CD Review: Ingrid and Christine Jensen – Infinitude

Ingrid Jensen (trumpet, effects & kalimba), Christine Jensen (alto & soprano saxophones), Ben Monder (electric guitar & hammertone guitar), Fraser Hollins (acoustic bass) & Jon Wikan (drums)

(Review by Russell)

The Jensen sisters have previously worked in small group settings and written for larger jazz ensembles. Infinitude – the concept of boundless possibility – is the Canadians’ CD recording debut for Whirlwind Recordings. Ten tracks, five written by Christine Jensen, three by her younger sibling Ingrid, one by guitarist Ben Monder, and the most welcome inclusion of Old Time composed by ex-pat Canadian, the late Kenny Wheeler, this is an album of fine writing and sublime musicianship.

Hannabiell and Midnight Blue @ Trimdon Colliery and Deaf Hill Working Mens Club October 30

Hannabiell Sanders (trombone, percussion), Mercedes Philips (sax, percussion), Luke Gaul (guitar), James Robson (bass), Joe Hawke (drums), Yilis Suriel (percussion), Mark Barfoot (percussion).

(Review by Steve T)

Sunday nights in out of the way places seem to be becoming as commonplace as elongated reviews, swipes at mass media pop icons and imbibing, a splendid word that's slipped into my own personal parole, courtesy Mr Edis senior.

The Trimdons: Village, Colliery and Station are part of the old coal-mining community in County Durham and this was the closing event of Trimfest, an eleven-day 'celebration of art, music and cultures from across the world', funded by Gem Arts and the lottery.

The club official who introduced the band guessed we weren't in for Whiskey in the Jar - only from the bar - but promised 'Afro-Caribbean and Latin percussion, Jazz, Afro-beat and reggae' wondering out loud 'God knows what that is'.

CD Review: Nicole Sapho - Tiptoe

Nicole Saphos (bs/vcl); John Lee (gtr); Ele Rubenstein (dms).
(Review by Lance).

One of the highs (and sometimes 'lows') of blogging is the diversity of albums that arrive for review - in particular, those that have crossed the Atlantic (BSH is truly international). However, everything American isn't always 'the berries' and frequently, quite the opposite. Fortunately, there are invariably a few that justify the sender's mailing costs. This is, more or less, just such a one.

Bobby Wellins (January 24, 1936 - October 27, 2016)

The news that tenor sax legend Bobby Wellins - and in this case legend means LEGEND - died two days ago on October 27 left me very saddened. A masterful player who weaved his way through modern jazz in the UK, and yet, always seemed to be the bridesmaid and never the bride in the eyes of some of the fringent observers of the jazz scene.

Wellins' playing on Stan Tracey's Under Milkwood Suite, his two-tenor quintet with Don Weller (pictured - Wellins 3rd from left) and many of the quartet sessions both live and on record refute the notion that the Scotsman was anywhere other than in the top echelon of British tenor players.

I have fond memories of hearing him at Newcastle Jazz Festival, The Corner House and elsewhere.

One of those players who, somehow, made their mark without having to hammer it into your skull.
Bobby Wellins was 80-year-old when he left us - sad at our loss but thankful for the legacy.
Rest In Peace.

Lance.

Obituary.
There's also a host of heartfelt tributes on LondonJazzNews.

News Flash RIP Bobby Wellins.

More later.

CD Review: Ben Lee Quintet - In the Tree

Ben Lee (guitars), Chris Young (alto), Richard Foote (trombone), David Ferris (organ), Euan Palmer (drums).

(Review by Steve T)

'Ben studied jazz guitar at Birmingham Conservatoire'. Since he and number one son are now acquainted I should be careful what I say. It's the best album in the world ever.

But seriously, there's an awful lot about this band and this album that I like: guitar, sax, trombone, sax and trombone, Hammond (almost), no piano, no bass - sorry guys.

He's also a fine composer, comparable with anybody around, and a good few years younger than most.

Tonight @ the Globe - Customs House Big Band

Tonight at The Globe, the Jazz Coop present the Customs House Big Band, One of the most exciting bands around they're always worth catching and they don't appear in Newcastle too frequently so tonight is a good opportunity to hear a mix powerhouse contemporary numbers by such as Gordon Goodwin and Sammy Nestico alongside some Basie and others (Glenn Miller is probably still missing from the pad).

Customs House Big Band – The Globe, 11 Railway St., Newcastle NE4 7AD. 7pm (doors). £9/£7.50 early bird.

Lance.

Tony Joe White @Sage Gateshead October 28

Tony Joe White – vocal, guitar, harmonica. Drummer unknown.

(Review by Steve T)

I had it in my head that Tony Joe White recorded at Muscle Shoals, not that it would have made any difference to me, but the legendary studio was, with Memphis and Nashville, part of that southern triangle, the melting pot at the intersection between black and white music and culture which created such legendary, important, and sometimes fantastic music.

I must have been going to lots of Jazz gigs because I thought I could just turn up on the night and choose my seat. Luckily, I checked earlier in the week to find my choice limited to five tickets behind the stage on level two or eleven standing on level three.

Ushaw’s Big Idea

Bebop Spoken Here’s roving County Durham reporter Tony Eales enjoyed an evening at Ushaw College listening to Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea. The previous evening Hoochie Coochie’s Thursday crowd danced the night away to Richardson’s ‘soul jazz’ quartet. A powerful outfit in its own right, nevertheless the quartet cedes to the big beast that is the Big Idea. Eales counted them in and out noting Adam Sinclair in the drum chair, Gordon Marshall alongside fellow trumpeter Dave Hignett and Stuart Johnson playing tenor. The diminutive Sue Ferris packed her usual big punch on baritone and Eales was particularly impressed with her fabulous flute playing. Check out www.ushaw.org for details of next month’s gig. It’s a good ‘un.

Russell (Based on a theme by Tony).      

Hand to Mouth: Lindsay Hannon & Bradley Johnston @ Jazz Café. October 28

Lindsay Hannon (vocals) & Bradley Johnston (guitar)

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

Earlier, Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang visited the Lit & Phil, this evening Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass played a concert set at the Jazz Café. World class jazz in Newcastle! The little matter of Emma Fisk and James Birkett reworking the music of the 1920s master musicians, and later Lindsay Hannon and Bradley Johnston exploring Ella’s definitive take on the Great American Songbook didn’t dissuade the discerning. The ‘house full’ signs were dusted off, this was to be a memorable day, and, for good measure, a brief visit to the Vermont Hotel to hear two of the best in the business.

Ella/Lindsay in evening wear, Joe/Brad in funeral director’s suit. Ms Hannon said they had been rehearsing the material. We were to find out this had indeed been the case. A bossa opener – Dindi then The One I Love (Belongs to Someone Else), yes, this was all, and more, that the front row had been hoping for.

CD Review: The Big Shake-up.

Jon Stokes (tmb); Jean-Paul Gervasoni, Paul Munday, Gavin Broom;(tpt/flug); Sam Bullard (alt/ten); Gemma Moore (bar/fl); Mike Poyser (sousa); Jimmy Norden (dms/perc); Sharleen Linton (vcl).

(Review by Lance).

You start feeling old when you see Dave O'Higgins  (composer of the title track) referred to in the notes as a British Jazz Legend! To me, a British Jazz Legend is Nat Gonella, Tubby Hayes, Humph,     Ronnie etc. However, as O'Higgins is now 52 he may well be approaching that accolade although I still think of him as one of the rising stars! I mean, in jazz you've got to be either dead or pretty close to it to become a legend!

Emma Fisk & James Birkett @ The Lit & Phil. October 28

Emma Fisk (violin) & James Birkett (guitar)

(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy of Brian Ebbatson).

Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang turned up at the Lit & Phil. The Newcastle audience turned out in force to hear them. Rarely, if ever, has the Loftus Room been so full for a Friday lunchtime jazz concert. Yes, Emma ‘Venuti’ Fisk and James ‘Lang’ Birkett performed twelve numbers written by, or associated with, Venuti and Lang and found time to play Lady be Good as an encore.

Gerry Richardson Soul Quartet @ Hoochie Coochie - October 27.

Gerry Richardson (Hammond SK2/vcl); Rod Sinclair (gtr); Neil Harland (bs gtr); Adam Sinclair (dms).

(Review by Lance).

Billed as The Gerry Richardson Soul Quartet the jazz was at a minimum - or was it? Of course it wasn't! Irrespective of the tune or the rocky rhythm being laid down, when these guys solo they're playing jazz whether or not the audience know it! Mind you tonight, those borderlines were stretched, particularly during the second set, a set devoted to the music of Booker T and the MGs.

Krokofant + Horse Orchestra + Archipelago @ The Black Swan October 25

Krokofant: Jørgen Mathisen (sax); Tom Hasslan (guitar); Axel Skalstad (drums)

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

Match and Fuse is an organisation which aims to bring bands from all over Europe to play in different countries. As an added bonus they also try and present local bands on the same bill.

This tie-in with Jazz North East and Schmazz ticked all the boxes.

Headlining were Krokofant who hail from Norway. I would describe the music as ‘Heavy Rock Jazz’.  Guitarist Hasslan could fit easily into a number of classic 70’s rock outfits such as Led Zeppelin or Deep Purple. Meanwhile, Sax player Mathisen seems to come from a far more European free jazz tradition. The 2 styles are fused together by the powerhouse drumming of Skalstad. A highly intriguing energetic set left one quite bewildered as to what they were actually witnessing but who cares? it was very enjoyable whatever the style.

Vasy and Paul - Way Out West. Sunday lunchtime at the Bite Bistro, Brampton.

Our man in Cumbria, David Gosling, reviewed the ubiquitous duo of Vasilis Xenopoulos and Paul Edis at the Bite Bistro in Brampton. The review appeared in the local What's On guide and can be accessed via this link.

The newly opened bistro is situated in the New Mills Trout Fishing Park and, it seems to me to be worth a visit even if you're not a jazzer or a fisherman. However, on this occasion, I doubt if even the freshly caught trout could match the seasoned caviar on stage!

Thank you, David, for sharing this with us.

Lance.

US Pianist/Producer Robert Glasper Headlines Hull Jazz Festival 24th Winter Edition, 15 – 19 November 2016

Multi Grammy Award-winning US Pianist/Producer Robert Glasper headlines the international line-up for Hull Jazz Festival 24^th Winter Edition, performing with his band Robert Glasper Experiment on Friday 18^th November at Hull Truck Theatre.

(Press release)

Glasper, known for his genre-defying collaborations with artists including Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Mos Def and Jay-Z, will be performing tracks from the Experiment’s new Blue Note album, Artscience, ahead of their headline show at London Jazz Festival.

CD Review: Nigel Price Organ Trio - Heads and Tales Vol 2

Nigel Price (gtr); Ross Stanley (Hammond); Matt Home (dms) + Alex Garnett (alt/ten); Vasilis Xenopoulos (ten).

(Review by Lance).

Heads & Tales, an appropriately named double CD. Heads you win, Tales you still win! The trio is two-thirds of the trio that rocked the Jazz Café last month (Steve Brown stood in for Matt Home). To make it even more attractive we have the added presence of Vasilis Xenopoulos and Alex Garnett, either together or individually, on 7 of the 9 tracks on disc one.  Xenopoulos is a regular visitor to the area (as recently as last weekend) and Garnett played the Gala in Durham in May.

CD Review: Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra - Basically Baker.

There was something about the great big bands - they all brought an identifiable sound to the [turn]table. You rarely needed to look at the label to know if it was Dorsey, Goodman, Shaw or Miller. Likewise, Ellington and Basie. Later, Gillespie, Raeburn, Thornhill, Kenton and Herman moved things forward. When touring bands became uneconomical the rehearsal, occasional gig, big bands appeared - both high and low profile. In the former category, the bands of Jones/Lewis and Clarke/Boland spring to mind. Kenny Wheeler and Mike Gibbs and, of course, Wynton's Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.

David Baker absorbed all these influences and shared them over many years in Downbeat articles and analyses of various aspects of jazz.

Perhaps the first great jazz educator.

Empty Shop Full House – Sunday, October 23.

(Report by Tony Eales/Russell)

Tony Eales reports that a student-led jam session at Durham’s Empty Shop played to a full house. Core members of Durham University Big Band (DUBB) formed the rhythm section and a number of sitters-in entertained a capacity audience, largely comprised of fellow students. The bar turned over, everyone had a good time, the session will run on Sundays, term time (free admission, 8:00pm start), until further notice. Bebop Spoken Here will post any changes to the proposed weekly schedule – stay tuned!

Russell      

Vasilis Xenopoulos with the Paul Edis Trio @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. October 23

 Vasilis Xenopoulos (tenor saxophone), Paul Edis (keyboards), Mick Shoulder (double bass) & Russ Morgan (drums) + Matthew McKellar (drums)

(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy of Jerry Edis)

Vasilis Xenopoulos Part Two. Following Friday’s gig at the Traveller’s Rest, Darlington, London-based tenor saxophonist Xenopoulos made a welcome return to the Black Bull in Blaydon. It had been a busy few days for the Greek saxophone colossus: a workshop with students at Sage Gateshead, the Darlington gig, a stopover in Cumbria to play a couple of duo engagements, concluding with this Blaydon Jazz Club date.

The Black Bull’s lounge soon filled up with all seats occupied. Two of the young musicians were in attendance to hear Xenopoulos. Other music students in the region were conspicuous by their absence – they will be marked down accordingly! Hearing Vasilis Xenopoulos is an education. The lesson was about to begin.

A Blues in Tyne

David Gosling drew my attention to this young Chicago pianist and, in particular, the title. Suggesting that she must fly over and play in the Northeast.
Title apart, Alexis Lombre is a fine pianist.
Listen here.
Lance.

CD Review: Matthew Kaminski Quartet w. Kimberley Gordon - Live at Churchill Grounds

Matthew Kaminski (Hammond SK2); Will Scruggs (sax); Rod Harris Jr. (gtr); Chris Burroughs (dms); Kimberley Gordon (vcl).

(Review by Lance).

Kaminski has a regular gig down in Atlanta GA. playing to a crowd of 40,000 each session and he does it over 80 times each year. That's 3 million listeners! Well, maybe they don't listen too intently having other things on their minds like if the Atlanta Braves can beat The Mets. Yes, Kaminski is the resident organist at all of The Braves home games. He doesn't play much jazz at the ball games. However, away from the ballpark, ensconced in Atlanta's premier jazz spot, Churchill Grounds, it's a, pardon the pun, a whole different ball game.

The Regals @ The Globe Jazz Bar, Newcastle - October 22.

Neil Hunter (vcl/keys); + gtr/bs gtr/dms.
(Observations by Lance)

Not a jazz gig by any means although who's to say the solos weren't jazz nor that the rocking soul voice of Hunter isn't blues? There are lines drawn in the sand between genres. Trouble is, sand is ever shifting.

For me, this was quite nostalgic reminding me of when I lived in a flat in Bell Street in Hebburn. Listening to Radio Caroline and the various other pirate radio stations. Of listening to the first Clay-Liston fight in the early hours.

Tim Garland Quartet @ Sage Gateshead – October 21

Tim Garland (tenor, alto saxophones, bass clarinet), Ant Law (guitars), Jason Rebello (keyboards), Asaf Sirkis (drums, percussion).

(Review by Steve Tolstoy/photo courtesy of Pam Young).

It was clear from the off this was something of a homecoming for Tim Garland. Turns out he used to teach music in Newcastle, lived in Whitley Bay for a time and recorded at Sage Gateshead while they were still finishing off the roof. This was home turf and it showed in his relaxed demeanour and infectious enthusiasm.

It was also obvious that this wasn’t a headliner and his band, but a real live super-group. His excitement at them ‘kicking your (his) ass each night’ was palpable, overflowing regularly through the night, whooping and clearly into their solos, leading the applause as he provided genuine backing with his various percussion objects. When you consider he played with Chick Corea for seventeen years, that these musicians plainly still blow him away ought to tell you something.

Vasilis Xenopoulos with the Paul Edis Trio @ The Traveller’s Rest. October 21

Vasilis Xenopoulos (tenor saxophone), Paul Edis (keyboards), Ken Marley (double bass) & Russ Morgan (drums)

(Review by Russell/photo from archives).

8:00am Friday. Are you available for a gig tonight at the Traveller’s Rest, Darlington? Ken Marley answered in the affirmative. The former Voice of the North Jazz Orchestra double bass player made the journey across the Pennines at short notice to work with a regular visitor to Darlington, the one and only Vasilis Xenopoulos. It has been several years since bassist Marley featured in these BSH pages. It was, perhaps, a Voice of the North concert, or a memorable Marley septet gig at the Cluny in Newcastle. Whenever, wherever, it was way back when.

Tenor saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos is a favourite at Opus 4 Jazz Club. This October date is a fixture in the calendar (he’ll be back next year!), attracting fans from Tyneside to the north and Yorkshire to the south. From the walls of the upstairs room hang large portraits of the jazz greats. Over Xenopoulos’ left shoulder Dexter Gordon looked down. Vasilis likes Dexter, Dexter would have loved to hear Vasilis play! Darlington’s regular crowd loves to hear Vasilis play. They were queuing on the stairs well ahead of time. A sense of anticipation hung in the air…

CD Review: Giulio Romano Malaisi - Unexpected Ride.

Giulio Romano Malaisi (gtr); Michael Rosen (ten/sop); Dario Di Lecce (bs); Sophie Alloway (dms) + Filippo Dall'Asta (rhythm gtr on final track).

(Review by Lance).

As I become more and more disillusioned by what purports to be jazz - both live and on disc - out of the blue an album like this arrives, I'm reassured, the old values haven't gone, in this case, they've just been updated and by a guitarist from a small village in Italy who moved to London, for what was planned as a brief visit. However, young Giulio quickly became hooked on the vibrant music scene of England's capital city eventually, becoming a much sort after session player working across the genres.

The Musical Box play Genesis 'Selling England by the Pound' @ Newcastle City Hall October 20.

Not Peter Gabriel (lead vocals, flute, percussion), not Steve Hackett (guitars), not Tony Banks (keyboards, acoustic guitar, backing vocals), not Mike Rutherford (bass, guitars, backing vocals), not Phil Collins (drums, vocals).

(Review by Steve T).

At the risk of young Russell observing another 'essay' on prog rock and Lance adopting his gruff, husky, crackled whisper to tell me to 'take the pen out of my hand', I thought I'd risk another.

Jazz now seems to encompass any ambitious, experimental music and most emerging Jazz musicians have some familiarity with prog rock and many incorporate it. Prog was of its time in the late sixties/ early seventies when it seemed anything could happen and generally did. When pop wasn't rock and rock wasn't pop.

Alan Glen Trio @ The Empty Shop. October 20

Alan Glen (piano), John Pope (double bass) & Paul Wight (drums)

(Review by Russell) 

The Empty Shop is something of a misnomer. Walk up the stairs to the first floor space on one of its regular jazz nights and invariably the place will be heaving. A return visit featuring the north east’s master pianist Alan Glen proved to be no exception. As Glen began his set the ‘house full’ signs were being hung on the doors. Empty shop? Closed shop, more like!

Mr Glen lets the music do the talking: Love for Sale, Stella by Starlight, Love is a Many Splendoured Thing, the GAS book. Accompanying our softly spoken pianist were John Pope and Paul Wight; a firmly established working trio consistently attracting audiences wherever they play. Durham’s Empty Shop would reject any notion that it has adopted a ‘shabby chic’ look, it’s proudly shabby. Floor boards, paint splattered chairs…and jazz.

North of the 'Birder' - The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra directed by Tommy Smith presents The Legend of Charlie Parker

(Press release)

Charlie Parker is one of the most important figures in the history of jazz music, and one of its most tragic heroes. He is also one of a handful of twentieth-century musicians who was an authentic catalyst for far-reaching change.

The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra delves into the Parker catalogue and brings his brilliant vision to pulsating life in a concert series that will make this November one to remember. All of Charlie Parker’s original invention is explored, with further refinements in new arrangements specially commissioned by the SNJO.

There are new charts from Julian Argüelles, Sean Gibbs and Bill Dobbins, and original thinking from familiar SNJO arrangers Martin Kershaw, Florian Ross, Christian Elsässer, Laurence Cottle and Geoffrey Keezer. Their work allows the SNJO to re-visit Parker classics such as Donna Lee, Cheryl, Yardbird Suite, Parker’s Mood and Anthropology, and gild them with renewed vitality, fresh ideas and the gleam of modernity

Don’t forget to book the babysitter!

(Russell)

Friday night at the Traveller’s Rest, Cockerton, Darlington, then, Sunday at the Black Bull, Blaydon. See you there! You have booked the babysitter, haven’t you? Honestly! Do it now before you forget. See you there! Yes, it’s the return of Vasilis Xenopoulos!

...with friends @ Newcastle o2 Academy. October 19

(Review by Russell)

Study Music at Sage Gateshead…

Nick Pride and the Pimptones with friends…

Plus Special Guests…

So read the blurb on the ticket stub. Sage Gateshead’s annual parade of tutor talent upped sticks for one night only to perform at Newcastle’s o2 Academy. An audience comprised of students and a handful of ex/non-students heard how it could/should be done. The jazz grapevine suggests the new student intake shows great promise. Expect to hear them out and about in the coming months.       

Quality is the word. The core Coast Road ensemble (Dave Camlin, Bex Mather, Bethany Elen-Coyle and Paul Susans) opened the show in typically understated fashion – walk on, plug in (acoustic guitars) and play. Original material, one of which Bex Mather sang with the Sapphires, reworked for the occasion, the vocal harmonies spot on, the quartet joined on a couple of numbers by friends Rob Walker and Paul Edis. Dave Camlin alluded to an all-too-familiar irritant – the ‘be a star in five minutes’ illusion – with Tonight Matthew, a proper tune about being oneself.
Coast Road: Dave Camlin (guitar & vocals), Bex Mather (guitar & vocals), Bethany Elen-Coyle (guitar & vocals) & Paul Susans (double bass, electric bass & vocals) + Rob Walker (drums) & Paul Edis (keyboards).

LP Review: Dexter Gordon - Fried Bananas

.Dexter Gordon (tenor); Rein De Graaff (piano); Henk Haverhook (bass); Eric Ineke (drums). Recorded November 3, 1972.

(Review by Lance).

Back in the day, in L.A., when Wardell Gray and Dexter were slugging it out on The Chase in Central Avenue bars and clubs, I'd always, on the recorded evidence, leaned towards Wardell with his lighter, more subtle approach. However, when Dex recorded those classic Blue Note Albums, I had to admit that Wardell, if he'd still been around, may well have lost the re-match!

That was Dexter at his greatest - or so I thought until I heard this album!

CD Review: Cameron Mizell - Negative Spaces.

Cameron Mizell (Guitar), Brad Whitely (Keyboards), Kenneth Salters (Drums).

(Review by Steve T).

For anyone who's wondering, I can't find anything to relate Cameron to the Mizell Brothers whose production transformed Donald Byrd from one of the great hard bop trumpeters to one of the great Jazz-funk artists.

The Hammond/guitar trio is one of my favoured line-ups in Jazz. Between the white European guitarists who book-end the golden years of Jazz the guitar initially struggled to get heard between saxophones and trumpets (or even piano) but, once satisfactorily amplified, became prone to lapses into easy-listening, often rescued by the famous Hammond organ. Almost every significant Jazz guitarist has put it to use and this is no exception, although Whitely uses a variety of keyboards.

At the North Shields Jazz Band Ball!

(Preview by Russell)

Jazz at the Exchange! It’s like old times. Mike Durham’s series of classic jazz concerts at the then Saville Exchange on Howard Street in North Shields set the standard and now, in 2016, the rejuvenated Exchange venue is once again to host jazz. On Saturday, October 22, three of the region’s top bands unite to present a triple bill of jazz and blues. The hall and its raked seats are as before with cabaret style seating in front of the stage. The jazz starts at seven o’clock with the now legendary Rae Brothers. Mac and Dave know their Bolden from their Beiderbecke, steeped in the jazz of New Orleans. A jumpin’ blues session with Brian Lynham’s No Time for Jive follows at 8:15, and to round off the evening, Maureen Hall’s Rendezvous Jazz take to the stage at nine thirty.

Preview: The Bad Plus + Binker and Moses @ Sage Gateshead - November 8

(Preview by Steve T)

This one really is a big deal, like the Cookers and Robert Glasper the following week. All three acts are playing the Epic ten day London Jazz Festival but in Gateshead they're all playing the same room while in London they won't even be on the same Underground Line. So, a bit of a Jazz Fest in November and if  Sage Gateshead can attract three acts of this calibre in April we'll be guaranteed another quality festival.

Jazz Café Jam Session - October 18.

(Review by Lance).

A cracking session and what did I do? I misplaced my notes! Apologies for missing names and numbers.

So I'm winging it! The house trio set the standard with Whisper Not and Amando's Rumba. They were on form. All three were on fire. 

A quartet of students from Sage Gateshead's BMus degree course took centre stage. Seemingly lead by guitarist Brent March they played acceptable versions of Sunny and All of Me. A work in progress. Brent told me this was, in fact, the first time they'd played together so the future looks promising. Fine musicians not heard to their best advantage. Do they have any original material? You betcha they will have! Watch this space. 

Time for the big hitters.

Preview: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe - October 20

Don’t miss the chance to hear Indigo Jazz Voices, jazz singers in the making, doing their stuff this Thursday, accompanied by Alan Law, maestro of the keyboard, and also by talented piano man Ron Pattinson, who plays for one of our singers.

We’ll be performing some of our favourite standards, blues and bossa: Jen Errington will Speak Low; Jenny Lingham will be Round Midnight; Minnie Fraser is singing a Fascinating Rhythm and yours truly will be telling you in song about my Secret Love. The two men in our group, Barry Keatings and David Edgar, haven’t said what they’ll be singing, so just wait and see. And there are lots more songs from us as well as the numbers mentioned.

Free admission, 7.30pm start

Be there!

Ann Alex.

Preview: Tim Garland Quartet - Sage Gateshead.

Saxophonist Tim Garland returns to Sage Gateshead this Friday (October 21) for the third time in three years. This will be my first time and I've heard from various sources what I've been missing.

He's accompanied by his regular band of percussion master Asaf Sirkis, keyboard wizard Jason Rebello and relative youngster, Ant Law who played a fine set with his own quintet in Hexham last year, and was nominated alongside Nigel Price and veteran Jim Mullen in the best guitar category of Jazzwise magazine this year.

Garlands' recent music is influenced by Jazz-rock, various British and American saxophonists, Celtic Music, Latin Music and particularly the music of Chick Corea, with whom he clearly shares enormous mutual respect.

Juliet Kelly - 'Bond to Bowie' @ Cotherstone Village Hall - October 16.

Juliet Kelly (voice); Paul Edis (piano).

(Review by Steve T)

The 'Highlights' rural touring scheme brings the arts to isolated communities and Cotherstone is certainly that. If you ever watch the Horror Channel it's like one of those communities where civilisation is left behind at the road turnoff, or so it seems on a cold, dark Sunday evening when there's no more cars, streetlights, buildings or people.

Actually it's a lovely, quiet, picturesque village with a typical village hall just like the site of all our youth clubs all those years ago, with a treat in store for its residents.     

Juliet Kelly must have thought all her Royal Variety Performances and Glastonbury Saturday night headlines had come at once when she heard Lord Paul, who she met the day before ahead of their Amble performance; two musicians both with great timing.

CD Review: Nick Sanders/ Logan Strosahl - Janus.

Nick Sanders (alto); Logan Strosahl (pno).
(Review by Lance).

Duo gigs are now as much the norm as trios, quartets, quintets and, probably more than sextets and infinitely more than bands numerically larger. Finance is usually the winner when artistic values are in the red corner. Bass players and drummers are the big losers - and, of course, the listeners.

Janus, in Roman Mythology, The God of Time, possessed of two diametrically opposed faces (I've known a few women like that!) looked simultaneously backward and forwards. 

Hence the title.

Emma Fisk and Paul Edis @ St. Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook. October 14.

Emma Fisk, violin and Paul Edis, piano.

(Review/photos by Jerry)

“It’s not all jazz”, Emma said: “It is all acoustic,” Paul added. A very different gig to review then, given my encyclopedic ignorance of all tonight’s three genres!  Additionally, unlike “normal” gigs, many of the tunes played were short giving a total set list of 22 tunes. No wonder Steve-T chose to imbibe leaving me to scribe!

Let me say from the outset, the whole evening was tremendous – a musical tour (de force) across continents, centuries, and genres - a violin masterclass interspersed with information and anecdotes about the composers and their music.  Crook was at its best with a good crowd (about 60), and resplendent with candelabra in all the windowsills. Paul Edis, at the piano, was flanked by candelabra but despite playing in a range of styles never sought to emulate Liberace!

Basin Street Brawlers @ Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.

Pete Horsfall (tpt/vcl); Malcolm Earle-Smith (tmb/vcl); Ewan Bleach (alt/clt); Martin Wheatley (gtr); Colin Good (pno).

(Review/ Photos by Lance).

The Trans-Pennine train took 29 minutes to reach Darlington. In the carriage, which resembled a sardine tin, 40 or so revelers intent on laying siege to York were already on their third lager as us sober ones alighted - York, you have been warned!

Inside the St. Augustine's Centre, home of Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club, sanity prevailed as the Basin Street Brawlers took to the stage.

No doubt in deference to their hosts, the Brawlers stomped off with High Society complete with the obligatory Picou clarinet solo. However, this is more than a New Orleans style trad band even though some of the numbers did relate to the turn of the century Crescent City - Winin' Boy Blues and Milenburg Joys being prime examples.

Sue Ferris Quintet @ Gala theatre Durham - October 14

Sue Ferris (saxophones & flute); Graham Hardy (trumpet); Paul Edis (piano); Neil Harland (bass); Dave McKeague (drums)

(Review by Brian Ebbatson/photo courtesy of Jerry Edis)

It was good to welcome Sue Ferris back to the Gala Lunchtime Concert series. She featured in one of our first concerts – three years ago - in a trio she co-led with Roly Veitch on guitar, and then with her quartet in 2014. She is on her home turf here, and harked back to her days playing with Will Todd, almost twenty years ago, by featuring a piece Will had ‘gifted’ her then, and she has kept in her repertoire since.

Paul Skerritt/James Harrison @ The Jazz Café - October 14.

Paul Skerritt (vcl); James Harrison (pno).
(Review by Lance).

If Morecambe and Wise had been jazz musicians they may have sounded like tonight's pairing - with the notes, more or less, in the right order.

They have fun and music should be about fun and not about watching paint dry as a gentleman who shall remain nameless commented about a recent gig he'd attended.

Have Yourself a Brawl in Darlo on Saturday (October 15)

My worthy constituent, Russell, has, justifiably so, been salivating over the impending arrival in these parts of tenor saxman Vasilis Xenopoulos as if it were the 'second coming' when actually it's the latest of 'many comings'. Nevertheless, it's always good to have this Greek bearing [his] gifts in the area including Darlington. However, some days earlier, in that very same town, there is another great jazz event taking place!

Saturday, October 15 (that's tomorrow!), sees the Basin Street Brawlers in town at the St.Augustine's Centre (5 Larchfield St., Darlington DL3 7TG), the home of the Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club. This stompingly great band play an afternoon session that kicks off at 12:30pm. I have yet to hear them live but, going on the strength of their album Tight Like That and trumpet player Pete Horsfall's recent album How Can We Know? tells me that this is no ordinary 'trad band'! When Bebop Spoken Here raves over a band such as 'The Brawlers' let me tell you that it's worth casting aside any stylistic prejudices! I'm already checking out train times. The 11:10am from Newcastle Central should do it - the 2:19 (that took my baby away) would be far too late!

Lance.

Seven days and counting…

(Preview by Russell).

Until the return of Vasilis Xenopoulos! Master tenor saxophonist Xenopoulos will be at the Traveller’s Rest on West Auckland Road in Darlington a week today, Friday 21st. A whistle stop tour (Darlington, two dates in Cumbria, then Blaydon) reunites Xenopoulos with pianist Paul Edis. Friends since working together in London, Vasi makes an annual visit to the region never failing to wow audiences with his swinging tenor playing. A gig with Paul Edis, bassist Andy Champion and Russ Morgan, drums, is an occasion no one should miss.

The o2 Academy Sage All Stars

This coming Wednesday (19 October) Sage Gateshead’s tutors follow in the footsteps of the Fab Four. The year is 1963. The Beatles topped the bill at the Majestic, Newcastle.  The year is 2016. Nick Pride and the Pimptones, Triptych and Coast Road top the bill at the o2 Academy. The Majestic is the o2, the o2 is the Majestic, one and the same. Please, Please, (Me?), get along to the o2 Academy to hear some of the best tutors in the business performing funk, jazz and pop (great vocal harmonies!) to an audience of music students …and you.

Yes, you! Open to all, the o2 Academy triple bill kicks-off at 7:30pm. Admission is £6.00 (plus booking fee) and for your money you get to hear the sharp-suited Pimptones led by soul-jazz man Nick Pride, Triptych (Messrs Paul Edis, Paul Susans and Rob Walker) and Coast Road. Funksters par excellence, the Pimptones tour far and wide, selling shed loads of albums; Triptych (piano, bass and drums) write and perform original material; Coast Road (local reference) play, and sing, and write. Tunesmiths, consummate performers all (Dave Camlin, Brendan Murphy, Paul Susans, Rachel Cross, Bex Mather, Bethany Elen-Coyle), Coast Road, hear them on Westgate Road this coming Wednesday, 19 October.

Russell.

Paul Skerritt /James Harrison Duo - Jazz Café, Friday.

Friday 14^th October 9pm – Paul Skerritt / James Harrison Duo.  Admission Free

(I’m sure Dave Clarke/Mike Tilley won’t mind me borrowing this  blurb from their Jazz Café News – Lance.)

Vocalist Paul accompanied by the phenomenal James Harrison (regular pianist with the Lyndsay Hannon Plus), are one-half of the explosive Paul Skerritt Band and, like the parent organisation, perform everything from Frank Sinatra to James Brown, applying to all their songs that fresh jazz feel which is their trademark.