Duke Ellington: Live at Jack's Place - Mar. 31

(Screenshot by Russell)

Jamie Brownfield (trumpet); Andrzej Baranek (piano); Ed Harrison (double bass); Jack Cotterill (drums)

An Ellington special this week, number nine in the series, kicking off with Limbo Jazz, this and one or two other numbers would be taken from Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins. Jack Cotterill expressed his thanks to some ninety people being online from the start of the stream, informing his audience it had been 23º today 'up here' in Stoke on Trent. If bandleader Cotterill thinks being on the banks of the Trent is 'up north' he should try the banks of the Tyne!

Guitarists - Nine Albums and a DVD by Roly

The posts on favourite jazz guitar albums prompted to me look through my collection and pick out some favourites of mine. Not all led by a guitarist, but where I love the album and the guitarist’s contribution.

Wes Montgomery/Johnny Griffin – Full House (Live at Tsubo). With the Miles rhythm section. Wonderful live session. Electric.

Dave Cliff + Brian Lemon Trio – But Beautiful. With Allan Ganley, Dave Green. Beautiful playing from everyone.

George Barnes/Ruby Braff Quartet – The Best I’ve Heard. This album inspired me to take up jazz guitar.

Musicians Unlimited. Sue Ferris at her best. Park Inn

Thank you John Nesbitt.

Lance

Start the Week at Small's - Mar. 29 & Mar. 30

(Screenshot by Russell)

Brandi Disterheft Quartet - Mar. 29

Vincent Herring (alto sax); Anthony Wonsey (piano); Brandi Disterheft (double bass, vocals); Joe Farnsworth (drums) + Antoine Drye (trumpet)

Brandi Disterheft proudly counts Oscar Peterson as one of her early career supporters. Based in New York, the Canadian bassist gigs around town and this evening at Small's she brought in a quartet to play a set of original compositions and standards. Alto saxophonist Vincent Herring (Nat Adderley, Cedar Walton, Dizzy, Art Blakey) was the big draw and he wasn't about to disappoint.   

Jack Bradley, photographer 1934-2021

Jack Bradley led a fascinating life...merchant sailor, disc jockey, nightclub manager, charter boat captain and photographer. This latter occupation assured Bradley a place in jazz history. For twelve years, until his principal subject's death, the self-taught snapper documented Louis Armstrong's every move, on and off stage, having gained the trust of the legendary jazzman. JazzTimes' obituary tells of Bradley becoming part of Armstrong's inner circle, a rare honour indeed. 

Jack Bradley died March 21.

Russell

Guitarist Tom Stephenson forms the perfect circle

(Press release)

With the release of his debut album, Perfect Circle, on Friday April 2, guitarist Tom Stephenson becomes the latest student from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s acclaimed jazz course to share his music with the wider jazz audience.

In common with recent successes, fellow graduate, pianist Fergus McCreadie and saxophonist Matt Carmichael, Stephenson is showing the benefit of being in what he describes as “an intense and inspiring environment with so many like-minded and equally dedicated people.”

Top Ten Jazz Guitar Recordings 1925 - 1975 by Maurice Summerfield

See below my choice TOP TEN Jazz Guitar records below for 1925 - 1975.  Of course to select only TEN is really impossible.  TOP 100 1921 -2021 would be a more realistic task.

I am aware that many great jazz guitarists are not included in this list.  George Van Eps, George Barnes, Bucky Pizzarelli, Johnny Smith, Oscar Moore, Billy Bauer, Mundell Lowe, Chuck Wayne, Joe Puma, Howard Roberts, Kenny Burrell, Grant Green, Rene Thomas, Marty Grosz, Sacha Distel, Elek Bacsik, Pat Martino, Ed Bickert, John Pisano, George Benson, Martin Taylor, Ulf Wakenius and more all have recordings that should be included.

Ten north east greats. 3 - Kathy Stobart

(Photo by Lance)

Kathy Stobart (1925 - 2014). Born in South Shields, tenor saxist Kathy also played at the Oxford. I wonder if she was in the band at the same time as Ralph Hutchinson? Unlike Ralph who moved north and then west, Kathy moved south where she had an illustrious career, first with the Vic Lewis Orchestra, then in various bands including one with her second husband, trumpet player Bert Courtley. I remember seeing her leading her own band at one of the Newcastle Festivals. The last time I heard Kathy was at the Customs House in her home town with the Humphrey Lyttelton Band. She'd been a member of several of Humph's bands over the years. Lovely sound on tenor and a probing, more contemporary approach 

on soprano. Lance

Jo Harrop single out April 16

Just been listening to If I Knew, from Jo Harrop's forthcoming album which is due out in the autumn of this year. However, If I Knew is being released as a single on April 16 and it's quite beautiful. Paul Edis accompanies on piano and the end product is magic. Can't wait to hear the album.

Lance

PS: You can also catch Jo livestreaming from the 606 Club with Paul Moran on April 10.

Album review: Marques Carroll - The Ancestors Call

Marques Carroll (trumpet/flugelhorn); Brent Griffin (alto sax); Amyr Fahmy (piano); Christian Dillingham (bass); Greg Artry (drums) + Victor Garcia (congas); Alex Wasily (trombone);  Sharon Irving (vocals).

An interesting debut album by St Louis-born trumpeter Marques Carroll was recorded on August 14-16 2020 at Palisade Studios in Chicago, a city that has produced many fine and influential jazz musicians. Carroll composed and arranged all eight tunes and his melodic thoughtful approach, together with his superb sound, is evident on every number.

Ten north east greats. 2 - Ralph Hutchinson

Ralph Hutchinson (1925 - 2008). Born in Newcastle, the trombonist lived, I am told, on Scrogg Rd. in the Walkergate area of the city. He played at the Oxford Galleries with Peter Fielding then with the legendary Tommy Sampson Band in Glasgow. Sadly the Sampson band, said by many to be the greatest British big band of its day, never recorded. 

Malcolm Cecil (January 9, 1937 - March 28, 2021)

(Photo from Ready, Steady, Gone)

The death has been announced of Malcolm Cecil. Much has been made of his work with Stevie Wonder and his synthesizer innovations but in the north east he is best remembered as a bass player and founding member of the EmCee 5. In fact the group's name was taken from his initials though that could be debated as Mike Carr too had the same initials. 

Although London born, he became a part of the Newcastle modern jazz scene when doing his national service in the RAF.

Ten north east greats. 1 - Jack Brymer

Now that The Tens have started to take off, I thought I'd post one remembering those north east musicians who have left us, albeit not before leaving their mark on the national/international scene. However, by the time I got to number 6 it soon became apparent that this was going to be twice as long as War and Peace or half as long as a Steve T comment (only joking Steve!) So, I decided instead to post just one per day and this is the first one.

Jack Brymer (1915 - 2003). Born in South Shields, Brymer is best remembered as probably the leading classical clarinetist of his generation. However, he was also a jazzman at heart and occasionally on stage. 

The Saratoga Jazzmen, a forgotten band - From Gordon Solomon

(Left to right: Roy Willis, Stan Martin, Gordon Solomon, Peter Gascoigne, Bill Brooks, Marshall Walker. Peter is holding the Breda Jazz Festival trophy won by the band in 1982.)

The band was formed in the late 1970's by clarinetist Barry Soulsby. Barry lived in Cramlington and managed to get a residency at the Plough pub nearby. The session ran every two weeks for about a year and initially featured Peter Gascoigne trumpet, Barry Soulsby clarinet, Brian Chester trombone, John Wheatley bass, Clive Gray banjo and Chas Coles drums. I became involved because Brian Chester was working a shift system at the DHSS in Longbenton so I used to dep for him when he couldn't make it.

Ten Vinyl LPs I Would Not Like to be Without by Mike Farmer

1 Gene Ammons—Boss Tenor (Prestige-mono).  I bought this in Berlin from Walter Artles record stall during the Jazz Festival for 5 DMs a real bargain!  There is a great version of Canadian Sunset which makes me wonder why more jazz musicians don’t feature this tune.

2 Chet Baker---Once upon a Summertime (Artists House).  This is worth keeping if only because the  booklet that came with it is so incredible, containing rare photos of Baker playing in Army bands and at gigs with Bird and Mulligan etc. The fine reedsman Greg Herbert on this record passed away a year later in 1978, also in Amsterdam in similar circumstances to Chet’s.

Ali Affleck, Brian Kellock & Enrico Tomasso live streaming from the Aberdeen Jazz Festival - Mar. 28

(Screenshot by Russell)

Ali Affleck (vocals); Brian Kellock (piano); Rico Tomasso (trumpet, vocals)

This year's Aberdeen Jazz Festival, in common with many other events, was an online affair. Four days of concert performances by the likes of Mike Stern and Tommy Smith culminated in a first on-stage meeting of Alison 'Ali' Affleck, Brian Kellock and Rico Tomasso. The Blue Lamp's spacious stage afforded vocalist Affleck the opportunity to sing several numbers, some familiar, some less so, flanked by the socially distanced pianist Brian Kellock and the similarly socially distanced trumpeter Rico Tomasso.

Sunday Night @ The Globe - Bradford/Shoulder/Williams - March 28

(Photo by Debra Milne)

Mick Shoulder (bass); Mark Williams (guitar); John Bradford (drums).

Mick promised to deliver something different and he certainly did! Difficult to pigeonhole, it moved in mysterious ways suggesting an almost new branch of the jazz guitar trio genre. A branch that, whilst moving away from the norm still retained the ingredients so vital to jazz as we know it. The melody was there, the harmony was there and, although the rhythm only occasionally moved into the four-in-a-bar comfort zone, it didn't detract - after all it worked for Brubeck! 

Adrian Cox plays Archie Semple's Night People - Mar. 28

(Screenshot by Russell)

Adrian Cox (clarinet, vocals)

In 1962 Archie Semple and Alex Welsh recorded Night People. Today Adrian Cox played tracks from the album. First up, Carolina Moon. Our man thought it rather neat that today's Sunday Service should follow on from last weekend's Pee Wee Russell special, the American a great influence on Semple. Summer is a Comin' In is a tune Cox hadn't played and he couldn't recall anyone else playing it. 

Winard Harper & Jeli Posse live streaming from Small's, NYC - Mar. 27

(Screenshot by Russell)

Ted Chubb (trumpet); Anthony Ware (tenor sax); Charlie Sigler (guitar); Nick Masters (piano); Dishan Harper (double bass); Gabriel Roxbury (percussion); Winard Harper (drums); Kameelah Harper (vocals) 

A dynamic start, as is the way with drummer Winard Harper, our bandleader keeping a firm hand on the tiller during a one hour set encompassing swing to bop material, the solos shared across the frontline and the rhythm section. Trumpeter Ted Chubb, tall, lean, stepped on and off the stage, as did tenor saxophonist Anthony Ware. Percussionist Gabriel Roxbury's participation added to the set's dynamic thrust, not that the all-action Winard Harper required much in the way of assistance! Nick Masters is a class pianist, it would be good to catch him in NYC sometime. Vocalist Kameelah Harper joined the septet to sing a couple of numbers in what proved to be an energetic, vibrant set. Russell        

Aycliffe Radio Jazz Time Playlist - Sunday March 28 - 6:30pm.

Chris Barber  & Jools Holland; Alyn Shipton talks to John Etheridge; John Etheridge & Stephane Grappelli.

Ray Sams of Darlington New Orleans Jazz  Club has made 5 selections this week:

Mama Shakers; Savannah Jazz Band; Keith Nichols; Jeff Barnhart;  Dani Sicari; The Easy Rollers. 

Grace Haggerty.

KSTV: Playback session. Yusef Lateef's "Eastern Sounds" - March 27

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)

Giacomo Smith (tenor sax/soprano sax/flute); Will Barry (piano); Will Sach (bass); Jas Kayser (drums).

Giacomo is a musician of such diversity that it is nigh impossible to pigeonhole him. A Giacomo of all trades  musical and master of them too! Not many players can blow like Bechet one night and show up as Lateef the next! Not only that, he does the former on soprano and clarinet and the latter on soprano, tenor and flute. I can't wait until he does a Roland Kirk Playback Session!

Album review: Wilma Baan - So Nice

Wilma Baan (vocals); Graham Harvey (piano.Fender/arranger); Dave Chamberlain (bass/guitar tks 1, 8); Josh Morrison (drums); Claire Martin (percussion) + Chris Traves (trombone tk 3)

Dutch singer Baan's debut album had me asking her (metaphorically speaking) where have you been hiding all my life? not realising that on Friday, July 8, 1983* we were actually in the same building together - well not exactly together - but maybe our paths did cross at that year's North Sea Jazz Festival in Den Haag as Wilma made her way to sing with the Jack Redler Rhythm Club and I to watch a concert by the Woody Herman Band! If I'd made a different choice I wouldn't have had to wait 37 years to hear her and my life would have been the better for it.

Live at Joe's: Thelonious Monk - Mar. 27

(Screenshot by Russell)

Joe Webb (piano)

Pianist Joe Webb chatted amiably with his online audience ahead of playing the first of today's eight tunes written by Thelonious Monk, Let's Cool One. Our host confessed that until he started doing his homework for this afternoon's live stream he hadn't really checked out Thelonious Sphere Monk. Stuffy Turkey then Ruby, My Dear heard Joe putting his own stamp on Monk's compositions. Online comment came thick and fast, all of it complimentary about Joe and Thelonious. One minor quibble...Joe's upright is in need of some TLC! 

More on J.B. Lenoir & Lightnin' Hopkins @ KSTV

Marcus Bonfanti (guitar/vocal); Jalen N'Gonda (piano/vocal); Daisy George (bass); Luca Caruso (drums).

(Screenshots by Ken Drew)

Very much blues and quite a refreshing change for a laid-back Friday night! The songs (despite the repetitive words)  were so heartfelt as borne out by both singers’ voices.  In fact each of their voices, and virtually every note,  were seeping with a blues feel.  The slower ballad-like tunes were startling in their simplicity and their impact. Excellent session, and a nice alternative to the usual jazz offerings. Ken D

Album Review: Alyssa Allgood – What Tomorrow Brings

Alyssa Allgood (voice); Mike Allemana (guitar); Dennis Carroll (bass); George Fludas (drums)

No sooner do I make a statement on BSH, than something happens to contradict me! I included There Are Such Things in my list of 10 favourite songs, and said that I hadn't come across the song very much, then up it pops as the first track on this enjoyable CD. Such is a reviewer's life!

Jazz at Lincoln Center: Voices of Freedom - Mar. 26

(Screenshot by Russell)

Betty Carter Billie Holiday Abbey Lincoln Nina Simone

A celebration of four iconic figures presented by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. At intervals three singers would join the ensemble during a performance of some fifty minutes. Trombonist Chris Crenshaw assumed the role of MD and 'scriptwriter', the orchestra's personnel remarkably stable over a decade and more. 

Edis & Xenopoulos play the music of Harold Arlen - Mar. 26

(Screenshot by Russell)

Paul Edis (piano); Vasilis Xenopoulos (tenor sax)

A second live stream for Paul Edis and Vasilis Xenopoulos from Rokit Studio in London. Their choice of composer, Harold Arlen. The hour long set would serve to remind the online audience of the amazing songwriting abilities of Arlen - every tune an all-time GASbook classic. Vasilis monitored the online comment, in introducing many of the numbers, Paul was at pains to highlight the role of the lyricist in Arlen's career. If it was good enough for Sinatra... The lyricists, at least some of them, included Johnny Mercer, Ted Koehler and Yip Harburg.  

KSTV: Marcus Bonfanti & Jalen N'Gonda play J.B.Lenoir & Lightnin' Hopkins - March 26

(Screenshot by Lance)

Marcus Bonfanti (guitar/vocal); Jalen N'Gonda (piano/vocal); Daisy George (bass); Luca Caruso (drums).

Interesting blues session paying tribute to J.B.Lenoir and Lightnin' Hopkins. Some nice guitar playing but not really my bag. Lance

Rico's Popup Louis Anniversary Special - Mar. 26

(Screenshot by Russell)

Rico Tomasso (trumpet, cornet, flugelhorn, trombone); Michael McQuaid (reeds); Martin Wheatley (guitar, banjo); Andrew Oliver (piano); Nick Ball (drums); Analucia Tomasso (vocals) 

Hot Fours, Fives and Sixes, a Blue Seven, Louis, Red Allen, Bix and Bunny, yes, an anniversary special. It's one year since Rico Tomasso first ventured into the weird and wonderful world of the live stream. And, most weeks during lockdown(s) Rico has been there, Fridays at seven o'clock. 

Album review: Wes Montgomery - The NDR Hamburg Studio Recording Sessions

Wes Montgomery (guitar); Hans Koller (alto sax); Johnny Griffin, Ronnie Scott (tenor sax); Ronnie Ross (baritone sax); Martial Solal (piano); Michel Gaudry (bass); Ronnie Stephenson (drums).

Recorded live in 1968 at the NDR Studio 12, Hamburg by a fine mix of British, American and European musicians this is, to the best of my knowledge, the first time this concert has been available on record. 

Marsden Jazz Festival are proud to be partnering with Black Lives in Music to combat inequality in the music industry

(Press release)

The Yorkshire-based jazz festival is working with new organisation Black Lives in Music to empower and amplify Black musicians’ voices and promote their ground-breaking research 

Black Lives in Music (BLiM) was launched to tackle the racial inequalities in the UK music industry and to help create inclusive and diverse participation and representation within jazz and classical music.

Marsden Jazz Festival is proud to be one of the first music festivals to sign up to this initiative and is working closely with the organisation to widen opportunities for black musicians at their festival, as well as to celebrate the history and achievements of black jazz musicians throughout the UK.

Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few live streaming from Small's - Mar. 25

Isaiah Collier (tenor sax, soprano sax); Jeremiah Hunt (double bass); Michael Ode (drums)

Something a little different this evening from West 10th Street. Isaiah Collier is a new name to BSH, as are the/his 'Chosen Few'. The 'Chosen' on this gig, presumably regular associates, were bassist Jeremiah Hunt and drummer Michael Ode. Much of their set came from the outside, on occasion swinging in, thanks to Michael Ode's impressive drumming.

KSTV: Playback session, "Louis Armstrong & Sidney Bechet" - March 25

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)

Giacomo Smith (soprano sax/clarinet); Pete Horsfall (trumpet/vocal); Dan Higham (trombone); Joe Webb (piano); Dave Archer (guitar).

He's back! Giacomo was given a rapturous welcome by the sidebar pundits after his lengthy sojourn in Saratoga. It was fully deserved.

(Screenshot by Lance)

The wonderful thing about Smitty's is that they can be playing Weather Report one night, Monk on another night, then, such as tonight, Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet.

Midweek at Small's, NYC (Mar. 22-24)

Ari Hoenig Trio - Mar. 22 

(Screenshot by Russell)

Gadi Lehavi (piano); Ben Tiberio (double bass); Ari Hoenig (drums)

New York is currently under stricter lockdown measures, as a result Small's has once again been obliged to close its doors to audiences. The good news is live streams are able to continue. Ari Hoenig returned on Monday evening to play another trio gig - same pianist as last time, Gadi Lehavi, different bass player, Ben Tiberio. 

Bertrand Tavernier (Round Midnight) dies at 79

Film director Bertrand Tavernier died today (Thursday). He had a long, distinguished career. Early film industry experience in the sixties with Jean-Luc Goddard and Jean-Pierre Melville paved the way for the Frenchman to direct films from the seventies onwards working with many stars of the silver screen. Round Midnight will be of interest to jazz fans. Starring Dexter Gordon with original music by Herbie Hancock, the 1986 award-winning film is well worth watching, not least to see a parade of jazz names on screen including Ron Carter, Billy Higgins, Freddie Hubbard, John McLaughlin, Pierre Michelot, Palle Mikkelborg, Wayne Shorter and Cedar Walton. A young Jacky Terrasson worked as a film extra. Bertrand Tavernier was 79. Russell

It's not just Mick Shoulder and Sir Elton John who have birthdays today ...

"Monday nights these days are spent at the Side Café down on Newcastle Quayside. The room is small but the atmosphere big and the music modern and generally superb."

25 March 2008 08:27.

My first ever post on Bebop Spoken Here, 13 years ago today. 

Lance 

Star Names Confirmed For Return Of Cheltenham Jazz Festival

 (Press release)

*Two-day digital festival in May will be followed by a series of live in-person concerts in July*

**Gregory Porter, Soweto Kinch, Steve Winwood, Cleveland Watkiss and Marisha Wallace amongst artists confirmed to perform**

Cheltenham Jazz Festival is set to return in 2021 with a free-to-view, two-day digital event taking place across the May Bank Holiday weekend followed by a series of ticketed in-person concerts at Cheltenham Town Hall over three nights in July (government guidance permitting). The festival will present an array of world-class shows from a varied selection of established stars, heritage legends and emerging talent from across the jazz, pop and soul spectrum. The weekend will be hosted by BBC 6Music presenter Cerys Matthews and the Festival’s Artistic Curator Gregory Porter.

The Globe on the Box, tonite at six!

The Globe has supported musicians throughout the year long pandemic. Home to Newcastle Jazz Co-op, the community owned pub on Railway Street, near Redheugh Bridge, has kept its doors open to musicians, if not always a live audience, providing online gig opportunities. One hundred plus live streams have generated much needed income. If you live in the north east of England, find out more about the venue's activities by tuning in to ITV's regional news programme this evening at 6:00pm.  Russell 

Diversity in jazz - survey.

Ralph Porrett, a student at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and a finalist in BBC Young Jazz Musician 2020, is studying jazz guitar with John Parricelli, Stuart Hall, Colin Oxley and Tommy Emmerton.   He has asked our readers to fill in a survey to assist with a project he is researching.

Freddie Redd (May 29, 1928 - March 17, 2021)

One of the more elusive figures in modern jazz finally closed the piano lid on March 17. Although he did record for Blue Note and other labels he is mostly remembered for the music he composed for The Connection, a play in which he also appeared on stage in an acting roll along with altoist Jackie McLean. The music which was released by Blue Note is a lasting testimony to his greatness.

Freddie Redd was 92. May he Rest In Peace.

Lance

WBGO Obituary.

A couple of exciting livestreams coming up! - One in London and one in Newcastle

Tomorrow night (March 26) at 8:00pm, two musicians who are much-loved and respected in the north east even though they now ply their wares in London play a duo set live from the Rokit Studios situated in the capital. 

Chester-le-Street pianist Paul Edis and Greek saxman Vasilis Xenopoulos have formed a musical bond over the years that surfaces when they get together in a quartet or, as is the case on Friday, a duo.

The one hour stream will feature the music of Harold Arlen which gives them plenty to choose from. Details and booking here.

KSTV: Another fine trio session tonight - March 24

(Screenshot by Lance)

Noah Stoneman (piano); Daisy George (bass); Will Cleasby (drums).

The news wasn't all good tonight. As of April, Smitty's will be streaming on Saturday nights only. Still, I suppose it was inevitable. However, let's not cry over spilled beer until it's actually ruined the carpet. There have been some great sessions and I'm sure that even though the quantity will have been slimmed down the quality will remain at the level to which we are accustomed to.

Album review: Avishai Cohen w. Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra - Two Roses

Avishai  Cohen (bass vocal); Elchin Shirinov (piano); Mark Giuliana (drums) + Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Alexander Hanson) 

The technicolor “Director’s Cut” of the Israeli bass master’s small group’s biggest hits! Cohen has previously augmented his outstanding groups to include strings, but this goes a step further, with a 92-strong leviathan orchestra expanding a selection of his old favourites to the epic symphonic scale.  While the undeniable rhythmic and melodic intensity of his Arab/folk tunes suggest they would survive this enlargement, I have to say I had doubts whether they would benefit from it.   

Album review: Greg Yasinitsky Yazz Band - New Normal

Back in 2018 I was impressed by Yasinitsky's recording - Yazz Band - in fact it was one of my Big Band CDs of the Year. After first listen, this one could also be in with a shout although, despite there being 16 names listed, it is actually a collective grouping with the various units ranging from 7 - 9 pieces and, truth to tell, due to the pandemic some weren't even there at all but recorded their part at home which, in some cases was Los Angeles, Baton Rouge and Bologna in Italy. Hence the title, The New Normal.

Jazz gets reset!

(Press release)

JazzReset21 @SevenArts Leeds, live and online, 20 May – 22 July

A massive programme of live jazz music has been announced for 2021 in Leeds to get the live jazz scene going again after lockdown.

Called JazzReset21 and running for three months, the programme will feature dozens of COVID-safe events, concerts and masterclasses by established and emerging artists, from Ian Shaw on 27 May to Byron Wallen on 17
June .The programme is part of an attempt to bring live jazz back to Leeds, and sees live music promoters JazzLeeds in partnership with Chapel Allerton arts space, Seven Arts.

BIg Idea: Lockdown Session. Turnaround Shuffle

We've decided to revive the Big Idea, I've written some new stuff and we're hoping to do some more recording, hopefully all in the same room at the same time. In the meantime here's this effort: https://youtu.be/J8X2nRoexV8

To say this was all done individually in our living rooms etc. I think this has turned out rather well. Production both audio and visual down to Dr Rod Sinclair but hey the band all managed to record themselves!

Gerry Richardson.

Paul Jackson dies at 73

You've heard the bass lines on the albums Head Hunters and Thrust, they've been sampled many times by subsequent generations and, to this day, Chameleon is played at jam sessions and workshops the world over. The man who played bass on the those recordings, Paul Jackson, died on March 18. He was 73. Russell 

Jazzwise

KSTV: More great live music - March 23

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)

Joe Webb (piano); Will Arnold-Forster (guitar); Will Sach (bass).

A delightful vignette that may not have had the instant appeal of a Playback Session but to those in the know - in other words the regular KSTV viewers - the line-up in itself was sufficient temptation to forego all others.

Joe and the two Wills laid down a choice selection of goodies from the repertoires of Nat Cole, pianist John Lewis, Duke Ellington, Jim Hall (by way of Bob Hope), Fats Waller, Charlie Parker and Art Tatum.

Album review: Roly Veitch - Geordie Odyssey

Roly Veitch (vocals, guitar, banjo, ukulele); James Birkett (guitar); Stewart Hardy (fiddle)

For many years Roly Veitch has been at the helm of Blaydon Jazz Club, occasionally leading or co-leading a band, sometimes sitting in at the behest of the musicians on stage. More often than not, Roly is content to sit back and listen to his many musician friends, invariably performing a Great American Songbook set. However, there is another string to his guitar...