Newcastle Jazz Festival (day one) - Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ the Bridge Hotel August 19

Michael Lamb (MD), Pete Tanton, Gordon Marshall, Dick Stacey (trumpets); Jamie Toms, Dave Kerridge, Keith Robinson, Steve Summers, Sue Ferris (reeds); Chris Kurji-Smith, Keiran Parnaby, Mark Ferris (trombones); Chris Gray  (bass trombone); Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar); Graham Don (piano, keyboards); Michael Whent (bass guitar); Guy Swinton (drums); Alice Grace (vocals)

Tonight, the Third Newcastle Jazz Festival returned with a BANG! It has built from an initial, one day, six band session, to a four day extravaganza that looks surely to evolve. Comparisons with the original NJF, as have been made elsewhere, are ludicrous. When my good friend Andy Hudson was bringing in top American stars there were Arts Council grants, sponsorship from local radio and other supportive sources.

(© Malcolm Sinclair)

Today, the cultural support is somewhat less (a point to remember when ticking your boxes on a piece of paper). However, much as that is relevant, the top and bottom of it all is the music - a subject that probably won't come up in the hustings - unless they knock on my door!

Nevertheless, enough of that. I've always tried to keep BSH apolitical so let's get down to the nitty-gritty - the music and the festival.

I said it began with a BANG and I wasn't just referring to the power of the brass on Buddy's Big Swing Face! I was bemused as I tried to remember a jazz gig where they were turning people away and where, even those who stayed had to stand on the stairs and listen! 

This raised a few thoughts with me:

1. Bigger venue needed.
   
2. Maybe two nights.
3. Perhaps ticketed with a nominal charge for those who haven't forked out for all four days.

However, that's for the future. Tonight the band was kicking ass. Just about everyone soloed and, if they didn't, they certainly excelled in what used to be called in the brass band world as 'bumping up'. I'm not going to award points - how could I with these guys? Nevertheless, if backed into a corner (musicwise), I'd have to give my ten stars to Chris (Kurgi-Smith) and Keiran for their blast on one of the Mingus numbers - Jimmy Knepper in stereo!

As always, Ms Grace was a credit to the human race with scintillating versions of Avalon - I first heard it on record by Al Jolson, Alice edged it by a country mile. Hard Hearted Hannah and 'Deed I Do got score draws against Ella and Peggy whilst You Turned the Tables on me was as close to perfect as you're gonna get in a room like this.

This is going to be one helluva festival! Lance

MALCOLM SINCLAIR PHOTOS.