Jazz in the sticks - Stanhope, Co. Durham. March 29

St Thomas Church Hall in Stanhope could be said to be in the ‘back of beyond’ but that didn’t deter Bebop Spoken Here’s intrepid explorer cum reporter Tony Eales from venturing into the unknown on Thursday evening. Rations packed, GPS switched on, Eales headed for St Thomas’ Church Hall in the Weardale village of Stanhope. Would TE be the only person to turn up to hear Alan Barnes and Dave Newton play some jazz? Come to think of it, would Barnes and Newton find the place? As TE popped his head around the door he was greeted by Barnesy: Hello Tony!

The ever-popular reeds and piano duo had made it, and they shouldn’t have been surprised to find BSH’s Eales in the congregation. Would it be a ‘jazz’ audience? TE didn’t recognise anyone as the audience turned up, it transpires they were locals and were looking forward to a first ever gig in the church hall. A good few dozen made the effort, and TE reports that at the end of the evening there was much applause for their guests, Messrs Barnes and Newton.

Russell 

Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Millstone - March 29

(Review by Russell). 

Easter weekend yet the band was just about at full strength, a testament to the commitment of those involved. A three-horn trumpet section plus two top-rank trombone deps, otherwise this was the A-Team ready to go on this the Strictly Smokin’ Big Band’s monthly public rehearsal night. No time to waste as MD Michael Lamb counted them in on Mexicali Nose (from Buddy Rich’s Big Swing Face) followed by Sammy Nestico’s arrangement of Hayburner. A cracking start and it’s a free admission night down at the Millstone!

A three-flute intro courtesy of Messrs Rangecroft, Robinson and Summers encouraged Alice Grace to confide: My Heart Belongs to Daddy. A nice arrangement with Steve Summers’ alto burning it up in advance of a Latin-feel trumpet part for Gordon Marshall. Band vocalist Grace hung around long enough to run through Teach Me Tonight. In fact, there was much more of Ms Grace with her side-kick F’reez elsewhere. An uptempo Beautiful Love, Angel Eyes with Paul Gowland’s breathy tenor, then a new chart – One Note at a Time – from the pen of American Doug Beach.

Best of March

Album of the Month (instrumental)
Jinjoo Yoo - I'm Curious (March 30).

Album of the Month (vocal)
Sarah Eden - Bleu Nuit. (March 6)

RIP Derek Fleck

Just received the sad news that sax/clarinet/banjo man Derek Fleck died on Wednesday, March 28. Former meteorologist, Derek was a relatively late arrival on the northeast jazz scene but soon made his presence felt with all the local trad bands but, perhaps, most of all with the West Jesmond Rhythm Kings.

When the WJRK folded after the death of Mike Durham, Derek became part of the Jazz in the Afternoon band at the Crescent Club in Cullercoats. 

He was a good robust player who often claimed that he was really a modernist at heart although in the lineups he invariably played in there was no such indication.

Now we'll never know. The important thing is that he did what he did and did it well.

Condolences to Alice and family.

Sadly missed.
Lance  
(Photo courtesy of Brian Bennett).
See comment by John Taylor.
See comment/link by Ian.

The Dominic J Marshall Trio @ The Globe – March 29

Dominic J Marshall (keys, electronics, vocals, introductions); Glenn Gaddum Junior (bass guitar); Jamie Peet (drums).

(Review by Ann Alex/photo courtesy of Ken Drew)

This was a joint venture put on by the Jazz Co-op and Jazz North East, and it was great to see fans from both camps enjoying the music. Not your usual jazz trio with standard tunes and solos, but groove-based pieces, with influences from pop, soul, and hip-hop, and each musician playing a full part in the proceedings, although Dominic J Marshall was the undoubted trio leader. He also sang on some numbers, groove-based lines in a rather deadpan voice, not exactly tunes, but rather lines of notes, which suited the style. The pieces were all originals, but I didn’t catch the names of all the tunes.

EP Review: Jinjoo Yoo - I'm Curious.

Jinjoo Yoo (piano); Neil Miner (bass); Jimmy Wormworth (drums).
(Review by Lance)

I groaned and muttered, 'Not another one!' By which I mean piano trios playing original compositions and I was reaching for the bin button when something caught my eye.

Michael Steinman.
I'm Curious to borrow the title of this EP.

Now those of you who have met Michael at Whitley Bay or visited his Jazz Lives site will know he's a man who doesn't suffer fools gladly and if Michael gives the quaintly named (by western standards) Jinjoo Yoo the thumbs up you know a treat will be in store.

I wasn't wrong - one of the most listenable albums I've heard in many a turntable revolution!

Another one bites the dust.

It's becoming a daily occurrence, a seemingly popular pub closing. The latest one, from our point of view, is the Potter's Wheel in Sunniside. The 'Potters' began life in the 1960s as The Blue Parrot, one of the first nightclubs in the northeast. In more recent years it was home to the Maine Street Jazzmen who played a weekly Thursday night session - until last night that is. Now the pub is closed and the band are looking for another home.

Thanks to trumpet player Ray Harley, pictured here with bandleader Herbie Hudson, for updating me with the sad news.

Lance.

RIP Tom Smith - Farewell to a friend

The funeral of a dear, longstanding, friend took place today. Tom Smith, who was 87, played piano in one of the very first bands I played in - The Tom Smith Trio. In the photo, from the early/ mid-1960s, Tom is on Piano, Bill Shaw played drums and I was on alto. All three of us attended Jarrow Central School, albeit in different years. The lower section of the photo, taken circa 2005/6, shows us after we met up again at a school reunion. Sadly, both Tom and Bill are now gone.

Tom wasn't a jazzman by any means but he had a good, rhythmic style that was ideal for the dance work we did.

Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Crescent Club, Cullercoats - March 28

Brian Bennett (banjo); Bob Wade (trumpet); Brian Chester (trombone); Jim McBriarty (clarinet/alto); Bill Colledge (bass); Fred Thompson (drums/vocal); John Broddle (vocal).

(Review by Lance).

I had a couple of hours to spare before Tom's funeral so I dropped by the Crescent Club in Cullercoats to catch the first set by the Vieux Carré Jazzmen. Never a bad thing to do, particularly if you're sampling the real ales on offer as you listen. Unfortunately, I was driving and under doctor's orders not to partake so it was Coca-Cola for me.

Before Who's Sorry Now got the ball rolling, a rendition of Happy Birthday was sung by all to John Broddle who would himself soon be taking to the stage. However, on WSN it was Fred Thompson who knew all the words.

A spirited version of Rosetta before it was time for the birthday boy and Deep Purple followed by Running Wild. Somehow, it was difficult to imagine this audience running wild although no doubt back in the day...

CD Review: Martin Speake - Intention.

Martin Speake (alto); Ethan Iverson (piano); Fred Thomas (bass); James Maddren (drums)

(Review by Lance)

The opener, Becky, is a portrayal of an estranged father's sadness. It has a spooky feel to it with occasional hints of Norwegian Wood seeping through. Twister, the notes tell me, is a groove influenced by John Scofield and Eddie Harris. Speake wails, with perhaps a suggestion of David Sanborn, blowing the blues as to the manner born. Iverson, formerly of the Bad Plus slots in nicely. He and Speake go back to 1990 when they were both studying at the Banff Centre For the Arts. Iverson was only 17 at the time and Martin was impressed.

45rpm Review: Detroit Bop Quintet - Two Birds

Dwight Adams (trumpet); Pete Mills (alto); Rick Roe (piano); Paul Keller (bass); Nate Winn (drums).

(Review by Lance).

Back in 1947, on December 21, the Charlie Parker Quintet went into the United Sound Systems in Detroit and recorded four tracks: Another Hair-do; Bluebird; Klaunstance & Bird Gets the Worm.

The quintet was in Detroit backing Sarah Vaughan at a local nightclub and, with a recording strike imminent, Savoy got the band into the nearest studio to beat the deadline. The tracks recorded that day by Bird, Miles, Duke Jordan Tommy Potter and Max Roach, in years to come, became legendary.

Another Hair-do and Bluebird were released as a single 78rpm on Savoy 961.

Gone Fishing

Came across this photo from the old Fish Quay Festival at North Shields. Can anyone date it and identify the band? Is that a very young Emma Fisk on violin?
Lance.

Ten Years After - We're Ten Years Old!

Nothing to do with the rock band of the above name who's claim to fame is that they headlined the only rock concert I've ever attended. Newcastle City Hall (TYA/Blodwyn Pig/Stone the Crows). My reason to be there? I was an enthusiast of guitarist, the late Alvin Lee who's playing always impressed me - remember Woodstock?

However, as I said at the start, this has nothing to do with TYA. No, the ten years refers to this week in 2008 when I first started posting vintage photos from the 1970/80s and writing about CDs, songs and gigs. One of the first reviews on BSH was of Scott Hamilton at Darlington Arts Centre.

One of the blogs earliest supporters was Liz of York who has been a constant supporter from the start and still is despite ill-health.

VCJ hibernating on Fridays.

Banjoist, bandleader, Brian Bennett has informed me that the Vieux Carré Jazzmen's ‘Friday Afternoon Winter Session’ has now ended and will recommence at Cullercoats Crescent Club in November.

Weekly Wednesday afternoon session as usual, of course, stomping off at 1pm and Going Home at 3pm.

Lance

CD Review: Pablo Held Trio - Investigations

Pablo Held (piano); Robert Landfermann (bass); Jonas Burgwinkel (drums)

(Review by Lance).

Robert Towner is quoted thus: "The beautiful music of the Pablo Held Trio strikes me as an important example of the evolution of the piano trio in jazz. They embody the poetry and depth of this tradition, while extending the harmonic and rhythmic possibilities of the tradition. The music of this trio brings me joy knowing that this great art form continues to grow and flourish."

I'll add an Amen to that.

Held has a delicate and sensitive touch, just perfect for the suggestion of melancholia that pervades for much of the album.

Wendy Kirkland tour dates

In July 2017 I raved about Wendy Kirkland's album - Piano Divas. 

It subsequently made my 'Vocal CDs of the Year' listing. 

I wasn't alone in my enthusiasm. 

Alan Barnes, Roger Beaujolais, Jim Mullen and Dave Gelly are but some of the many who have praised the singer/pianist (or should it be pianist/singer?) and I'm sure this will be reflected in the next round of the jazz world's popularity polls.

The Wendy Kirkland Quartet is currently touring, somewhat intermittently, mainly in the south, midlands and the northwest. Nothing so far in the northeast which is rather a shame as, once again, we are missing out on a class act.

If The Jazz Coop or the Jazz Café have any slots still to be filled then the answer could well lie here.

Lance.

YouTube.

Mick Shoulder's Swing Manouche included in latest Gypsy Jazz Top 20 album

Included amongst the tracks on the above album is Mick Shoulder's Swing Manouche. Well-known, not just in the northeast of England but now worldwide!

The Manouche track is a number titled Bossa For Zoe with Mick on lead and, assuming it's their regular lineup, Giles Strong on rhythm guitar along with Paul Edis (clarinet) and Paul Susans (bass).

Twenty cracking tracks by twenty different Hot Club ensembles and, I'm pleased to say, Mick Shoulder's Swing Manouche lose nothing by comparision with the other nineteen.

To find out more see the press release and check out the links:

Lance.

SSBB & Paul Booth revisited.

Follow this link for an excerpt from the Strictly Smokin' Big Band's gig on February 17 at the Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle, featuring saxophonist Paul Booth.
Lance. 

CD Review: (Jon Shenoy's) Draw By Four - Framework.

Jon Shenoy (tenor/clarinet/bass clarinet/flute/alto flute); Sam Dunn (electric & acoustic guitars); Will Bartlett (Hammond B3); Chris Draper (drums/perc.)

(Review by Lance).

As to be expected, lots of groovin' going on. What else when there's a B3 in the middle of it all? Well, in this case, a whole lot more. Sure, the groove is in (Nite Trip) but so is the lyricism (Hand in Hand).

Shenoy displays a melodic sensibility that bears comparision with any of the great saxophone balladeers of yore. He also composed 7 of the 10 tracks as well as drawing out the emotional content of the Brian Wilson/Tony Asher pop tune, Don't Talk (Put Your Head on my Shoulder). Sam Dunn also does some musical loving on this one.

MGB: The Milne Glendinning Band @ The Globe - March 22

Debra Milne (vocal/lyricist); Steve Glendinning (guitar/composer); Katy Trigger (bass guitar); Nik Alevroyiannis (drums).

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

A program of, in the main, original compositions. Words by D.Milne, music by B.Golson, S.Glendinning, B.Johnston and A.Glen.

During the course of the evening, Debra supplied her own words to Benny Golson's Killer Joe as well as pieces closer to home such as Alan Glen's Easy Go, a couple by guitarist Bradley Johnston and several by Steve Glendinning who played some stellar solos during the course of the gig.

Intriguing titles: The Pick-Up, which wasn't about a truck, Too Busy For Thinking, Soul Mate, Blame Game, Man in a Room, Stay, Don't Come Back Here Anymore, Most People, a song about voters and politicians that our girl wrote the day after Trump got the keys to the White House and Show me the Man.

I'm not sure which were Bradley's compositions and which were Steve's but words and music gelled nicely on all of them.

CD Review: Jeff Williams - Lifelike

Jeff Williams (drums); Gonçalo Marquez (trumpet); John O’Gallagher (alto saxophone); Josh Arcoleo (tenor saxophone); Kit Downes (piano) & Sam Lasserson (double bass)

(Review by Russell). 

In 2015 Jeff Williams recorded his third album as leader on Whirlwind Recordings. Outlier received rave reviews and this 2017 recording is likely to garner similar plaudits. Lifelike is his follow-up with much the same line-up although guitarist Phil Robson opts out having relocated to New York, John  O’Gallagher, alto saxophone, makes the trans-Atlantic crossing in the opposite direction and from a recent first gig together in Portugal, trumpeter Gonçalo Marquez comes on board. Otherwise, it’s an unchanged roll call – Josh Arcoleo, tenor, Kit Downes, piano and bassist Sam Lasserson.

SNJO April concerts

Kenny Wheeler's "Sweet SisterSuite" 

Featuring Laura Jurd on Trumpet and Irini Arabatzi on vocals.

-----

The Music of Mary Lou Williams with Brian Kellock on piano

April 20 - 22nd in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh at 19:30hrs.

(Press release)

Sweet Sister Suite was specially commissioned by the SNJO in 1997 and composed by the late Kenny Wheeler with parts for trumpet and voice alongside improvised elements from other orchestra members.

The SNJO are delighted to perform this wonderful music again with award winning trumpet player, Laura Jurd and singer Irini Arabatzis and to contrast it completely with music by one of the most admired and respected women in jazz history: Mary Lou Williams.

CD Review: Cloudmakers Five - Traveling Pulse

Jim Hart (vibraphone); Michael Janisch (double bass); Dave Smith (drums); Antonin-Tri Hoang (alto saxophone, clarinet) & Hannes Riepler (guitar).

(Review by Russell)

Cloudmakers Five is vibraphonist Jim Hart’s regular trio line-up augmented by Antonin-Tri Hoang playing alto saxophone and clarinet and Hannes Riepler, guitar. Recorded live at the Vortex over two nights in March of last year Traveling Pulse, with a total running time of 55:40, comprises six tracks and throughout there is an air of restraint with episodic, tangible excitement. One such break out section features a drum solo by Dave Smith which develops into a bout of free-ish playing from Hoang with leader Hart in the mood to improvise over Smith’s by now motoring rhythms on the CD’s fourth track The Road (For Ed).

CD Review: Zhenya Strigalev – Blues for Maggie

Zhenya Strigalev (alto sax, soprano sax, alto box, electronics); Federico Dannemann (guitar); Linley Marthe (bass guitar, keyboards) & Eric Harland (drums)

(Review by Russell)

Blues for Maggie is Zhenya Strigalev’s fourth album for Michael Janisch’s Whirlwind Recordings label and it is a winner. The use of electronics could be an issue for some listeners but stay with this album if for no other reason than to be blown away by the virtuosity of all four musicians on Take Off Socks, all twenty minutes and twenty-five seconds of it. This ‘tour de force’ is the fourth track of seven and it opens with guitarist Federico Dannemann playing his socks off over a killer bass and drum groove. You could be forgiven for thinking that that was the highlight, but no, Zhenya Strigalev weighs in on soprano blowing like there’s no tomorrow all the while riding on that bass and drum groove set up and maintained by the brilliant pairing of Linley Marthe and Eric Harland. And that’s it, or so you think until Eric Harland gives a percussion masterclass the like of which has rarely been captured on shellac, vinyl, tape or CD. Blues for Maggie was recorded in concert and in the studio; fortunately, Harland’s epic contribution was in front of an audience at Porgy and Bess in Vienna and there is a palpable sense that something special was happening on the night.  

Yes @ Sage Gateshead - March 18

(Review by Steve T)
What a powerful weapon the finale to Stravinsky's Firebird Suite has been for this band. As Steve Howe led them out, a not quite packed three floors of Sage One stood to attention for one of the classic rock bands who refuse to go away. In fact, as happened in the eighties, there are two bands once more and the other is due at the City Hall in the summer.  

Yours is no Disgrace opened things up, the track that stunned the world in 1971, introducing their new guitarist - Steve Howe - and he's now entirely dominant in the band.

A Portuguese mandolin could mean either Your Move/I've Seen All Good People or Wondrous Stories and turned out to be the former, though we got the latter soon after. By the end we'd had said mandolin, two Gibson semi-acoustics, a Les Paul, a Strat, a slide guitar, an acoustic solo piece (Mood for a Day) and another on a stand, enabling a quick switch. Last time I saw him he was immense; and although tonight's performance wasn't quite up there, he’s still the one all eyes are drawn to, including those of Jon Anderson when he's there.

CD Review: Diane Marino - Soul Serenade, the Gloria Lynne Project.

Gloria Lynne was never a household name in the UK and I only knew of her by name rather than by her work. To my eternal shame, BSH even overlooked her death in 2013. Since receiving this album by Diane Marino, I made a point of researching Gloria Lynne and listening to what I could find on YouTube and Spotify. I was pleasantly surprised and kicking myself for not having discovered her earlier.

So how does Ms Marino stack up?

Very well indeed. She doesn't pay lip-service but, wisely, retains her own identity whilst conveying the feel of a Gloria Lynne performance. Which, in many ways, is the best of two worlds. Sultry, with just an edge of soul and blues and a lot of jazz.

Jazz Café Jam Session - March 20

Jeremy McMurray (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Rob Walker (drums) + Nifemi Osiyemi (vocal); Yuichiro Suzukawa (alto); Nick Gould, Paul Gowland, Jimmy Jefford (tenors); Joel Brown, Ben Richardson, Marcus Tham (piano); John Pope (bass).

(Review by Lance).

The house trio tonight is Jeremy McMurray (piano); Paul Grainger (bass) and Rob Walker (drums). They get the ball rolling with Yesterdays, a samba called Samba that's composed by Jeremy who's making his first JC jam appearance and My Romance. A good start to this fortnightly 'mustn't miss' session.

At the last jam, I waxed eloquent about singer Osiyami even going so far as to suggest that she deserved a gig in her own right. Guess what? May 18 the girl is doing just that - put it in your diary folks.

Tonight she gives us a taste of Honeysuckle Rose which is maybe too fast for comfort and Georgia on my Mind which is just right. Nifemi is aided and abetted by Suzukawa on alto who stays on stage for a Bird bopper the title of which escapes me - somebody help me -  Nick?

Nick (Gould) has blown in from Out of Nowhere or, to be more precise, Edinburgh before toasting that Argentinian heartbreaker, Tangerine.

A Three Day Vintage Spectacular at Historic Herne Hill

(Press release)

The P&P World Cycling Revival, the greatest celebration of the bicycle the world has ever seen, will be a high-end heritage sporting, music and lifestyle festival celebrating 200 years of the bicycle. 

The event is set in the halcyon days of the Herne Hill Velodrome, when it hosted the London 1948 Olympics, and our patrons will be invited to wear vintage themed clothing throughout the whole festival.

What's On?

Vintage music

Book review: Peter Jones: This Is Hip - The Life of Mark Murphy.

"This book needed to be written for a number of reasons, the first being that Mark Murphy deserves greater recognition than he achieved in his lifetime. He mastered the art of jazz singing to an extraordinary degree, taking it to levels appreciated only by those few who knew about him and understood what he was doing."

So reads the opening paragraph by his biographer Peter Jones.

Jones is an established singer himself with several highly rated albums to his name and, no slouch with the pen either making him the ideal person to write this study of the enigmatic Murphy.

Murphy is credited with around 40 albums. Each one looked at with varying degrees of scrutiny by Jones.

Preview: Gateshead International Jazz Festival 2018 (April 6-8)

(Preview by Russell)

Last month the Beast from the East decimated jazz gigs across the region. April is bound to be kinder, isn’t it? And with the Gateshead International Jazz Festival starting on Friday 6th it had better be! For three days Sage Gateshead is the only game in town. Tiptoe open proceedings playing a set on the concourse at six o’clock on Friday and from then there is a non-stop three days of concerts, pre concert talks and workshops. Topping the bill on Friday evening is…you decide – the triple bill of the Sun Ra Arkestra, Tony Allen’s Art Blakey set and Zara McFarlane, perhaps the programme of four European pianists playing solo sets – Alexander Hawkins, Kaja Draksler, Bojan Z and Giovanni Guidi, or will you choose to hear the Big Chris Barber Band?

Tyneside is set to go Dutch

Pianist Dominic J Marshall leads a mini-invasion of Tyneside by musicians from Amsterdam in late March and early April.

Marshall is no stranger to the local jazz audience, having played a number of enthusiastically received Newcastle gigs beginning when he was a student at Leeds College of Music and leading a trio with fellow Leeds graduates Sam Vicary and Sam Gardner.

Having taken his master’s degree in Amsterdam, Marshall is now resident in the Netherlands, which makes him eligible for the Going Dutch initiative set up by the Jazz Promotion Network in conjunction with Dutch Performing Arts to bring musicians to the UK and Ireland over the next eighteen months. 

Jason Isaacs & the Ambassadors of Swing @ Hoochie Coochie - March 18.

Jason Isaacs (vocal/tenor); Darren Irwin, Mark Webb (trumpets); Dave Brock (trombone); Sue Ferris (alto/flute/clarinet); Alexis Cairns (tenor/clarinet); Stu Collingwood (keys); Neil Harland (bass); Simon Ferry (drums).

(Review by Lance).

Hoochie Coochie was steaming, the snow outside melting, inside, the air was filled with the aromas usually inhaled at Fenwick's cosmetic counters. I'm sure there was some aftershave in there too but, just as it was in the old days at Sinatra, Elvis and Dino gigs, us males were in the minority.

Yup! Jason was back at Hoochie and, as always, the crowd adored him.

He was in good voice - is he ever not? - Wonderwall; Beyond the Sea; Mr Bojangles; Ain't that a Kick in the Head? and Let it Snow had the room buzzing. The band were right behind him booting it along all the way.

Rare footage of Panama Jazzmen (1952).

Rare vintage photo of the Panama Jazzmen at a dance in 1952. Those jitterbuggin' dancers could certainly cut a caper!

The line-up is Joe McMullin (trumpet); Ronnie McLean (trombone); Stan Martin (clarinet); Norman Rudd (piano); Joe Garner (bass); Teddy Hutchinson (drums) but who is the tenor player?

Note the sound was added later so that what you are hearing isn't what they are playing although it is from a Panama Jazzmen recording..

Could it be Don Armstrong on tenor? Previous posts indicate it might be a bit early for Don.

Comments please.

Thanks to Alan and Steve Rudd for this discovery and editing.

YouTube Link.

Lance.

Jonny Deps In Darlo! The Paul Edis Sextet @ OPUS 4 Darlington, March 16.

Adam Sinclair (drums); Mick Shoulder (bass): Chris Hibbard (trombone); Jonny Dunn (trumpet/flugel); Graeme Wilson (tenor/flute);  Paul Edis (piano).

(Review/photos by Jerry)

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, the weather was unspeakable, the music was sublime. Welcome to Opus 4 and an all too rare gig by this sextet. A familiar face (and hat) was missing from the line up with Graham Hardy being replaced by a remembered face (from a gig in Crook in 2014), Jonny Dunn.

The opener, Out of Nowhere, with Jonny Dunn first up to solo, brought appreciative calls of “Yeah!” from the audience. It was the only standard of the evening, the other 12 tunes being originals – one each from Graeme Wilson and Graham Hardy with all the rest composed by the band-leader himself.

Hardy’s, The Pounce was the lively opener to the second set with our dep on first solo again. The piece has a great ending – a feature of many of tonight’s originals. I’m not keen on tunes which seem almost to peter out as though the composer had simply run out of ideas. Here, thanks to the immaculate timing of the musicians almost every tune ended with a snap, a surprise, a flourish. Exclamation marks, not rows of dots! Cue applause!

CD Review: Erin McDougald - Outside the Soiree

Erin McDougald (vocals, bandleader); Dave Liebman (soprano, tenor); Tom Harrell (trumpet, flugelhorn); Mark Sherman (vibes, percussion) Rodney Green; (drums, cymbals); Chembo Corniel (percussion); Rob Block (piano, guitars); Dan Block (alto sax, flute, clarinet); Cliff Schmitt (bass)

(Review by Ann Alex)

‘You’ll like this’ said Lance, and I certainly did. It even has a jazzy version of one of my favourite folk songs as the last track, and big hitter musicians such as Liebman and Harrell on saxes and trumpet. It’s very much our singer’s individual take on a wide range of songs, including a cha cha version of Brother Can You Spare a Dime and a rhythmic 5/4 timing for the ballad Don’t Wait Up For Me. Mostly standards, some lesser known, and one original number, the title track,  from Ms McDougald; Outside The Soiree.

CD Review: Postmodern Jukebox - The New Classics

An essential item for those who caught the phenomenon that is Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox on their recent UK tour which ended at Southend on March 14, calling in at Sage Gateshead on February 18 with the bonus of an impromptu apres show jam at the Prohibiton Bar which, even at this early date, is fast becoming the stuff of legend. In 10 years time, I guarantee there will be at least several hundred northeasterners who will swear they were present at the tiny Pro Bar on that memorable evening!

However, if you were at neither concert nor jam in person or in your dreams then this disc is no longer an essential - it is now an absolute must!

Check out on YouTube.

Lance.

EP Review: Alex Hitchcock Quintet - Live at the London & Cambridge Jazz Festivals.

Alex Hitchcock (tenor); James Copus (trumpet/flugel); Will Barry (piano/keys); Joe Downard (bass); Jay Davis (drums).

(Review by Lance).

Comparisions have been made with one of Miles Davis' classic quintets - the one with Wayne Shorter. A comparision that's pretty close. The themes are of that ilk and Hitchcock's tenor is in the Shorter vein whilst, dare I say it? Copus is a more exciting trumpet player than Miles. Admittedly Miles' emotional content may have been higher but for getting the adrenalin flowing, Copus wins hands down. I'm sure anyone who heard the band at the London and Cambridge Jazz Festivals where these were recorded live couldn't fail to agree with me.

Strings in BATH, horns Darlo

Southern (Durham & Darlington) correspondent Tony Eales is happy to report two contrasting but equally successful concerts in a day. Bishop Auckland Town Hall’s monthly lunchtime jazz gig in the basement gallery space drew encouraging numbers to listen to the Giles Strong Trio. Strong, fellow guitarist Roly Veitch and concert series promoter Mick Shoulder, playing double bass, are students of the GASbook and that’s pretty much what they played to an appreciative audience. A few hours later at the Traveller’s Rest in the Cockerton suburb of Darlington one of the key bands working on the regional jazz scene, the Paul Edis Sextet, played to a good turn out. Saxophonist  Graeme Wilson made a round trip from Edinburgh to play the date (that’s real commitment!) and depping trumpeter Jonny Dunn was, according to TE, ‘just great’.  

Russell

Good for Jamie Cullum.

On Tuesday night, before his weekly Jazz Show on Radio Two, Jamie said to Simon Mayo that he was paying tribute to Quincy Jones on the eve of his 85th birthday. Mayo asked him about the comments Quincy made about that pop group - you know the one - and his response was “He's Quincy Jones, he can say what he likes” and “Good for him.”

There's been lots of discussion on social media along the lines of what has Quincy Jones ever done for us? Apart from the Jazz, like Dizzy and many others, aside from some of the most memorable theme tunes ever, like Heat of the Night and Ironside, apart from the small matter of Frank Sinatra, aside from the Brothers Johnson, Patti Austin and Benson, apart from Miles' return to the music he made with Gil Evans shortly after his death, what did Q ever do for us to compare to the Beatles?

Ben E king once said that Black America couldn't compete with the Beatles and their haircuts. Maybe if we'd had Michael Jackson.

Q and MJ destroyed them at their own game with Off the Wall and Thriller.

Steve T.

James Harrison Trio @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle - March 16

James Harrison (piano/drums); Anth Ord (bass guitar); Tom Chapman (drums).
(Review by Lance).

The monthly Friday lunchtime sessions at the Lit and Phil are rapidly becoming an automatic entry into the jazzoholic's diary. As with the Gala lunchtime gigs at Durham, they are invariably sold out. Today's session may not have been totally sold out but, for latecomers, it was standing room only.

When the attraction is the James Harrison Trio, understandably so.

Three young men of talent, they delighted the audience with their brand of piano jazz. Harrison is that rare breed of jazz musician who can be both creative and entertaining at the same time. 

Bruce, Benny & Hilma

As the tenth anniversary of BSH approaches later this month I got to reflecting upon those early days and came across this item I posted in December 2008. The mystery was never solved and I don't suppose it ever will be. I still wonder, did Bruce Turner ever meet Benny Carter? Dave Cliff and Dave Green are still with us perhaps...

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Last year I bought an LP by the Bruce Turner Quartet from a stall in South Shields market, listened to it a few times then put it on the shelf and, as you sometimes do forget all about it.

However, the recent postings, comments and the discovery of the Warne Marsh site prompted me to seek it out once more. The reason being that Dave Cliff plays guitar in the quartet and Turner's playing displays a slight Tristano/Konitz influence.

The disc called appropriately enough "The Dirty Bopper", had the added bonus of being signed by Bruce Turner."

Saltburn Sessions

Friday 6th April - The Mark Toomey Quintet

Mark Toomey (Alto); Paul Donnelly (Guitar); Jeremy McMurray (Piano); Peter Ayton (Bass); Russ Morgan (Drums).

Photo of Mark Toomey and Peter Ayton courtesy of Mike Tilley.

Friday 11th May - The Strictly Smokin' Big Band

Friday 1st June - Kevin Grenfell's Jazz Giants (With special guest tbc)

July - Summer Break - no jazz night

Friday 3rd August - The Savannah Jazz Band.

All concerts at Saltburn Community Hall, Albion Tce., Saltburn-by-the-Sea TS12 1JW.

Tel. 01287 624997.

For your diary...

Quite a weekend coming up starting at the Jazz Café on Thursday night (that's tomorrow March 15) at 8pm. This JNE promotion sees the launch of the long-awaited album by the Riviera Quartet.

Pete Tanton (trumpet); Mark Williams (guitar); John Pope (bass) and Russ Morgan (drums) are guaranteed to delight the audience with their post-bop approach to what was going on in the south of France in 1962 by Dizzy Gillespie. Can't guarantee Riviera weather but the music will make up for it. Kicks off at 8pm and it's only £6 although you are advised to bring more as you are sure going to want to buy a CD. In fact, £10 gets you entry and a CD!

However, don't think you will get a long lie in on Friday morning. No sir, not if you want to hear the classiest piano trio around who are playing at the Lit and Phil, Westgate Rd., Newcastle, at 1pm

I'm referring to the James Harrison Trio - James (piano); Anthony Ord (bass) and Tom Chapman (drums). Although relatively young by the jazz icons of yesteryear already, even though still in their '20s (I think), they've achieved well-deserved recognition amongst their peers. The first time I heard Harrison I was reminded of the first time I heard Paul Edis. Both had, and still have, a freshness of approach that makes listening to either such a pleasure. With Ord and Chapman lending solid support this will be the fastest hour you've ever known.

CD Review: Owen Broder - Heritage

Owen Broder (alto/tenor/baritone); Sarah Caswell (violin); Scott Wendholt (trumpet/flugel); Nick Finzer (trombone); James Shipp (vibes/perc); Frank Kimbrough (piano); Jay Anderson (bass); Matt Wilson (drums); Wendy Gilles, Kate McGarry, Vuyo Satashe (vocals).

(Review by Lance).

As the name implies, Heritage is saxophonist/composer Broder's exploration of American roots music from Appalachian folk to early blues, spirituals to bluegrass, carefully weaving the elements into another distinctly American musical tradition - jazz.

The album kicks off with Broder's own Appalachian inspired Goin' Up Home with solos by Shipp and Finzer. The latter managing to slot the well known Milt Bernhardt phrase from Kenton's Peanut Vendor into his trombone solo.

Tokyo-born Miho Hazama provided Wherever the Road Leads which gave space for some fine alto playing from Broder, Finzer sans Bernhardt and some country fiddling from Sarah Caswell. An improvised hoedown in them there hills.