Recipients Announced For 2020 Parliamentary Jazz Awards

(Press release)

The recipients of the 2020 Parliamentary Jazz Awards were announced on Tuesday 30th June at 20:00.

The Parliamentary Jazz Awards are organised by the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group (APPJAG) with the support of PizzaExpress Live. The Awards celebrate and recognise the vibrancy, diversity, talent and breadth of the jazz scene throughout the United Kingdom.

The award categories reflect the ever-increasing scope of talent from within the UK’s jazz scene: Jazz Vocalist of the Year; Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year; Jazz Album of the Year; Jazz Ensemble of the Year; Jazz Newcomer of the Year; Jazz Venue of the Year; Jazz Media Award; Jazz Education Award; and the Services to Jazz Award.

Archipelago set to take to The Globe stage on July 26 (8:00pm).

(Press release)

Live music from The Globe! … But you can only watch it on a screen, for now.

On Sunday 26 July the genre-defying trio Achipelago will be performing at The Globe. The gig will be streamed live and you can watch it again at any time. The Globe will remain closed to the public so please do not try to attend the gig in person. We are planning to allow audiences in The Globe as soon as we can accommodate them safely and within government guidelines.

(Photo credit: Al Thoburn)

Archipelago take audiences on a journey that is exciting, genre-defying and unforgettable, fusing jazz with alt-rock, blues folk melodies and otherworldly improvisations.

Fronted by composer/saxophonist/clarinetist/vocalist Faye MacCalman and completed by John Pope (Bass/FX) and Christian Alderson (Drums/Percussion), Archipelago formed out of the North East of England’s fertile new music scene in 2016 after crossing paths in ‘mutant funeral jazz big band’ The Midnight Doctors.

Johnny Mandel (1925 - 2020)

One of the great jazz composers and arrangers has left us. Johnny Mandel died yesterday (June 29) aged 94.

I first became aware that he was something special when I heard a number called Low Life on an album called Trumpets All Out featuring five trumpet players - Art Farmer, Ernie Royal, Charlie Shavers, Emmett Berry and Harold Baker. This was the only Mandel number on the album, all the rest being by Ernie Wilkins, but it was the one that stood out for me.

Emma Fisk's Hot Club du Nord set to take to The Globe Stage on August 9 (8:00pm)

(From Emma Fisk)

I'm really pleased to have some positive news to report on the gig front. While we're not back to normal yet, we have recently confirmed a live gig for August 9th at The Globe in Newcastle and hope that you might be able to join us from the comfort of your living room!

Hot Club du Nord will be playing a one hour set  live in the venue and this will be live-streamed via YouTube and Facebook. Details on how to book a ticket are available on the Jazz Co-op website here:

https://jazz.coop/emma-fisks-hot-club-du-nord/

Jazz Quartet set to take to The Globe stage on July 12

(Press release)

(Photos from top to bottom are © Malcolm Sinclair, Ken Drew & Vanessa Stewart respectively).

The Zoë Gilby Quartet returns to the stage, socially distanced of course, for the first time in months on July 12 when they perform to the empty bowels of Newcastle’s community-owned music venue, The Globe.

Led by the award-winning musician, Tyneside’s Zoë Gilby, will be joined on stage by her multi-instrumentalist husband, Andy Champion, guitarist Mark Williams, and drummer Russ Morgan it’ll also be the first time in four months the venue has opened its doors.

Album review: Benn Clatworthy - The Pursuit

Benn Clatworthy (tenor sax/flute); John Donaldson (piano); Simon Thorpe (bass); Darren Beckett (drums).

I first heard Clatworthy back in 2014 at The Globe. It immediately became one of the front-runners for my "Gig of that Year". Fast forward to as recently as yesterday when a retro-gig extract by Clatworthy was featured as part of the LeedsJazz lockdown sessions.

And now, here he is back again and firing on all cylinders. The sound on tenor is reminiscent of Stan Getz or Hank Mobley but, particularly on the uptempo numbers, the attack is very much Coltrane in the way that he drives it onward and upward. Stretching out, striving for the unknown. On ballads he displays a rare lyricism whether playing tenor or flute.

Livestream: Tango Jazz Quartet – Jazz Coop June 28

Martin Rao de Vita (bass); Horacio Acosta (keys); Mauricio Pasculli (drums); Gustavo Firmenich (tenor sax, clarinet).

I could do worse in this review than simply quote the comments:

 'Sleazy and warm sax, beautiful tone'

' Good conversation between sax and piano'

'Joan in whooping'

Happy comments from one of the Milonga de los Domingos, the group who normally dance  at The Globe each Sunday evening. 

Some slight misquotes from some of the 38 or so people watching, but you get the idea, this was a rollickingly rhythmical performance and I even danced in front of the computer towards the end so I can definitely declare that that's maybe the best way to appreciate this music.

Mingus Mondays Live.

Very excited about my upcoming "Mingus Mondays" solo livestream today, Monday, at 7:30pm (Tuesday 00:30am BST). I have really been working hard to prepare this, and trust me, there will be some surprises. Please tune in!

There are a couple of ways to see it. It is free on the Charles Mingus Facebook page, as the first post in the timeline:

https://www.facebook.com/charlesmingus/

This is the direct link to the post, which I'm told will also be open to non-facebookers (hopefully):

https://www.facebook.com/charlesmingus/posts/10158822095640815

Also, it will be embedded on www.CharlesMingus.com ...  (scroll down on the home page; it's also under "online events"). Might even have it up on the ScienSonic site if we can get that together.

Freddy Cole (1931 - 2020)

The news has broken of the death of pianist/vocalist Freddy Cole on Saturday (June 27) in Atlanta, GA. his adopted home for the past 48 years.

Brother to the late legendary Nat "King" Cole, Freddy Cole chose not to live in reflected glory but paved his own way to international success.

Daryl Sherman's touching words on Facebook are a fitting epitaph - "Heaven is a better place with you in it."

Freddy Cole was 88, may he Rest In Peace.

Lance 

Obituary.

Livestream: Haruka Kikuchi - June 28

Haruka Kikuchi (trombone); Z2 Tsuji (keys); Nobu Ozaki (bass).

It looked to be hot, and I mean hot hot, way down yonder in New Orleans. On the bayou, I guess the 'gators were lazing in the shade, the steam rising, whilst I doubt that anyone would be parading on South Rampart St.

However, despite the hot and humid atmosphere, Haruka, Z2, and Nobu set up shop in the front garden and delighted us with a splendid afternoon's music.

Adrian Cox's Sunday Service - June 28

Adrian Cox (clarinet, vocals)

An hour of requests this week beginning with East Coast Trot. Sid, a one time roadie for the likes of Kenny Ball and Max Collie, requested Bechet's Passport to Paradise and our preacher, the Rev. Adrian Cox, continued with more Bechet as in his duo recording with Mezz Mezzrow of Breathless Blues. A matter of minutes into this week's live stream and that was three tunes done with many more to follow.

Livestream: LeedsJazz Lockdown #15 - June 28

I spent a happy hour in (virtual) Leeds watching some retro jazz moments courtesy of Steve Crocker and LeedsJazz Lockdown #15.

Mads Mathias always brings Joe Mooney to my mind which, when it comes to jazz-singing, is praise indeed. Tea For Two came close to dethroning Lady Anita on this number!

The Paul Edis Sextet with Ellie Smith on trombone played Angular. I'm guessing Ellie was a late dep. She did fine although the band weren't as tight as they usually were around this time (2014).

Livestream: Dom Pipkin's Saturday Piano Truth

Dom Pipkin (piano/vocals).

So, after dressing up for Rico, it was time to dress down for Dom and a Saturday night of "Piano Truth" - it's true, no word of a lie!

I was marginally late so I only caught the end of a rollicking, rocking and rolling opener but I heard enough to know that our man was up for it. The grand piano has 88 notes and it sounded as though he was hitting at least 44 of them at any one time. And, not only that, he's hollerin' the blues like as though he was at a Mississippi prayer meeting (well, maybe not a prayer meeting.)

Help!

Despite the so-called easing of the lockdown restrictions the music scene hasn't really benefited from it. I'm not going into the greasy pot of how much money is, or rather isn't, going into the arts/culture - call it what you will - sector compared to other countries as there is plenty activity in that direction on Facebook including opportunities to mail your MP so that he or she may throw their weight behind it.

Livestream: Rico, Martin and Jabbo - June 27

Enrico Tomasso (trumpet/vocals); Martin Wheatley (banjo/guitar).

You didn't need to look at your diary to know it was Saturday. Rico in striped blazer and matching bow-tie looked like he'd just returned from a 1920s' Henley Regatta - all that was missing was the straw boater.

Yes, it was another "dress-up Saturday". For his part, Martin opted for a more conventional black tuxedo. Not quite the kind the Chicago hoods used to wear whilst flipping silver dollars in the air back in the days of prohibition but close.

No Jazz at Sunniside.

The report that the Thursday sessions at Sunniside Social Club by the Maine St., Jazzmen would restart on July 9 have proved to be greatly exaggerated. In line with government instructions this will not now happen.

Lance

JazzLeeds Lockdown Session - June 28 (1:30pm)

It's JazzLeeds Lockdown show - week 15! Tomorrow - besides the legendary JazzLeeds raffle - we’ve also another lovely selection of music to help you while away the afternoon. We've singers Ian Shaw, Mads Mathias and Kate Peters, pianists Dan Whieldon and Paul Edis, plus sax stars Jesse Bannister, Dan Shout and Benn Clatworthy, all performing at our Leeds Seven Arts and Inkwell venues in Chapel Allerton. Why not join me on our Facebook page and YouTube site for an hour of lovely music from the US, Europe, the UK and Leeds

Steve Crocker

Link here

Album review: Jeff Hamilton Trio - Catch Me If You Can

Tamir Hendelman (piano); Jon Hamar (bass); Jeff Hamilton (drums).

Hendelman has appeared on at least six album reviews on BSH, usually with Hamilton on drums, and every one of them has been a revelation serving to remind me that great jazz piano didn't end with the passing of Oscar Peterson - maybe that was the beginning of a new chapter. One that, like all good music, looked to the future without forgetting the past.

Hendelman can swing like Peterson, probe like Evans, reach out like Jarrett, put them all together and you have an outstanding talent. Amazingly, he hasn't shown in recent DownBeat polls!

Ben Crosland Quintet: not at the Langtoun Jazz Festival - June 26

Dave O'Higgins (tenor sax); John Etheridge (guitar); Steve Lodder (keys); Ben Crosland (bass guitar); Sebastiaan de Krom (drums).

Ben Crosland should have been playing Sunny Afternoon on a sunny evening in Kirkaldy. However, the best laid schemes of mice and men do occasionally gang awry.

This was just such an  occasion. As we don't need reminding, the whole world has gang awry - not least the jazz world. The plan was for Ben Crosland to strut his Kinks project for the good burghers of Kilcaldy along with some selected Scottish musicians.

Streamin' Rico 'n' Martin - June 26

Rico Tomasso (trumpet, vocals); Martin Wheatley (guitar, banjo)

Three months and counting. This week's Rico's Popup Louis trained the spotlight on Jabbo Smith. Joining Mr Tomasso this evening was none other than Mr Martin Wheatley playing guitar, double-tracking on a couple of the numbers with guitar or banjo. Our trumpet host commented that the weather was changing in Chiswick, just as it was here on Tyneside with thunder 'n' lightning on the way. 

Wendy Kirkland @ the (virtual) Langtoun Jazz Festival - June 26

Wendy Kirkland (vocals/piano); Pat Sprakes (guitar/bass guitar).

Unlike Kate Westbrook's  Granite Band, this was immediately accessible and what a joy it was! I know Wendy from her previous albums which I love and, in happier times, I'd have loved to have been able to take a flier up to Kirkaldy for the festival - maybe next year, unless the northeast promoters set up a gig which, so far they have failed to do. Are you listening folks?

Hexham Thursday Sessions #11 : Cantaloupe Island

Album review: Kate Westbrook the Granite Band - Earth Felt the Wound

Kate Westbrook (voice); Roz Harding (alto/soprano saxes); Jesse Molins, Matthew North (guitars); Billie Bottle (bass guitar/voice/B3/piano); Mike Westbrook (piano/keys/B3); Coach York (drums).

I must be honest and admit that, on first hearing, I came to the conclusion that this was totally beyond me. However, having had a lifelong respect and admiration for Mike Westbrook ever since, along with Surman, Osborne and co., he burst out of Devon some 50 years ago, I realised it would be totally unfair to Kate, Mike and their fellow musicians for me to dismiss it on a single hearing. 

Paul Edis - Livestream #15 - June 26

Paul Edis (piano/vocal).

Livestream #15 and Paul "the piano" Edis, like that ol' man river, just keeps rollin' along. I've lost count of the number of tunes he's played over this 15 week period and, as yet, without repetition. No mean achievement particularly as there's no throwaway tunes to pad it out - each one given the meticulous interpretation it deserves.

Zoë Gilby & Andy Champion @ The (virtual) Langtoun Jazz Festival - June 25.

Zoë Gilby (voice); Andy Champion (bass).

Voice and bass, just about the hardest imaginable duo setting, holds no fear for Zoë and Andy. They've worked on it over the years and have it off to a T.

APPJAG award winning vocalist Zoë's distinctive and unique voice is that rare commodity in jazz these days - a voice that is immediately recognisable. Even when doing covers she remains true to herself. A one off.

In Andy Champion we have a bass player who is deserving of not just the national recognition which is rapidly coming his way but also international kudos.

Together, they set the bar for the rest.

Lance

Listen again on YouTube.

Way Down in the Hole; All or Nothing at All; Graceland; Now's the time; Red Right Hand; Night Moves; Time After Time.

Strictly Smokin' Big Band Live Stream - June 25

On a sweltering summer's evening the medium of Zoom (everybody's favourite/least favourite platform)  presented a fine array of SSBB soloists working with backing tapes. Few would claim this to be the ideal arrangement but, hey, in these lockdown times...

First up Mr Dave Kerridge on tenor playing My One and Only Love. Mr Dependable is DK. Chris Kurgi-Smith threw his hat in the ring  with Lucky Dip (comp. Mark Nightingale). A Lionel Richie number found its way into the set courtesy of pianist and vocalist Graham Don. A mean piano player is Graham and, on this evidence, no mean singer!

New Podcast from WBGO

Check out this new podcast from America's number one Jazz Radio Station.

Great quote from Nat Chinen in conversation with Greg Bryant: "If you can't play Cherokee, don't get on the bandstand!"

John Donegan @ The (virtual) Langtoun Jazz Festival - June 25

John Donegan (piano).

The 2020 Langtoun Jazz Festival was due to begin today with a solo piano set by John Donegan in Kirkaldy Kirk Hall. Needless to say that didn't happen - at least not in the Kirkaldy Kirk Hall. Instead, the event took place in John's home where a magnificent baby/boudoir grand piano was the centrepiece.

I was unfamiliar with his work but, from the opening bars of  Come Rain or Come Shine, I realised that I was in for something special and I hung around even though it mean't missing the SSBB's final livestream. No doubt Russell will review it in such glowing terms I will be kicking myself. Well that will make two of us as he too will be self-inflicting with the shoes knowing he's missed this!

The Ugly Duckling (1959)

The Ugly Duckling, a 1959 Hammer Film, based on Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde, may not be the best film ever made, in fact it could be argued that it was the worst film ever made, apart from...

...the dance hall scenes with the Joe Loss Orchestra. 

It was a strange time for bands such as Joe Loss, trying to hold on to the traditional strict tempo ballroom dancers as well as attempting to compete with the ever increasing threat of rock 'n' roll. Eventually, they lost both battles but, as this forgettable film shows, not without a fight.

No jazz at J's & B's 'til next year

It comes as little surprise to learn that organisers of Jazz at J's and B's have reluctantly cancelled the programme for the remainder of the year. Social distancing measures and other considerations mean that the high quality jazz concert series at St James' and St Basil's Church in Fenham, Newcastle will not resume until 2021. 

Russell 

Mainly Two: Marie Schreer & John Garner - LIVE Concerts at Home, Newcastle University

Marie Schreer (violin); John Garner (violin)

Another in Newcastle University's LIVE Concerts at Home series. Jazz? No, but yes! Today's artists - Marie Schreer and John Garner - embrace the classical canon, contemporary composition and, in the case of John, jazz. Bebop Spoken Here first heard John when he sat-in at a Newcastle Jazz Cafe jam session. An instant hit that evening, BSH spoke to John at the bar: What's your name? Where are you from? The rest, as they say, is history.

Album Review: The Dave Ingham Group – A Sea of Green

Dave Ingham (saxes, bells, flute); Stephen Mynott (guitar); Vilem Hais (double bass); Azzy King (drums, percussion)

Dave Ingham, a musician/bandleader based in East Anglia, formed The Dave Ingham Group in 2010 and this studio album, recorded in Beccles, celebrates their tenth anniversary.  All compositions are by Dave Ingham.

With a playing time of just over 30 minutes the album is relatively compact, but as we know at Bebop Spoken Here, small is beautiful!  Upstream commences with drum, bass then guitar setting the rhythm and finally Ingham’s flowing soprano weaving a fluid melodic line over the top.  The rhythm section are let out to play for a short interlude in the middle.  Straw Dogs commences with a slow menacing rhythm from drums, bass and guitar.  Ingham, again on soprano, soars over the top with extended arpeggiation.  There is a fine solo from Hais on bass at the centre.

SSBB: Livestream - June 25

(Press release)

Our final Thursday night live stream in this series, featuring every musician who has performed so far… plus a few extras for good measure!

Album review: The Mark Masters Ensemble - Night Talk: The Alec Wilder Songbook featuring Gary Smulyan

Alec Wilder is sometimes overlooked when the average Joe/Jo list their favourite composers. Gershwin, Kern, Berlin etc. roll easily off the tongue. Wilder doesn't, even though he was well admired by such as Sinatra, Bennett, Lee and others. Possibly because his popular song output was interspersed with operas, symphonies and other classical works. In fact, if you were to ask me to name three of his best known songs, I'd be struggling after While We're Young and I'll Be Around - two songs that can hold their own against the complete works of any other composer.

Only the latter song is included in this, and I use the word advisedly, masterful album which is worthy of more stars than there are in the Galaxy.

New album: 3'Ain - 3'Ain

The press release says it all ... Follow the try/buy link at the foot of the post - you may be pleasantly surprised! - Lance.
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3'Ain is a brand new trio, in which Yamen Martini (trumpet) Otto Kint (upright bass) and Piet Maris (accordion) join forces

In 2015 Yamen moved from Syria to Belgium, where he met Piet: the two started working together on music for a theatre play in 2016.

Lateron, Piet invited Yamen to play and record as a guest musician with Jaune Toujours, as you can hear on their most recent album Europeana (2018). Summer of 2019, they asked Otto to join in on their musical exchange, starting up a new trio.

Preview: Schreer & Garner - June 25

Tomorrow (Thursday) violinists Marie Schreer and John Garner will present a lunchtime LIVE Concerts at Home lockdown set. Marie is a member of the Royal Northern Sinfonia and regularly performs with other classical ensembles. John has performed across the globe on the classical and contemporary music concert stage and on the north east jazz scene he leads his wonderfully named Charkie Parlour quartet and has worked with the Ushaw Ensemble and in a duo with Paul Edis. 

Album review: Dario Savino Doronzo - Reimagining Opera

Dario Savino Doronzo (flugelhorn); Pietro Gallo (piano); Michel Godard (serpent).

We don't get many serpents on BSH - an occasional snake perhaps - but I'm sure this is the first time we've had a real live serpent (well not actually live). Certainly it's the first time I've heard one played although, back in the day, when I'd make the occasional visit to the Boosey and Hawkes factory in Edgware I do recall seeing one in the company's museum.

Tango Jazz Quartet Live From Argentina - This Sunday (June 28) @ the Globe

(Press release)

On Sunday 28 June at 8pm we’re delighted to be able to bring you an exclusive concert by the world-famous Tango Jazz Quartet, which we will stream live to you all the way from Argentina through Facebook and YouTube. You can watch the gig again on either platform at any time.

Tango Jazz Quartet have played all over the world, including twice at The Globe. They were due to play there again this July but the tour has been cancelled. Instead we have arranged this special livestream.

2020 Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival cancelled.

(Press release)

With great regret LagavulinTM and promoters, Jazz Scotland and Islay Arts Association have today decided that 2020 Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival will be cancelled due to public health concerns linked to the coronavirus epidemic.

The 22nd Festival will instead be staged from 17-19 September 2021

We hope to see you then.

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RCS JAZZ AWARDS 2020

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is pleased to announce the winners of its 2020 Jazz Awards.

Tommy Smith, Head of Jazz at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said: “Congratulations to each of our wonderful award winners. Every year it is a great challenge to choose the winners of our three distinguished RCS Jazz Awards."

“The awards really underline the high level of accomplishment reached by our students. I’d also like to thank our sponsors of the jazz awards, without whom there would be no prizes.”

More information on studying Jazz at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is available at: rcs.ac.uk/jazz

Lockdown Lindsay - June 22

Lindsay Hannon (vocals/ukulele)

Lindsay was hitting the Pinot Grigio tonight, so, were we in for an evening of sophistication?

Hardly ...!

Boll weevils were the first subject in tonight's illustrated lecture in which Lindsay sang Vera Hill's Boll Weevil Holler. It reminded me of my music shop days when, after we'd ran out of Rico reeds, I explained to an irate customer that the shortage of reeds was due to the cane fields being attacked by a plague of boll weevils. He left muttering "pesky boll weevils!" I mention this anecdote to allow Lindsay time to answer the door and thus stop Chaplin (her dog) barking!

"Vehicle" by the Tyne Valley Big Band led by Dave Hignett.

Follow this link to listen - it's worth it!
Lance.

PRESS RELEASE NEWCASTLE JAZZ FESTIVAL COVID-19

We have had to take the difficult decision to cancel Newcastle Jazz Festival this year due to Covid-19.

Although the festival may have been able to take place in August 2020, we fear that social distancing rules will prevent venues from allowing the capacity we require to run the festival.

Thank you so much to those who have supported the festival's planning this year and to those who have purchased tickets in advance. All ticket holders have been contacted, if you have not received any information about your tickets for 2020, please e-mail

support@ticketsource.co.uk

Father's Day in New Orleans w. Haruka, Z2, Nobu Ozaki and Shouta

Haruka Kikuchi (trombone); Z2 (piano); Nobu Ozaki (bass).

Musicians face many hazards on gigs: Out of tune pianos, indifferent, even hostile audiences, impossible requests ... if you've gigged you can add many more to the list.

Today's trio had a hazard of their own - literally - in the form of Shouta, HK and Z2's lovable and yet precocious toddler. He caused mayhem! It didn't detract from the music but was, in itself, distracting. A cameo appearance would have been fine but, just as Haruka and Z wouldn't allow it on a proper live gig, a little goes a long way even on a livestream.

Adrian Cox's Sunday Service - June 21

The summer solstice encouraged a large online congregation (140+ parishioners) to join Adrian Cox's one o'clock Sunday Service as our man set about playing clarinet and singing a few numbers with the emphasis this week on Sidney Bechet.  

The Sheik of Araby for openers, a good, solid start. The Charismatic Blues with a brilliant double time section generated by Cox's internal rhythm section with a convincing vocal to boot - excellent! Another vocal number with a long title - If I Let You Get Away With This Once You'll Do It All The Time  - followed by an instrumental with a short title - Black Stick, the latter a request by Pete Lay with Cox saying: This one's for you, Pete which met with an instant online response from Ley: Thanks Adie!! As distant as we are in these strange times, this sort of banter is as close as we can get to the immediacy of a live gig.    

On Green Dolphin St.with the University of York Big Band

Faye Thompson (top row second left) has put together a great version of On Green Dolphin St. by the University of York Big Band of which Faye is now musical director.

Facebook link.

Lance

Dom Pipkin: Saturday Piano Truth - June 20

Dom Pipkin (piano/vocal)

The Pipkin parlour appeared to have been transformed into a trendy disco with coloured lights everywhere - even on top of the Steinway! Well maybe it wasn't a Steinway but it was the same colour.

Dom was in good fettle singing and playing that good old barrel house, blues and boogie-woogie which, when skillfully blended, emerges as authentic N'awlins piano - or at least as  authentic as you're gonna get from a professor who hangs out nearer The Thames than the Mississippi.

Album review: Rudresh Mahanthappa - Hero Trio

Rudresh Mahanthappa (alto sax); Francois Moutin (bass); Rudy Royston (drums). 

I'd heard glowing reports about this album and, I'm pleased to say the fluorescence is fully justified although I did initially view it with the gravest of doubts. Why? They wear masks! Not PPE type masks but the sort of face covering favoured by Batman and Robin or, in an earlier age, Dick Turpin. Well all I can say is that they certainly stand and deliver.

The title, Hero Trio, derives from the album's theme which is to pay tribute to Princeton director of Jazz Mahanthappa's heroes - those musicians who have influenced him. 

Dress Up Saturday with Rico & Spats - June 20

Rico Tomasso (trumpet, vocals); Tom 'Spats' Langham (guitar, banjo, vocals)

There you are in your jogging bottoms. Look at the state of your t-shirt. Is that an egg stain? Honestly! Don't you know this is Dress Up Saturday? Take a look at Rico Tomasso and Tom Langham (pictured)...they made the effort, what's your excuse? 

Louis Armstrong is the constant in Rico Tomasso's twice weekly live stream, hence Rico's Popup Louis. Kicking off with Spats Langham on guitar, our duo played I Cried for You (an early twenties' number) with Rico taking a first vocal of the evening. Spats likes to sing a number and, from the early thirties, a rare number said Rico (Russ Columbo recorded it), Blue Evening with Rico's muted accompaniment.