Press release: Tickets Now On Sale! Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2024

With great pleasure we announce the 8th year of Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music. 

Launched 2017, the festival continues to respond to the city’s appetite for a contemporary grassroots jazz festival, presenting an innovative and diverse international line up, celebrating and pushing boundaries that challenge perceptions of jazz and improvised music.

This year we welcome new performance spaces including Jesmond Swimming Pool and the legendary Tyneside music haunt The Cumberland Arms, alongside our regular venues Gosforth Civic Theatre, The Globe and the Newcastle Literary and Philosophical Society.

Album review: Kurt Rosenwinkel - The Next Step Band, Live at Smalls 1996 (Heartcore HCR28)

Kurt Rosenwinkel (guitar, piano on tk 6); Mark Turner (tenor sax); Ben Street (bass); Jeff Ballard (drums) + Brad Mehldau (piano on tk 3); ? (voice on tk 5)

Recorded live at Smalls Jazz Club in NYC back in 1996 the blurb describes it as an unforgettable performance that bears witness to the birth of a new musical era as Rosenwinkel and his ensemble deliver six dynamic compositions that would later shape the landscape of modern jazz.

Well they would say that wouldn't they? They, the writers, would be looking for alternative employment if they didn't. However, on this occasion I don't think anyone was holding a gun to their head. Judging by the applause the audience agreed with the appraisal. It is all that and more.

Northern jazz promoters are invited to apply for bursaries up to £1000

Jazz North’s latest support scheme welcomes applications from grassroots and independent promoters working in jazz

The bursaries will support fees and costs for northern emerging artists and support acts  

New Northern is Jazz North’s promoter bursary to support live emerging talent. It supports promoters to programme emerging northern artists by underwriting risk and helping pay essential costs. 

Designed both to support emerging artists in the north and give an injection of cash to promoters who need it, this easy-access scheme offers a quick intervention to northern grassroots promoters facing difficult financial circumstances. 

Chris Bye, Jazz North CEO, says: “

Promoters are the beating heart of local jazz scenes. With this next round New Northern, Jazz North continues a long tradition of support for our regional promoters and programmers. 

Jazz North is proud to support those bringing through the next wave of talent and who remain essential to the northern jazz ecology.”

Sunday night @ the Globe - The Jeffrey Hewer Collective - July 28

Jeffrey Hewer (guitar); Eliot Richards (tenor sax); Elliot Roffe (bass); Steve Hanley (drums)

After Saturday night's party atmosphere on the streets of Newcastle's city centre, by comparision, Sunday night was relatively quiet. Perhaps the weather had drawn the populace to the sun-kissed beaches of Whitley Bay or South Shields. Certainly the sun hadn't enticed them to the Globe even though it shone brightly through the jazz bar's windows daring the curtains to be drawn to create an intimate jazz club atmosphere. Alas King Sol won the day and the curtains remained undrawn.

Set sail with Sassy, Cannonball, a Duke, a Count and more (Sunday 28)

This evening's Prom at the Albert Hall presents the music of Sarah Vaughan - Sarah Vaughan: Tribute to a Legend at the Proms. Guy Barker conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra with a whole host of guest vocalists including Cherise, Lucy-Anne Daniels, Lizz Wright and Clarke Peters (as Billy Eckstine). Tickets are scarce and if you're unable to make it to London, the whole thing will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 (7:30pm) and BBC Four (tv, 8:00pm).   

Later with JRR (Sunday 28)

Don't get caught out! This afternoon's edition of Jazz Record Requests starts at the later time of 5:30pm. Join Alyn Shipton on BBC Radio 3 for another selection of listeners' requests. Russell

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

Playlist 28/07/24 (repeated Tuesday 30/07/24)

Summer requests from Opus 4: Georgia Cécile, George Chisholm, Nat Gonella and His Georgians.

Durham Brass: Hot 8 Brass Band.

Dublin-based Livia Records label releases a piece of jazz guitar history: they announced the September release of a previously unissued recording by two of the world’s leading jazz guitarists, Jim Hall and Louis Stewart.  The recording took place in Dublin at Christmas 1982: Louis Stewart & Jim Hall.

Tonight @ the Globe

The Globe press release for tonight's concert by the Jeffrey Hewer Collective reads thus:  

"The Jeffrey Hewer Collective is an exciting and dynamic band that performs jazz music in a contemporary style.Promoting the release of their latest album, the band will play selections from the recording as well as interpretations of jazz classics, bebop burners, blues and ballads. Expect songs by legends such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Joe Henderson as well as original music and arrangements inspired by the giants of jazz.

Led by guitarist Jeffrey Hewer, the quartet of guitar, bass, drums and saxophone brings an intense and lyrical sound as they explore musical soundscapes, bringing a joyful excitement and interplay to their music.

Dos Guitars Trio/Nomade Swing @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle - July 27

Luca Allievi (guitar); Alessandro Brizio (guitar); Mariano Gallizio (guitar) + second set ? (cajon)

Billy Bootleggers, an American-themed bar down in the Ouseburn, is known for its rockabilly and rhythm and blues acts. Apple Pie Moonshine, Picklebacks and the like, save for a Guinness it's a real beer drinker's nightmare. We were there to check out an unknown quantity. Low key publicity suggested a Saturday afternoon appearance by 'Dos Guitars', all the way from Italy, no less. Earlier in the week Dos Guitars and the Nomade Swing Trio were gigging up in Northumberland. It all sounded too good to be true...

Mississippi Dreamboats @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle - July 27

Liz Bacon (clarinet); Jim Blenkin (trombone, vocals); Sarah Thatcher (banjo, tenor guitar); Mike Kennedy (string bass); Paul Bacon (drums)

Newcastle is a party city and never more so than on a Saturday night. There were probably more revellers per square yard than you'd likely find on Sauchiehall Street on New Year's Eve.

The pubs and bars were overflowing and spreading out on to the city centre. It was like Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street. All that was missing was the music. Well not quite ... From the Prohibition Bar on the corner of Pink Lane and Forth could be heard the polyphonic weaving of clarinet and trombone calling the children home.

The Bold Big Band @ The Old Coal Yard, Newcastle - July 26

Jacob Lightfoot, Max Storey, Crissi Booth, Lucy McCartan, Brian Wicks (reeds); Billy Bradshaw, Sam Armstrong, James Bateman, Andrew Marshall (trumpets); Alex Utting, Bertie Marks, Josh Scott, Ciaran Skipper (trombones), Conor Polley (bass trombone, vocals); Ben Davies (guitar); Marcus Dawe (keyboards); Ifede Osiyemi (bass guitar); Dan Arenstein (drums)

A Newcastle Fringe event, a late Friday evening gig, doors open to the elements, there was every chance the Bold Big Band would be heard loud and clear across the Tyne to Gateshead and beyond. As we were on the premises of the Northern Alchemy Brewery the pick had to be In Orbit (4.5%), described as a 'classic winter session stout'. Minutes before the down beat members of the band were busy 'socialising'...hic!

Magic Flea opened the show in typical barnstorming Bold Big Band fashion. Backrow Politics maintained the momentum, the ace trumpet section attempting to blow the roof off the place. From Sammy Nestico and Gordon Goodwin to Hank Levy's arrangement for the Kenton band of Time for a Change, if you're at a BBB gig this is what you get, a full on big band sound.  

Some of my best friends are books written by or about Ronnie Scott and the club he co-founded

Wednesday's The Ronnie Scott's Story by the Ronnie Scott All Stars at Sunderland's Fire Station, which I missed,  prompted me, after reading Russell's review, to refresh myself on all things Ronnie.

And there were quite a few places to start. My sagging bookshelves contained at least seven tomes related to the late saxophonist and celebrated club owner. Only Sinatra had more space shelf and, if I include peripheral items such as Simon Spillett's biography of Tubby Hayes, The Long Shadow of the Little Giant,  Peter Dawn's Phil Seamon Percussion Genius and Peter King's autobiography Flying High then the gap narrows - at least in my personal library it does.

I almost missed this one!

The books, like the music, are well worth checking out and, most of the time unputdownable. Lance

British Jazz Hall of Fame (11 - 20)/Living Legends (12 - 20)

British Jazz Hall of Fame (11 - 20)

11. Barbara Thompson 6 

11. Kenny Wheeler 6 

13. Don Rendell 5 

13. Ian Carr 5 

13. John Taylor 5 

13. Kenny Baker 5 

17. Alex Welsh 4 

17. Keith Tippett 4 

17. Michael Garrick 4 

17. Victor Feldman 4

The Ronnie Scott's Story @ The Fire Station, Sunderland - July 24

Polly Gibbons (vocals); Alex Garnett (tenor sax); James Pearson (MD, piano); Sam Burgess (double bass); Chris Higginbottom (drums) 

The Ronnie Scott's Story continues doing the rounds and little wonder given it attracts large attendances at venues up and down the land. Sunderland's Fire Station once again welcomed James Pearson and co, and they, the musicians, were welcomed by a full house. It's a multi-media show - still and moving images projected onto a screen above and behind the on-stage musicians - telling the story of 47 Frith Street and its predecessor Gerrard Street.

Album review: Phil Bancroft Quartet - Headlong (www.myriadstreams.com)

Phil Bancroft (tenor sax); Mike Walker (guitar); Reid Anderson (bass); Thomas Strønen (drums)

The CD arrived in a cardboard envelope along with another similarly packaged disc with no other information to guide me as to wherever it led. This was back in May and, not surprisingly, they were quickly buried under the daily avalanche of albums that are close to breaking the postwoman's back. She rarely closes the gate as she's probably thinking 'what's the point? I'll be back tomorrow unless I've got a slipped disc.'

Brian Ebbatson funeral details.

© Malcolm Sinclair

The funeral of Brian Ebbatson who passed away on July 19 will take place on Tuesday August 6 at Saltwell Crematorium, Gateshead, NE9 6DT at 11:15am.

Further details will be announced when known.

More about Brian, a highly respected figure on the north east jazz scene, can be found HERE.

To reiterate the words and thoughts of all who knew him, may he REST IN PEACE. He will be sadly missed. Lance

John Mayall RIP

In the mid-sixties John Mayall (guitar, harmonica, keyboards) emerged as a central figure in the British 'blues boom'. The Blues Breakers championed the music of American blues greats, touring with John Lee Hooker and others. The Marquee Club was home to Mayall and like-minded musicians dedicated to playing the blues. Many guitarists were employed by Mayall, notably Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Taylor and Coco Montoya. Born in Macclesfield, Mayall made California his home, where he died on July 22nd at the age of 90. Russell  

(Editor's note: 2011 John Mayall review HERE.)

Duke Ellington and Malcolm Mitchell

Amazing what turns up on that YouTube thing! Maurice Summerfield sent me this clip of Duke Ellington and Malcolm Mitchell playing Take the A Train on, of all places, a Hughie Green TV show. No, it wasn't Opportunity Knocks, I think opportunity had successfully knocked for them long ago.

This was from a 1959 show Atlantic Showboat filmed on board the liner Empress of Britain. Other stars taking part included Shirley Bassey, David Whitfield and George Formby - I wonder if Duke and George did some jamming?

British Jazz Hall of Fame/Living Legends 2024

Last month BSH invited a number of its contributors, broadcasters, musicians, promoters and other jazz notables to nominate up to ten musicians in no particular order or genre to form the basis of a by invitation annual poll. Forty-five invitations were issued and thirty-five responded* with 92 names being nominated in the British Jazz Hall of Fame section (those jazz musicians who have passed)  and 105 in the Living Legends. Not everyone picked ten (some wanted more) and not everyone submitted nominations in both categories. Musicians who achieved their greatest recognition in America such as George Shearing and Marian McPartland were deemed ineligible although borderline cases such as Feldman, Holland and Temperley were considered acceptable. Below are the top ten placings. Lance

Sunday night @ the Globe: Ben Crosland Quartet - July 21

Ben Crosland (semi-accoustic bass guitar); Rod Mason (soprano/tenor/alto saxes): Dean Stockdale (piano); Dave Tyas (drums)

This year's Newcastle Jazz Festival may have been knocked back until next year but, judging by the gigs across the region these past few days, you wouldn't have thought so. 

Thursday, the choice was between American alto player Brad Linde at the Globe or his fellow countryman trumpet player Theo Croker at the Glasshouse. Two American names in Newcastle on the same night!

On Friday, another great altoist, Spain's Luis Verde, played a lunchtime gig at the Lit & Phil then hightailed it down the A1(M) to Darlington for an evening gig at Opus 4. Alternatively, you could have taken the road less travelled to Sunderland where the  Zoë Gilby Trio were spreading their message at the Seventeen Nineteen (1719).

Saturday night if you'd just got paid you could have ripped it up with Snake Davis and Helen Watson at Chopwell Community Centre then, to round off the 'festival', Sunday night at the Globe beckoned...did it not!

The Darlington Big Band @ Dorman’s Jazz Club Middlesbrough - July 18

Richie Emmerson (MD), Alan Thompson, Andy Devine, Barbara Fagan, Norman Scriven, (saxes); Bill Watson, Kevin Eland, Dave Harrison, Colin Moore, (trumpets); Dave Brocklesby, Neville Hartley, Thomas McDonald, Al Brown, (trombones); Dave Archbold (keys), Karen McCleave (bass), Ed Maughan (guitar); Abbie Finn (drums)

Once again this band of 17 top class musicians led by saxophonist Richie Emmerson gave a good sized and knowledgeable audience a night of varied and professionally arranged big band compositions.

In true Stan Kenton style they opened with the Lennie Niehaus arrangement of On the Street Where You Live with its full big band sound, giving the night a great start. This was followed by the Count Basie number Moten Swing with a nice tenor solo from Richie and trumpet from Bill Watson.

Press release: Tonight @ the Globe - Ben Crosland Quartet

Founded in 2006, the Quartet features Ben Crosland (bass), Rod Mason (saxophones), Dean Stockdale (piano) and Dave Tyas (drums), all leading figures on the northern jazz scene. Each member of the band is a leader in his own right and this relaxed joining of kindred spirits produces an open, mature and energetic performance in which there are no conflicting egos, only a desire to enjoy each other’s company, play good music and entertain.

The band will feature material by contemporary composers including Jaco Pastorius, Bob Mintzer, Mike Mainieri and Don Grolnick as well as originals penned by Crosland, together with the occasional standard freshly realised.

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

Playlist 21/07/24 (repeated Tuesday 23/07/24)

Summer Vibes: Modern Jazz Quartet, John Settle, Gary Burton.

Requests from the John Settle gig: Eddie Condon, Oscar Peterson Trio, Oliver Nelson.

Durham Brass: Duke Ellington/Harry Carney, Leo P - Brasshouse.

Requests: Charlie Parker & Coleman Hawkins, Randy Brecker, Eric Marienthal, Lester Young.

Album review: Antonio Adolfo - Love Cole Porter (AAM Music)

Antonio Adolfo (piano, arrangements,); Lula Galvao (guitar); Jorge Helder (bass); Rafael Barata (drums); Dada Costa (perc.); Jessé Sadoc (trumpet, flugel); Danilo Sinna (alto sax); Marcelo Martins (tenor/soprano sax, flute); Rafael Rocha (trombone) 

Adolfo has had a career lasting 60 years during which time he has released 25 albums one of which reached the BSH Building back in 2021 and was reviewed HERE.

On this album we have a cleverly arranged fusion of jazz and various Brazilian rhythms on well known Cole Porter songs. As Adolfo points out, there is more to Brazilian jazz than samba and bossa. This I discovered as I found myself constantly referring to the notes to identify the different rhythms. 

Luis Verde @ Opus 4 Jazz Club - July 19

© Trevor Finn

Luis Verde (alto sax); Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums) + Harry Keeble (tenor sax)

Earlier in the day up the road in Newcastle, alto saxophonist Luis Verde wowed a full house at the Lit and Phil. Here at the Traveller's Rest in Cockerton, Darlington, the upstairs room on West Auckland Road filled up nicely, the majority of those taking their seats would be hearing the Tyneside based Spaniard for the first time. Looking around the room, Señor Verde pronounced himself happy with his surroundings, not least the portraits of some of the jazz greats adorning the walls.

Luis Verde with the Dean Stockdale Trio @ the Lit & Phil, Newcastle - July 19

© Ken Drew

Luis Verde (alto sax); Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (bass); Abbie Finn (drums).

The Spaniards who blighted our lives last Sunday have now been consigned to the history books. One Spaniard who hasn't blighted our lives is Luis Verde who, at the Lit & Phil's monthly lunchtime concert this afternoon, gave a superb recital that showed just why he is so highly regarded.

The concept was the music of Wayne Shorter and the hour just flew by as we sat and listened in jaw-dropping awe of his technique. However, this was more than a fleet-fingered saxophonist running through the changes almost at the speed of light, this was and is a player who knows exactly what he's putting down even if the idea only came a split-second earlier. Couple this with a full tone and you have the real deal.

Brian Ebbatson RIP

Brian Ebbatson died today (Friday 19 July). Brian was a keen supporter of the regional jazz scene, helping out at various venues and events. A member of the Lit & Phil in Newcastle, Brian and his wife Linda, could often be found serving teas and coffees, arranging seating, writing programme notes for the monthly lunchtime jazz concert series and much more. 

Theo Croker @ the Glasshouse, Gateshead - July 18

Theo Croker (trumpet, vocals, electronics);  Mike King (keys/piano); Eric Wheeler (bass); Jaylen Petinaud (drums)

It was with a sense of trepidation that I approached the entrance to Sage Two at the Glasshouse. The prophets of doom had warned me that it would be beyond my comprehension. 

Age-wise it was a more varied audience than usually turns up at a jazz gig and my antiquity showed when I presented a paper ticket as opposed to my phone. The word Luddite sprung to mind as I sheepishly made my way in.

The audience knew what they were here for and whooped and hollered before a note had been blown in anger. I, Luddite that I am, allowed myself a polite hand-clap.

Brad Linde's Continentals @ The Globe, Newcastle - July 18

© Ken Drew

Brad Linde (alto sax); Eli Thayer (guitar); Duncan Kremer (double bass); Nemo Ganguli (drums)

Brad Linde was making a first visit to Britain. This Newcastle Jazz Co-op gig, sandwiched between a week long run of dates in Scotland and a London appearance, attracted  a fair few regulars and a party all the way from North Carolina. The 'international' audience knew its Konitz from its Coleman, Frisell and co. 

The trio (Linde biding his time at the bar) opened without fanfare. An unannounced first number, very Frisellian, showcased the guitar playing of Linde's fellow countryman Eli Thayer. Currently based in Glasgow, Thayer's approach to his instrument placed him firmly in the improviser's camp, so much so he could have stepped out of the ranks of the Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra. 

Greg Abate @ the Lescar, Sheffield - July 17

© Jeff Pritchard

Greg Abate (alto sax); Nick Mantz (keys); James Owston (bass); Euan Palmer (drums) 

I have visited the Lescar on at least one other occasion which was to see US guitar legend Mundell Lowe who appeared alongside my friend Trefor Owen. However, this was a long time ago and I have a feeling the Lescar may have been situated at a different location to its present one. 

When I had a car, my last day driving was returning from a Clark Tracey gig at the Meadows in Sheffield. I well remember it was a hairy drive home along the unlit Snake Pass. Sheffield, like its close neighbour Leeds, has long been a great jazz town but, on this occasion, getting there proved to be extremely diificult due to many factors but it involved  things like non-existent hotel bookings, getting in and out of taxis, having to change coaches at Leeds, the list goes on but I won’t bore you with further details.

Album review: Pat Metheny - MoonDial (BMG)

Pat Metheny (nylon strung Linda Manzer baritone guitar)

This isn't the first time that Metheny has recorded on a baritone guitar crafted by luthier Linda Manzer. Previous albums, One Quiet Night (2003) and What's it All About? (2011) featured the instrument. However, the guitar on this one is different owing to the use of a new kind of nylon string made in Argentina enabling him to use a tuning system he has previously only been able to set up using steel strings.

Album review: Norma Winstone & Kit Downes - Outpost of Dreams (ECM)

Norma Winstone (voice); Kit Downes (piano)

Although there are only two performers on this thought-provoking ECM album there is so much going on that it is nigh on impossible to fully comprehend the meaningful music being created.

That Norma Winstone has the purist toned voice of any singer on today's jazz scene is a fact, a done deal. Despite having been active as a vocalist/lyricist for circa 60 years, unlike many singers, the voice has never lost its signature purity or the pitch-perfect delivery that is rarely heard outside of the Royal Opera House whilst her lyrics are poetry of the highest order.

The Just Friends Black Swan jam session - July 16

Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums) + Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Conor Emery (trombone); Kate O'Niell (vocals); Edgar Bell (cornet); Dan Potter (drums); Liam Oliver (guitar); John Rowland (tenor sax); Daisy (vocals); Esther Coombes (clarinet, alto sax); Lisa (vocals); Theo Nolan (drums); Ian Drever (vocals); Patrick (guitar); Ian White (tenor sax); David Gray (trombone, trumpet); Remy Coulthard Boardman (vocals) 

The rain hammered down. What's new? Turning into the courtyard of Newcastle Arts Centre, pools of water stood everywhere. Splish! Splash! No one but no one would venture out tonight, would they? Mine host, Kay, took pity on the bedraggled, opening the doors half an hour before the advertised time. 

Album review: Louis Stewart & Jim Hall (Livia Records LRCD 2402*)

Jim Hall, Louis Stewart (guitars)

I posted the press release to this album on July 12 so, to save me dishing up a mish-mash of the background to this 1982 Dublin concert go HERE.

Every word that the folk at Livia put out is true. This is more than an excellent guitar album, although it is most certainly that, it's also an album that can stand alongside any jazz recording irrespective of instrumentation or performer.

Stella by Starlight has both guitarists feeding off each other: solos and supportive chords, interchanging roles, dual lines crisscrossing like on a Bach fugue or a piece by the Modern Jazz Quartet.

Album review: Veronica Thomas - They Say It's Wonderful (Nica Carrington Productions)

Veronica Thomas (vocals); John Proux (piano, vocal on tk 12); Mike Gurrola (bass); Kevin van den Elzen (drums); Bob Sheppard (flute, soprano/tenor saxes).

Thomas' debut album. Well, er, actually it's her second except that for her previous album, Times Like These (reviewed HERE) her moniker was Nica Carrington. Confused? Me too. However, the name of the record label offers a clue (see heading) and if you skip down to the lower graphic all will be revealed.

Still Veronica or Nica, Thomas or Carrington, what's in a name? At the end of the day she could be called Fanlight Fanny and it wouldn't detract from the voice which is absolutely delightful and there's the rub. NYC where she now lives and LA where the album was recorded is awash with vocalists who have voices that are absolutely delightful. Other parts of the world too.

The Nathan Lawson Trio @ Blaydon Jazz Club - July 15

© Roly Veitch

Nathan Lawson (guitar); James Birkett (guitar); Neil Harland (double bass)

The Black Bull, Monday evening. For once the weather played fair, perhaps tempting any waverers to head to Bridge Street, Blaydon. At eight o'clock Nathan Lawson took to the stage with former mentor James Birkett and bassist Neil Harland. For the jazz guitar buff there was only one place to be and that was right here at the Black Bull.

Just Friends opened the programme. How appropriate! The Black Bull's welcoming lounge accommodated a healthy turn out, there to listen to some fine guitar playing. Faces old and new (the latter an encouraging sign) were as one, listening intently to not one but two marvellous guitarists with the bonus of having Neil Harland on the gig. Jimmy Van Heusen's I Thought About You, Jobim's bossa classic Wave, choice material, Nathan, James and Neil at the top of their collective game. Dream a Little Dream of Me, How High the Moon, non-stop musical excellence.

Press release: Sentient Beings – Truth is Not the Enemy (Discus Music)

Faith Brackenbury (violin, viola); John O’Gallagher (alto sax); John Pope (bass); Tony Bianco (drums)

A set of  high intensity free jazz interactions captured live at The Vortex, London in early 2024. Brackenbury and Bianco have worked together as a duo for a number of years and this is their third Discus Music release, following their opening fire music statement Rising Up (112CD) and the mystical Hildegard von Bingen + Coltrane inspired Wayward Mystic (140CD). 

 

The addition of Pope and O’Gallagher expands the duo into a formidable improvising quartet.

 

Album Review: Lakecia Benjamin – Phoenix Reimagined (Live) (ropeadope)

Lakecia Benjamin (alto sax, voice); Zaccai Curtis (piano); Elias Bailey (bass) EJ Strickland (drums); John Scofield (guitar track 2); Kat Dyson (guitar track 3); Randy Brecker (trumpet Track 2); Jeff Tain Watts (drums track 2); Richie Goods (bass Track 3 & 4); Ray Angry (piano track 3); Melodie Ray (vocals track 3 & 4)

Ms Benjamin stares out of the cover of this album with her trademark defiance. If you’re looking at your audience like that, you better have something to back you up. In the absence of an army, she has joy and energy, attitude and talent to spare. This is a live-in-the-studio recording in front of a small audience at Bunker Studios in Brooklyn. I believe that anyone attending who failed to confirm loudly that they were feeling ‘ALRIGHT!’ was advised to pack a bag and move to New Jersey. Five of the nine tracks are revisits of pieces from her 2023 album, Phoenix, and two (Trane and My Favorite Things) are her tributes to, and acknowledgements of the influence on her music of, John and Alice Coltrane.

King Bees @ Tyne Bar - July 14

Michael Littlefield (guitar, vocals); Scott Taylor (harmonica, vocals); Dom Hornsby (piano, guitar, vocals); Ted Harbot (double bass); Giles Holt (drums)

It's been thirty years. Thirty years since the Tyne Bar changed hands. From day one rhythm and blues has been a key element of the weekly entertainment down in the Ouseburn. It's been raining cats and dogs for days, if not weeks, on end. Would the Wimbledon Men's Singles Final and the looming Euro 24 finale on tv deter the Tyne Bar regulars? Not a chance! The place was jam-packed. They were there to listen to the Lounge Lizards (the first band to play the pub way back when) and, first up, King Bees.

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

Playlist 14//07/24 (repeated Tuesday 16/07/24)

Summer: Sarah Vaughan.

Summer: Chet Baker Quartet.

Requests from the Lonnie Donegan Story at Darlington New Orleans Club: Big Bill Broonzy, Woody Guthrie, Beryl Bryden, Cannonball Adderley, Ella Fitzgerald, Luis Russell and His Orchestra (Papa Jo Jones), Coleman Hawkins Quintet, Baby Jools & the Jazzaholics.

Request in memory of Richard: David Sanborn.

Les Jazz Rebels @ Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival - July 13

Jacques Boulan (trumpet, vocals); Jacques Montebruno (clarinet); Jean-Marc Ternois (trombone); Jean-Pierre Dubois (banjo); ? (double bass); ? (drums)

St Bride's Centre, tucked away in a residential side street, is but one venue pressed into action to accommodate some of the many concerts at the annual Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival. The 2024 edition of the international extravaganza included appearances (plural) by Les Jazz Rebels. The French outfit, inspired by Claude Luter, Sidney Bechet, Chris Barber and others, enjoyed playing to a sold out Friday crowd at the Jazz and Jive Club. A matter of hours later the six-piece band took to the Saturday lunchtime outdoor stage at Grassmarket before heading to St Bride's.

Album review: Sean Hong Wei & Jeremy Monteiro - The New Jersey Sessions (Jazz Note)

Sean Hong Wei (tenor sax); Jeremy Monteiro (piano); Jay Anderson (bass); Evan Sherman (drums) + Alex Sipiagin (trumpet tks 1 & 8); Houston Person (tenor sax on tks 5 & 7).

I'm a bit behind on this one, it came out on May 31 and marks Monteiro's 48th album in a career that has seen him teamed up with a host of jazz luminaries including James Moody, Benny Golson, Michael Brecker and Ernie Watts which suggests he has a particular affinity with saxophone players, an affinity testified to by this particular album.

He originally teamed up with Hong Wei in their native Singapore and, after the tenor player settled in NYC, frequently met up  and eventually recorded The New Jersey Sessions in ex Dizzy Gillespie bassist John Lee's Alleycat studio.

Jazz on the Tyne – What’s On & What’s New, late July 2024

In the latest edition of the podcast, presenter Colin Muirhead plays new music by the Milne Glendinning Band, Paul Taylor and Fraser Fifield, and he previews gigs by Luis Verde, Theo Croker, the Vieux Carré Jazzmen, Archipelago, Helena Kay and Zoë Gilby.  There’s also a request for a tune by Dizzy Gillespie.

You can listen to the show anytime HERE. Plus, you can request music for future programmes, or pass on news or feedback by emailing Colin at:

jazz.tyne.hive@gmail.com or by heading to www.jazzonthetyne.org.

Threeway on 3, then 4 at the Globe

Ten days from now (Sunday July 21) the Ben Crosland Quartet (Rod Mason, Dean Stockdale, Ben Crosland and Dave Tyas) will be at the Globe, Newcastle. 

By way of a taster, albeit featuring a different line-up, Ben Crosland's Threeway (bassist Crosland with Steve Waterman, trumpet and Steve Lodder, piano) will be performing live in BBC Radio 3's In Tune studio this Friday afternoon at five o'clock. Russell

Preview: Les Jazz Rebels @ Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival (Saturday July 13)

Les Jazz Rebels are in Edinburgh this weekend to present two concerts at this year's Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival. The first of them, this evening at Edinburgh Jazz and Jive Club, is a sellout. The band's second engagement is a late Saturday afternoon concert at St Bride's Centre (5:30pm). Les Jazz Rebels emerged phoenix-like from the ashes of the renowned Hot Antics Jazz Band, recruiting ace musicians along the way from other French outfits including Haricots Rouges and Jazz à Bichon. Tickets (£15.00.) for the St Bride's gig are going fast, don't hesitate, book now: www.ejbf.co.uk. Russell