Emma Fisk's Hot Club du Nord & Early Bird Big Band @ Ushaw Jazz Festival - August 23

Emma Fisk (violin); James Birkett, Dave Harris (guitars); Bruce Rollo (bass)

(Review by Lance)

With some musicians their instrument is the equivalent of the doctor's stethoscope or the plumber's wrench - the tools of their trade. However, there are other musicians - a select few - who are totally at one with their instrument. It isn't something they take out of a case and then put it back again a couple of hours later. It is part of them just as much as any of their vital organs.

Emma Fisk is such a person. Even when her violin is safely tucked up in its case you feel it is still a part of her. At least that's my impression having listened to her twice in the course of a week.

CD Review: Ahmad Jamal - Ballades

Ahmad Jamal (piano) + James Cammack (double bass on 3 tracks)

(Review by Lance)

I have to admit that when I first heard Jamal - over 50 years ago - I wasn't immediately enamoured of his playing. There seemed to be too many spaces in contrast to what Peterson and Garner were doing back then. However, with the passage of time, I now see that his minimalism gave credence to the less is more school and he is deserving of his high standing among the pantheon of jazz's all-time greats.

BBC Proms 45 – Mississippi Goddam: A homage to Nina Simone @ Royal Albert Hall - August 21

Metropole Orkest conducted by Jules Buckley; Lisa Fischer, Ledisi  (vocals); LaSharVu (backing vocals)

(Review by Leah Williams.)

A homage to Nina Simone – where do you even start? From young piano virtuoso to civil rights activist to ‘The High Priestess of Soul’, Nina Simone is a figure whose talent, raw life experience and unflinching determination has given her an appeal that crosses the boundaries of geography, race and time.

From the opening notes of the instrumental medley of African Mailman and Sinnerman, it was clear that Nina’s distinct style and infectious rhythms would be given their due. The Netherlands-based Metropole Orkest is a symphony orchestra with an integrated big band who play across the jazz, pop, world and film music genres. It’s immediately obvious that they are the right musicians for the job and, under the baton of Brit Jules Buckley, their mastery of and enthusiasm for the excellent arrangements of Simone’s songs was quite outstanding. From lush strings to unique rhythms to solo improvisations, every musician contributed to capturing the jaunty, sultry and severe edges of her music.

Sept. Programme (and change of day) @ Spice of Life

On those periodic occasions when I travel down to London for a few days my first priority is to ensure that my schedule allows me to be free to visit the Spice of Life on a Wednesday lunchtime where you can hear some of the best lunchtime jazz in the UK and, on occasion, maybe even the world!

Apart from the jazz, the beer's acceptable, the food looks tempting and it's always good to chat with David Burr who organises the gigs.

However, as of September 2 the sessions move from Wednesdays to Mondays but, as can be seen from the programme below, nothing else changes ...

Sunday Jazz in Middlesbrough

(Press release)

Following the success of the Middlesbrough Jazz Weekender in October 2018- the first major jazz event in the town for forty years- we are now proud to announce that the Town Hall will host a monthly Middlesbrough Sunday Jazz event- featuring multiple bands in one afternoon across different styles of jazz- but always with the emphasis on entertainment and variety.

Click here to see our Jazz brochure (hard copies are available upon request) ;

The monthly series kicks off on Sunday, September 22 with performances by the Noel Dennis Trio, Emma Johnson’s Gravy Boat and Anthony Strong.

Middlesbrough Sunday Jazz will showcase the best jazz talent from the North East and across the UK, from soloists like pianist Gwilym Simcock to large scale line-ups like the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.

CD Review: Tini Thomsen’s MaxSax – Shift

Tini Thomsen (baritone saxophone); Nigel Hitchcock (alto saxophone); Tom Trapp (guitar); Mark Haanstra (bass); Joost Kroon (drums) with guest Miles Bould (percussion).

(Review by Hugh C)

Tini Thomsen originally hails from Hamburg but more recently has been based in Amsterdam.  Shift is the third album released by MaxSax.  King of Diamonds sets the tone and hits the listener straight away with high energy performance over a driving rock-style beat from Kroon’s powerhouse drumming.  Shift features more of Hitchcock’s alto, but maintains the rhythmic drive of the opening track.  The Gospel Tune has a slower, more laid back (well, gospel) feel with interesting interplay between both the saxes and Trapp’s guitar.  Little Lily’s Shoe brings us back to driving four time.

CD Review: Rob Ryndak, Tom Lockwood - Gratitude (featuring Brian Lynch).

Rob Ryndak (piano/percussion); Tom Lockwood (saxes/clarinets/flute); Brian Lynch (trumpet/flugelhorn); Sasha Brusin (electric/acoustic guitars); Karl E.H. Seigfried (bass/bass guitar); Jeff Moehle (drums); Victor Gonzalez, Jr. (various percussion); Micah Rutschman (vibes); Ryan Koranda (cello); Steve Talaga (piano).

(Review by Lance).

Such is the avalanche of CDs I receive that some get overlooked for all the wrong reasons! Sometimes I just don't like the cover, or there are too many names to type. Often the liner notes are difficult to read or maybe the musicians are unfamiliar to me and I have a more promising album waiting in the wings. I usually  make a resolution to check it out tomorrow which, as we all know, never comes.

A Night @ the Black Swan Jam Session - August 20

(Review/photos by Lance).

It looked to be a typical midsummer (this is summer?) evening with many of the regulars heading off to sunnier climes. The prospect appeared to be  a generally low key jam session which of course it never turns out to be.

The house trio - guitar, bass and drums - took us tastefully through There Will Never be Another You, Alone Together and Stella By Starlight. Staple jam session fayre.

The audience came in two by two and most of them were carrying instrument cases; it was like a gangster's convention in 1920's Chicago.

CD Review: Rebecca Nash – Peaceful King

Nicholas Malcolm (trumpet); Thomas Seminar Ford (guitar, electronics), Rebecca Nash (piano, keyboards); Chris Mapp (bass, electronics); Matt Fisher (drums); Sara Colman (vocals); Nick Walters (electronics)

(Review by Hugh C)

Peaceful King is Rebecca Nash’s first release as leader, along with her band, Atlas.  She is joined in her long-time collaboration with Malcolm, Ford, Mapp and Fisher by vocalist Sara Colman.  

Peaceful King slowly appears out of the ether with atmospheric electronics by Nick Walters.  A groove is established on drums and bass and Nicholas Malcolm’s rich trumpet sound adds icing to the cake. The track has a positivity which is stated to be “a reaction to the current state of the world” - we certainly need some of that!  

Joe Reid: Postgraduate Recital @ The Music Studios, Newcastle University - August 20

Joe Reid (drums) + Neil Graham (guitar, vocals); Josh Fascia (bass guitar); Steve Grant (keyboards, vocals); Liam Mulpetre (guitar); Alex Brand (bass guitar)

(Review by Russell)

Earlier this year BSH caught drummer Joe Reid in action, first at the Dun Cow with the Bold Big Band and subsequently at his interim postgrad recital in Newcastle University's purpose-built Music Studios. On this late summer day Reid was about to undertake his final recital before  heading out into the scary world of hustling for gigs hoping to bag a seat on a globetrotting tour bus. 

Will Earl: Postgraduate Recital @ The Music Studios, Newcastle University - August 20

Will Earl (drums) + Liam Mulpetre (guitar); Alex Brand (bass guitar); Grace Alexander (keyboards)

(Review by Russell)

Solo and Groove: Innovation in Contemporary Drumming Practices - that was William 'Will' Earl's chosen programme for his postgraduate recital. Following six years of study this was to be the Newcastle University music student's final performance. The Band Room in the subterranean depths of the Music Studios on Assembly Lane filled with family, fellow students and other interested parties as Earl's High Noon appointment drew ever closer.

Eales broadcasts to the nation...

Inveterate jazz gig-goer and sometime BSH correspondent Tony Eales has been spreading the word about this weekend's Ushaw Jazz Festival. Thanks to a network of jazz friends, arrangements were made for TE to be interviewed by Tom Stevens, host of Siren Radio's weekly jazz programme. Tune in tomorrow morning to Simply Jazz (Tuesday, 12 noon - 2:00pm) to hear Our Man in County Durham chatting to Stevens about the big weekend at Ushaw and Eales' wider jazz interests. 

Siren Radio is Lincolnshire's community radio station based at the University of Lincoln broadcasting on 107.3 FM and online at www.sirenonline.co.uk. Simply Jazz will be repeated on Sunday (Aug 25) at 11:00am. 

Russell

Six of the Best! The Trios of Giles Strong and Bradley Johnston @ Blaydon Jazz Club - August 18

(Review/photos by Roly)

Something a bit different at Blaydon last night. Two excellent trios playing one set each.

First up was the Giles Strong Trio - Giles Strong (guitar); Ian Paterson (double bass); Dean Stockdale (piano). Some tasty playing as you might expect from Giles, whose boppish playing also reflects the influence of greats such as Wes, Joe Pass and Jim Hall but with also a nod to the light rhythm playing of Herb Ellis in the Oscar Peterson Trio.

Dan Garel & Friends @ the Globe Jazz Bar - August 18

Dan Garel (alto); Francis Tulip (guitar); John Pope (bass guitar); Matt MacKellar (drums).

(Review by Lance).

I'd heard Garel many times during his tenure at Durham University - usually at the various jam sessions around town - and I was duly impressed. However, this was the first time I'd heard him in situ where he was calling the shots and, to put it mildly, I was doubly duly impressed! Surround him with three other guys of equal stature and the end product is one that is more magical than anything out of Harry Potter - maybe even Chris Potter! 

Newcastle Jazz Festival @ Tyne Bank Brewery - August 17

(Review by Lance/Photos of musicians courtesy of Malcolm Sinclair - LINK).

A Newcastle Jazz Festival - what's not to like? I'm fortunate, or maybe unfortunate, to be old enough to remember the fantastic festivals organised by my dear friend Andy Hudson where Art Pepper, George Melly, Barney Kessel and many others graced the then University Theatre. Those were indeed halcyon days but, to compare today's festival with those that took place  back then - as has been done elsewhere - defeats the object entirely.

Although without the clout of previous big name sponsors it could, nevertheless,  be argued that on a pound for pound basis this matched any festival - either side of the river.

CD Review: Pigfoot - Pigfoot Shuffle

Chris Batchelor (trumpet/cornet); James Allsopp (baritone sax/bass clarinet); Liam Noble (piano/keys); Paul Clarvis (drums)

(Review by Lance).

Well! This one came out of left field. I put it on blindfold and what did I hear? Bubber Miley blowing Heartbreak Hotel! Of course it wasn't actually Bubber - dead many a long year - but his spirit had certainly taken over Batchelor's mindset. The trumpet (or was it cornet?) growled like as though that infamous rooming house had moved from Lonely St. to Duke's Place or maybe a joint in New Orleans where Allsopp was 'walkin' the bar' blowing bari for the strippers. This was 'bump and grind' music - so much so, I could only type in time to the rhythm!

Dan Garel Quartet @ Holy GrAle, Durham - August 15

Dan Garel (alto sax); Mark Williams (guitar); John Pope (bass guitar); Russ Morgan (drums)

(Review by Russell)

It was billed as the 'Daniel Garel Quartet' but as it was a Thursday not a Sunday the 'Dan Garel Quartet' seemed like a better fit. Twelve months on from graduating Dan returned to Durham to meet up with old buddies Mark Williams, John Pope and Russ Morgan to play two sets in Holy GrAle on Crossgate.

Dave Rae's Levee Ramblers New Orleans Jazz Band with Ian Wynne @ Springwell Village Community Venue - August 14

Dave Rae (banjo, vocals); Mick Hill (cornet, vocals); Liz Bacon (clarinet); Jim Blenkin (trombone, vocals); Ian Wynne (piano); John Robinson (double bass); Paul Bacon (drums)

(Review by Russell)

All the Girls Go Crazy - don't know 'bout that but in its own way Wednesday's New Orleans jazz session in Springwell Village stirred more than a few with an all-too-rare appearance by Ian Wynne. Sitting at the upright our unassuming pianist opted for being one of the guys rather than hog the limelight as Dave Rae sang the opening number. 

In addition to leading the frontline, Mick Hill sang two or three numbers - Put on Your Old Grey Bonnet, Basin Street Blues and When You and I Were Young, Maggie - as well as playing some half decent N'awlins' cornet. Fellow brass man Jim Blenkin knew the melodies inside out and chipped in with a vocal or two, Harry Warren's Crying for the Carolines particularly effective. From time to time, clarinetist Liz Bacon glanced over her left shoulder to acknowledge pianist Wynne's sterling contribution.

Body and Soul @ Dormans Jazz Club,Middlesbrough - August 1

Richie Emmerson (tenor sax); Kevin Eland (trumpet/flugelhorn);Rick Laughlin (keys/synthesizer);  Keith Peberdy (bass); Stuie Ellerton (drums).

(Review by Ron H)

A good sized and enthusiastic audience turned out for this month’s guest band Body and Soul - a band with a reputation for playing exciting jazz.

Cantaloupe Island set the standard followed by a swinging Speak Low with impressive solos all round.

Tadd Dameron's Good Bait had a relaxed feel with Rick, Kevin and Richie in top form.

CD Review: Quentin Collins - Road Warrior

Quentin Collins (trumpet/flugelhorn); Meilana Gillard (alto sax); Leo Richardson (tenor sax); Dan Nimmer (piano/Rhodes on track 4); Joe Sanders (bass); Willie Jones III (drums) + Jean Toussaint (tenor sax - 2 tracks).

(Review by Lance).

They don't come any better than this! It's Jazz Messenger territory but these jazz posties aren't walkin' the streets they're running, they're flying - this isn't snail mail it's superfast broadband and what a band!

I've only just recovered from hearing Leo Richardson live at Pizza last week and here he is again but who's complaining? Not me that's for sure.

Yorkshire village takes on traditional jazz clubs at national awards

(Press release)

A West Yorkshire village will take on traditional jazz clubs for the title of ‘venue of the year’ at a national jazz awards ceremony later this year.

Marsden Jazz Festival has made it through to the final of the prestigious Parliamentary Jazz Awards in London and has been shortlisted in the venue of the year category alongside jazz clubs in Bristol, Dorking and Brighton.

Preview: Dan the Man is in town!

(Preview by Russell)

In recent times jam sessions in Newcastle, Durham and elsewhere in the region have offered a platform to some immensely talented musicians. One of the joys of going to a session is not knowing who'll turn up. Vocalists, trumpeters, saxophonists, drummers, all of us have our favourites. For two or three years one universally popular figure lit up the scene with, no pun intended, a series of incendiary performances. 

Francis Tulip Quartet @ The Fox, Hexham - August 13

Francis Tulip (guitar); Ben Lawrence (piano); Michael Dunlop (bass guitar); Matt MacKellar (drums)

(Review by Russell)

The train pulled into Hexham. What's this? The Platform Bar was open for business! Three years and more in the planning, ten days ago Matfen Brewery's micro pub opened its doors for the first time. Several Tyne Valley commuters had called in for a swift half, the temptation to join them was there but the Fox on West End Terrace beckoned. 

Trains, planes and automobiles, they arrived from all four quarters - Birmingham, Durham, London (UK), Boston (Massachusetts, USA) - to meet up with family and friends and play a few gigs (and jam sessions) together. Two days on from a Jazz Co-op date the Francis Tulip Quartet stopped off at Hexham Jazz Club to play a final gig on the band's 2019 'summer vacation' tour.

Eales Grooving to Grover

County Durham correspondent Tony Eales reports a good turn-out for Grover Washington Jr at Darlington’s Forum Music Centre. The soul-jazz saxophonist is long gone (the New Yorker died almost twenty years ago) but not forgotten, not least by five of the region’s finest - reeds men Richie Emmerson and Alan Thompson, pianist Rick Laughlin and bass and drums pairing Keith Peberdy and Ian Halford. On Tuesday evening the quintet entertained a crowd which, according to Eales, is keen to support more jazz at the Borough Road venue. The next installment on Tuesday September  17 features Acoustic Infusion augmented by the Mighty Horns.          

Russell

Paul Taylor on Bandcamp.

Paul Taylor has kindly sent me this link to his digital discography including music performed at his Sage Gateshead concert on March 23 this year where he shared billing with Daniel Herskedal.
Lance

2019 APPJAG Nominations

Last year, Bebop Spoken Here won the APPJAG* Jazz Media Award and, although not nominated this year, we're pleased to announce that the northeast is once again represented with Zoë Gilby (photo courtesy of Ken Drew) being nominated in the Jazz Vocalist of the Year category - we wish her well.

All nominations:

Jazz Vocalist of the Year

Claire Martin

Georgia Mancio

Cherise Adams-Burnett

Zoë Gilby

Latest on jazz @ the Block & Tackle

The management of the Block and Tackle, Ashington, wish to confirm that the monthly jazz night featuring the River City Jazzmen is definitely continuing on the third Tuesday of the month. 

Please note that this has no connection with the now defunct Ashington Jazz Club, the previous organisers of the event. 

The next session is on Tuesday August 20 and includes as guest players Australian reed man, Don Armstrong and Brian Chester on keyboards. Starting time is 8.30pm and entrance fee is £4.00, with the option of buying raffle tickets. 

We look forward to keeping the jazz flag flying in the area, and will be pleased to welcome all followers of jazz.

Gordon Solomon.

A brief history of the Newcastle Jazz Festival

(By Russell)

Once upon a time a big band MD came up with the idea of organising a jazz festival. Will it work? enquired some, It'll never work! declared others. Undaunted, the idea took root and in no time the event envisaged by Newcastle Big Band MD Andy Hudson began to take shape. Jazz North East's Honourary Secretary Chris Yates was enlisted to lend his expertise and went on to write the festival programme notes as well as assisting in the organisation for something like two decades. It was 1974 and the Newcastle Jazz Festival was born.

The Guildhall on Newcastle's Quayside staged ten nights of jazz; Chris Barber, Humphrey Lyttleton, Ronnie Scott, Back Door, SOS (John Surman-Mike Osborne-Alan Skidmore), Henry Lowther, Pete King, Graham Collier (a Tynemouth lad) alongside film screenings, lectures and a riverboat shuffle. In addition, a satellite venue hosted a programme of free jazz and free improvisation. Andy Hudson (MD, Newcastle Big Band) had seen his dream of a jazz festival on Tyneside come true to the extent that by the following year it had outgrown the Guildhall and moved on to the University Theatre, which became Newcastle Playhouse (now Northern Stage) and which remained its base for the following 20 years.

Francis Tulip Quartet @ The Globe Jazz Bar - August 11

Francis Tulip (guitars); Ben Lawrence (keys); Michael Dunlop (bass guitar); Matt MacKellar (drums).

(Review by Lance)

It was a rainy night in Georgetoon, but that didn't stop friends, family and fans of the fab four filling out the ground floor bar for the Jazz Coop's increasingly popular Sunday night sessions. And it  was worth getting soaked both internally and externally for.

Having said that, it wasn't the best I've heard them although, as the set progressed and the sound levels evened out, it became increasingly obvious we were listening to four potentially prodigious musicians whose technique both individually and as a group moves up a notch with each hearing.

As a band their true forté seems to be covering past masters such as Coltrane and Shorter - Trane's Like Sonny (Rollins) stood head and shoulders above the rest which makes it a very tall item item indeed.

SSBB News.

Watching the John Wilson Prom celebrating the film music that came out of the Warner Brothers studios from the 1930s onwards I couldn't fail to be impressed by the trumpet playing of Mike Lovatt and my first reaction was to think we need to hear more of this ace player.

Then, guess what? Alice Grace posts on Facebook announcing that this very same Mike Lovatt is appearing with the Strictly Smokin' Big Band at Sage Gateshead on February 29 next year. Put it in your diary now - last year's concert with Mark Nightingale was a sell-out and this one will be too - bank on it.

Incidentally, the John Wilson Prom was brilliant which will be of some comfort to those disappointed that he won't be making his annual visit to the Gateshead venue this year - listen here.

Lance

Mad about Mad About You

Having lived on this planet for a fair while I figured that, by now, I knew all of the great GASbook gems that languish within its infinite pages. 

How wrong can you be?

Today, I came across an instrumental by tenor saxist Ike Quebec of a tune titled Mad About You. Recorded on Blue Note in 1944 on a 12" 78rpm I was completely knocked out by this beautiful ballad and I immediately thought that someone most have added words to this - it would have been a natural for the young Sinatra. I Googled and, sure enough, there it was - Mad About You by Frank Sinatra!

Ushaw Update!

Alyn Shipton has been in touch to point out that yesterday’s Ushaw Jazz Festival preview should have listed Robert Fowler on alto sax with Matthias Seuffert on tenor sax (not the other way round) in the Buck Clayton Legacy Band line-up.* 

In addition, Mr Shipton informed BSH of one change of personnel. Bobby Worth can’t make the gig on Sunday August 25 and will be replaced by Clark Tracey on drums** - that’s what I call a decent dep! To book your tickets check out Ushaw’s website: www.ushaw.org      

Russell

*(Editor: Now corrected)

**(Cropped photo courtesy of Ken Drew).

CD Review: Lauren Henderson - Alma Oscura

(Review by Ann Alex)

A CD of original songs that turned out to be a sheer joy to listen to! Songs with hooks both lyrical and musical, even on the three tracks which were in Spanish, which I cannot speak! I'm so enthusiastic that I'll begin with a rundown of the tracks, which were very Latin influenced, yet jazzy as well, sung in a pleasing, soft, smoky voice.

From The Inside Out (Sidran and Alex Cuba): A sensual song with a Latin beat, about the connections between lovers,  sung in both Spanish and English by Henderson and Sidran, with strings added to the mix to enhance the romance.

CD Review: Blind Lemon Jazz - After Hours, the songs of James Byfield

Blind Lemon Pledge aka James Byfield (guitar/vocals); Ben Flint (keys); Peter Grenell (bass); Joe Kelner (drums) Marisa Malvino (vocals)

(Review by Lance).

Blind Lemon Pledge, probably isn't blind, but James Byfield - to give him his correct name - is as fine a blues/swing composer/arranger as anyone who never hung out on 12th St. & Vine or slept in a hollow log. 13 original numbers played by an excellent quartet, that bring to mind a Harlem club back in the '30s/'40s. Yes, it's after hours uptown, the sweet smell of weed, cheap liquor, a piano plays, a cigarette dangles from the pianist's mouth. A woman leans against the piano, split skirt, some cleavage and lots of lipstick - maybe even a gardenia in her hair - she  sings the blues and she means it even though it isn't all blues.

Preview: Ushaw Jazz Festival 2019

(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.  

Jam session @ The Dun Cow - August 7

(Review by Russell)

On Tuesday evening, for no good reason, it was the 'Old Peculier' jam session. This evening's monthly Dun Cow jam session could be called the 'Rivet Catcher' session if, for no other reason, to draw attention to the pub's new real ale loyalty card scheme - the discount card is no more, in its place is a stamper card. As the card was being stamped, the house trio opened with Lady Be Good. 

Basie, bossa, the trio - the ebullient Mr James Harrison, the man who has a beer named after him, Mr Paul Grainger, and the quiet man behind the traps, Mr Tom Chapman - laid down the foundations for a cracking first Wednesday in the month session in Brandling Village. Mr PG invited the first of the brass men to join the trio on a couple of numbers. Ray Johnson suggested Dizzy's Tour de Force. Our trumpeter played it his own sweet way, switching to flugelhorn for a terrific take on Oliver Nelson's masterpiece Stolen Moments. The breathing alone on this one looks difficult yet RJ expertly negotiated his way through the tune's many twists and turns. 

CD Review: Jelena Jovovic - Heartbeat

(Review by Ann Alex)

Jelena Jovovic comes from Serbia and has studied at universities in Belgrade and Austria. A vocal clinician and lecturer who has sung with Mark Murphy and Sheila Jordan, as well as appearing at festivals and touring with her own quintet. Heartbeat, her first album as leader, comprises six original songs and four tracks of existing tunes to which Ms Jovovic has written lyrics.

The Old Peculier jam session @ The Black Swan - August 6

(Review by Russell)

August, holidays, likely as not particpiants and and listeners would be thin on the ground. O ye, of little faith! Of course they turned out, sitters-in and the regular 'first name terms' crowd. The Black Swan jam session rarely, if ever, fails to deliver. As the evening's entertainment was about to begin a bottle of Old Peculier couldn't be resisted. Cheers!   

First up, BSH's Ann Alex. Bubbling with enthusiasm, AA engaged with the house trio to sing two numbers opening with the Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer classic Come Rain or Come Shine. And that was it, no more vocals, from here on in it would be a top flight instrumental showcase. 

What We Did At the Jazz Course @ The Globe: August 3 and 4

What We Did At the Jazz Course @ The Globe: August 3 and 4

(By Ann Alex)

First we drank tea as 9.30am counts as early rising for 15 jazzers. The aim of the course was to develop our playing and technique further under the wise guidance of tutors James Birkett (usually playing guitar) and Faye MacCalman (usually blowing sax). The group exercise to get us going saw us each doing one of 3 things, singing a short riff, singing a rhythm, or doing body percussion, which I found can actually hurt if you slap your leg too hard.

Blowin' at the Beeb

Ten days from now (Saturday August 17) Tyne Bank Brewery will reverberate to the sounds of the 2019 Newcastle Jazz Festival. Tyneside's jazz fans know all about it but every last bit of publicity is to be welcomed and promoter Michael Lamb (pictured) wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth when BBC Newcastle offered him the chance to talk about the event live on air.

Stolen sax

Prior to last night's gig at Pizza Express I spotted this poster on a lamppost in Oxford St. I think the missing digit in the phone number is 6.

The question senior police officers are asking is, what was an unaccompanied tenor saxophone doing on Oxford St. in the early hours of June 30?

Lance

Ann Hampton Callaway: Jazz Meets Broadway @ Pizza Express, Soho - August 7

Ann Hampton Callaway (piano/vocals)

(Review by Lance/Photo courtesy of Sebastian Scotney)

In this day and age it is a brave initiative to book a solo artist for 5 consecutive nights (2 at the Pheasantry and 3 at Dean St.) but, judging by last night, it paid off with many who had been at the Chelsea gigs following up here for a second helping and, I'm told, a totally different programme.

This was the final gig of my two day trip to our capital city and what a gig it was! The title "Jazz Meets Broadway" summed up the evening perfectly. This was jazz, cabaret style, in a manner that detracted from neither worlds. 

Martin Wates/Steve Fishwick Quintet @ The Spice of Life - August 7

Martin Wates (alto sax); Steve Fishwick (trumpet); Leon Greening (piano); Julian Berry (bass); Matt Fishwick (drums).

(Review by Lance).

A visit to London without calling in at the Spice of Life is, for me, like going to Paris and not visiting The Louvre and my latest visit did indeed produce some masterpieces. Hard bop certainly lives in London.

Although nothing could compare with the previous evening's session at Pizza this one came within a whisker - to be sure it did. 

The affable Irishman, Wates, blew breathtaking alto - Cannonball lives! - ably partnered by fiery trumpet man Fishwick, driven along by Fishwick the drum and held well together by bassist Berry. However, the star for me was pianist Greening. It had been some years since I last heard him which, I think, was at Scarborough Jazz Festival. He stole the show then and did so once more going by the reaction of the crowded room.

Leo Richardson Quartet: Album Launch @ Pizza Express, Soho - August 6

Leo Richardson (tenor sax); Rick Simpson (piano); Conor Chaplin (bass); Ed Richardson (drums) + Eric Alexander (tenor sax).

(Review by Lance/photo courtesy of Martin Hummel).

Having reviewed Move and The Chase I knew this gig was going to be special and it was. I may have been to better gigs although, off the top of my head I can't remember when. This was driving hard bop with Leo blowing like there was no tomorrow and his rhythm section kicking it all the way. Rick Simpson, Conor Chaplin and Ed, no relation, Richardson on drums making sure the leader didn't flag - as if!

It seemed as though the whole world had turned out for the album launch and the pizzas and Peronis  were in great demand but, once the music started, food and drink took second place.

CD Review: Paul Booth - Travel Sketches

Paul Booth (tenor sax); Steve Hamilton (piano); Dave Whitford (bass); Andrew Bain (drums).

(Review by Lance)

Every so often a CD comes along that jumps the queue and this is just such a one. Booth, in his informative notes, describes the album as a conscious decision to go back to his roots as a tenor player. A decision he made whilst on various tours with Steve Winwood and others. These worldwide adventures brought him to many unusual and exotic places resulting in a series of musical portraits and landscapes.

Unlike so many original compositions where it takes a somewhat vivid stretch of the imagination to relate the tune to the title, here the two go together like Stanley and Livingstone or, better still, Stanley and Getz for Booth's sound has the lyricism of mid-period Getz when he recorded those albums with Eddie Sauter.

Dave Hignett & Friends @ the Globe Jazz Bar - August 4

Dave Hignett (trumpet/flugel); Niall Armstrong (tenor sax); Kevin Wright (keys); Conor Hignett (bass guitar); Dom Neeson (drums) + Barbara Hignett (vocals); Sophie Speed (alto sax).

(Review by Lance).

Swinging hard bop with a touch of funk and jazz rock. Blue Note is alive and well with an ace quintet plus 2.

The gaffa, and the term is appropriate, blew trumpet as if it were the eve of Armageddon with the thunder and lightning outside suggesting it might well be!  Yes, Gaffa Hignett had it, along with the wandering Roland pedal, taped.

Alongside him, Niall Armstrong whom I tend to associate more with baritone rather than tenor sax (catch him on the bigger instrument with Saxophonics) was an ideal frontline partner - think Hank Mobley or Benny Golson with the Jazz Messengers.

Preview: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe – August 8

Barry Keatings, Carrie McCullock, David Edgar, Miriam McCormick, Jen Errington (individual vocals); Stuart Collingwood (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Rob Walker (drums)

You must not miss out on a chance to hear the Indigo Jazz Voices this next Thursday. Skilled jazz vocalists doing their stuff. You'll be able to listen to at least 4 songs from each singer, including the delightful I Can't Give You Anything But Love; the puzzling (to me) lyrics of Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me; and also the classic songs What A Difference A Day Makes and All Of Me.

Add to the mix three top musicians accompanying the singers and you're in for a treat.

Admission is just £5 and it all kicks off at 7.30pm

Be There!

Ann Alex

RIP Bob Wilber (1928-2019)

Colin Aitchison has passed on the sad news that soprano saxophonist and clarinet player Bob Wilber passed away either last night or early this morning. Bob was an occasional visitor to Ned Kelly's in Kowloon where he often sat in with the China Coast Jazzmen led by Colin. The two became good friends and Colin visited him at his home in Chipping Campden on several occasions where they enjoyed jamming together.