The 'Guinness Book of Jazz Records'

  (© Ken Drew)

As  I continue to peruse the back issues of the late and much lamented Irish jazz magazine JAZZNEWS INTERNATIONAL, I find I'm always delighted by the contents. I don't always agree with the opinions expressed but, at least, I'm familiar with most of the bands/musicians concerned unlike today's jazz mags where 70% are totally new to me. This isn't surprising as I can remember when Gerry Mulligan was new to me and beer was a shilling (5p) a pint.

Those were the days my friend apart from the fact that wages were only around £10 a week so you didn't really have it so good!

However,  I digress, what I enjoyed most - and there was much to enjoy - about this issue (March/April '89) was Chris  Yates' Newcastle (UK) column where he made the observation that, between 1979-1989 Jazz North East hosted concerts at the Corner House, Newcastle, by, among many others, trombonist Al Grey on eight occasions, various San Tracey bands on nine as well as seven by Buddy Tate.

Apart from Tracey, all these were backed by a local rhythm section led by either Malcolm Saul or Bill Harper.

Those days, like the names (including Chris) may be gone but, JNE upholds the tradition at the Globe this Sunday (Nov. 5) with a concert by American reeds virtuoso Greg Abate (pictured) fronting the Dean Stockdale Trio.

For more on this 'must be there' occasion go HERE. Lance