Album review: Scott Hamilton - Looking Back (Stunt Records)

Scott Hamilton (tenor sax); Jan Lundgren (piano); Hans Backenroth (bass); Kristian Leth (drums)

Another mainstream gem from Stunt Records. I can never get enough of Scott Hamilton's playing - that sound! So sensuous and compelling it draws me in like the proverbial moth to a flame. He doesn't dazzle the listener with fingerbusting arpeggios that, nine times out of ten, should have stayed where they belong - in the woodshed. Instead, he makes every note meaningful without jarring the sensibilities. 

Looking Back is a themed album that does just that - looks back. The tenor player dedicates each of the ten tracks to a jazz legend who has influenced him during the course of his career.

Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms - Dec. 27

Maureen Hall (vocals); Gavin Lee (clarinet, alto sax); Gordon Solomon (trombone); Brian Chester (keyboards); Tom Derbyshire (double bass, vocals); Gordon Turnbull (drums) 

A last gig of the year for Rendezvous Jazz. Christmas jumpers, hats, tinsel, the usual stuff  and a raffle, the latter seeing your correspondent bagging a box of Quality Street. A pint of Landlord, a cheese, ham and pickle sandwich (with fries) and we were ready to sit back and listen to Maureen Hall's long established band.

Album review: Jim Mullen Quartet - For Heaven's Sake (Stunt Records)

Jim Mullen (guitar); Jan Harbeck (tenor sax); Ben Paterson (organ); Kristian Leth (drums)

An international quartet comprising a Glaswegian, a Chicagoan and two Danes from Copenhagen where this delightful album was recorded.

On guitar, Mullen belies his 78 years with funky, yet tasteful, solos. His fingering, as facile as that of many a young upstart, the ideas just flow endlessly - cool and laid back - the real deal. Favouring the thumb technique as used by Wes Montgomery the music is, at times, 'dreamy and sad' but never bad. 

Jim Mullen is as good as it gets - maybe even better.

Talking Movies

On Boxing Day night (tonight) Ella Fitzgerald pops up on Talking Pictures TV. Tune in at 11:25pm to watch Let No Man Write My Epitaph with Ella cast as 'Flora'. Directed by Philip Leacock and starring Burl Ives, for those who haven't seen the 1960 film, it'll be interesting to see how much screen time Ella gets. Could it be a festive turkey? 

Boxing Day on TV

Boxing Day has more tried and tested favourites on the Goggle/Google Box and, if you've spent the last 75 years of your life on a desert island then they are essential viewing. For the rest of us it's a nostalgic trip back in time to, at least last Boxing Day.

Channel 5. 09:50. An American in Paris. Lots of Gershwin tunes sung and danced by Gene Kelly who, faced with choosing between the wealthy and beautiful Nina Foch and the impoverished, not as beautiful, Leslie Caron, chooses the latter!

BBC2. 10:55. The Big Sleep. A classic adaptation of the Raymond Chandler novel has Bogart at his most laconic best as private eye Phillip Marlowe. Lauren Bacall sings (or somebody does) And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine.

Paul Desmond & The Modern Jazz Quartet - Live in New York City ( Full Album)

Marc Myers' Jazz Wax is, I submit with unashamed humility, undoubtedly the best blog on the planet we call Jazz. The little known albums he draws to the attention of his readers is amazing as is the background info he supplements the music with. This particular album featuring Paul Desmond with the Modern Jazz Quartet is a stunner.

Tomorrow on BBC2

As ever at Christmas time the good old good ones are rolled out just in case we'd forgotten the words.

11:05. High Society. Bing, Frank and the Louis Armstrong All-Stars give Cole Porter's songs a helping hand as well as showing Grace Kelly how to act.

15:10. Some Like it Hot. The funniest gangster movie ever with the added bonus of Marilyn Monroe singing I'm Thru With Love.       

19:20. The Morecambe & Wise Show. Includes a clip from the legendary TV programme where the guest was André Previn. Lance

Preview: Pyne on Christmas Standards & Joy 'Round Midnight (Xmas Day)

Join PetrocTrelawny on Christmas Day as Charlie Pyne offers 'a jazzy take on Christmas standards'. Radio 3's Christmas Morning Live is on air at 9:30am with a wide selection of music, ranging from Holst to Tchaikovsky to Pyne. Amidst carols and lessons, it'll be refreshing to hear Pyne singing some jazz, accompanied by her pianist Steve Lodder. And if you're up and about at 11:30pm, Soweto Kinch, presenting 'Round Midnight, once again invites Samara Joy to choose a favourite track (this evening the third of four selections, one each night, Monday to Thursday). Russell             

Music bar Hoochie Coochie to be renamed Pilgrim as new owners enlist Hairy Biker Si King to revamp menu

Groovetrain

One  of  Newcastle's most popular and iconic music venues, Hoochie Coochie, is to be renamed Pilgrim which, being situated in Pilgrim St., seems a logical move.

The new owners have ambitious plans which are detailed HERE by Michael Lavery (frontman/vocalist with Groovetrain) in this Chronicle feature .

Sounds good! Lance

Christmas greetings to and from Bill Harper

It's always good to receive a Xmas greeting and to single one out above the rest is not only impossible but also unfair.

However, this year I felt especially pleased, and honoured, to hear from pianist Bill Harper.

Back in the 1980s, after the tragic death of Malcolm Saul, Bill became JNE's first call pianist to back the American (and British) legends who appeared regularly at the Corner House and other north east venues. In 2013 Bill posted some of his memories in a series of posts on this site. They make fascinating, and often very funny reading, from a guy whose sense of humour was almost as good as his piano playing which made it very good indeed.

Here are just a few links to those musings: Part One. Part Two. Part Three.

Colin Muirhead’s Selection of Best New Albums by Acts Seen During 2024

Rather than compiling a list of my favourite albums or my favourite gigs of 2024, I’ve decided to take a different tack. Here are the eight best new albums by acts I saw during the year, with – in each case – some info about both the album and the performance.  I’ve listed the albums according to the date of the gig.

All photos © Colin Muirhead.

Mike Hall Quartet @ the Moor Club, Heaton Moor, nr Stockport - Dec. 22

© Jeff Pritchard

Mike Hall (tenor sax); John Ellis (keys); Ed Harrison (bass); Gaz Hughes (drums)

Mike played some interesting tunes tonight including the opening number, Cole Porter's Everything I Love, which I must admit was new to me even though I’m a big Cole Porter fan. This was followed by Song for Abdullah from the pen of Kenny Barron. 

Making his first visit to the Moor Club was John Ellis who I had not seen for a while and I liked his solo on Bob Mintzer’s Church Song during which he got a Hammond organ sound out of his Nord keyboard which was highly effective.

The first set ended with Steve Waterman's arrangement of White Christmas.

Emma Fisk's Hot Club du Nord @ the Globe - Dec. 22

© Malcolm Sinclair

Emma Fisk (violin); James Birkett, Dave Harris (guitars); Bruce Rollo (bass)

It was the kind of day where I would have been quite happy to stay at home and cuddle up to a mince pie rather than face the uncertainty of getting  to the Globe and back. However, as the reward for my determination would be an afternoon of gypsy jazz by Emma Fisk's Hot Club du Nord I resisted the pull of the mince pies and set forth for 1930s' Paris conveniently transported for a couple of hours to Railway St.

Billed as the Hot Club du Nord Christmas Party the tables were festooned with clown shaped hats and Cadbury's Roses. I thought wistfully about Mr Kipling's deep filled sweet mince pies languishing at home begging to be eaten.

Jazz Time Aycliffe Radio - Sundays 6.30- 8.00pm (repeated Tuesdays 8.00-9.30pm).

Jazz Time Aycliffe Radio - Sundays 6.30- 8.00pm (repeated Tuesdays 8.00-9.30pm). 

https://www.ayclifferadio.co.uk/listen

Playlist 22/12/24 (repeated Tuesday 24/11/24)

Christmas Requests:

Modern Jazz Quartet, Louis Armstrong, Sauter-Finegan Orch., Fats Waller, Gregory Porter, Barbara Dennerlein, Chet Baker, Mahalia Jackson, Charlie Parker, Bing Crosby, Chris Barber, Tim Boniface, Ella Fitzgerald, Maynard Ferguson, Paul Edis and Friends (featuring Matt Anderson), Etta James, Tommy Smith Quartet, Tony Bennett, Fats Waller, JLCO with Wynton Marsalis. 

 Happy Christmas to all our listeners.

 Aycliffe Radio is available on DAB in County Durham & the Darlington Area.

My top ten Christmas related songs.

I've heard lots of versions of Santa Baby, White Christmas, The Christmas Song, Winter Wonderland and Let it Snow this year. However, there are still a few Christmas songs that have yet, unlike those distant relatives, to have overstayed their welcome. Here are a few in no particular order:

Baby It's Cold Outside. The classic song of seduction although the suggestion that a drink may have been spiked (Say, what's in this drink?)  may have made it no longer politically correct. A lot of  radio stations banned it. Love this version by Ella and Louis Jordan.

Be Careful it's my Heart. (It's not my watch you're holding it's my heart - heart, watch, ticker, get it?) Isn't exactly a Xmas song but it was featured in the film Holiday Inn which was the song where White Christmas was first heard. In the clip Bing sings and Fred dances and, seemingly, wins Marjorie Reynolds' ticker.

The Edison Herbert Trio @ the Lit & Phil - Dec. 20

Edison Herbert (guitar); José Canha (double bass); Harry Stobart (drums)

It wasn't exactly party time at the Lit & Phil today with not a sprig of mistletoe in sight - next year I'll bring my own! This, I hasten to add, was no reflection on the music which was smooth and acceptable all year round with a particular leaning towards the late Wes Montgomery which isn't a bad place for a guitarist to lean on.

Herbert's playing was cool and relaxed, mixing single string, horn-like passages with some chunky chords voiced imaginatively and well deserving of the accolades bestowed on him from near and far.

Dave Sayer’s Best of 2024

It’s not been a bad old year for jazz in my opinion. There’s been some good gigs, near and far, and a rich selection of new releases and some old stuff has been reissued, some has come out for the first time. Crate digging in charity shops has thrown up some real bargains again this year and there has been one jazz book which has stood out above the others (the accompanying CD wasn’t half bad either). Enough with the preliminaries and on with the awards

Best Albums

In no particular order, the albums giving the chart toppers a run for their money are: -

Kamasi Washington – Fearless Movement 

Lizz Wright - Shadow

Glasshopper – I’m Not Telling You Anything

Ant Law/ Brigitte Beraha – Ensconced

Lakecia Benjamin – Phoenix Reimagined (Live)

Claire Martin - Almost In Your Arms

Wayne Shorter – Celebration

… and the chart toppers themselves are:-

5. Jake Long – City Swamp

4. Charles Lloyd – The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow

3. Fergus McCreadie - Stream

2. Ezra Collective – Dance No One’s Watching

1. Nubya Garcia – Odyssey

Album review: Bill Warfield and the Hell’s Kitchen Funk Orchestra - Chesapeake (43rd St. Music & Arts)

Bill Warfield (leader, trumpet, piano); Gary Bartz, Lou Marini, Dave Riekenberg, Kurt Bacher, Matt Hong (reeds); Colin Brigstocke, Jason Wiseman (trumpets); Conrad Herwig, Charley Gordon, (trombones); Matt Chertkoff, Bill Washer, Bruce Arnold (guitars); Cecilia Coleman, Paul Shaffer, Art Hirahara, Eugene Albulescu (keyboards); Steve Count, Mark Wade (bass); Scott Neumann (drums); Memo Acevedo (percussion).

The Hell’s Kitchen Funk Orchestra name suggests a bold swaggering band capable of taking on the Warriors, the Sharks and the Jets with one collective hand tied behind their backs. It comes as a surprise, therefore, to hear the delicate opening piano ballad on this album. Beneath The Stacks is a lovely solo piece, composed by Warfield but played by Albulescu. I was expecting something more explosive than this very contemplative, melancholy tune. Currents takes us towards the more expected; a loping, shuffling urban funk, its space allows for warm collective passages and Warfield’s muted trumpet.

R.I.P. Derek Ansell

Novelist and jazz critic Derek Ansell passed away on Friday, December 13 at the age of 90.

As well as a couple of novels and many articles for Jazz Journal International Derek Ansell also penned the definitive biography of tenor saxophonist the late Hank Mobley* and in doing so opened my ears, and probably  those of many others, to one of the greatest musicians of the post-bop era. 

It's a book worth seeking out. Not only does it paint a compelling word picture of the subject but also shows the writer to have a deep perception of jazz and an insight into the environment that once surrounded it.

The world of music and literature will miss him. Lance

*Workout: The Music of Hank Mobley Northway Publications (2008) ISBN 978 09550908 8 2

A Xmas Black Swan jam session - Dec. 17

Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums) + Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Jacob Egglestone (guitar); Shayo (vocals); Paul Ruddick (alto sax); Shivan Ruddick (trumpet); David Pipkin (drums); Liam Oliver (guitar); Bailey Rudd (drums); Kate O'Niell (vocals); Robert Johnson (alto sax); Ian Drever (vocals); Jan Spencelayh (vocals); Lisa ? (vocals); Edgar Bell (trumpet); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet); Theo Nolan (drums); Tom ? (drums); Becky Tuck (vocals); Ruth Lambert (vocals); Pete Tanton (trumpet); Jessica ? (piano); ? (vocals); David Gray (trombone)

Glittery tops and Xmas jumpers were worn by some, others couldn't be bothered - bah humbug! What mattered was the jazz and the Black Swan was as busy as ever. The house trio got things underway with But Not for Me. Excellent. Drummer Abbie Finn sported a relatively restrained Xmas jumper, Messrs. Law and Grainger the more soberly attired. The final jam session of the year was up and running.  

Christmas competition - Identify the trumpet players. RESULT!

© Lance

Back in the 1980s I could frequently be  spotted at jazz concerts and festivals, both at home and abroad, with a Canon camera capturing black and white images of the musicians seen here. 

All you have to do to win is to identify the ten trumpet/cornet players shown in the graphic. Names will be drawn out of the hat and the winner will be the first one to send an all-correct answer. If no one gets all ten correct then the winner will be the entrant who identifies nine and so on.

Fabulous Prizes!

BBC Big Band: A Swinging Christmas @ the Glasshouse - Dec. 17

© Lance

Barrie Forgie (MD): Tom Dennis, Tom Walsh, Tom Tait,  Steve Fishwick  (trumpets); Kieran McLeod, Rob Harvey, Ollie Martin, Peter North (trombones); Sammy Mayne, Martin Kershaw (alto sax, flute, clarinet); Julian Siegel, Konrad Wiszniewski (tenor sax, flute, clarinet); Andy Hunter (baritone sax, flute, clarinet); Robin Aspland (piano); Ewan Hastie (bass); Tom Gordon (drums); Emer McPartland (vocals)

More Christmas fayre. The sparkly tops and the once a year jumpers were well to the fore and the ephemeral thoughts of peace and goodwill were in the air - at least for the moment. 

Those who groan at the thought of another avalanche of songs about snow should stop and listen to the actual music - in the main - they're very good tunes, at least they are when arranged by Barrie Forgie and played by the hard-hitting BBC Big Band and, if they have to have words, there's few better than Emer McPartland to sing them.

Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Christmas @ The Fire Station, Sunderland - Dec 16

Paul Edis (piano); Jo Harrop (vocals); Matt Anderson (tenor sax, soprano sax); Faye Thompson (alto sax, clarinet); Sue Ferris (flutes, piccolo); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jason Holcomb (trombone); Emma Fisk (violin); Andy Champion (double bass), Matt MacKellar (drums)

The fourth of five north east of England tour dates of Paul Edis' A Jazzy Christmas attracted a capacity audience on High Street West. The Fire Station glowed, inside and out. There's nothing like a full house: the auditorium's spacious foyer bar, the adjoining Engine Room bar, both doing a roaring festive trade, one or two of the all-star band happily socialising minutes before curtain up. 

Zakir Hussain (March 9, 1951 - Dec. 15, 2024)

Though I didn't realise it at the time, the first time I came across Zakir Hussain would have been on a Southbank Show dedicated to Indo-Fusion band Shakti shortly after John McLaughlin disbanded the Mahavishnu Orchestra Mk 2. Although strictly a soul fan by then, McLaughlin in Mk 1 was, and still is, displaying the most extraordinary musicianship that I've ever seen. When soul music led to jazz fusion, McLaughlin was back on my radar but this time bringing Shakti and Zakir Hussain with him.

I saw McLaughlin in an organ trio in the early nineties, but his playing was strikingly unexceptional compared to the Mahavishnu Orchestra. I saw him again in ‘96 in a North-West town, which may or may not have been Oldham, in a reincarnation of Shakti which, on the ticket, said Zakir Hussain and John McLaughlin. Although he received the greatest applause on entering the stage - which seemed to genuinely surprise him, perhaps because of the large Asian contingency in the audience - his playing was again strikingly extraordinary, given its magnificence on the original Shakti albums.

Dean Masser Quartet @ the Moor Club, Heaton Moor - Dec. 15

© Jeff Pritchard

Dean Masser (tenor sax); Richard Harrold (keys); Ed Harrison (bass); Gaz Hughes (drums).

After last week's frustrating experience due to so many train cancellations I decided that the best way of getting to this gig was by taxi and, after the gig, I used the same company to take me home to Handforth. It was an expensive night out but I thought it was worth it as Dean always puts on a great show. This was his first appearance at the Moor Club and there were many jazz fans present who used to attend the Railway so that by the 8:00pm start all of the seats were taken.

Sunday night @ the Globe: Alligator Gumbo - Dec. 15

James Paylor (bass, vocals); Chris Williamson (trumpet, vocals); Greg Surmacz (clarinet, alto sax); Mike Rudland-Simpson (guitar, vocals); Chris Lloyd (piano, vocals); José Williamson (drums, washboard, spoons)

There was a lot of 'Global warming', musically speaking, down on Railway St. last night. What an enjoyable gig and not a Christmas hat or jumper in sight although Surmacz did sneak a Rudolph quote into one of his solos but he was soon forgiven as the chorus that followed quickly made up for it.

More a Harlem jump band from the 1930s than a New Orleans band from the '20s, although they did cover both styles and more. As much Louis Jordan as Louis Armstrong they did what bands did back then - they entertained.

The audience were enraptured by the sheer swing, going along with the flow, displaying their dancing skills and applauding vociferously.

Preview: A Sunderland Jazzy Xmas (Mon. 16 Dec)

The Fire Station, the jewel in the crown of Sunderland's 'Cultural Quarter' gets all Christmassy tomorrow night. The fourth of five regional performances of Paul Edis' annual A Jazzy Christmas is an unmissable occasion for Wearsiders and, indeed, for those from further afield. An all-star band (including the award-winning Jo Harrop), accomplished arrangements, if you're of the 'Bah Humbug' school, you'll be pleasantly surprised by just how good this show is. Santa hats aren't compulsory, but, go on, be a devil. Seats are all but gone, however, if you're quick you might bag one of the last few. Concert tickets would make the ideal gift for your loved ones! Go on, book now at: www.thefirestation.org.uk. Christmas done with a touch of class, that's Paul Edis & Friends' A Jazzy Christmas. Russell

The Len Phillips Swing Orchestra directed by Joe Pettitt from the Stables, Wavendon - Dec. 15 on Sky Arts

Joe Pettitt (MD); Russell Bennett, George Hogg, Tom Dennis, Andy Gathercole (trumpets); Jon Stokes, Chris Traves, Richard Wigley, Bob Haslin (trombones); Jon Shenoy, ? (alto sax); David Black, Michael Coates (tenor sax); Gemma Moore (baritone sax); Bunny Thompson (piano); ? (guitar); Paul Morgan (bass); ? (drums) + Gary Williams, Julia Sullivan, Nica Paris (vocals); Ben Holder (violin, vocals)*

More bells jingling all the way on Sky Arts with the Len Phillips Swing Orchestra directed by Joe Pettitt live from the Stables, Wavendon.

The singers predominated and they did the job well.

Gary Williams sang: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, White  Christmas, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Winter Wonderland where he was joined by Ben Holder and Julia Sullivan.

Jazz Time Aycliffe Radio - Sundays 6.30-8.00pm (repeated Tuesdays 8.00-9.30pm)

https://www.ayclifferadio.co.uk/listen

Playlist 15/12/24 (repeated Tuesday 17/11/24)

RIP/Memory: Quincy Jones/Clark Terry.

Requests: Darlington NOJC and the New Century Ragtime Orchestra:  Kay Kyser, Sarah Vaughan, Luis Russell and His Orchestra, King Oliver & His Dixie Syncopators, Coleman Hawkins, Quincy Jones, Louis Armstrong, Ben Webster/Art Tatum.

Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre - Dec. 14

Michael Lamb (MD/trumpet/flugel), Dick Stacey, Billy Bradshaw, John Stone (trumpets); John Flood, Chris Kurgi-Smith, Mark Ferris, Kieran Parnaby (trombones); Keith Robinson, Steve Summers, Jamie Toms, Matthew Forster, Sue Ferris (reeds); Graham Don (keys); Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar); Michael Whent (bass guitar); John Hirst (drums); Alice Grace (vocals) 

Editor-in-Chief LL's review of the Strictly Smokin' Big Band's first night of two at GCT captured the essence of the occasion. This second performance followed suit. A full house, a set list appealing to the committed jazz fan and the party season crowd, superb ensemble work, stellar solos from all sections of the orchestra, the whole package is a winner. 

To concur with LL, Sue Ferris playing piccolo on Sister Sadie was something special, the big band drumming of John Hirst was nothing short of outstanding and the SSBB's gem that is Alice Grace sparkled (an exceptional Lush Life). Other (on the night) thoughts...Joy to the World, Fever and Kansas City made for a fantastic opening - lots of jazz and not so much in the way of tinsel-draped singalong. That would come later. 

Historic album: Tony Fruscella & Brew Moore - Fru'n Brew (Spotlite)

Tony Fruscella (trumpet); Brew Moore (tenor sax); Bill Triglia (piano); Teddy Kotick (bass); Art Madigan (drums)

NYC, mid 1953, the Open Door down in Greenwich Village, five of the most under-recorded, underrated and now mainly unremembered, musicians jammed.

With the exception of Fruscella who, prior to this session had only been recorded once, all five had a pedigree. Moore had, recorded with Mulligan and would later have several albums under his belt in both America and Scandinavia. He was very much of the Lesterian school of tenor playing. He was also a heavy drinker who died after falling downstairs when 'under the influence'. Triglia played piano on Mingus' Tijuana Modes. Kotick was one of Bird's favourite bassists whilst Madigan recorded with Wardell Gray and Art Farmer. 

Tomorrow night @ the Globetoon strutters ball

© Sheila H

Swing into Christmas with raw New Orleans jazz from Alligator Gumbo on Sunday 15 December. Dancing, drinking and decadence expected. Tickets £12 advance https://theglobenewcastle.bar/pro.../dec-15-alligator-gumbo/

Martial Solal (Aug. 13, 1927 - Dec. 12, 2024)

Martial Solal, Studio 32, Joinville le Pont, 1970.

A timely reminder of the genius that was Martial Solal who passed away on Thursday at the age of 97.

Probably the greatest French jazz pianist of all-time.

Rest In Peace.

Lance

Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Xmas @ St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook - Dec. 13.

Not so much a review….more a recommendation.

From its origins at The Sage, Gateshead, in 2017 the “Jazzy Christmas” franchise has grown and grown and is still expanding, territorially, with gigs in Surrey and Cumbria already this year! St. Cuthbert’s, Crook, is once again the first venue in the North-East from which I am reporting with uncharacteristic brevity (on the assumption that Lance or Russell will pen some more musically insightful comments after one of the remaining shows).

Attention! Musicians Unlimited's Xmas Party (Sun 15 Dec)

 

Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre - Dec. 13

Michael Lamb (MD/trumpet/flugel), Dick Stacey, Billy Bradshaw, John Stone (trumpets); John Flood, Chris Kurgi-Smith, Mark Ferris, Kieran Parnaby (trombones); Keith Robinson, Steve Summers, Jamie Toms, Matthew Forster, Sue Ferris (reeds); Graham Don (keys); Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar); Michael Whent (bass guitar); John Hirst (drums); Alice Grace (vocals)

Zowie! When the SSBB brass section hits you, you know you've been hit - Zowie!

Yes it's Christmas time once more and that means party hats and chestnuts roasting on open fires in contradiction to the fire safety regulations.

The opener, Joy to the World, set the scene for the delectable Ms Grace to do just that with Fever and Kansas City. Looked good, sounded good. 

It doesn't do any harm for a big band to have some Kenton charts in the pad and Recuerdos, from 1956, had a great Latin feel to it with solos by Robinson, Don, Parnaby and leader Lamb. It was the latter's only solo of the first set. In the absence of Pete Tanton I'd have liked more.

Dean Stockdale Trio @ Auckland Castle - Dec. 13

Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums)

Another full house in the Old Library, standing room only. Bishop Auckland Jazz is doing something right, that's for sure. To conclude a run of sold out concerts during 2024, pianist Dean Stockdale brought in his A-list trio featuring bassist Mick Shoulder and drummer John Bradford. A couple of Christmas trees, one or two Christmas jumpers sighted, bottles of wine on tables, yes, it's that time of year.

Album review: Judy Wexler - No Wonder (Jewel City Jazz/A-Train Entertainment)

Judy Wexler (vocals); Danny Janklow, (alto/tenor sax,  alto flute/ flute); Bob Sheppard (soprano sax , clarinet); Jay Jennings (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jeff Colella (piano, melodica); Larry Koonse (guitars); Gabe Davis (bass); Steve Hass (drums)

No Wonder presents the divinely talented vocalist, Judy Wexler and a cadre of L.A. A-listers in a collection of the tried and true, some outliers, and other brilliant choices in an overall bravura performance.

The title tune launches the session with a straight cover of Brazilian singer/composer, Luciana Souza’s poetic tune. Energetic, exceptionally polyrhythmic with tempo alterations, Wexler is definitely on her game here. She exhibits acrobatic vocal flair throughout and her scat unison with tenor saxophonist, Danny Janklow (who offers an engaging solo) is an exceptional touch. Steve Hass’s set work is an absolute master class.

Xhosa Cole single from new album released today.

Further to my review of Xhosa Cole's forthcoming release - On a Modern Genius Vol. 1 (available from Jan. 10, 2025) - Stoney Lane Records have released a taster single from the album today. Listen to Come Sunday HERE (or on a platform of your choice). Lance

Jazz on the Tyne Christmas Special 2024

On the latest edition of the podcast, presenter Colin Muirhead plays festive music by:

Paul Edis & Friends, Emma Smith, Herbie Hancock, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Paul Taylor, Yellowjackets, Laila Biali, Jo Harrop & Paul Edis, Gregory Porter & Samara Joy, Chris Botti, Caecilie Norby, Paolo Fresu, Michael Franks, and the Strictly Smokin’ Big Band.

You can listen to the show anytime HERE.

Plus, you can request tunes for future programmes by emailing Colin at jazz.tyne.hive@gmail.com or heading to www.jazzonthetyne.org.

TJ Johnson @ Jamboree, London - Dec. 11

© Patti

TJ Johnson (piano, vocals); Ewan Bleach (clarinet, tenor sax, alto sax, soprano sax, piano, vocals)

TJ Johnson's weekly Wednesday afternoon residency goes from strength to strength. Located conveniently across the way from King's Cross, Jamboree is an ideal drop-in to while away a couple of hours before catching a train 'up north'. This week, as luck would have it, TJ's guest was none other than Ewan Bleach. 

Throughout the afternoon Bleach would switch from one reed to another and find time to sing a solo number - Two Sleepy People, - playing clarinet and piano into the bargain. Do you know this one? TJ would ask Ewan. Yeah, I do, would come the reply. June Night (Ewan on alto), My Blue Heaven (Ewan on tenor and taking a vocal), TJ singing I'm Having a Good Time, deploying his left hand to great effect, we were listening to two musicians happy to be in one another's company.

The Tannery jam session – Dec. 11

Joe Steels (guitar); Paul Susans (electric bass); John Hirst (drums) + Jon Weaver (trumpet); Bailey Rudd (drums); Chris ? (guitar); Phil ? (keyboard)

My first time at this session in Hexham and what a delight to have on my doorstep.  Hexham is famously the third happiest place in the UK (DETAILS) and the Tannery must surely be a contribution to keeping it there! BSH roving scribe Russell has enthusiastically reported a few times since the jam started in May, but this was my first visit due to circumstances and travels.

Last night’s programme ambled through familiar territory - It Could Happen to You, Blackbird, Ladybird, Autumn Leaves with Black Narcissus (I think!) and Song for my Father to show there is jazz after 1960. 

Emmet Cohen Trio @ Wigmore Hall, London - Dec. 10

Emmet Cohen (piano); Philip Norris (double bass); Kyle Poole (drums)

The pandemic. What was it good for? Absolutely nothing...except for the proliferation of the lockdown livestream. Logging on in the early hours to watch online sessions from various cities across America, not least New York, helped to connect jazz fans from all over the world. Monday night Live from Emmet's Place became required viewing. Emmet Cohen, his rhythm section and a week-to-week guest list of some of NYC's finest talents 'in concert' from the pianist's Harlem apartment won Cohen, Samara Joy and others an international following.

Emmet Cohen made it to a sold out Ronnie Scott's (Oct. 2021), and this week, on the first date of a European tour, our man walked out onto stage at Wigmore Hall. The capacity audience roared like never before. Cohen, bassist Philip Norris and drummer Kyle Poole soaked up the applause. It took a while before Cohen was able to address his audience. Wow!