Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: ''It was then that Coltrane came along and single-handedly brought this dimension of spirituality into jazz. It was a pivotal experience to me.'' (DownBeat September, 2026)

The Things They Say!

This is a good opportunity to say thanks to BSH for their support of the jazz scene in the North East (and beyond) - it's no exaggeration to say that if it wasn't for them many, many fine musicians, bands and projects across a huge cross section of jazz wouldn't be getting reviewed at all, because we're in the "desolate"(!) North. (M & SSBB on F/book 23/12/24)

Postage

18957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 821 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 30.) 100.

Reviewers wanted

Whilst BSH attempts to cover as many gigs, festivals and albums as possible, to make the site even more comprehensive we need more 'boots on the ground' to cover the albums seeking review - a large percentage of which never get heard - report on gigs or just to air your views on anything jazz related. Interested? then please get in touch. Contact details are on the blog. Look forward to hearing from you. Lance

From This Moment On

October.

Tue 06: Alan Law @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free. Alan Law (piano) w. Paul Grainger (double bass).
Tue 06: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Murray Oak, Paul Grainger, John Bradford.
Tue 06: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 06: Black is the Color of My Voice @ Northern Stage, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman stage play inspired by Nina Simone. First night of two.

Wed 07: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free. Wed 07: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 07: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 07: Black is the Color of My Voice @ Northern Stage, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman stage play inspired by Nina Simone. Second night of two.

Thu 08: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 08: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free (donations).
Thu 08: Indigo Jazz Voices w. Little Big Band @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 09: Dean Stockdale Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums).
Fri 09: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle.

Sat 10: Catfish Keith @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £19.00. + bf. Jumpin’ Hot Club.

Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free. Feat. guest Jack ‘Banjo’ Courtney (trumpet).
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Harry Christelis Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A Jazz Co-op-JNE co-promotion.

Mon 12: Jack Pearce Quintet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 12: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Thursday, August 01, 2024

David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band livestreaming from Birdland, NYC - July 31

Joe Boga (trumpet); Jim Fryer (trombone, tuba, vocals); Nathan Tokunaga (clarinet, alto sax); Arnt 'Arnie' Arntzen (banjo, guitar, vocals); David Ostwald (tuba); Alex Roderman (drums) 

David Ostwald has lead his Louis Armstrong Eternity Band for twenty four years. Every Wednesday, without fail, for many a year here at Birdland, NYC, the band's midweek, late afternoon slot is invariably a sell out. Thanks to NYC debutant Nathan Tokunaga, this week's performance was no exception. At seventeen, the Californian schoolboy is a star in the making. Tokunaga, clarinet and alto sax, small in stature, looks somewhat younger than he is and standing alongside seasoned musicians the generation gap was there for all to see.     

From the set opener, When it's Sleepy Time Down South, to the set closer, Swing That Music, this was a hugely enjoyable 75 minutes. Bandleader David Ostwald has a nice line in patter: a dry wit, casually engaging with his audience, a stock of well-honed one-liners at his fingertips. The jazz? Top drawer. Would Joe Boga nail Armstrong's imperious trumpet playing on West End Blues? You bet! Great! 

Classy banjo player Arnt 'Arnie' Arntzen sang one or two numbers, Stardust a particular highlight. Jim Fryer, once of the Classic Jazz Party, is what you could call 'good value', an excellent trombonist, a handy tuba payer (a fun tuba duet with Ostwald on Ice Cream) and occasional vocalist. Swinging drummer Alex Roderman is frequently on this Birdland gig and this afternoon's session illustrated his all-rounder status. 

NYC debutant Nathan Tokunaga was the focus of attention. For the duration, playing clarinet and occasionally alto sax, the teenager's mature sound and sound technique beggared belief. Already gigging across California, this visit to the Big Apple has seen Tokunaga sitting-in at Jon-Erik Kellso's Ear Inn gig, livestreaming with Rossano Sportiello and participating in JALC's Summer Jazz Academy. And now, Birdland! Check out Tokunaga playing alto sax on Jubilee Stomp! Russell                 

Set list: When it's Sleepy Time Down South; Indiana; West End Blues; Sweet Sue*; The Weary Blues; Black and Blue; Stomping at the Savoy; Ice Cream; Stardust*; Jubilee Stomp; Home*; Swing That Music**.

* Arntzen voc.; ** Arntzen & Fryer vocs.

YouTube (starts about 3:30 mins in). 
at

No comments :

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )

Blog Archive