gave the command: Strike Up the Band. Mr Wood is an authority on big bands. Basie’s recording of I Left My Heart in San Francisco was on his set list, so too Emily and he invited star guest Dennis Rollins to join the band on this one.

Darlington Jazz Festival: From Clervaux to the Quakerhouse. April 23

(Review by Russell/Photos of Dean Stockdale courtesy of Shaune Eland. Photos of Ruth Lambert and Lindsay Hannon from BSH archives)).

Clervaux Artisan Bakery’s covered courtyard on Coniscliffe Road is the perfect place for an early start the morning after the night before. Jazz from 10:00am with a coffee, pastry or something more substantial kick-started Saturday’s long day of festival music (the late night jam session would wind down in the early hours of Sunday).

Jonny Dunn (trumpet) & Steve McGarvie (keyboards) played a half hour set at around eleven o’clock. Members of the Durham Alumni Big Band, the duo chose a tune, played it, suggested another one and played it. The audience comprised Clervaux’s regulars, the Saturday morning lycra-clad cyclists stopping by to refuel and the jazz diehards. All the Things You Are typified a tasteful set – Dunn the lyrical horn player, McGarvie the piano player perhaps better known as the Alumni’s alto/soprano saxophonist.         

Al Wood (baritone sax) & Dean Stockdale (keyboards)     

Al Wood’s cv is impressive – ex-Maynard Ferguson, Ken Mackintosh and countless gigs with a dizzying array of A-listers (Peter King, Danny Moss, Kenny Baker, Nat Adderley, Buddy Greco) and Dean Stockdale, the junior man of the partnership, has been schooled by the best in the business including Dave Newton and now playing GAS book gigs with the likes of Ruth Lambert and James Birkett and working with contemporary performers such as Johnny Hunter. 

CD Review: Noah Preminger – Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground

Noah Preminger (ten); Jason Palmer (tpt); Kim Cass (bs); Ian Froman (dms).

(Review by Steven Tulip)

This is Preminger’s second album of covers of Delta Blues from the twenties to the forties with the first in my basket awaiting payday.

We're more accustomed to jazzmen using the Great American Songbook as a springboard for innovation and improvisation but tenor sax player Noah Preminger and his quartet have gone back to the source, interpreting songs from some of the great Country Blues singers based on his obvious fascination and love of  ‘the captivating directness and soul-rattling expressiveness' of this music.

CD Review: Michael Blum Quartet - Chasin' Oscar

Michael Blum (gtr/vcl); Jim Stinnett (bs); Brad Smith (pno); Dom Moio (dms).

(Review by Lance).

A Tribute to Oscar Peterson - who's this latest young pianistic pretender to the throne? To get there, he's got to get past the number one contender, our own Dean Stockdale.

But, half a mo, this guy ain't a piano man he's a guitarist!

A young guitarist, 23 in May, Down Beat's Rising Star [guitar] last year, Blum has successfully captured Peterson's vibrancy and transferred it to guitar. He's even managed to re-create some of Oscar's piano solos note for note on guitar! This he did by ear rather than from transcriptions.

CD Review/Gig Preview: Preston Glasgow Lowe - @ Globe Saturday April 30

David Preston (gtr); Kevin Glasgow (bs); Laurie Lowe (dms).

(Review by Lance).

We knew about these guys from Russell's review when they played a Splinter gig at the Bridge back in November 2013 (Read here on the band's website). Well, they're back in The Toon on Saturday at The Globe Jazz Bar for a Jazz Coop gig. It's International Jazz Day so you've no excuse not to be there.

GIJF: JB’s Cats - Sage Gateshead April 16

Ben Lawrence (trumpet), Alex Thompson (alto saxophone), Alex Iles (piano), Nathan Lawson (guitar), Tom Henry (guitar), Alex Shipsey (bass) & Dylan Thompson (drums) + Dr James Birkett (MD)

(Review by Russell)

Early Saturday evening on the concourse at Sage Gateshead, tutor Dr James Birkett and his band of young musicians entertained an appreciative crowd for half an hour or so. A band of talented teenagers, some of them can be heard out busking across Tyneside, and, on occasion, sitting in at the big boys’ jam sessions.

Darlington Jazz Festival: Matt Roberts Sextet plays the music of Nat Adderley. April 22

Matt Roberts (trumpet), George Grant (alto saxophone), Leo Richardson (tenor saxophone), Sam Watts (piano), Simon Read (double bass) & Dave Ingamells (drums)

(Review by Russell/Photo courtesy of Shaune Eland.)

Darlington’s Matt Roberts returned from his London base to make his now customary big contribution to the Darlington Jazz Festival. This year’s event, the fifth, featured a superb sextet assembled by the amiable trumpeter. The Leeds College of Music graduate made a few calls – some of them to fellow LCoM alumni – and the band that turned up on Friday evening at the Voodoo Café played a gig that will forever live in the memory.

Noel Dennis Trio @ The Lit & Phil. April 22

Noel Dennis (trumpet & flugelhorn), Paul Edis (piano) & Andy Champion (double bass)

(Review by Russell, photo from a Jazz Café gig)

Another in the monthly Friday lunchtime jazz concerts at the Lit & Phil and another well-attended session. Noel Dennis has started to play more engagements following his return to the region following a stint working in Glasgow. The Glaswegians’ loss, our gain, it’s a treat to hear this most fluent of brass players in a small group setting.

Swing 16 @ The Globe Jazz Bar - April 24

Kay Usher (vln); Bradley Johnston, Simon Stephenson, John Usher (gtrs); Dave Parker (bs) + Julie Allen.

(Review by Lance)

Debut gigs are usually good audience-wise.The leader makes an effort, invites friends who invite friends and bingo! You've got a full house. We saw this previously with Minnie and the Moochers. The moral being, if you've got a gig, push it, don't assume they'll just turn up - you're rarely the only game in town.

Tonight saw a very good turnout for this latest Djangolic reincarnation. The original line-up, i.e. violin, three guitars and double bass? Well, not exactly, Kay Usher fiddled a solid bodied violin and the guitars were not three Maccas but one Macca, one f holed electro/acoustic and one standard steel-strung plugged in acoustic.

So this wasn't quite the authenticity they were seeking - or maybe it was.

Vintage Chart Toppers - Episode 9

Here's Episode 9 of Colin Aitchison' RTHK program Vintage Chart Toppers.
Les Paul & Mary Ford: How High the Moon.
Peggy Lee: The Folks Who Live on the Hill.
Danny Kaye/Andrews Sisters: Woody Woodpecker Song.
Vera Lynn - The White Cliffs of Dover.
Harry James/Kitty Kallen: I'm Beginning to See the Light.
Fats Waller: Your Feets Too Big.
Lance.

The pressures of last weekend's GIJF meant we missed Episode 8 so catch up here.

Who's that standing next to James Harrison?

Ashington's John Taylor brought this photo of pianist James Harrison and Philip Schofield, co-presenter of ITV's This Morning, to my attention. Schofield is currently headlining a touring show - Knight's of Music - with James as MD.

In my naivety, I assumed, given the show's title, that this was a show centred around the music of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Earl Hines, King Oliver etc.

As if!

Bard - Lives!

Shakespeare and all that jazz.

The two are seemingly inseparable despite the, say, 300-years gap between the death of one and the birth of the other. My first connection with these two unlikely bedfellows was via the Bob Crosby Bobcats 1939 recordings of Arthur Young’s settings of Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind; It Was a Lover & His Lass; Oh Mistress Mine and Sigh No More Ladies. Marian Mann took the vocals and the band comprised Billy Butterfield, Irving Fazola, Eddie Miller, Floyd Bean, Nappy Lamare and Ray Bauduc. Truly a line-up worthy of a gig at Stratford on Avon.

Archipelago @ The Globe April 22

John Pope (Electric Bass), Christian Alderson (Drums) and Faye MacCalman (Sax/Clarinet). 

(Review by Steve H/Photo manipulation by Lance)

I first came across this band just over a year ago when John and Faye played a very enjoyable duo gig at The Jazz Cafe. It was one of their first gigs and at the time, I thought they had great potential. Following on from an extremely well-received performance at GIJF last Sunday the band played another marvellous gig on Friday night at the Jazz Coop. I am happy to say that this band has definitely fulfilled this early promise and now with drums on board.  

GIJF: Malija @ Sage Gateshead April 17

Mark Lockheart (tenor & soprano saxophones, bass clarinet), Liam Noble (piano) & Jasper Høiby (double bass)

(Review by Russell/Photo courtesy of Ken Drew)

Another gig, another overlapping performance scenario. Out of one hall, into another. Malija is/are a quality act. Acoustic chamber jazz, Malija improvise on original tunes with myriad influences reaching back to early Ellingtonia. The Northern Rock crowd listened intently, the quality of musicianship of the highest standard.

Prince and the Prince of Darkness

The worldwide publicity surrounding the death of rock legend Prince left me with nothing further to say. After all, he had little jazz affinity - or did he?

I began to wonder after reading a 1989 quote from Miles Davis saying "He [Prince] can be the new Duke Ellington of our times" seeing in Prince a kindred spirit to himself. The two did record and Davis featured several Prince compositions.Investigating further, I discovered references to Madhouse, a jazz/fusion band he formed with saxist Eric Leeds in Minnesota although I haven't heard them.

The photo shows Miles and Prince on NYE 1987 at Paisley Park.

This link tells more about the connection with Miles. 
Prince died on April 21, age 57, sadly missed by his many fans.
Rest In Peace.
Lance.

CD/Download Review: Paul Taylor - Cusps.

Paul Taylor (pno).
(Review by Lance).

An original voice both as a composer and pianist. Those who caught Taylor's solo set on the Concourse at last week's GIJF will want to hear his subtle, deep, meaningful explorations away from the sometimes extraneous and disturbing sounds that a solo pianist is subjected to in such a setting. 

No such problem here, in your den! Taylor demands and gets the listener's undivided attention. Quite an amazing and creative player, he appears to stride the genres. 

International Jazz Day:The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra - The Music of Dave Brubeck @ Sage Gateshead 0n April 30

SNJO (MD Tommy Smith) featuring Bill Dobbins (piano) and John Nugent (alto saxophone)

(Press release)

The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO) invites all music lovers to join them at Sage Gateshead on International Jazz Day, April 30, in a double celebration of world jazz, and the achievements of one of its most respected figures, Dave Brubeck.

Brubeck was an extraordinary musician who achieved enviable status as a jazz master, a brilliant composer, and as a household name. The SNJO is delighted to have this opportunity to mark Brubeck’s exceptional contribution to modern music and to warmly welcome pianist and arranger Bill Dobbins and alto saxophonist John Nugent as their special guests. 

Introducing Ruth Lambert

The Ruth Lambert Trio - Ruth (vcl); Mick Shoulder (bs); Giles Strong (gtr) - have been picked as one of three bands/artists to appear at Cheltenham Jazz Festival, performing on the BBC introducing stage. 
The showcase will take place at St Pauls Church in Cheltenham on Wednesday, April 27 and will be hosted by Radio 2’s Jo Whiley. The show will be recorded for later broadcast across the BBC Introducing local radio network as well as Jo Whiley and Jamie Cullum’s Radio 2 shows the following week. The three acts pictured are. left to right; Kel Elliott and her 3 man orchestra; the Ruth Lambert Trio and Sarah Munro.

Info courtesy of Mick Shoulder (on F/b).

GIJF: Kris Bowers @ Sage Gateshead. April 16

Kris Bowers (piano & keyboards)

(Review by Russell)

Going from one hall to another, from one concert to another, without so much as one minute’s break can make it difficult to adjust to the new sound in a new environment. The Sage One double bill – Courtney Pine-Zoe Rahman and Terence Blanchard – ran over time, meaning that those wishing to attend the late night concert in the Northern Rock Foundation Hall had to dash hoping not to miss the start of Kris Bowers’ set.

GIJF: Northern Monkey Brass Band @ Sage Gateshead. April 16

Graham Hardy (trumpet), Alastair Lord (trumpet), Jamie Toms (tenor saxophone), David Gray (trombone), Mark Ferris (trombone), Phil Rosier (tuba), Adam Sinclair (snare drum) & Brendan Murphy (bass drum)

(Review by Russell/Photo courtesy of Ken Drew)

And now on Radio 3, from north-east of England, the Northern Monkey Brass Band. The 2016 Gateshead International Jazz Festival hosted Radio 3’s Jazz Line-Up on Sage Gateshead’s concourse stage. Recorded for (near) future broadcast, Graham Hardy, top trumpeter, assembled the A-team for a BBC radio broadcast gig. Presented by Kevin Le Gendre, the programme featured music from the likes of Courtney Pine, Zoe Rahman, a solo spot from Ian Shaw, the steel pan sound of Yorkshire’s Pan Jumby and the amazing Roberto Fonseca Trio.

CD Review: Lauren White - Out of the Past: Jazz & Noir

Lauren White (vcl); Mitchel Forman (pno); Trey Henry (bs); Abe Lagrimas Jr. (dms); Andrew Carney (tpt); Andrew Synowiec (gtr); Hitomi (ten) + Lisa Liu String Quartet & Eclectic Plus One Brass Band. 
Review by Lance).
This is for me - songs from noir movies! Add the jazz and I'm in a tight corner.

Two guy's wearing fedoras and trenchcoats have stepped out of a Pontiac and are carrying Lugers. I think of the dame and wish I'd never met her in that bar on the corner of 12th and Vine. She'd looked classy, well as classy as any babe in that joint. How was I to know that she was Big Al's plaything? Big Al - The Mob's numero uno in this city. Somebody had fingered me and Big Al doesn't like guys taking what is his, particularly as I'd also lifted 10 grand from a bookie joint he ran at the back of a funeral parlour.

Looked like the next time I visited it would be in the front room of the parlour - no flowers please, just make a donation to...*

Breaking News! Ros Rigby stands down after fifteen years as Performance Programme Director of Sage Gateshead

Ros Rigby OBE (pictured left), Sage Gateshead’s Performance Programme Director, who has overseen around 300 popular performances each year since the music venue opened in 2004, has today announced that she will be standing down from the post after fifteen years at the end of July.

Abigail Pogson, Sage Gateshead’s Managing Director, also announced that Tamsin Austin, currently Head of Popular and Contemporary Programme at Sage Gateshead, has been appointed as Director of Programming to head up this team from September.   

GIJF: Terence Blanchard e-collective @ Sage Gateshead. April 16

Terence Blanchard (trumpet & synths), Fabian Almazan (keyboards & synths), Charles Altura (guitar), DJ (bass) & Oscar Seaton (drums)

(Review by Russell/Photo Credit: John Watson/Jazzcamera.co.uk)

The second set of this festival double bill presented Terence Blanchard. Yes, the one-time Jazz Messenger really was in the building! Messengers’ alumni constitute a post-WWII ‘who’s who’ of the music…Kenny Dorham, Bill Hardman, Donald Byrd, Lee Morgan, Wynton Marsalis and Terence Blanchard. And these were just the trumpet players! 1980 or thereabouts, T Blanchard appeared at the Newcastle Playhouse with Art Blakey. The young man cut the mustard, decades later would he affirm his place in the jazz pantheon?

GIJF: John Surman w. Alexander Hawkins Trio @ Sage Gateshead. April 16

John Surman (bar/sop); Alexander Hawkins (pno); Neil Charles (bs); Tom Skinner (dms).

(Review by Lance/Photo Credit: John Watson/Jazzcamera.co.uk).

It was back in the late 1960s when, still in his early '20s, Surman emerged as the fastest baritone saxophone player in the west (country) when he was the anchor man of the, then, revolutionary Mike Westbrook group. Fifty years on, He's still fast out of the blocks and a stayer too! The first piece lasted 30 minutes. 

"I won't bother with titles," said Surman, "They're meaningless!"

Let's face it, with many contemporary originals, this is true. Commendable honesty.

GIJF: Evan Parker @ Sage Gateshead. April 15.

Evan Parker (tenor & soprano saxophones)

(Review by Russell)

Evan Parker is travelling to gigs throughout Europe by train. Signing up to Europe Jazz Network’s Take the Green Train scheme which encourages musicians to adopt a ‘green’ approach to travel, the veteran improviser alighted at Sage Gateshead to perform a rare solo concert.

Miles at the Tyneside Cinema this Friday!

Don Cheadle’s long awaited film Miles Ahead opens at the Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle on Friday morning (April 22) at 11:00am. Times of screenings for the opening week are as follows:

Fri 22 11:00am 4:15pm 8:45pm

Sat 23 11:45am 2:00pm 6:40pm

Sun 24 11:50am 2:00pm 6:30pm

Mon 25 12:00pm* 3:20pm 8:20pm

Tue 26 11:05am 2:05 pm 6:35pm

Wed 27 2:00pm 4:15pm 8:45pm

Thu 28 11:00am** 12:15pm 2:30pm 6:30pm 8:45pm

* Silver Screen

** Bringing in Baby

Link.

Russell.

GIJF: Courtney Pine & Zoe Rahman @ Sage Gateshead - April 16

Courtney Pine (bass clarinet) & Zoe Rahman (piano)

(Review by Russell/Photo Credit: John Watson/Jazzcamera.co.uk)

For ten years or so Courtney Pine hasn’t picked up his tenor saxophone. As a member of the seminal Jazz Warriors Pine emerged as a welcome new voice on the jazz scene going on to form, tour and record with his own small group. Back in the day, a gig at Riverside (long-since closed) on Melbourne Street, Newcastle heard Pine, the new kid on the block, play commanding post-Coltrane tenor. At the time, Sage Gateshead was but a twinkle in the eye. Decades later Courtney Pine plays the Norman Foster-designed Sage Gateshead venue on a regular basis.

GIJF: Liane Carroll & Ian Shaw @ Sage Gateshead. April 15

 Liane Carroll (piano & vocals) & Ian Shaw (piano & vocals)

(Review by Russell/Photo courtesy Ken Drew)

Jazz festivals like to book a number of musicians who are ‘box office’ performers. The Gateshead International Jazz Festival presented two for the price of one in Sage Two’s opening night ‘late night’ show. Liane Carroll and Ian Shaw give a performance every time they take to the stage. This 2016 GIJF concert gave top billing to Carroll with her friend of many years Ian Shaw her ‘special guest’ (pictured here on the Concourse).

CD Review: Manu Katché – Unstatic

Ellen Andrea Wang (bass, vocals); Manu Katché  (drums, vocals); Jim (James) Watson (piano, keyboards); Tore Brunborg (saxes); Luca Aquino (trumpet)  +  Nils Langren (trombone).

(Review by Hugh C)

Manu  Katché was born in 1958 in France and initially studied classical piano at age 7 in Paris.  At age 15 he enrolled at Conservatoire National de Paris and subsequently became a session and concert drummer.  He began to come to international attention in the mid-'80s when he was involved in recording and touring projects with Peter Gabriel and Sting.  He then acted as a backup musician with a variety of international artists in various genres but including Jan Garbarek.  He joined the ECM stable in 1999, releasing his first disc, Neighbourhood, followed by (in 2007) Playground.

GIJF: The Simon Spillett Quartet Play the Music of Tubby Hayes - Sage Gateshead. April 17

 Simon Spillett (ten); Steve Melling (pno); Alec Dankworth (bs); Miles Levin (dms).
(Review by Lance/Photos courtesy of Ken Drew).

We were still on a high from our trip back in time to the '30s and '40s with Café Society Swing when we entered the Tardis, a.k.a. The Northern Rock Foundation Hall or, for this weekend, The Jazz Lounge. This journey in time took us back to the '50s, '60s and early '70s and the life, times and music of Tubby Hayes.

This was done by showing the recently released documentary, A Man in a Hurry, followed by a live set from the Simon Spillett Quartet then a Q & A  with Spillett and the film's director, Lee Cogswell.