Black Swan jam session - July 2

On Monday evening Michael Young, Paul Grainger and Tim Johnston enjoyed working together at Sunderland's Fire Station pub/restaurant. Twenty four hours later, the trio met up in Newcastle to form the house trio at the Black Swan jam session. The usual faces took their usual seats, several newcomers took a vacant seat here and there, perhaps wondering what lay in store.

Jordu, Lullabies (a Michael Young composition), the house trio warmed up, trombonist Conor Emery the first of the hopefuls invited to join the trio. Wes Montgomery's Road Song the selection. The recent Newcastle University graduate, soon to embark upon a dream cruise ship engagement, over the last couple of years or so has proven to be one of the emerging stars on the local scene. Cast iron technique, no nonsense trombone playing, Emery was quickly joined by undergraduate tenor saxophonist Olly Styles (another 'cast iron' musician) and guitarist Stuart Turner, St Thomas and Four the selections.

Preview: The Ronnie Scott's Story @ The Fire Station, Sunderland (July 24)

47 Frith Street, Soho, London. Home to Ronnie Scott's. Known the world over as one of the great jazz clubs, the Ronnie Scott's Story is coming to Sunderland! Pianist James Pearson leads the Frith Street 'house band' in a fast-paced audio-visual revue, telling the story of Ronnie Scott and Pete King, the club's many legendary performers and the financial ups and downs (mainly downs!) of running a jazz club. For one night only, on Wednesday 24 July, Sunderland's Fire Station is Ronnie Scott's! To book one of the few remaining seats, visit: www.thefirestation.org.uk. Russell

EP review: MGB - Me, Him, You

Debra Milne (voice); Steve Glendinning (guitar); Michael Clark (bass)

All three musicians are long established names on the north east jazz scene and all are heard to advantage on this, their latest download.

Milne has a distinctive, easily recognisable voice. Caressing her songs like a mother pampering a child, the emotional content that emerges reveals a singer who isn't just singing the words but living them. Not surprising as they were her words to begin with.

The Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland - July 1

Michael Young (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums)

The Engine Room adjoining Sunderland's Fire Station once again hosted the Michael Young Trio. The former fire station on High Street West - minus its fire tenders! - is the ideal setting for pianist Michael Young. A piano on the premises is a bonus (cafes, pubs and restaurants take note!) and the amiable Young made best use of it, ably assisted by bassist Paul Grainger and short notice depping drummer Tim Johnston.

Munch Manship Quartet @ the Railway, Stockport - June 30

© Jeff Pritchard

Munch Manship (tenor sax/piccolo/flute); Richard Wetherall (keys); Dave Lynane (bass); Max Beasley (drums).

My 6:44 train was cancelled meaning I had to get the 7:44  so by the time I arrived at the Railway it was about quarter past eight. Plenty of time I thought to grab a good seat before the nine o'clock start. I was wrong as the place was already pretty full and I was very lucky to get hold of one of the few remaining stools. There is no doubt about it, Munch always attracts a large following and his brand of hard driving modern jazz goes down well with the Sunday night crowd.