May Magic - Update of Gig/CD of the Year contenders.

CDs of the Month.
June
Tubby Hayes Quartet - Grits, Beans and Greens.
Scott Hamilton Quartet - Danish Ballads and More.
Eyal Vilner Big Band - Swing Out.
Judy Wexler - Crowded Heart.
May
Kim Cypher - Love Kim x
Alex Hitchcock - All Good Things
Jordon Dixon - On
Pete McGuinness Orchestra -Along For the ride.
Doug MacDonald - California Ride.
April
Anthony Strong - Me and my Radio.
Lauren White - Life in the Modern World.
Scott Robinson - Tenermore.
Q4 - Uphill Struggle.
March
Ben Crosland Quintet - the Ray Davies Songbook Volume II.
Kate Williams Four Plus Three Meets Georgia Mancio - Finding Home.
February.
Deborah Shulman - The Shakespeare Project.
Steve Fishwick & Alex Garnett - Marshian Timeslip (LP).
John Turville - Head First.
January.
Ernie Watts Quartet  - Home Light.
Chris Ingham - Stan.
Tommaso Starace - Harmony Less Quartet.
Beverley Church Hogan - Can't Get Out of This Mood.
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Preview: Jo Harrop, Vasilis Xenopoulos, Paul Edis Trio, Ed Cross String Quartet @ Sage Gateshead

Forget about the Spice Girls at the Stadium of Light on Thursday (June 6) There's a much bigger deal at Sage Gateshead that very same night.

The Paul Edis* Trio with super songstress Jo Harrop and the ever popular saxist Vasilis Xenopoulos are in concert having just played a reportedly tremendous gig down at London's 606 Club.

Let Paul tell us more about the upcoming Sage gig.

"About 10 years ago I got a call from my good friend, saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos. I’d met Vasilis when I was studying at music college in London. We’d played together loads as a duo then, and since I returned to the North East he’d started making what have now become almost annual trips to perform (he now considers himself an honorary Geordie!). 

Joseph Carville Trio @ The Globe - May 30

Joseph Carville (piano); Allan Peat (double bass); Mark Rayner (drums)

(Review by Russell)

Following appearances at Bar Loco and Prohibition Bar this Jazz Co-op gig marked Joseph Carville's third Newcastle engagement in six weeks. The pianist formed his trio in the autumn of last year since when he and his bandmates - bassist Allan Peat and drummer Mark Rayner - have been compiling a pad of GASbook numbers. The Globe's first-floor performance space attracted a select audience.

Two sets, twenty tunes, Carville wasted little time, content to let the music - and Peat - do the talking for him. Reviewing the trio's Bar Loco set Nathan Allonby observed that Carville 'plays well within mainstream norms' and is 'competent without being showy'. This Railway Street gig confirmed Nathan's view, indeed, as the programme unfolded, the thought occurred that it would be interesting to hear the man from Northallerton stretch out a little more - let's hear the real J Carville! Our pianist is more than competent and a little bit more 'show', call it 'risk-taking', would show us what he is really capable of. 

CD Review: Doug MacDonald - Califournia Quartet

Doug MacDonald (guitar); Kim Richmond (alto sax/soprano sax/flute); Harvey Newmark (bass); Paul Kreibich (drums).

(Review by Lance).

Isn't it wonderful, or is it sad? There are such a lot of great jazz combos around that, in many ways, it makes the albums you've treasured over the years become suddenly obsolete! Perhaps an overstatement as few of the musicians playing today would have even got their foot in the door had it not been for the likes of everyone from Jelly Roll to Trane contributing to the melting pot.

The Levee Ramblers @ Springwell Village Community Venue - May 29

Mick Hill (trumpet, vocals); Liz Bacon (clarinet); Jim Blenkin (trombone, vocals); Dave Rae (banjo, guitar, vocals); John Robinson (double bass); Paul Bacon (drums)

(Review by Russell)

It had been a while. An enforced absence obliged the Levee Ramblers to take a vacation, then, as word spread on the jazz grapevine that the sextet was about to resume its Wednesday evening residency Springwell Village Community Venue opened its doors to welcome home Dave Rae and co.

It was as if the band had never been away with regulars claiming their favourite seats and catching up on the gossip before settling down for an evening of New Orleans jazz. Sam Morgan's Bogalusa Strut for starters - yes, it was business as usual! Band leader Dave Rae is one of the region's classiest banjo players and, by way of a bonus, sings a few numbers with an affecting, plaintive delivery which was perfectly illustrated as the Ramblers played Johnny Wiggs' Postman's Lament. 

JAMIE CULLUM TO HEADLINE JAZZ FESTIVAL

(Press release)

Jamie Cullum is to headline next year’s jazz festival at Sage Gateshead, it has been announced today [Thursday 30 May]. 

The world-famous singer-songwriter and BBC Radio 2 presenter will perform at the North East music venue on Friday 20 March, 2020.

Jamie Cullum is the first act to be announced at Sage Gateshead’s 2020 jazz festival, with more acts to follow over the coming months. The festival, with its new name, ‘Gateshead Jazz’, returns following a break in 2019.

CD Review: Tierney Sutton Band - Screenplay

Tierney Sutton (vocals); Christian Jacob (piano); Serge Merlaud (guitar); Kevin Axt (electric bass); Trey Henry (acoustic bass); Ray Brinker (drums) Alan Bergman (vocals track 12); all arrangements by Sutton, Henry, Jacob, Axt and Brinker.

(Review by Ann Alex)

Well, I think I may now have been promoted to blog detective for BSH! Unlike most of the albums sent for review which come in lavishly packaged jewel cases with notes that require 20:20 vision to decipher, this promo CD came with only a cardboard insert showing a list of tunes, arrangers and some featured musicians. I listed the musicians, thinking this was a big band of unnamed personnel. On finding a website I discovered it was actually a sextet, led by female singer Tierney Sutton, whom I had supposed to be a man. So much for my feminist credentials. And what a fine singer indeed! This may well be my CD of the Month, or even of the Year.

Marie Curie Fundraiser - A Concert for Margaret Barnes - Saturday July 20 @ the Literary and Philosophical Society - Newcastle

(JNE Press release)
Afternoon Session: Doors: 1.00pm*

1.30pm: Debra Milne and Steve Glendinning
2.20pm: Paul Edis with Graham Hardy
3.25pm: Hand To Mouth
4.15pm: Thomas Dixon Band

Evening Session: Doors: 5.45pm

6.00pm: Paul Taylor + The Long Lonesome Go
7.05pm: Bradley Johnston Trio trio with Roly Veitch 
8.10pm: Duo FCT
9.00pm: Zoe Gilby Quartet

£10 Afternoon or Evening Session Ticket / £12 Full Day Ticket.

Jam Session @ the Black Swan - May 28

(Review by Lance).

The thing about jam sessions is the unexpected. The outside observer may dismiss them as the same old faces playing the same old songs which can sometimes be true. However, at the Black Swan and its predecessor, the Jazz Café, this is rarely the case and last night was no exception.

Normally it's horn-players who are patiently awaiting their turn but, although there were four of the finest brass and reedmen up for it, on this occasion it was drummers and vocalists who ruled - ok?

It all began low key with the house trio allowing us to settle in with I Let a Song Go Out of my Heart, Joyspring and Soon. Johnston belying his 24 years (gosh! is he that old already?) with some of the tastiest guitar playing this side of the Atlantic. Walker suitably sympathetic with Grainger the musical sealant.

Burton Agnes Jazz and Blues Festival, Burton Agnes Hall, YO25 4NB 12th-14th July 2019 - Late Night Sessions.

(Press release)

https://www.burtonagnes.com/Jazz_Festival.html

Late Night Sessions - 12th & 13th  July

In association with STRADA music agency.

Friday evening

10pm -11pm: Pete and Polly Bolton 

Pete and Polly play fast, funky, early Americana.  Good time country and blues, gospel and mountain songs are all driven by a mix of banjo, guitar and mandolin. Passionate vocals and inspired playing from them both make this father and daughter duo unusual and a bit special.

11pm - Midnight: Juke Joint Kings

A talented group of blues musicians who came together in 2015 through Beverley's monthly open mic 'Blues Sunday'. They have become regulars on the Yorkshire blues scene and their recent album has received airplay on both sides of the Atlantic along with praise from Blues Matters.

The Juke Joint Kings’ continue to perform tracks by their influences B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, Otis Rush, Sonny Boy Williams II, Howlin’ Wolf and others alongside their own original material.

'Quality in every department' Tom Walker, Blues Matters

Lady And The Jazz Tramps @ The Globe - May 25

Brenda Sokell (vocals); Alex Moon (piano); Paul Eden (guitar); Richard Bower (bass); Geoff Smith  (drums)

(Review by Ann Alex/Photo supplied by Brenda Sokell from a different gig))

The band certainly didn't look like tramps, dressed in black, smart casual, but Ms Sokell looked and sang like a talented lady, in a neat polka dot dress. I was told that this band hasn't been together very long, but any lack of experience didn't show. All the solos were from guitar and piano, so perhaps bass and drum solos will come with more development later on, but tonight the band and singer gave us very good music, including one or two unfamiliar songs.

CD Review: Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra - Along For the Ride.

(Review by Lance)

The big bands will never come back - we're told! In actual fact, they've never really been away. True, the days of dinner-jacketed ensembles in hotels, dancehalls and concert halls are no longer a commercial proposition, nevertheless, the excitement of playing in a big band still proves irresistible for both student and star and audience. There's a thrill, playing in a large ensemble, that's beyond compare with (almost) anything else.

The challenge of mastering the arrangement, wallowing in the harmonies,  soloing on top of it all, the excitement when it all gels, the shared deprecation when it goes wrong, safe in the knowledge that next time you'll nail it.

Rest In Peace Gene Jarred - UPDATE

Ray Harley has just given me the sad news that Gene Jarred has left us. Trumpet player and big band leader Gene was, by all accounts, one of Teesside's jazz legends. I never met him, although we were Facebook friends and his occasional emails and F/b comments somehow made me feel that I knew him - can't say that about all of my F/b 'friends'!

I wish I could write more but I'm going to appeal to those 'down there' who knew Gene personally to help me out with details of Gene's life and, sadly, funeral arrangements.

RIP.

Lance
Link to Evening Gazette obituary.

Jazz in the Afternoon @ Cullercoats Crescent Club - May 27

(Review by Russell)

Bank holiday Monday, overcast but dry and, not one, but two full houses. In the bar, as usual, Jazz in the Afternoon, and, in the downstairs seaview lounge, another music-filled event. Who said social clubs have had their day? Yesterday at Shotton Colliery Officlals Club and today here in Cullercoats, the joint was bursting at the seams.

Jazz in the Afternoon does what it says on the tin. Jazz and an element of clubland GAYP, who can argue with a thriving venue - beers, spirits, soft drinks, tea and coffee, toasties and a money-making raffle - ?

CD Review: The Last Taxi - New Destinations

Chiara Liuzzi (voice, electronics, sound objects), Giorgia Santoro (flute, bass flute, bansuri, xiao, piccolo, voice, effects), Adolfo La Volpe (guitar, live electronics), Giacomo Mongelli (drums), Chris Rathbun (bass), Pat Battstone (piano).

(Review by Steve T)

Ethnic sounding flute and female voice with something going on behind. I knew this was going to be a tricky review, with three out of six musicians playing electronics, sound objects, effects and live electronics, not to mention a couple of instruments I've never heard of. Anybody who would be interested in it will probably have already made up their minds.

Gavin Lee: Remembering Reg Wall's New Orleans Ragtime Band @ Shotton Colliery Officials Club - May 26

Gavin Lee (clarinet, alto sax); Alf Langthorne (keyboards); Les Crosby (drums)

(Review by Russell)

The other day Shotton Colliery lad Gavin Lee found in the loft an old bass drum that he used to play as a member of the late Reg Wall's New Orleans Ragtime Band. This stirred Lee into thinking perhaps it was about time he played a gig on home turf. By accident or design, the gig would follow on from Sunderland's big day out at Wembley - it would take the form of a celebration or a wake...

The television set switched off with tears not yet dry, Lee opened the first of two sets with Who's Sorry Now? Wry smiles all round, there's always next season to look forward to. The amiable Lee set about cheering up his marras, seemingly just about everyone in a packed Officials Club appeared to know the New Century Ragtime Orchestra's reedsman. Here's one from the hit parade, quipped Lee...from the 30s, All of Me. 

CD Review: Partisans - NIT DE NIT

Phil Robson (guitar), Julian Siegel (tenor and soprano saxophone, bass clarinet), Thaddeus Kelly (bass guitar), Gene Calderazzo (drums). 

(Review by Chris)  

My latest foray into the shadow world of reviewing for Bebop Spoken Here.... rendezvous with the boss at Sage before the big gig (Kamasi Washington, BSH passim). Lance rocks up dispensing CDs to his acolytes... what’s in his oh so stylish plastic carrier bag this time? Well, on the night of the current giant of the tenor (?), what else but three sax led albums  - “The Three Tenors”? 

Singin' The Blues

Watching the League One play-off final between Sunderland and Charlton Athletic, which ended in a heartbreaking last-minute goal that gave victory to the Londoners, left me with mixed emotions and, despite which side of the river you are from - Tyne or Wear - it seemed as though we should be united in our grief at the failure of a local team to dunk a team from quite a few rivers south.

In football, it doesn't work like that, irrespective of the fact that a Sunderland win would have brought Newcastle and Sunderland closer to playing moneyspinning derby games the community in the pub set down the demarcation lines - one fan's joy another's sorrow.

CD Review: Beata Pater - Tet

(Review by Ann Alex)

Tracks: Little Sunflower; Lazy Afternoon; I Feel You; Crystal Silence; Old Devil Moon; Invitation; The Contessa: Strays: Ode To Max

Called Tet because there are 9 tunes on the album, 'tet' is the 9^th letter of the Hebrew alphabet and the symbol for number 9. The singer explains that 'tet' is also symbolic of creativity, a womb for creation. It's Ms Pater's ninth album on which she attempts to push her creativity further than ever  with a selection of jazz standards and tunes by contemporary composers accompanied by an 18 piece ensemble (a doubletet?) without drums, in order to give a looser feel.

Early evening start for CHBB 20th anniversary concert

Hard to believe that the Customs House Big Band has been around for 20 years! To celebrate this milestone a special concert has been arranged for Sunday, June 16. 

As many of the band's early supporters are now 'of a certain age' the starting time has been brought forward to 6:00pm to accommodate all age groups.

The band has during its lifetime included many of the area's top talents within its ranks and, I'm pleased to say, that it still does. Vocalists have included Mia Webb and current favourite Ruth Lambert.

The present leader, Peter Morgan, runs a tight ship (as did his predecessors Tommy Moran and Keith Robinson) that knows how to swing - particularly on a summer's evening.

Lance

Customs House Big Band - Customs House, Mill Dam, South Shields NE33 1ES. Tel: 0191 454 1234. 6:00pm. £13.00. ‘Swing on a Summer’s Evening’. The band’s 20th anniversary concert.

Giles Strong Trio @ Bishop Auckland Town Hall - May 24.

Giles Strong, Roly Veitch (guitars); Ian Paterson (bass).

(Review by Jerry/ Photos courtesy of Chris Whittle)

As a nod to the Laurel and Hardy connection (we were in the Laurel café), I had wanted to use the headline, “Another Fine Gig”, but for fear that it might be misconstrued as anything other than a compliment, I decided against it. But it was a fine gig, anyway – a mixture of (mostly) standards and a couple of originals, beautifully performed.

The standards were mostly arranged by Giles Strong, for which he received well-deserved applause at the first name-check and the originals held their own amidst familiar names like Kern and Porter as well as less familiar names (to me) such as Dietz and Schwartz, whose gentle, soothing, Alone Together, closed the gig. I had been looking forward to the performance as, although I have seen all three musicians before, I have never seen Ian Paterson on double bass and had never seen the two guitarists other than with vocalists or playing “gypsy-jazz”, Suffice to say, I was not disappointed!

Vote Maine Street Jazzmen! @ Sunniside Social club - May 23

Ray Harley (trumpet); Jim McBriarty (clarinet, soprano sax, vocals); Herbie Hudson (trombone, harmonica, vocals); Colin Haikney (piano); Tom Darbyshire (double bass); Ian Hetherington (drums)

(Review by Russell)

Bandleader Herbie Hudson continues to fly the Dixieland flag across the Borough of Gateshead. Moving from one venue to another, the Maine Street Jazzmen finally settled on Sunniside Social Club where a loyal audience turns up week in week out. The fact that polling station staff commandeered the band's usual performance space for some election or other didn't act as a deterrent. 

The MSJ set up on the floor of the concert room (next week they'll be back in the lounge) and shortly after half-past eight Hudson set about making the case for casting our vote in favour of JAZZ. The MSJ's manifesto included a promise to play some well-known numbers, share vocals between Hudson and Jim McBriarty and guarantee a good time for all! Rotting tomatoes, eggs and a milkshake or two were at hand...just in case.

Blue Note turns 80!

The 'hard bop' tag stuck for some two decades or so, the heyday of the Blue Note record label. Either side of this golden period Alfred Lion's company promoted hot jazz from its inception in 1939 into the forties later embracing seventies soul jazz artists. Iconic designs adorned LP covers, often with Francis Wolff's evocative photography. Now, eight decades on, with a coincidental resurgent market in vinyl, Blue Note 80 is a reissue series of some of those albums you once owned or perhaps wished you had. Visit your local specialist dealer - they are out there - and place your order! 

Russell 

CD Review: Fred Hersch & The WDR Big Band (Arranged & Conducted by Vince Mendoza) Begin Again

(Review by Dave Brownlow).

Respected piano master and composer Fred Hersch, together with the brilliant WDR Big Band conducted by six-time Grammy winner Vince Mendoza re-visit nine of Fred’s original compositions in an expertly-played showcase for this “team-of-all-the talents” - this “Manchester City” of contemporary jazz.

The Cologne-based WDR Band, universally acknowledged as a remarkable outfit and described by DownBeat as “one of Europe’s finest large jazz ensembles” are packed with brilliantly expressive players several of whom shine here.

CD Review: Count Basie - Swinging the Blues

(Review by Lance)

Reviewing this gem is like Friday afternoon at the office -  'dress down day' - wear what you like, late back from lunch, finish early, snog the new girl... Ah, the memories!

Yes, the memories, several of the tracks on this release/reissue from Dreyfus Jazz were also on the first ever Basie LP I bought (and which I still proudly possess) - Jive At Five; Blue and Sentimental; One O'Clock Jump; Swinging the Blues and, as if that weren't enough, several of the other tracks were on the second Basie album I bought which, inexplicably, I either sold or exchanged - Jumping at the Woodside; Louisiana; Fiesta in Blue; Tickle Toe - welcome home!

Julija Jacenaite & Alan Law @ Jazz Cafe Mezzanine - May 22

Julija Jacenaite (vocals); Alan Law (piano) 

(Review by Russell)

Julija Jacenaite thanked the audience for choosing to spend a couple of hours on the mezzanine floor in Newcastle Arts Centre rather than be out and about on a glorious late spring/early summer afternoon. Our Tyneside resident Lithuanian composer/singer/vocal tutor sang a selection of songs in, variously, English, Lithuanian and Portuguese in the company of the ever-affable pianist Alan Law. 

River City Jazzmen @ Ashington Jazz Club (Block & Tackle pub) - May 21

Gordon Solomon (trombone); Bob Wade (trumpet, flugel, clarinet); Tommy Graham (drums); Keith Stephen (banjo, guitar); Phil Rutherford (sousaphone) + Maureen Hall (vocals).

(Review by John T).

A full house at the Block and Tackle, a few new faces as well as one or two from years ago who remembered the River City Jazzmen when they were regulars at the Elephant.

The band kicked off with Girl of my Dreams followed by Blue Moon with trumpet player Bob blowing clarinet!

When Your Smiling and Dr Jazz featured guest vocalist Maureen Hall. Limehouse Blues, an up-tempo classic, showcased Tommy Graham on drums, Keith Stephen on banjo and Phil Rutherford on sousaphone.

Oscar Jerome @ Sage Gateshead – May 21

The stage was all shafts of purple and red lights and dry ice, with the instruments for the main act set up towards the back. Sage 1 was about two thirds full and Oscar Jerome (guitar) and the band (bass guitar, drums, keys doubling tenor sax) stood out front stage. I didn't catch the names of the rest of the band, nor most of the titles of the tunes, not sure if this was because of indistinct speech or cloth ears on my part.

The first song had Misty in the title*, with skilled guitar but I couldn't quite detect a direction to the music, maybe contemporary song, with solos from keys, a steady beat, and a feeling almost of outer space during the sax solo.

Then came an instrumental with a bit of wordless singing from our guitarist, ending with a drum solo. The next piece was from a forthcoming CD, called Gravitate I think, with song-like guitars. The final piece was rounded off by a jazz-like sax solo with a wild free-jazz feel on the final notes.

Any support act which precedes a band such as Kamasi Washington has a difficult task to do. I'd suggest a more distinct direction would have helped, simpler tunes with stronger variations.

Ann Alex

* Misty Head.

Kamasi Washington @ Sage Gateshead - May 21

Kamasi Washington (tenor sax); Rickey Washington (soprano sax/flute); Ryan Porter (trombone); Brandon Coleman (keys/vocals); Miles Mosley (bass); Robert Miller, Tony Austin (drums); Patrice Quinn (vocals).

(Review by Lance).

Not many jazz-related bands go close to filling Sage One but, not many jazz-related bands are fronted by the current kingpin of the jazz/funk/soul scene, the man rapidly approaching legendary status - Kamasi Washington.

The hype was in, the fashion followers took heed and they weren't disappointed judging by the standing ov. at the end. Kamasi is a prodigious tenor player with an awesome technique who takes no prisoners. My initial reaction was of an F1 steamroller in a demolition derby but, as the evening progressed there were tender moments too. If jazz is to capture a younger audience without losing the older generation along the way then KW is the man to do it.

CD Review: Jordon Dixon - On!

Jordon Dixon (tenor sax); Allyn Johnson (piano); Herman Burney (bass); Carroll V. Dashiell III (drums) + J.S. Williams (trumpet on 2 tracks)

(Review by Lance).

The CDs arrive daily via the mailman. They turn up in such abundance that I feel sorry for the postie whose back must surely be near breaking point. The sad thing is that such is the volume that, even after farming out a large percentage, so many of them don't get heard so - maybe I'm missing the next Kind of Blue - maybe not.

The moment that makes it all worthwhile is when you play a CD and, from the first note of the first bar you say, "This is for me!" Which is what happened here.

CD Review: Carol Sudhalter Quartet - Live at Saint Peter's Church

Carol Sudhalter (baritone sax/flute/vocal - 5); Patrick Poladian (piano); Kevin Hailey (bass); Mike Campenni (drums).

(Review by Lance)

This one had slipped off my radar until I read a DownBeat review where it was allotted a paltry 2½ stars. I decided to dig it out of the pile and check if the live recording in St. Peter's Church, NY, was really that bad. I decided it wasn't.

Sudhalter, niece* of trumpeter and Beiderbecke biographer Richard,  is somewhat leaden at times on baritone yet still manages to tame the beast and the ideas are there if not always the fluidity. As the man from DB pointed out, Sudhalter is heard at her best on flute. The acoustics do her no favours on the vocal Colin Blues although, paradoxically, her flute solo on this number is one of the high spots of the album.

Sue Ferris Quintet @ Blaydon Jazz Club - May 19

Sue Ferris (tenor sax, flute); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Paul Edis (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); Rob Walker (drums) 

(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy of Jerry)

The Sue Ferris Quintet plays too few gigs so this Blaydon Jazz Club date was an opportunity to catch up with the fine County Durham based saxophonist. The quintet comprised longstanding collaborators with one enforced change. Frontline partner Graham Hardy made it to the Black Bull, as did pianist Paul Edis and drummer Rob Walker with the one absentee, bassist Neil Harland, somewhere south of the Watford Gap. Ferris gave Andy Champion a call, he was available and, following an afternoon engagement on Newcastle's Quayside, arrived in good time for the seven-thirty start.

Philip Clouts Quartet @ The Globe Jazz Bar - May 19.

Philip Clouts (keys); Sammy Eagles (alto/soprano sax); Tim Fairhall (bass); Kiran Bhatt (drums).

(Review by Lance).

One minute they were standing shoulder to shoulder at the downstairs bar of the Jazz Coop's operational base, The Globe, and next minute they weren't. The vast majority had supped up and offed to the nearby Arena where Mark Knopfler appeared to have pulled a cup final sized crowd.

Back at The Globe,  the tango dancers filed in upstairs and, thankfully, the downstairs bar filled up - perhaps they'd been to the Arena for a pre-gig pint!

On stage, Cape Town-born Clouts and his cohorts set-up before taking us on an ethnic journey round the Townships. It began lowkey and ended in a similar vein but, in between, we had some scintillating music - indeed, one of Clouts' compositions was titled Scintillate!

A Closer Walk to Charts - May 19

James Harrison (piano); Andy Champion (bass); Abbie Finn (drums) + Zoë Gilby (vocals), Alice Grace (vocals); Ben Helm (guitar).

(Review by Russell)

Charts has recently acquired itself a baby grand piano - hallelujah! Playing it this Sunday afternoon was none other than Teessider James Harrison working in the esteemed company of Andy Champion and Abbie Finn. 

Blue Skies, Sunny, the trio in fine form. Few in, as usual, then up stepped Zoë Gilby to sing, by way of tribute to the late, great Doris Day - Secret Love - fantastic! 

Something Latin then Body and Soul and, to close the first of three sets, Harrison called Just a Closer Walk With Thee - hallelujah! 

An interval chat with all and sundry, an Anarchy refill then onto the second set. Their monthly Bonbar residency done and dusted Alice Grace and Ben Helm wandered down to the Quayside to sit-in here at Charts. Route 66 (all the evocative place names - Flagstaff, Arizona, Gallop, New Mexico etc in the right order!). Then, a fabulous rendition of As Time Goes By. At this juncture, your correspondent made his excuses and left (reminiscent of the News of the Screws!) in order to get to Sue Ferris' gig on time at the Black Bull in Blaydon. 

Russell.

Sweet & Hot @ Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club - May 18

Sweet & Hot: Jeff Barnhart (piano, vocals); Anne Barnhart (flute, vocals); Spats Langham (guitar, banjo, vocals); Graham Smith (drums, washboard)

(Review by Russell)

The Barnharts have been up and down the motorways on the first of their two extensive annual tours, Spats Langham has been busy crisscrossing Europe and Graham Smith has been putting the finishing touches to this year's Pershore Jazz Festival. Busy though they are the four friends made time to play a few Sweet and Hot gigs with Darlington's St Augustine's Parish Centre a favourite on the itinerary.     

What I Did At the Late Shows - May 18

(Ann Alex)

I love the annual Late Shows, when museums and art galleries etc are open after hours, to show us aspects of their work which we don't usually see, and to provide live music, food and other goodies.

I stepped off the Metro at Newcastle Central Station, only to be utterly frightened by an event called Flux. This was a large screen on the station concourse, showing pink, yellow and black shapes, representing the air pollution in Newcastle in places such as Jesmond, the Redheugh Bridge, and the Coast Road. There was sound as well, moaning low sounds, and lots of black shaped nitrogen dioxide.

CD Review: Billy Brandt - City Noir

(Review by Lance)

Billy Brandt takes us down these mean streets. The blurb describes his voice as being like dark roasted coffee with a  hint of cream - I'll drink to that. It's a Bogie movie, a Jim Thompson novel, a painting by Edward Hopper, a stranger you meet on a train, Route 66 in a minor key, maybe Lana Turner or Barbara Stanwyck helping you to murder their surplus to requirement husbands.