(Preview by Russell)
Photo credits where known:
Buck Clayton Legacy Band - Alan Ainsworth
John Pope Quintet - Ken Drew
Tony Kofi Geoff Davies.
This year's Ushaw Jazz Festival gets under way two weeks today (Friday August 23). Ushaw College,set in sprawling grounds a couple of miles from Durham, is an idyllic location to celebrate the best of jazz. From six o'clock on Friday to early Sunday evening’s concert finale there is much to look forward to with something for everyone over the bank holiday weekend.
Friday (23rd) begins with a performance by an expanded Early
Bird outfit. Paul Edis' teenage hothouse development project has produced
several undergraduate music students and more are sure to emerge in the
future. The Early Bird Big Band at 6:00pm in the Francis
Thompson Room will knock the audience for six and, what's more, it's free
admission. At eight o'clock in Ushaw's Exhibition Hall there should be a large turnout
for Emma Fisk's Hot Club du Nord. Virtuoso violinist Fisk will be
joined by fellow virtuosi James Birkett and Dave Harris, guitars, and
everybody's favourite, king of the swinging slap bass, Bruce Rollo, to present
an entertaining and informative programme inspired by the legendary Quintette
du Hot Club de France, famously led by Stéphane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt.
Saturday (24th) is shaping up to be something special. The day's opening
concert is a headline event anytime, anywhere. Jo Harrop with the Paul
Edis Trio in the informal setting of the Francis Thompson Room with
its licensed bar offering a range of beverages and oh-so tempting cakes is
simply unmissable. If ever an event could be described as world class this is
it. Ms Harrop is an established name on the London scene and if it took her
fancy the County Durham-born vocalist would knock 'em dead in the Big Apple.
Working with Harrop will be the dream trio of pianist Paul Edis,
bassist Andy Champion and drummer Russ Morgan. One
o'clock, £10, don't miss this one! 
At 2:00pm
saxophonist Matt Anderson conducts an Improvisation
Workshop. In addition to being a busy, gigging musician Matt is an
experienced tutor and this Ushaw workshop for musicians aged 18+ is an ideal opportunity
to learn from an engaging character on the jazz scene. The session, priced at
£10, is scheduled to run from 2:00 'til 5:00 followed by a short public
performance at half past five. For details of how to enrol email: www.meet@ushaw.org
Nathan Lawson could well be a new name to some. Southpaw guitarist Nathan emerged from
Sage Gateshead's education programme under the watchful eye of Dr James Birkett
and here at Ushaw the personable young man will win many new admirers with a
solo guitar set in the stunning setting of Ushaw's Chapel of St Cuthbert. 3:15,
free admission, highly recommended.
It isn't every day
of the week that the winner of the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year
competition breezes into town. Well, Saturday will be one of those rare days
when Xhosa Cole arrives at Ushaw to play a quintet gig as
co-bandleader (with guitarist Francis Tulip) of the aptly named Xhosa
Cole-Francis Tulip Quintet. North east audiences will know Tulip from his
numerous appearances across the region. A student at Birmingham Conservatoire,
the County Durham-born guitarist played a quartet gig all of two years ago at
the Ushaw Jazz Festival with fellow Birmingham undergraduates. This year two of
those friends - pianist Will Markham and drummer Kai
Chareunsy - return, this time in the company of bassist Shivraj
Singh. These guys are destined for great things and the presence of
saxophonist Xhosa Cole simply adds lustre to an eagerly anticipated set
(4:00pm, £8) in the Exhibition Hall.
At six o'clock it's
back to the Francis Thompson Room for a chilled duo set from Matt
Anderson, reeds, and pianist Paul Edis. Master musicians at
work, £6 admission, grab a beer, sink into an Ushaw sofa and enjoy!
The big attraction,
rather, another big attraction is an appearance by Tony
Kofi and the Organisation. Kofi plays most of the reeds (killer alto)
and here at Ushaw the one-time Jazz Warrior will be working up a post-bop storm
alongside the two Petes - Pete Whittaker (organ) and the
drummer's drummer Pete Cater. Make your way from the Francis
Thompson Room along the corridor to the Exhibition Hall for an eight o'clock
start (£14 & £12). It promises to be a smokin' session! If you're still
standing at 10:00pm head back to the Francis Thompson Room for a late night,
free admission jam session. The house trio - Paul Edis,
piano, Paul Grainger, bass, and drummer Russ Morgan -
will invite sitters-in to have a blow. Now then, if the Birmingham and London
boys fancy it we're in for a treat!
Day three, Sunday (25),
looks to be shaping up well. It begins with an event for all the family,
especially the younger ones. At one o'clock in the Francis Thompsom Room
the Zoë Gilby Family All Stars will engage and delight the
very youngest (to the very oldest!) of Ushaw's visitors. Bandleader Zoë Gilby
developed this family-friendly show a few years ago with engagements at
Gateshead International Jazz Festival and other major festivals receiving rave
reviews (not least from BSH!). Gilby's Teaching Assistants - Mark
Williams, guitar, Andy Champion, bass, and drummer Richard
Brown - will be on hand to support 'Miss' Gilby. Note - a Sunday day
ticket does not included admission to this event. A family ticket (two adults,
two children) costs £20 or £6 per person.
Be sure to keep
your seat in the Francis Thompson Room for a free admission concert at
2:30. VHB is a five piece outfit which came together at York
University. The one name regional jazz fans will know well is none other
than Faye Thompson, alto sax. Faye will be joined by Marko
Marsenic, tenor sax, Rebecca Holt, keyboards, Cameron
McArthur, synths/synth bass, and drummer Susan Rutter. Expect a
heady brew of jazz, funk and hip-hop referencing the likes of Alfa Mist and
Robert Glasper. If the other members of the quintet are as talented as Faye
then this gig could be the surprise hit of the weekend.
Local bass
hero/composer John Pope brings in his all-star quintet at 4:00 with special
guest Chris Biscoe an added bonus. The John Pope Quintet will
be playing original material alongside one or two choice selections from the
jazz canon. Joining JP will be Chris Biscoe, alto sax, Faye
MacCalman, tenor sax/flute, Graham Hardy, trumpet and
drummer Johnny Hunter. Tickets £8 for a guaranteed, quality set in
the Francis Thompson Room. 
The finale to this
year's Ushaw Jazz Festival sees the return of Alyn Shipton to
lead the accomplished Buck Clayton Legacy Band. Working with Matthias
Seuffert, tenor sax, bassist Shipton will present the music of Duke
Ellington and Johnny Hodges. The project makes occasional forays north and this
Ushaw date is not to be missed. Trumpeters Menno Daams (a
familar face at Mike Durham's Classic Jazz Party) and Ian Smith complete
an all-star frontline alongside alto saxophonist Robert Fowler (another
Classic Jazz Party veteran) and trombonist Adrian Fry. The rhythm
section is unquestionably of A-list quality; Martin Litton, piano
(confirmed for this year's Classic Jazz Party), the aforementioned Alyn
Shipton, bass, and drummer Bobby Worth. Take your seat in the
Exhibition Hall for a seven o'clock start, tickets £14 & £12.
Tony Eales' much admired Jazz Alley will once again be in situ.
Do play the game...I've got that LP, I saw that band at Middlesbrough Town
Hall (or wherever) in - when was it? - 19 something or other.
For further details
of this year's festival, including accommodation options, contact Ushaw
on 0191 373 8500 or visit the website: www.ushaw.org
Weekend ticket: £60
Saturday day
ticket: £30
Sunday day ticket:
£20
Note to Sat Nav
users! Postcode is DH7 7DW
Russell
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