Well done to the winners and nominees. I was proud to be part of the nominating panel and pleased that some of my nominees won and others were ‘in the frame’. Also pleased that many of those who ‘made the cut’ (how many more clichés am I going to come up with?!) are familiar figures in the northeast be it past, present or future.
Good to see Emma Fisk’s high placing although it also begs the question as to the validity of a ‘Miscellaneous Instrument’ section. These days there are sufficient violinists, organists, soprano saxists, flautists and vibes players to be deserving of their own category. Perhaps in future, it should be reserved for pipers, nose-fluters, Aeolian harpists and other exotic species. As a further comment on Emma – those who heard her playing at the past weekend’s Classic Jazz Party will appreciate her high standing.
The CJP also saw some outstanding playing from trumpet winner Enrico Tomasso and the Jeff Barnhart/Spats Langham album - Thanks For the Melody - placed in the Best New Album category. They too gave ace performances at CJP.
Trombone king Mark Nightingale is heading north for a gig at Sage Gateshead with SSBB in February (23rd); guitar nominee John Etheridge is at Sage Gateshead tonight (Nov.6) with Soft Machine and small group winners Kansas Smitty’s House Band are at the same venue on Friday (Nov. 9).
Double champion Alan Barnes has been a frequent visitor this, and every year, most recently at the Ushaw Jazz Festival in Durham.
The Middlesbrough Jazz Weekender featured nominee pianist Nikki Iles – the most charming lady on the planet – as well as big bands NYJO and Beats & Pieces. Alison Rayner featured in the double bass category and her band ARQ – winners at the recent APPJAG award ceremony are at The Globe for a Jazz Coop gig on Nov. 22.
Lance.
PS: Back in the day, the trad fans used to argue over the merits of Humph's New Orleans based band and the driving Dixieland of Freddy Randall. I was in the latter camp. However, in the reissued albums poll Humph won whereas Randall was a mere fourth although both were ahead of a Monk album the only category, presumably, where non-British nominees were eligible.
PPS: Also interesting that all the nominated vocalists were women.
PS: Back in the day, the trad fans used to argue over the merits of Humph's New Orleans based band and the driving Dixieland of Freddy Randall. I was in the latter camp. However, in the reissued albums poll Humph won whereas Randall was a mere fourth although both were ahead of a Monk album the only category, presumably, where non-British nominees were eligible.
PPS: Also interesting that all the nominated vocalists were women.
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