Identification required

Is there anyone out there who can identify this soprano sax player? The photo is probably circa early 1990s and may have been a publicity shot sent prior to a gig at Newcastle's Live Theatre although Dave Clarke, who seeks the information, thinks he probably wasn't from the local area. Lance

The Geordie Jazzwise.

(Photo by Ken Drew)

Just as the 1953 F A Cup Final became known as "The Matthews Final"  - so called after Sir Stanley Matthews, then just plain Stan, whose Blackpool team beat Bolton Wanderers,* in years to come, the May 2021 issue of Jazzwise magazine could well be known as "The Gilby Jazzwise". Not only does the 2019 APPJAG winning vocalist's photograph appear on the magazine's page 3 - no it's not that kind of page 3 - there's also an interview with her as well as a four star review of her album Living in Shadows.

Album review: Chris Potter Circuits Trio - Sunrise Reprise

Chris Potter (tenor/soprano saxes, clarinets, flutes, sampler/keys); James Francies (piano, keys); Eric Harland (drums)

A slew of terrific sax players have plied their trade on livestreams and recordings in this last strangest year ever. I was curious then, how Chris Potter, widely touted as top titan of the tenor - post Michael Brecker - would sound to my ears after hearing some quite unbelievable playing from both sides of the Atlantic. From Stateside the likes of Wendell, Lovano and Redman as well as our own Trish Clowes, Alec Harper, Vasilis Xenopoulos, Harry Keeble and others.  On the evidence of this Edition Records follow up to his 2019 Circuits trio album, recorded in a short window of freedom in late 2020, I have to say he has a strong claim to top spot!

Ten 10" Albums I still play (occasionally). 6: Jazz Today - Operation Jam Session

National Service, RAF Manby, 1957. A fellow conscript, Dave Yeldham from Sheffield (anybody in Sheffield remember Dave? Is he still around?), brought in this Jazz Today album. I was blown apart, this was fantastic! I think I bought it from him with my life-savings which, at the time was probably about ten bob - or maybe I just bought him a pint, can't remember, it was a long time ago.

However, the album, the sleeve now tattered and torn, is one I still play - probably more frequently than any of the others in this series.

It's, in a sense, like an opera or a symphony building up to a grand finale.

Sunday Night @ the Globe: Abbie Finn Finntet - livestream April 18

(Screenshot by Lance)

Abbie Finn (drums); Graham Hardy (trumpet); Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Dean Stockdale (piano); Paul Grainger (bass).

A cracking session, very much in the Jazz Messengers' mode which is not surprising as that band provided the template for the many hard bop bands that followed. The EmCee 5 was one north east band who took up the baton. Another was Don Forbes's Safe Sextet, one of several others who carried it for a while and now it's in the very capable hands of the Abbie Finn Finntet.

Who's on today's edition of JRR? (April 18)

Today's edition of Jazz Record Requests includes a track by a musician well known to regular readers of BSH. Musician/composer/arranger...who could it be? And, who requested the track? There's one way to find out, tune to BBC Radio 3 at four o'clock when presenter Alyn Shipton will tell you all about it! Russell.

Ten 10" Albums I still play (occasionally). 5: Hot Versus Cool

There was this little shop which I'd frequent that sold second hand books and records. Sometimes the books were in plain brown wrappers and usually supplied, with a nod and a wink, from under the counter. Such shops are, I think, now long gone although no doubt flourishing on the internet via Amazon and eBay.

It was in this small shop that the proprietress said to me, "I've got something hot for you". she gave an enigmatic smile and my virginal teenage loins responded in anticipation. Was this a smuggled in copy of Lady Chatterley's Lover or maybe Hank Janson's latest?

No, it was, in retrospect, better than either - it was the above album.

Kansas Smitty's playback Clifford Brown & Max Roach - April 17

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)

Alex Ridout (trumpet); Giacomo Smith (tenor sax); Joe Webb (piano); Daisy George (double bass); Jas Kayser (drums) 

Alex Ridout as Clifford Brown, Giacomo Smith, on tenor sax, playing the part of Harold Land, and Berklee graduate Jas Kayser taking the role of the great Max Roach. It had all the makings of another great session down at Kansas Smitty's. 

Nigel Price Quartet Livestreaming from the 606 - April 17

(Screenshots by Lance)

Nigel Price (guitar); Vasilis Xenopoulos (tenor sax); Ross Stanley (Hammond); Joel Barford (drums).

Another super Saturday at the 606 - a cracking set by four of the finest and reminiscent of when they blew up a similar storm at The Globe back in October 2020.

It was just one great groove after another inspired, initially, by Kenny Burrell but mainly Wes Montgomery. This was the  real deal with Vasi playing gutsy, bluesy tenor like a man walkin' the bar someplace downtown, Nigel laying waste to any guitar pretenders, Ross giving the Hammond and Leslie the kind of treatment such a combination needs with the whole shebang bumpin' down an endless road by Joel Barford.

Aycliffe Radio. Jazz Time Playlist - Sunday April 18

Chris Barber.

REQUESTS: Ian Shaw; Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram; Sonny Stitt & The Oscar Peterson Trio; Kris Berg w Delfeayo Marsalis.

APRIL: Billie Holiday; Clifford Brown and Max Roach; Abe Lyman & His California Orchestra; Thelonious Monk.

NEW RELEASES: Somi; Kenny Carr; Brian Kellock; Perfect Circle.

Charlie Parker Septet; Errol Garner.

Mike Dixon.

Luke Carlos O'Reilly live streaming I Too, Sing America from Small's, NYC - April 16

Chris McBride (alto sax); Josh Evans (trumpet); Luke Carlos O'Reilly (piano); Luques Curtis (double bass); Mark Whitfield Jr. (drums)

Luke Carlos O'Reilly introduced this Friday evening set saying he hoped his sidemen were onboard with his project. Our bandleader/pianist adding, if they weren't, he'd be making some calls. The inference being they'd be replaced, double quick! It was, of course, tongue in cheek, they were as one. 

Ten 10" Albums I still play (occasionally). 4: Gene Ammons All Stars - a hi-fi jazz jam session

The eagle-eyed among you will have realised that this isn't quite in the alphabetical order I designated when I introduced the series. This one should, alphabetically, have been number one indeed some might say it should be number one by any criteria.

I'd initially decided  on The Four Freshman and Five Trombones - an album which, over the years, I have had fond memories of. However, time can cloud memories. a typical example being the girl you had a crush on at school who, x years later, turns out to be somewhat less than attractive when you see her waiting for her second Covid jab.

Album launch: Zoë Gilby - Aurora. Livestreamed from Gosforth Civic Theatre - April 16

Zoë Gilby (voice/lyrics); Noel Dennis (trumpet/flugel); Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (bass); Russ Morgan (drums).

Technical hitches made for a delay but, once they were sorted out, the picture and the sound quality were excellent. Zoë looked good in a redish gown contrasting with her more casually attired sidekicks for this launch of an album celebrating the music of Tom Harrell with lyrics composed by Zoë herself.

Aurora with Zoe Gilby & Noel Dennis Friday 16 April, 8:00pm, Live on Gosforth Civic Theatre's YouTube Channel - Free to Watch.

 (Press release)

After discussions with the Artist and Jazz North East we are making tonight's live stream of Zoe Gilby's Aurora album launch free to view on our YouTube Channel. This means if you've bought a ticket you will be receiving a full refund and you can still watch tonight's performance from 8:00pm here. And those of you who haven't got a ticket can now tune in for free and bring some live music in to your home to soundtrack your Friday night!

Ten 10" Albums I still play (occasionally). 3: Harry Edison Quartet - "Sweets" at the Haig.

This was Harry Edison at the top of his game. Not the clichéd tightly muted trumpet player that popped up for a few bars on various Sinatra/Riddle albums but the full-blooded horn-man who fired-up the trumpet section of the early Basie band. As he did then, he does doubly so here, raising the rafters of the small Hollywood club in complete contrast to the venue's previous trumpet player - Chet Baker with the Gerry Mulligan Quartet!

Jonathan Barber Quartet live streaming from Small's - April 15

(Screenshot by Russell)

Andrew Renfroe (guitar); Taber Gable (piano); Matt Dwonszyk (double bass); Jonathan Barber (drums)

Here at Small's the on-stage quartet represented four fifths of drummer Jonathan Barber's Vision Ahead band (alto saxophonist Godwin Louis is currently somewhere in Africa). Two numbers in, Barber spoke, it was worth the wait, our bandleader more than eloquent. Barber's band is ten years in the making, Small's something like a second home, this is where the band gigged in its formative years.    

RIP Bob Porter

Record producer, author, WBGO broadcaster, discographer and many more jazz-related activities, Bob Porter, passed away on April 10 aged 80.

I'm grateful to retired north east journalist Peter Bevan for passing on the sad news.

To read more about Bob Porter's work with the jazz Journalist's Association go here.

A man who will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

May he Rest In Peace.

Lance.

It's a lovely day, lovely day, lovely day...- April 15

Last heard pre-pandemic working with Julija Jacenaite at Newcastle Arts Centre, Alexys de Alfaro took advantage of today's glorious weather to entertain shoppers at Monument in Newcastle. Alexys' set list (does a busker have a set list?) included Bill Withers' Just the Two of Us and Daft Punk's Get Lucky. 

Russell 

Clark Tracey Quartet live streaming from Guildford Jazz - April 14

Simon Allen (tenor sax, soprano sax); Bruce Boardman (piano); Andy Cleyndert (double bass); Clark Tracey (drums)

A first gig of the year for Clark Tracey. An online, international audience of some three hundred people logged on, commented and listened as drummer Clark played a set of eight compositions written by Stan Tracey over the course of six decades. Joining Clark at the Boiler Room for this Guildford Jazz concert billed as The Clark Tracey Quartet Celebrating the Compositions of Stan Tracey were three of the best in the business - saxophonist Simon Allen, who first worked with the Traceys twenty years ago, bassist Andy Cleyndert who has been an ever-present in the Traceys' various ensembles since 1980 (!) and pianist Bruce Boardman.

Midweek, it must be Small's

(Screenshot by Russell)

Lew Tabackin Quartet live streaming from Small's, NYC - April 13

Lew Tabackin (tenor sax); John Eckert (trumpet, flugelhorn); Yasushi Nakamura (double bass); Jason Tiemann (drums)

Live streams at Small's consist of two one hour sets. This review is of Tuesday evening's second set, starting at half past midnight (BST). Two octogenarians joined forces with two of New York's younger generation to play some familiar and not so familiar numbers. The principals, Lew Tabackin, 81 years young, blew tenor sax and flute, and John Eckert, at 82, blew trumpet and flugel. 

Ten 10" Albums I still play (occasionally). 2: Vic Dickenson Septet Vol. 1

Listening today, nearly 70 years on, it initially, made me wonder what all the fuss was about. Well, I think it was possibly because it was one of the first albums where Stanley Dance came up with the label mainstream as opposed to swing. It may not seem important now but, back then, swing meant big band flag-wavers whereas mainstream drew attention to those musicians caught in between the traditionalists, the big bands and the boppers.

Most of the musicians here had dipped their toes into some, if not all, of the waters.

The Sam Every Big Band | LIVE @ Milton Court Concert Hall - FULL PERFORM...

A few familiar names, see list below. Thanks to Jim Nesbitt for drawing this to my attention - Lance

Sam Every (musical director/arranger); Meg Bird, Freddie Benedict (vocals); Luke Vice-Coles, Jack Banjo, Finn Bradley, Jack Ross (trumpets); Joe Fenning, Oli Rath, Daniel Higham, Simon Chorley (trombones); Tom Smith, Jessica Bullen, Damon Oliver, Harry Greene, Jimmy Jefford (saxes); Matt Carter (piano); Adam Chinery (guitar); Seth Tackaberry (bass); Luke Tomlinson (drums)

Ten 10" Albums I still play (occasionally). 1: June Christy - Something Cool

After my early years collecting, some might say hoarding, 78 rpms my attention turned to the newfangled 10" long players many of which, even to this very day, still occupy a place of pride on my shelves.

I've picked out ten and it wasn't easy, each one seemed to hold a special memory some of which I'll reveal and some of which I won't. I've listed them in alphabetical order which means that number one isn't better, or worse than number ten.

Trish Clowes and Ross Stanley - Live at Wigmore Hall - April 13

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)

Whilst the Wigmore Hall is usually associated with classical performances, it also provides a very diverse range of music.  Tonight’s performance provided a very wide-ranging musical selection, merging well established pieces with varying amounts of improvisation, demonstrating that  Wigmore are keeping their musical palette diverse and wonderfully refreshing.

Wes Montgomery, Workshop in Hamburg, April 28th, 1965 (in color)

Thanks to Maurice Summerfield for kindly drawing my attention to this YouTube session which ties in nicely with my review of Wes' album from around that period - maybe even the same session. Great stuff!

Lance

The Birmingham, Sandwell & Westside Jazz Festival - latest

(Press release)     

As shops, bars and restaurants across Birmingham reopen for business and Brummies start looking forward to spending the summer doing what they enjoy best, music fans in the city have an extra reason to be cheerful. The 37th consecutive year of The Birmingham, Sandwell & Westside Jazz Festival is confirmed to take place in the city and across the region for the ten guaranteed sun-soaked days from Friday 16th to Sunday 25th July.

Saturday Night @ The Apollo with the Pocket Orchestra online.

Mark Toomey (alto); Jeremy McMurray (piano); Bradley Johnston (guitar); Peter Ayton (bass); Paul Smith (drums).

Click on graphic for full details.

Lance

 

Album Review: Rebecca DuMaine and The Dave Miller Trio – Someday, Someday

Rebecca DuMaine (vocals); Dave Miller (piano); Bill Belasco (drums); Chuck Bennett (bass)

I quote from the publicity notes, which is as good a description as any: 'performing uplifting music during the pandemic that is both realistic and swinging. Their set of standards and two of the singer's originals are filled with warm vocals, boppish piano solos, fresh ideas, and variety'.

To enlarge on the above, Ms DuMaine sings some quite sad love songs in a jaunty, pacey, style, as in I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan, which suggests that the song is about survival, good to hear about during a pandemic. I knew I was enjoying the album when I realised that I was tapping my feet, especially to numbers such as As Long As I Live (Harold Arlen), an amusing love song about looking after your health as well as your love life.

Sue Ferris Quartet livestream from The Black Swan - April 13

(Collage by Lance)

Sue Ferris (flute/alto/tenor/baritone saxes); Stu Collingwood (keys); Neil Harland (bass); Rob Walker (drums); Zoë Gilby (host).

Musically this was faultless. Sue blew tenor, flute, baritone and alto  on a choice selection of tunes most of which I recognised. Gutsy tenor and baritone, dreamy alto and spiky flute. Ably supported by Collingwood, Harland and Walker it was a swinging mainstream to modern set that saw all four players doing justice to the music.

On tenor, Sue played Just Squeeze Me; Well You Needn't and, I think, a Roy Hargrove number to finish. 

Album review: The Rebecca Kilgore Trio - Vol. 1

Rebecca Kilgore (vocal); Randy Porter (piano); Tom Wakeling (bass); Dick Titterington (cornet 2 tracks).

What a great start to the week! Yesterday the pubs opened and today an album by Rebecca Kilgore landed in the passage and, if that wasn't enough, the first track on the album was Dave Frishberg's Dear Bix - a song tailor-made for Kilgore's gentle, laid back voice and a favourite of mine ever since I heard Roly Veitch sing it at the old Side Café.

Livestream Tuesday Jazz: Sue Ferris Quartet

(Press release)

A top North East Quartet direct from the Black Swan venue at Newcastle Arts Centre. Hosted by Zoë. Gilby.

Sue Ferris Quartet, featuring Sue on saxes and flute, Stu Collingwood on piano, Neil Harland on double bass and Rob Walker on drums, all well-seasoned jazz musicians from the North East.

Technical support for this secure streaming channel is provided by Tyne Audio.

• Tues. 13th April
• 8:00 pm
• Min. £6 (inc booking fee) with the option to donate more
• Tickets here

Album review: Michael Wolff - Live at Vitellos

Michael Walsh (piano); Mark Isham (trumpet/flugel); John B. Williams (bass); Mike Clarke (drums).

The opening Ballad Noir lives up to its name, the most evocative trumpet (flugel?) playing that I've heard since Art Farmer's solo on Gerry Mulligan's Night Lights. The hairs stood up on the back of my neck. It was like watching Psycho the first time around. Eerie, but beautiful. 

Lagniappe (don't ask me!) is less emotive, more adventurous with Isham ticking all the boxes in his solo and deservedly drawing the applause from the audience at the iconic L.A jazz club Vitellos.

Ten underrated jazzmen by Mike Farmer - Part three

8. Tadd Dameron (1917-1965). Played piano during the early days of be-bop and recorded with Miles, Parker, Fats Navarro, Coltrane and other modern jazz innovators but he was also a very talented composer and arranger. Sarah Vaughan had a big hit with his tune If You Could See Me Now. During the late fifties he was off the scene due to health problems but in 1961 he recorded for Riverside an excellent album The Magic Touch which featured a line-up of top rate jazzmen such as Clark Terry, Johnny Griffin, Bill Evans and many more.

Bratislava Hot Serenaders live streaming from somewhere in Slovakia - April 11

(Screenshot by Russell)

If you've heard the New Century Ragtime Orchestra you'll have some idea of what the Bratislava Hot Serenaders are about. Penguin suits, slicked back hair styles, back in the day they could have been pressed into entertaining the Gestapo, there again, they could have been the Gestapo! A more generous interpretation, they could have been entertaining F. Scott Fitzgerald and his high society chums at a swanky do. Better still, imagine them as underground resistance heroes. The Bratislavas could be thought of as musical archeologists or archivists, preserving and/or reviving the repertoire. And nothing wrong with that, after all, several generations of musicians continue to mine the bop cannon, and more recently, seventies' jazz-rock has seen something of a resurgence of interest.       

Album review: Ian Charleton Big Band - A Fresh Perspective

Some nice Basie-like sounds on the opening two tracks, both originals by the leader as is the title track, a romp in 6/4 time that has wailing soprano by Garcia, lyrical flugel by Kerry Moffit and all driven along by Habib's drumming.

Vocalist Emily Charleton just happens to be married to the leader but I'm sure she'd have got the gig anyway judging by her earthy rendition of Rogers and Hart's Everything I've Got - that Larry Hart could sure pen a lyric!

Ten underrated jazz musicians by Mike Farmer - Part Two.

5. Marion Brown (1931-2010 ). A very interesting alto sax player and composer who in the sixties played alongside members of the avant-guarde and loft scene. He had a piercing sound on alto which was well captured on the album Porto Rico which had Han Bennick on board. I  no longer have this LP which I think was on the Fontana label but I still have his tribute LP to his friend Archie Shepp Three for Shepp on Impulse which is a good example of his composing skills. I saw him at a jam session in a small room during the North Sea Jazz Festival  and I took a photo which I have hanging on my kitchen wall!

Ten underrated jazz musicians by Mike Farmer - Part One.

1. Sonny Red (1932-1981). Somewhat overshadowed by his fellow alto players Sonny Stitt and Sonny Criss he made some fine records under his own name and as a sideman. He spent his early days in Detroit playing with Barry Harris, Donald Byrd and other musicians who were influenced by the great Charlie Parker. Check out his work on Jazzland LP A Story Tale in which he is  joined by Clifford Jordan on tenor. Red’s was born Sylvester Kyner Jnr and died too young age 48.

Sunday Night Jazz @ The Globe: Mark Williams Makeshift Trio - April 11

(Screenshot by Debra Milne)

Mark Williams (guitar); Paul Grainger (bass); Russ Morgan (drums)

Anyone who felt short-changed that Alice Grace couldn't make it were soon saying "Alice who?" when Mark opened up with Monk's Let's Cool it, a tune that, to my ears, sounded remarkably like the composer's Nica's Dream. Alice, from her sickbed, commented on how good the band sounded.

Ya Like Jazz? Ella and Friends - April 11

(Screenshot by Russell)

Ella Hohnen-Ford (vocals); Miles Mindlin (guitar); Noah Stoneman (piano); Will Sach (double bass)

When You Wish Upon a Star opened Ella's weekly Sunday evening live stream. Familiar faces joined the recent Royal Academy of Music graduate, pianist Noah Stoneman, heard on many a Kansas Smitty's session, likewise bassist Will Sach, together with a new name, Miles Mindlin playing guitar, yet another  RAM student who has already gigged at Ronnie's and the Soho Pizza Express and he occupies the guitar chair in NYJO. 

The One Year Anniversary Sunday Service with Adrian Cox - April 11

(Screenshot by Russell)

Adrian Cox (clarinet, vocals)

An inauspicious start. A matter of seconds in, Facebook went on the blink. Seventy five online punters waited patiently as Preacher Cox attended to a technical glitch. At eight minutes past one our host reappeared. Fingers crossed there would be no further hiccups. A new tune, new in that Cox hadn't played it during a year's worth of lockdown live streams, I Double Dare You came across crystal clear, resonant clarinet and vocals direct from our host's apartment out in Bulgaria. Mid-tune, some nineteen minutes into the stream we got the now familiar Live video interrupted. It was going to be one of those days! 

The Ray Gallon Trio live streaming from Small's, NYC - April 10

(Screenshot by Russell)

Ray Gallon (piano); David Wong (double bass); Kenny Washington (drums)

Ray Gallon has been working on the New York jazz scene for more than thirty years, yet it is only now that he has recorded an album of his own. This evening at Spike Wilner's place, our born and bred New Yorker was joined by two of his favourite musicians (two of my favourite people, said our pianist), fellow New Yorkers, David Wong playing bass and revered drummer Kenny Washington. 

Kansas Smitty's Main Man plays Sidney Bechet - April 10

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)

The Main Man is back in harness. An unscheduled, extended visit to his home town in America kept Giacomo Smith out of Kansas Smitty's spotlight for longer than he anticipated. Tonight's session focused on the music of Sidney Bechet with particular reference to the legendary musician's Paris sojourn. An inventive, additional aspect to this evening's live stream was an imagining of Bechet meeting Django Reinhardt. The two icons were living in the French capital at the same time but never recorded together and perhaps never met one another.  

Aycliffe Radio Jazz Time

Playlist  11/04/21 (6:30pm - 8:00pm)

Mostly Requests from listeners this week:

Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band; Stan Kenton; Lindsay Hannon Plus; Carmen Sings Monk; Thelonius Monk; Mingus Big Band93; Buddy Rich Big Band; Stacey Kent.

New Releases: Perfect Circle; Jack Brandfield.

Leon Redbone; Count Basie Orchestra featuring: Sonny Cohn; Last Week's missed ending - Ella Fitzgerald; John Coltrane.

Mike

Paul Moran: 'Smokin' B3' livestream from 606 w. Special guest Jo Harrop - April 10

(Collage by Lance)

Paul Moran (B3); Jim Mullen (guitar); Mez Clough (drums) + Jo Harrop (vocals).

Difficult to be objective when you've been a fan of three of the four players for a varying number of years - next time round it will be four out of four as this was the first time I'd heard Clough and he slotted in easily.

The B3 can be a lethal beast in the wrong hands (and feet) and I've heard some great pianists fall flat on their bass (pedals) unable to adapt to the vastly different technique required.

Joe Webb live streaming with Ella Hohnen-Ford - April 10

(Screenshot by Russell)

Joe Webb (piano); Ella Hohnen-Ford (vocals)

Ella sang You're Sensational. She was and is, sensational, that is. That could be the review, end of. You're thinking: I know Ella Fitzgerald was sensational. Ah, but this Ella is Ms Ella Hohnen-Ford. One word...sensational! A 2020 Royal Academy of Music graduate, Hohnen-Ford sings like a dream. In her early twenties, just imagine how good Ella will be in, say, five, ten years time. Oh, yes, this afternoon's set was of course, Joe Webb's! Sorry Joe, Ella's canny good, isn't she?! 

Change of programme at The Globe tomorrow night.

Unfortunately, Alice Grace is unwell and will not be live-streaming from The Globe tomorrow night. Instead the Mark Williams Trio will step into the breech.

We wish Alice well and look forward to hearing her again soon.

Lance 

Details.

Sonny Simmons (1933 - April 6, 2021)

(Photo by Lance)

It's Sunday May 10, 2010 and in the upstairs room of the Bridge Hotel in Newcastle the Jazz North East team are smiling - the room is so full they're having to find extra seats, " Could you move along please? Well perhaps if you sat on the lady's knee..."

The late comers had to be content to stand at the top of the stairs, some didn't even make it that far!

The reason for all this activity? Multi-reedsman Sonny Simmons was about to give a concert and the word was out from those who had caught him at the same venue a couple of years earlier that it would be unmissable - and it was.

Alas, no more. Huey 'Sonny' Simmons passed away on Tuesday (April 6) aged 87.

May he Rest In Peace.

Lance

Pete Malinverni Trio live streaming from Small's, NYC - April 9

(Screenshot by Russell)

Pete Malinverni (piano); Ugonna Okegwo (bass); Jeff Hamilton (drums) 

Friday night at 183 West 10th Street with another fine pianist, Pete Malinverni, entertaining Small's online gathering. The hour would include several Leonard Bernstein numbers, original compositions and a tip of the hat to two of the towering figures in jazz. 

Album review: Zoë Gilby - Aurora

(Cover photo by Ken Drew)

Zoë Gilby (voice/lyrics); Noel Dennis (trumpet/flugel); Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (bass); Russ Morgan (drums).

When Noel Dennis introduced Zoë Gilby to Tom Harrell's music she was so taken by the melodic lines that it inspired her to write some lyrics. This became a project that eventually led to well-received performances at jazz clubs and festivals and the inevitable request, "When's the CD being released?"

That question will be resolved on Friday April 16 via a livestream launch from Gosforth Civic Theatre.*

More of Rico's Best of Popup Louis - April 9

(Screenshot by Russell)

Akin to BBC speak - ie 'another chance to hear' = a repeat - Rico Tomasso, for a second week,  revisited some of the many accompanists who've helped out on these Friday night live streams over the last year. A couple of piano players for starters, Italian Luca Filastro followed by Nick Dawson, accompanying respectively, on I Double Dare You and Relaxin' at the Touro. Guitarist John Kelly (he appeared in Newcastle playing trombone and guitar with Frog and Henry), contributed an excellent solo on Memories of You with Rico playing flugelhorn and singing. 

The Vieux Carré Jazzmen - Gig news

THE VIEUX CARRÉ JAZZMEN will resume their weekly sessions on the following dates:

The Holystone Pub & Restaurant - 0191 266 6173

Thursday 29 April, 1.00 - 3.00pm

This session will be outdoors in the Beer Garden and will, of course, be weather dependent

The Spanish City - 0191 691 7090

Sunday 23 May, 12.00 - 3.00pm

Cullercoats Crescent Club - 0191 297 0279

Wednesday 2 June, 1.00 - 3.00pm

NB. Government guidelines will apply. However, restrictions have changed since pubs were last open so check with the venue regarding the rules - essentially social distancing and wearing of face masks when not seated.

Brian Bennett

Night and Day, Paul is the one - April 9

(Screenshot by Russell)

Paul Ruddick can often be found busking at Monument in Newcastle. 

Our Baghdaddies' alto sax man was there today, braving the April hail showers as he played Night and Day (and a whole lot more). Russell

Saturday @ the 606

(Press release) Saturday 10 April PAUL MORAN'S 'SMOKIN' B3'

"..the B3er-horn man still knows how to work a groove....Moran hums on the Leslie amps and Price glides with cool strings...a juke joint that jumps" Jazz Weekly; "Moran's accompaniment throughout was just right....and his keyboard playing shined" Downbeat.

Michela Marino Lerman dancing the night away at Small's, NYC - April 8

(Screenshot by Russell)

Michela Marino Lerman (tap dance); Mathis Picard (piano); Russell Hall (double bass).

It isn't every day BSH reviews a tap dance performance. In fact, has there ever been such a day? A tap board, piano and double bass occupied Small's 'small' space. Having toured the world, including a stint in London's West End, dancer, choreographer and educator Michela Marino Lerman returned to one of her favourite venues to present a one hour set of tap in the company of pianist Mathis Picard and bassist Russell Hall.