For the past fifteen years we've been updating the world about jazz in the north east of England and updating the north east of England about jazz in the world. WINNER of the Jazz Media Category in the 2018 All Party Parliamentary Jazz Awards. Contact lanceliddle@gmail.com
Total Pageviews
Bebop Spoken There
The Things They Say!
Ann Braithwaite (Braithwaite & Katz Communications) You’re the BEST!
Holly Cooper, Mouthpiece Music: "Lance writes pull quotes like no one else!"
Simon Spillett: A lovely review from the dean of jazz bloggers, Lance Liddle...Postage
From This Moment On ...
December
Sun 03: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:30pm. £7.50.
Sun 03: The Central Bar Quartet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00. The Central Bar Quartet plays Lou Donaldson’s Gravy Train. Featuring Jamie Toms.
Sun 03: Paul Skerritt @ Smith’s Arms, Carlton, Stockton-on-Tees. 7:00pm.
Sun 03: Johnny Hunter Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Sun 03: Jam session @ The Schooner, Gateshead. 8:00pm. Free.
Mon 04: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.
Mon 04: Northern Monkey Brass Band @ People’s Kitchen, Bath Lane, Newcastle. From 5:30pm. On-street gig supporting the work of the People’s Kitchen charity. Wrap up warm! Donate!
Mon 04: Michael Young Trio w Lindsay Hannon @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 7:00pm. Free.
Mon 04: James Birkett Trio @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £8.00.
Mon 04: Durham University Jazz Orchestra + Durham University Big Band @ Durham Castle DH1 3RW. 8:30pm. £6.00.; £5.00. concs; £4.00. DSM. ‘Jazzy Christmas’.
Tue 05: Customs House Big Band @ All Saints Church, Cleadon. 7:00pm. Concert in the church hall. BYOB.
Tue 05: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Sid White. The best free show in town!
Wed 06: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 06: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 8:00pm. Free. Note later start time, concert performance (open to the public).
Wed 06: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm.
Thu 07: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free CANCELLED!
Thu 07: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Spanish City, Whitley Bay, Newcastle. 12 noon - 4:00pm. £26.00 (inc 3-course meal in in St Mary's Lighthouse Suite). SOLD OUT!
Thu 07: Gateshead Jazz Appreciation Society @ Gateshead Central Library, Gateshead. 2:30pm. All welcome.
Thu 07: Thursday Night Prayer Meeting @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm.Donations. Feat. Mark Sanders.
Thu 07: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00. Downstairs.
Thu 07: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 9:00pm.
Fri 08: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.
Fri 08: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 08: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms, Monkseaton. 1:00pm.
Fri 08: Hayley's Little Big Band @ Woodland Village Hall, Bishop Auckland. 7:00pm. £12.00.
Fri 08: Sleep Suppressor + Redwell @ Head of Steam, Neville St., Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00. (£8.00. adv); £5.00. student.
Fri 08: Hot Club du Nord @ St Cuthbert's Church, Shadforth, Co. Durham.
Fri 08: Têtes de Pois + Nauta @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £8.00.
Sat 09: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 09: Abbie Finn Trio @ Claypath Deli, Durham. 7:00pm.
Sat 09: Hayley's Little Big Band @ Middleton & Todridge Village Hall, Morpeth. 7:30pm. £12.00., £6.00.
Sat 09: Paul Skerritt @ Slaley Hall, Hexham NE47 0BX. 7:30pm. From £42.00.
Sunday, February 28, 2021
Film review: The United States vs Billie Holiday
How to watch a live stream in one easy lesson. John Pope Quintet @ The Globe - Feb. 28
(Screenshot by Debra Milne)
This isn't an actual review of tonight's gig at The Globe by the John Pope Quintet, I think JNE, who co-promoted the live stream with the Jazz Co-op, may be sending something from their own reviewer but, I couldn't allow this screenshot from Debra not to be shared - it's the only way to watch!
Album review: Marek Dorčík's Špercasa - About Time
Recording finds trio in their prime
(Press release)
Prime Trio features Mackenzie with the former Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year, Peter Johnstone on organ and first-call drummer Doug Hough, and Mackenzie is excited by both the instrumentation and the personnel involved.
“The great thing for me about an organ trio is that it’s really a very compact unit and yet there are so many possibilities in terms of harmony. You can get a very full sound,” says Mackenzie, whose previous groups have included Trio AAB, with the Bancroft twins, Tom and Phil, the jazz-funk styled Swirler and the folk-jazz fusion ensemble Vital Signs.
Adrian Cox live streaming 'My favourite clarinettist' - Feb. 28
Ten Art Pepper Moments
Joe Farnsworth Trio live streaming from Mezzrow's, NYC - Feb. 27
Saturday, February 27, 2021
RIP Christian Brewer
KSTV: Playback session - Introducing...Rubén González. Feb. 27
(Screenshots by Ken Drew).
An evening of Cuban music celebrating a legendary album. I say "legendary" as that's what came up when I Googled although, in truth, I was unfamiliar with it although I did know of the Buena Vista Social Club of which Rubén González was once a part of.
Joe Webb plays the music of Hank Jones - Feb. 27
Julian Joseph celebrates Chick Corea - Feb. 27
Aycliffe Radio Playlist - Sunday Feb. 28
The United States vs Billie Holiday - all week!
Friday, February 26, 2021
KSTV: Playback session - Ben & Sweets (1962)
Paul Edis & Vasilis Xenopoulos live streaming the music of Jerome Kern - Feb. 26
Rico & Nils present a(nother) Popup Louis - Feb. 26
Later tonight with Moses Boyd (Friday 26)
THE UNITED STATES VS BILLIE HOLIDAY Trailer (2021) Andra Day, Drama Movie
Midweek at Small's (Feb. 22-25)
Album review: Georgia Mancio & Alan Broadbent - Quiet is the Star
Thursday, February 25, 2021
KSTV: Playback session - Mingus Ah Um
Don't miss tonight at Kansas Smitty's!
The advertised line-up is now: Nat Facey (alto sax); Alec Harper (tenor sax); Daniel Higham (trombone); Deschanel Gordon (piano); Ferg Ireland (bass); Will Cleasby (drums).
A dream team!
Tune in at 8:00pm
Lance
Free Online Singing Event - Singing It Out
Sunday Feb. 28 @ 2:00pm utc – 3:00pm utc
(Press release)
'Singing It Out' provides online
singalong sessions to help combat loneliness and improve mental wellbeing
through song.
Having been developed with funding from Leeds Inspired, a small grant from Live Well Leeds is enabling you to attend this session FOR FREE!
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
KSTV: Will Arnold-Foster Quartet - Feb.24
(Screenshots by Ken Drew).
Album review: The Jazz Worms - Squirmin'
Ron Miles (cornet); Keith Oxman (tenor sax); Andy Wehl (piano); Mark Simon (bass); Paul Romaine (drums)
Denver Colorado has been in the news recently due to exploding aircraft parts but it is also home to The Jazz Worms, a very fine quintet well known to patrons of the Denver jazz club Dazzles.
Their first Capri album, Crawlin’
Out, recorded way back in 1987 created much interest among local jazz
fans. Their latest release is also on Capri Records and contains eight
original tunes by various members of the group.
Ron Miles is the one that I’m most familiar with through his work with Bill Frisell, but his band-mates deserve a higher profile in the jazz world.
Bagpipe swing with Gunhild Carling in Central Park NY
Album review: Alban Claret & Evan Clegg - The Collection
French guitarist Alban Claret has teamed up with Yorkshire trumpeter Evan Clegg to produce a really outstanding album of seven original compositions. Also involved are Duncan Eagles on tenor sax, Luke Fowler double bass and Kuba Miazga on drums.
I would like to hear more of Eagles he gets a great sound from top to bottom of his instrument.
Claret reminds me of the legendary Jimmy Raney when he worked with Stan Getz.
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
What's It All About Sonny?
Fantastic and perceptive post by Simon Spillett on his blog whereby he takes a look back at the so called "Swinging Sixties" and, in particular, Sonny Rollins and the film Alfie.
Myths are explored and exploded, and we discover what Sonny himself really thought about the film.
It has fewer words than War and Peace (I think) but is a much better read.
A classic piece of jazz literature.
Lance
KSTV: Playback session - Ralph Towner & Gary Burton's "Matchbox" by Nick Costley-White & David Mrakpor - Feb. 23
Szczecin Jazz presents the first European jazz festival of 2021
Launching 25 February and running through to the 4th of March, Szczecin Jazz will host Europe’s first hybrid festival of the year. Over the course of 7 days, each night one act will grace a stage in Szczecin, Northwestern Poland's largest city, performing in front of an online and in-person audience.
Leading up to the festival, Szczecin Jazz and Jazz in Europe are partnering to offer an exclusive behind the scenes look with a series of vlogs and interviews hosted by Dutch jazz promoter and media director Arlette Hovinga. In five episodes, airing on Jazz in Europe’s website each night at 20:00 CET, Arlette will explore the dynamics of show production, and of course, the excitement of an upcoming set. The series kicks off on Monday, February 22.
Monday, February 22, 2021
Shri & Dennis Rollins live stream from Ronnie's - Feb. 22
Jazz North’s Jazz Camp For Girls Makes An Online Return With A Broader Offer For Girls Aged 10-15 Years
(Press release)
Jazz North has teamed up with a range of partners to deliver a broader programme for this year’s Jazz Camp for Girls. The ‘Online Musical Adventures Day’ will give girls aged 10-15 years old the chance to discover computer coding to make music, graphic scores, improvising using nature, interpreting jazz standards, and can enjoy an introduction to music journalism, photography, and podcasting in the jazz world.
Jazz Camp for Girls will take place on Saturday 6th March from 10am until 4.30pm and costs just £10. There will be morning and afternoon sessions giving the girls the chance to have a better and deeper experience of the topics delivered by Women in Jazz Media, Conductive Music, J Frisco, Creative Heights, and BlueJam Arts. All sessions are open to girls of mixed abilities.
Jazz Items On Radio 4 Today
Highly recommended: Scottish Poet Laureate Jacky Kay reading from her book about Bessie Smith, as mentioned by Russell, broadcast each morning at 9.45am this week on Radio 4.
I left the radio on, so caught jazz drummer Jas Kayser on Woman's Hour, talking about the situation of women musicians on the jazz scene, following on from research done by academic Sarah Raine at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival. Jas explained that it was sometimes assumed that she was a singer, as if a woman couldn't possibly be an instrumentalist, especially not a drummer, as drummers have to be tough and strong (do they actually?)
It was mentioned that
the huge contribution of women to jazz in the past had been brushed to one
side. (Not true on BSH or in Jackie Kay's writing). Jas agreed that things were
gradually improving, which I think they are. Anyway, whatever your opinion is,
you can catch this on BBC Sounds – well worth a listen.
Ann Alex
Sunday, February 21, 2021
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra live streaming from Frith St. - Feb. 21

Sunday Night @ The Globe: Hand to Mouth - Feb. 21
Album review: Pat Metheny - Road to the Sun
Road to the Sun: The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet - John Dearman (7-string guitar); Matthew Greif, William Kanengiser, Scott Tennant (guitars) + Pat Metheny (composer all tracks & guitar tracks 2 & 4).
Für Alina: Pat Metheny (42-string guitar).
A one for guitar buffs and Metheny fans in particular. Although the universally regarded number one guitarist is only featured exclusively on the bonus track he did compose all of the music which is presented in the form of two suites.
Four Paths of Light, not surprisingly, consists of four parts played on classical guitar by Jason Vieaux one of the composer's favourite guitarists - a feeling that I'm sure is mutual.
The Sunday Service: the Music of Jelly Roll Morton - Feb. 21
The Philip Harper Quintet live streaming from Small's, NYC - Feb. 20
Saturday, February 20, 2021
KSTV: Playback session - Baby Dodds Trio playing Jazz á la Creole - Feb. 20
Brandon Allen Quartet Live streaming from the 606 Club - Feb. 20
When it comes to blowing tenor, Brandon Allen plays hardball. The ultimate groover, he should be walkin' the bar in a downtown joint in Philly or Detroit not live streaming to an invisible audience in Chelsea.
But, such are the times we live in that we have to be thankful for small mercies or, like tonight, very large mercies!
When it comes to playing blues, soul or funk saxophone few do, or rather did, it better than the late Stanley Turrentine so it was only natural that Australian sax man, now domiciled in London, Brandon Allen, who is equally at home in the above genres, should opt to pay tribute to him.
A Great Trumpet Day in London Town
Album review: Ashton Smith Octet - Further Afield
Ashton Smith (trumpet, flugelhorn, compositions); James Romaine (alto
sax); Michael Anning (tenor sax); David Sear (trombone); Francis Tulip
(guitar); Will Markham (piano); James Owston (bass); Nathan Jones (drums).
The quality that emerges from Birmingham Conservatoire was very much in evidence last night at Kansas Smitty's when former student and BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year Xhosa Cole blew up a Force 9 on both flute and tenor.
That the high standard has been maintained is evident in this download by the Ashton Smith Octet. Francis Tulip is well known in the northeast and Will Markham has also played gigs up here. The rest are relatively unknown quantities - until now that is!
Aycliffe Radio Playlist for Sunday Feb. 21
Mike Dixon
The Mike Clark Trio live streaming from Small's, NYC - Feb. 19
Preview: Start the Week with Radio 4's Book of the Week (Feb. 22)
Preview: Edis & Xenopoulos live streaming Jerome Kern (Feb. 26)
Russell
Friday, February 19, 2021
KSTV: Playback session, Charles Lloyd "Live in Copenhagen" - Feb. 19
Rico's Popup Louis - Feb. 19
Album review: Enrico Pieranunzi & Bert Joris - Afterglow
Veteran Italian pianist Pieranunzi has recorded prolifically, in many settings since the mid-1970s, and he teams up here with the experienced Belgian Bert Joris on trumpet and flugel for an intimate and relaxed session of originals. Despite their considerable output, I have to say neither player had made much impression on me until hearing this new album. I guess that although jazz audiences on the mainland are famously large, much continental jazz goes under the radar in the UK, swamped by homegrown and transatlantic produce, and not helped by the infrequency of touring here. On the evidence of this Italian-Belgian product, we need to salvage some European jazz alongside the threatened loss of Chianti and Trappist beer!
Low Friar Street Cabaret, 60s style
Russell
Album review: The David Anģel Jazz Ensemble - Out on the Coast
Thursday, February 18, 2021
James Beckworth live stream from Ronnie Scott's - Feb. 18

KSTV: Playback session - The Jo Jones Trio. Feb. 18
Jason Brown (drums); Deschanel Gordon (piano); Will Sach (bass).
(Screenshots by Ken Drew).
Permutations of trios at Smitty's come and go but tonight was tops in that every one seemed to have lifted his game that one notch higher. I'm not going to name my Man of the Match as everyone who watched it will have their own choice. Music is a shared thing, or at least it should be - it was tonight.
So, let's do away with the A was better than B but not as good as C scenario and agree that they each hit the jackpot and that Papa Jo Jones would have been proud of them.
Blog Archive
-
▼
2021
(
1500
)
-
▼
February
(
129
)
- Film review: The United States vs Billie Holiday
- How to watch a live stream in one easy lesson. Joh...
- Album review: Marek Dorčík's Špercasa - About Time
- Recording finds trio in their prime
- Adrian Cox live streaming 'My favourite clarinetti...
- Ten Art Pepper Moments
- Joe Farnsworth Trio live streaming from Mezzrow's,...
- RIP Christian Brewer
- KSTV: Playback session - Introducing...Rubén Gonz...
- Joe Webb plays the music of Hank Jones - Feb. 27
- Julian Joseph celebrates Chick Corea - Feb. 27
- Aycliffe Radio Playlist - Sunday Feb. 28
- The United States vs Billie Holiday - all week!
- KSTV: Playback session - Ben & Sweets (1962)
- Paul Edis & Vasilis Xenopoulos live streaming the ...
- Rico & Nils present a(nother) Popup Louis - Feb. 26
- Later tonight with Moses Boyd (Friday 26)
- THE UNITED STATES VS BILLIE HOLIDAY Trailer (2021)...
- Midweek at Small's (Feb. 22-25)
- Album review: Georgia Mancio & Alan Broadbent - Qu...
- KSTV: Playback session - Mingus Ah Um
- Don't miss tonight at Kansas Smitty's!
- Free Online Singing Event - Singing It Out
- KSTV: Will Arnold-Foster Quartet - Feb.24
- Album review: The Jazz Worms - Squirmin'
- Bagpipe swing with Gunhild Carling in Central Park NY
- Album review: Alban Claret & Evan Clegg - The Coll...
- What's It All About Sonny?
- KSTV: Playback session - Ralph Towner & Gary Burto...
- Szczecin Jazz presents the first European jazz fes...
- Shri & Dennis Rollins live stream from Ronnie's - ...
- Jazz North’s Jazz Camp For Girls Makes An Online R...
- Jazz Items On Radio 4 Today
- Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra live streaming from ...
- Sunday Night @ The Globe: Hand to Mouth - Feb. 21
- Album review: Pat Metheny - Road to the Sun
- The Sunday Service: the Music of Jelly Roll Morton...
- The Philip Harper Quintet live streaming from Smal...
- KSTV: Playback session - Baby Dodds Trio playing J...
- Brandon Allen Quartet Live streaming from the 606 ...
- A Great Trumpet Day in London Town
- Album review: Ashton Smith Octet - Further Afield
- Aycliffe Radio Playlist for Sunday Feb. 21
- The Mike Clark Trio live streaming from Small's, N...
- Preview: Start the Week with Radio 4's Book of the...
- Preview: Edis & Xenopoulos live streaming Jerome K...
- KSTV: Playback session, Charles Lloyd "Live in Co...
- Rico's Popup Louis - Feb. 19
- Album review: Enrico Pieranunzi & Bert Joris - A...
- Low Friar Street Cabaret, 60s style
- Album review: The David Anģel Jazz Ensemble - Out ...
- James Beckworth live stream from Ronnie Scott's - ...
- KSTV: Playback session - The Jo Jones Trio. Feb. 18
- 606 Club This Saturday: BRANDON ALLEN – STANLEY T...
- How to keep your head in lockdown
- Jaleel Shaw Trio live streaming from Bar Bayeux, N...
- Album review: Big Joe Williams - Four Classic Albums
- Tom Dempsey-Tim Ferguson Quartet live streaming fr...
- KSTV: Live stream - Feb. 17
- Live streaming from Jack's Place #4 - Feb. 17
- Frank Lacy's Tromboniverse live streamimg from Sma...
- KSTV: Live stream - Feb. 16
- Joe Farnsworth Trio live streaming from Small's, N...
- Album review: Mark Winkler and David Benoit - Old ...
- Lockdown Sessions: Emilia Mårtensson - Live stream...
- Lockdown Sessions: Emma Smith - A Swinging Love St...
- King Kong (the South African musical not the film)
- Jo Harrop: Valentine's Day live stream from the 606
- Peter Morgan Live streaming from the Globe - Feb.14
- A Valentine's Day Sunday Sermon: Adrian Cox live s...
- Album review: Tommy Flanagan - In His Own Sweet Time
- Keeping an eye on the "i" (newspaper)
- Kiyoshi Kitagawa Trio live streaming from Small's,...
- KSTV: Playback Herbie Hancock "Thrust" & "Headhunt...
- EP Review: Amber Weekes - My Romance "A Special Va...
- Milford Graves (1941 - 2021)
- Aycliffe Radio Playlist
- The Darrell Green Quintet live streaming from Smal...
- KSTV: The Music of Gene Austin - Feb. 12
- Album review: Arthur Hnatek Trio - Static
- Tim Hegarty Quartet live streaming from Small's, N...
- Chick Corea (1941-2021)
- KSTV: Noah Stoneman, Daisy George, Will Cleasby - ...
- RIP Pauly Cohen, Lead Trumpeter and Big Band Leader
- Félix Lemerle Quartet live streaming from Small's,...
- RIP Joe Robinson (1963 - 2021)
- KSTV: Deschanel Gordon Trio - Feb. 10
- Live streaming from Jack's Place #3: A Taste of Ne...
- Josh Evans Quintet live streaming from Small's, NY...
- Classic Swing News
- Album review: Dave Stryker – Baker’s Circle (Strik...
- St, Valentines Day @ The Globe w. The Peter Morgan...
- KSTV: Dan Higham & Noah Stoneman Play Louis & Bud ...
- Lokkhi Terra live stream from Ronnie Scott's - Feb. 8
- Gilad Hekselman Trio live streaming from Small's, ...
- Paul Edis live streaming tonight - Feb. 9
- Roy Marsh and the Foolscap Club
- Album review: James Hudson - Tomorrow
- Album review: Allan Harris – Kates Soulfood*
- Wandering Monster: Live stream From The Globe (a J...
-
▼
February
(
129
)