Album review: Catriona Bourne - Triquetra (Youth Music)

Catriona Bourne (harp, flute, vocals); Francis Tulip (guitar); James Owston (bass); Joe Bainbridge (drums)

I must hold my hand up and confess that I was more than a little apprehensive before I cranked up the Victrola to listen to this enigmatic album. Tulip I knew as one of the north east's finest young guitarists but, I mused, what sort of company has he got himself mixed up with since he moved to the academic fleshpots of London? 

However, from the opening bars of Triquetra I realised my misgivings were well and truly misplaced. Catriona Bourne is as much a jazz musician as any contemporary horn player. The fluency of her technique is on a par with that of Tulip's which, believe you me is no faint praise. 

Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Gala, Durham - Sept. 20

Lindsay Hannon (vocals, egg shakers); Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Brendan Murphy (percussion, old boot & spanner)

Tom Waits for No Man is a winner. Selling out wherever it plays, Lindsay Hannon's set is nothing short of fabulous. This afternoon's Gala Theatre concert held a capacity audience spellbound. Lindsay's diction, intonation and interpretation of a lyric were simply flawless - and not a lyrics sheet in sight.

Lindsay's musicians on the gig - a bluesy, saloon bar Alan Law (piano), a barrel-straight Paul Grainger (bass) and the percussion maestro that is Brendan Murphy - got it exactly right, number after number. Tom Waits isn't jazz but that's not the point. What we have here is a concert performance of the highest order. A liking for jazz isn't a requirement, it isn't necessary to be a card-carrying member of the Tom Waits fan club, anyone with an ear cannot fail to be other than impressed.

Shellac (G): Kenny Graham's Afro-Cubists - Pina Colada/Mango Walk

My father once gave me some invaluable advice. He said to me, "Son, before you ask a girl to marry you, take a good look at her mother because that's what she's going to look like in thirty years time."

I'm pleased to say that I followed that advice.

It could also be applied to Kenny Graham and his Afro-Cubists. 

NYC jazz notes (17)

Our blue skies week in the Big Apple was nearing its end. Checking out of the hotel, before heading out to JFK there was one more item on the itinerary. As the mercury hit 34°, a not-so-leisurely stroll with a large suitcase and a couple of other bags, we boarded a train from East 28th up to Lexington Avenue-53rd St.. 

Emerging from the subway, we walked no more than ten metres into an adjacent plaza and took a seat. Jazz at St Peter's is a NYC (Wednesday lunchtime) institution. As luck would have it, this afternoon's 'Jazz on the Plaza' concert would feature the Billy Harper Quintet! The now octogenarian band leader twice appeared at the then Sage Gateshead (now Glasshouse) with the Cookers. It was hard to believe we were about to listen to the hard bop tenor saxophonist in his own backyard...

Album review: Claire Martin - Almost in Your Arms (Stunt Records)

Claire Martin (vocals); Martin Sjöstedt (piano/keys); Niklas Fernqvist (bass); Daniel Fredriksson (drums) + James McMillan (perc., trumpet, flugel, keys, programming); Karl-Martin Almqvist (sax on tks 2, 6); Nikki Iles (accordion on tk 4); Mark Jaimes (guitar on tk 11); Joe Locke (vibes on tks 1,7, narration on tk 7); Charlie Wood (vocal duet on tk 2).

Impeccable is the word that immediately springs to mind when I hear Claire Martin. I just know I'm going to like what I hear and I've yet to be disappointed. The magic is always there.

This particular album comprises a choice selection of mostly lesser known songs and it's none the worse for that.

Perhaps the best known is the swinging I Feel a Song Coming on. The Dorothy Fields/Jimmy McHugh composition is tailor made for Claire with some equally swinging vibes from Joe Locke to add to the joyous mood.

Message from Mike

© Ken Drew

Just to remind any BSH readers who watch Smalls live online that Greg Abate is playing there on Friday & Saturday (Sept 20 and Sept 21.)

Also I see he has updated his tour dates to include two extra gigs. On Nov 24 he plays an afternoon duo gig with Dean Stockdale in Hexham and, in the evening, a quartet gig in Newcastle, again with Dean.  Regards to all in the north east. Mike Farmer

Goodbye Ann Alex

It was sad, but not painfully so. The chapel was well-attended by friends and relations who'd given up weekend vacations (poetic liberty as it was, and still is, actually Thursday) to remember the enigma that was Ann Alexander - Ann Alex to followers of BSH.

Ann was many things to many people, all of whom had their memories and none of them bad.

Afterwards, many of us made our way down to the sea front and the Little Haven Hotel where more memories were exchanged by those whose lives had entwined with Ann's which meant everyone present. I think that even those closest to her learned something new about her today.

Given the circumstances of this gathering it may seem strange to describe it as perfect but, I don't think Ann would have wanted it any other way so, in that respect, it was perfect.

Goodbye dear friend, you added something to the lives of all who knew you. R.I.P. Lance

Album review: Natalie Jacob - Sooner or Later (self released)

Natalie Jacob (vocals); Tamir Hendelman (piano, arranger); Carlitos Del Puerto (bass); Clayton Cameron (drums) +  Scotty Barnhart (trumpet on tks 1,6,9,10); Anthony Wilson (guitar on tks 2,7,10); Kevin Winard (perc on tks 2,7,10)

Another vocalist intent on keeping the GAS in the jazz public's eye. This is quite important otherwise songs such as East of the Sun and Exactly Like You would end up on the shelf gathering dust like Gregorian chants and How Much is That Doggie in the Window? That the definitive versions have already been carved in vinyl by such as Frank, Mel, Ella, Billie, Peggy, Sassy, Tony, Anita, Chet and a host of others is no deterrent and in many cases, such as this one, it is always a delight to hear a quality singer carrying the torch a bit further. Particularly as the aforementioned greats are no longer with us.

NYC jazz notes (16)

The Empire State, Times Square, Macy's, all the touristy things. It was another scorcher, 30° plus. Craning necks, looking up and up and up, the Manhattan skyline is something else! Excuse me, could you tell me the way to the Empire State Building? Our New Yorker replied: You got it! This is it, right here. We were standing outside the main entrance! Crossing over the road to get a better view, the iconic Empire State is but one of countless skyscrapers reaching for the stars. 

Lancaster Jazz Festival 2024 - Sunday, Sept. 15

It’s been a number of years since I was at the Lancaster Jazz Festival and the main venue - where the free bands appear – has moved and changed significantly. Kanteena is a rustic, barn style venue with rows of benches, part of a significant complex of which the weather on the day did not encourage the use or exploration of. It’s on the outskirts of town, which makes parking easy (though expensive), but also seems to be away from the town centre, which is a shame.

A bad case of kennel cough kept us away from the Saturday sessions – when the weather was much better – but Sunday was always the most enticing day of the weekend.

 

Today's shellacking: Bud Freeman and his Summa Cum Laude Orchestra - The Eel/China Boy

The jazz historians sometimes forget/ignore that, apart from Hawk and Lester, there was a third lineage of tenor saxophone players - Bud Freeman.

Bud probably found his original inspiration in Frankie Trumbauer's tone on C melody sax and although his phrasing leaned towards Hawkins, the sound was lighter more in the direction of Lester.

Bud was a frequent UK visitor to the UK and when in the north east usually stayed with the late Randy Heads. Bud was very much an Anglophile, Randy once telling me that Bud was more British than he was.

I remember Bud playing at Newcastle City Hall with the World's Greatest Jazz Band.

An autumnal Black Swan jam session - Sept. 17

Joe Steels (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums, trumpet) + Harry Keeble (tenor sax, piano); Bailey Rudd (drums); Theo Nolan (piano); Paul Ruddick (alto sax); Shivan Ruddick (trumpet); Liam Oliver (guitar); Dan Potter (drums); John Weaver (trumpet); Steve Summers (tenor sax); Esther Coombes (tenor sax, alto sax, clarinet); Hugh ? (drums); Carrie McCullock (vocals); ? (vocals); Owen Jones (double bass); Jamie Watkins (double bass); Shayo (vocals); Kath Butcher (vocals); Haaroun Miller (alto sax, tenor sax); Joe ? (drums); Oscar Nolan (vocals); Edgar Bell (trumpet) 

The house trio playing Cole Porter's Everything I Love opened the show followed by Bird's My Little Suede Shoes, things were going well. The Black Swan was busy, noticeably so. An unusually early change of personnel saw drummer Abbie Finn stepping down, Bailey Rudd a more than able dep. Hmm...

Harry Keeble called Naima. Now, this was the business! Finn returned with trumpet in hand. What's going on? Sure enough, award-winning drummer-turned-trumpeter, Abbie Finn plucked up the courage to play The Lady is a Tramp. Well, what do you know?! Session leader Joe Steels took five and, with Theo Nolan sitting-in on piano, Keeble (tenor sax) and Finn (trumpet) played Vernon Duke's Autumn in New York. Well, well, well...

R.I.P. Tony Haynes (July 10, 1941 - Sept. 17, 2024)

I've just heard the sad news of the passing of Tony Haynes. Pianist, trombonist and leader of the Grand Union Orchestra I have fond memories of hearing the GUO at the Customs House in South Shields back in 2008.

I was impressed - LINK.

For the moment I have no more information apart from the memory of that wonderful concert. I'm devastated that, somewhere along the line my photos vanished.

Sadly missed.

Lance

Album review: The Paul Carlon Quintet - Blues For Vita (Deep Tone Records)

Paul Carlon (tenor sax); Eddie Allen (trumpet); Helio Alves (piano); Harvie S (bass); Willie Martinez (drums).

Well now that the fire brigade have been and gone,* it's time to listen to some jazz and what better than an album described by the blurb as 'a hip, Latin-jazz inflected mix of originals and standards'? Well it certainly did all of that to the extent that I almost rang the fire station and told them to put the crew on standby. By which you'll probably gather that the sparks were flying.

Blues For Vita is Carlon's sixth album as a leader and what you get is some contemporary hard bop over Latin percussion. Imagine a front-line of Gene Ammons and Woody Shaw backed by Tito Puente and you're heading in the right direction. 

John Hallam with the James Birkett Trio @ Blaydon Jazz Club - Sept. 16

© Roly Veitch

John Hallam (tenor sax, baritone sax, clarinet); James Birkett (guitar); Jeremy McMurray (piano); Andy Champion (double bass)

In its 40th anniversary year, Blaydon Jazz Club extended an invitation to a long-standing friend to join in the celebrations. Travelling from west of the Pennines, John Hallam arrived in good time ready to play some jazz. Similarly, the audience arrived in good time. Clearly, we were thinking as one, ie. get there early to claim a seat! Long before the eight o'clock start most of the seats were occupied.   

Almost exactly 40 years to the day (September 13), John Hallam opened this celebratory concert with Just Friends. How appropriate! A wag whispered to your correspondent: The lad shows promise! An easy-going sort, during the evening Hallam would play no fewer than three reeds - tenor sax, baritone sax and clarinet.   

NYC jazz notes (15)

Subway from West 44th (Birdland) down to West 10th. A Monday night at the Village Vanguard means one thing, twice nightly performances by one of NYC's finest big band outfits. Once upon a time it was the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, for the last few decades, and a change of name along the way, it's been the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. 

Two shows every Monday night, year round, all of them advance sell outs. Tickets purchased in the UK, we booked for the second house. The West Village was busy, it's probably like this 365 days of the year. At around nine in the evening, as the first house was approaching its end, up on the street a queue began to form. Some time after nine, the first house came out, at half past we were making our way down the steps into one of the most famous jazz rooms on the planet. It's first come, first served to the seats. Sitting front row, we were close enough to tap pianist Adam Birnbaum on the shoulder...

Swing Manouche @ Blyth Yamaha Music School - Sept. 16

Mick Shoulder (guitar); Danny Lowndes (guitar); Martin Winning (clarinet); Paul Grainger (string bass)

A beautiful, bright day here in Blyth. The Yamaha Music School continues to thrive with courses galore and a weekly concert programme. This week's Monday lunchtime concert featured Mick Shoulder's Swing Manouche. A gathering of Djangologists and others sat back to enjoy an hour of all things Django. 

A recent change to the line-up has seen the departure of rhythm guitarist Dave Smith and the return to the fold of Sheffield-based guitarist Danny Lowndes. The band opened with Dinette and from here on in, Shoulder, Lowndes, Paul Grainger (string bass) and Martin Winning (clarinet) polished-off a string of classic numbers. 

Funeral reminder

Just a reminder that the funeral of Ann Alexander (Ann Alex) takes place on Thursday (Sept. 19) at South Tyneside Crem (11:15am). 

Donations to the British Heart Foundation in lieu of flowers are welcome. There will be a donation box at the crem.

The service will be streamed from 11:10am. If you can't make it please contact me for further details. 

There will be refreshments afterwards at the Little Haven Hotel (River Dr, South Shields, NE33 1LH). Lance

Shellac no. 5: Roy Eldridge - The Heat's On/Schooldays

Letter E. The obvious choice - Duke Ellington. However, with such a lot to choose from going back to The Blues I Love To Sing in 1927  up to Skin Deep in the 1950s as well as umpteen others in between it was just impossible so instead I opted for Roy Eldridge.

Now 'Little Jazz', to give him his nickname, is a bit of an enigma. I saw him live on several occasions usually with Coleman Hawkins as part of the JATP circus. Sometimes he was fantastic whilst other occasions ... well say no more...

Album review: Nancy Reed, Spencer Reed - Happying

Nancy Reed (bass guitar, vocals); Spencer Reed (guitar, vocals); Bill Goodwin (drums on tks 1,2,4,6,7,8); Dave Liebman (soprano sax on tk 3); Jay Rattman (alto sax on tk 1 clarinet on tk 6); Peter Phillips (synth on tk 5); Ed Ludwig (tenor sax on tk 8); Craig Kastelnik (synth on tk 4 B3 on tk 8); Neil Braunston (drums on tk 5) 

This one slipped through the net - it's been languishing in my in-tray (that's a laugh! My in-skip would be more like it) since June. Somehow, some fast-talkin' PR person got the jump on Nancy and Spencer. However, all good things come to them that wait and with this album the waiting's over.

If you like/liked Man Tran, LHR, Jackie and Roy or any jazz-related harmony group whether in duo, trio or quartet format then this is for you.

The couple's romantic attachment is matched by their musical compatibility which shines through  on all eight tracks.

Sunday night @ the Globe: Panharmonia - Sept. 15

© Sheila Herrick

Keith Barrett (guitar, bodhrán, vocals); Fiona Finden (soprano sax, vocals, shaker); Stu Finden (baritone sax); Alan Law (piano); Andrew Porritt (bass, vocal); Tim Johnston (drums)

Panharmonia may not have the edge on sliced bread but, last night at the Globe, there were interesting moments. How could there not be when you had six such highly accomplished players?

The programme varied from the indescribable to a vocal by the bassist formerly known as Andrew Porritt which was quite impressive. There were Barrett originals, some new, some familiar, vocals from Fiona, who also got a good sound blowing curved soprano, and earthy baritone from Stu Finden.

NYC jazz notes (14)

© Patti

Monday evening in New York City, not one but two legendary residencies to get along to. The first of them, the first house at Birdland followed by the second house at the Village Vanguard. Subway up to West 44th, Birdland up ahead. We'd worry about getting from A (Birdland) to B (the Vanguard) later. 

Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks have been doing this at Birdland - two shows, Monday nights - for many a year. Tuxedos all, the band would dip into Giordano's vast library of arrangements. The house lights dimmed, from New Orleans to Kansas City to New York City, Giordano's hotshots wowed the sold out crowd. Joe Boga nailed West End Blues (thrillingly so), the charts came thick and fast, Bennie Moten (Pass Out Lightly), Luis Russell (Jersey Lightning) and more. 

Shellac number 4 Alan Dean and his Be-Boppers - Barbados/Gone With the Windmill

At last, a British 78! Alan Dean was possibly the first British bop vocalist although I suppose a case could also be put forward for Terry Devon with the Tito Burns Sextet or Frank Holder with the Dankworth Seven. All were in at the ground floor (or should that be the basement?) of the, then, new music.

The four sides I have by Alan Dean and his Be-Boppers (sic) indicate that Alan Dean (vocal); Reg Arnold (trumpet); Johnny Dankworth (alto sax); Ronnie Scott (tenor sax); Bernie Fenton (piano); Pete Chilver (guitar); Joe Muddel (bass) and Laurie Morgan (drums) were on their way to absorbing the lessons learned by Scott and Dankworth on their legendary transatlantic trips to New York as part of 'Geraldo's Navy'.

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

Playlist 15/09/24 (repeated Tuesday 17/09/24)

Seasonal: Boswell Sisters, John Coltrane.

Birthday Memory: Cannonball Adderley.

Requests from Big Easy: Lester Young, Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Sonny Rollins, Lee Morgan.

Requests: Sergio Mendes (RIP), Bill Evans.

Jeff Barnhart's Silent Film Fest @ Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club - Sept. 14

Jeff Barnhart (piano & commentary)

Virtuoso pianist Jeff Barnhart is a man of many talents. Following a performance the previous day at the Lit and Phil, Newcastle in which he formed one half of a stupendous two-pianos set with Neville Dickie, the man from Mystic, Connecticut made a much-anticipated return to Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club. The church hall on Larchfield Street opened its doors at noon and by half past the hour all seats were occupied. 

An authority on early 20th century jazz piano (its schools and pianists), the ebullient Barnhart just happens to be something of a silent film buff. Informative introductions to four silent movie shorts set the scene. Barnhart made the observation that if he did his job right, we would soon forget he was at the house piano responding and improvising to the action unfolding on the silver screen. 

NYC jazz notes (13)

A visual arts/doing-the-sights day, later, the evening would be a two-gigs-on-the-night affair. Up on Fifth Avenue, just across the road from Central Park, stands the Guggenheim Museum. The thick end of $30 admission, the place was heaving with tourist culture vultures. Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic modernist building at 1071 Fifth Avenue is in stark relief to its neighbours either side. 

Album review: Helena Debono & Charlie Bates - A Thousand Nights

When I say that there is room for improvement it has nothing to do with the music. Singer, band, soloists, arrangements are all excellent. No, my gripe is with the inside cover. The font size is so small you need 20-20 vision and perhaps some magnifying equipment from Jodrell Bank to read it.

However, now that I've got that off my chest I'll get down to the positives of which there is an abundance.

Both Helena and Charlie are alumni of NYJO and A Thousand Nights is a compelling collaboration between themselves, a big band packed with A-listers and a large orchestra, in a mix of standards and originals. 

Today's shellac selection: Bob Crosby's Bobcats - It Was a Lover and his Lass/Oh Mistress Mine

Shakespeare and All That Jazz, to quote from the title of an iconic Cleo Laine album, may doth seem strange bedfellows but, in truth their union hast oft bore fruit.

Arthur Young's settings to the words of four of the Bard's songs are a case in point. Cleo recorded all four with the Dankworth Seven back in the early fifties and again in the sixties on the aforementioned album. Then of course there was Duke's Such Sweet Thunder and the jazz related film All Night Long with Tubbs, Brubeck and Mingus among others putting Othello into a jazz scenario.

R.I.P. Zoot Money (July 17, 1942 - Sept. 8, 2024)

The sad news that Zoot Money is no longer with has hit many fans in many genres. He adopted the name Zoot after hearing Zoot Sims when he was still at school. He was well known in Newcastle.

Apart from the many appearances by Zoot Money and the Big Roll Band at the Club a'GoGo on Percy St they also played at Redcar Jazz Club, Kirklevington Country Club, the Mayfair and many other northeast venues. I think his last visit to Newcastle was probably in 2017 when he played Newcastle Labour Club. It was a year later when I saw/heard him at Ronnie's guesting with Georgie Fame and the Guy Barker Big Band.

Jeff Barnhart & Neville Dickie @ the Lit & Phil - Sept. 13

© Patti

Jeff Barnhart, Neville Dickie (pianos)

This was something else! Close your eyes and you were at a Harlem rent party with Fats and Willie 'The Lion' the main contenders. If you've never witnessed two stride pianos slugging it out on two pianos then you ain't been nowhere - and one of them, this lunchtime was 87 year-old and British!

Although there may have been a competitive edge, and it's inevitable when two players are playing the same instrument, the overall effect was of two pianists sharing their mutual admiration for each other.

At times it was hard to tell where one ended and the other began. Everything was seamless and it was equally hard to tell who was enjoying it the most - the performers or the audience. I think that one was a score draw.

More shellac! Earl Bostic's Flamingo

Two days in and I'm already at the letter B. This is a tricky one. Basie, Barnet, Bix, Bunny? They're all well-represented in my collection however, I've bypassed them in favour of Earl Bostic's Flamingo/Sleep.

Flamingo had a big effect on teenagers in the early fifties. His growling tone on alto personified instrumental rhythm and blues and, once more kids could dance to jazz although once rock and roll arrived in the form of Bill Haley and Elvis those fickle fans flew the coup.

No one understood how he got that raspy growl. One local know-all said it was because he played the instrument underwater. Fortunately I had yet to take up the saxophone otherwise I may have drowned or at least caught a cold.

Kamasi Washington tour rescheduled

The American super soul star saxophonist Kamasi Washington's 2024 tour has been rescheduled to 2025 owing to a serious back injury.

Washington was due to appear at the Glasshouse on October 20. That concert will now take place on April 5, 2025.

If you already have tickets they will be honoured. If you can't make the new date contact the Glasshouse HERE.

In the photo Kamasi (left) can be seen at Cheltenham in 2018 with our reviewer Steve T. Lance 

A Great Afternoon in Brunswick - Sept. 12

Brunswick Methodist Church is home, temporarily or otherwise, to Gateshead Jazz Appreciation Society. Meeting fortnightly Thursdays (all welcome), jazz enthusiasts turn up to listen to and talk about (favourite?) recordings. This afternoon's gathering focused upon Art Kane's 1958 Harlem group portrait photograph of 57 musicians and the jazz associated with it/them. 

Your correspondent, thinking it was a 2:30pm start, turned up fashionably late, half an hour late. The GJAS attendees looked round, their concentration disturbed. Apology offered, taking a seat, the thought occurred that BSH's Editor-in-Chief should look for someone else to compile the what's on listings...

Album review: Leslie Pintchik - Prayer For What Remains (Pintch Hard Records)

Leslie Pintchik (piano, composer, arranger);  Scott Hardy (bass); Michael Sarin (drums); Satoshi Takeishi (perc.) + Steve Wilson (soprano sax on two tks)

Pintchik's eighth album and I think the title gives a clue as to the mood although I could be wrong. We shall see ...

The title track* bears me out with some thoughtful piano from the leader and an expressive soprano wail from Wilson on the first of his two appearances.

However, Later Than We Thought  is more up. The bouncy Latin rhythm belying the inspiration behind the title (this might be our last cup of coffee!).

NYC jazz notes (12)

On another hot, blue sky day, a trip up to E 126 St was eagerly anticipated. A Great Day in Harlem: Art Kane's photograph (1958), Jean Bach's documentary film about the occasion (1994), the Strictly Smokin' Big Band's Harlem '58 album (2021), the subject matter of the iconic Esquire magazine photo continues to fascinate six decades on. 

Brownstone buildings were at the forefront of a sepia-tinted mind's eye, would the romance of it all live up to expectations? The subway Uptown was hot, hot, hot. Mid-morning, emerging onto the streets of Harlem, folk were going about their business. Brownstones? Yes, but not as many as one might imagine. Decades of development/redevelopment have had an effect, that much was clear to see. 

The Tannery jam session - Sept. 11

Joe Steels (guitar, bass guitar); Paul Susans (bass guitar); Dan Ward (drums) + John Weaver (trumpet); Jane ? (alto sax); John Rowland (tenor sax); Chris ? (guitar); Tony Wilson (drums); Phil ? (guitar, keyboards)

In John Hirst's absence, Dan Ward stepped into the breach. Joe Steels, Paul Susans and Dan provided solid rhythm section support to allcomers. The Tannery at the bottom of Gilesgate is home to Hexham's monthly (second Wednesday) jam session. Numbers are picking up (audience and participants) and if perseverance gets you anywhere, the Tyne Valley jam session is going places!

Never mind the vinyl, dig the shellac (but don't drop it!)

Well I've finally managed to connect a turntable that plays at (circa) 78rpm up to a pair of speakers. This I did by putting a line in from said turntable to another system (which doesn't spin at circa 78rpm) via a CD socket. The reason for this is I have literally hundreds of 78rpm discs that have been gathering dust since Kid Ory was a kid (slight exaggeration!) and so I thought I'd indulge myself on a journey down memory lane and pick out one per day on an alphabetical basis.

Album review: Franco Ambrosetti - Sweet Caress (enja)

Franco Ambrosetti (flugel); Alan Broadbent (piano, arranger, conductor); John Scofield (guitar); Scott Colley (bass); Peter Erskine (drums); Sara Caswell (violin, concertmaster) + 29 piece orchestra.

I must confess that when I saw the line-up I anticipated something a little different - well, actually quite a lot different! Erskine I've always associated with Jaco and Weather Report, Scofield with Miles, Mingus, Paul Bley and other forward thinkers and Broadbent with, er well, everybody!

Album review: Jan Lundgren & Yamandu Costa - Inner Spirits (ACT)

Jan Lundgren (piano); Yamandu Costa (guitar)

Piano and guitar albums are not that common in jazz, perhaps because both instruments seem to occupy the same part of the musical spectrum. Alternatively, perhaps there should be more of them, because they seem to occupy the same part of the musical spectrum which means that, when you get an album like this it sounds like four hands interweaving so closely together that there are so many ‘can’t tell when one ends and the other starts’ moments, most of which are moments of joy.

NYC jazz notes (11)

The Ear Inn dates from 1817. It's a bit of a trek to get to the pub, as Jon-Erik Kellso said, it's 'way west', near to the Holland Tunnel by the Hudson. As NYC watering holes go, it's a proper pub. For the last seventeen years Kellso's Earregulars have maintained a Sunday evening residency at 326 Spring Street.

This Sunday evening found Kellso working in the company of Scott Robinson, Chris Flory and Tal Ronen. The place was busy; jazz aficionados, barflies, punters on a NYC weekend pub crawl and a fair few diners. 

NYC jazz notes (10)

Avenue B, East Village. From 1950 to 1954 Charlie Parker lived at 151 Avenue B. Since 1992 the street has been known as 'Charlie Parker Place'. A year later the first Charlie Parker Jazz Festival was staged in Tompkins Square Park. The Parker residence is situated over the road from the inner-city green space. The annual festival is held on or near Bird's birthday (August 29). The 2024 edition included performances by Kurt Elling, Charlie Hunter and octogenarian drummer Louis Hayes. 

Bishop Auckland or Newcastle - decisions, decisions (Friday 13)

Occasionally there is an unavoidable clash of gigs and Friday presents something of a dilemma. At Auckland Castle at one o'clock the lesser spotted Noel Dennis (trumpet, flugelhorn) takes to the stage with his ace quartet. Meanwhile, at the same time, at Newcastle's Lit & Phil there is a two-pianos special featuring Jeff Barnhart and Neville Dickie. What to do? What to consider? Location? Distance travelled? Accessibility? Cost of admission?

NYC jazz notes (9)

© Patti

A busy day of jazz ahead but before all that, a trip on the Staten Island Ferry. Subway down to South Ferry, a short walk into the departure hall, join a queue of hundreds, the whole thing on a scale somewhat larger than the Shields Ferry! The Staten Island Ferry operates 24/7 and, remarkably, it's absolutely free! The crossing from Lower Manhattan across to Staten Island took about 25 minutes. Seemingly everyone brandished a camera, all of them primed to capture a shot of the Statue of Liberty. 

Alexia Gardner in Manhattan and Newcastle

Pianist Alan Law has hepped me up to an exciting new singer on the Newcastle scene - Alexia Gardner. 

Alexia has been around the London scene for several years and appeared on a compilation album produced by pianist, composer, arranger, bandleader and theatrical producer of jazz-inspired shows, Alex Webb. On the Copasetic Foundation Alexia sang Call Me Lucky which was also the title track. Others on the album were: Vimala Rowe, China Moses, Ayanna Witter-Johnson, David McAlmont, Sandra Nkake, Alexander Stewart, Cherise Coryna, Allan Harris, Jo Harrop and Liane Carroll. Fast company indeed!

Sunday night @ the Globe: The Graham Hardy Eclectic Quartet - Sept. 8

© Ken Drew

Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Ben Lawrence (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); John Bradford (drums)

This second outing by Graham Hardy's new quartet drew a sizeable crowd down on Railway Street. Eclectic by name...trumpeter Hardy's eclectic choice of material...join the dots. Three jazz standards followed by a Prefab Sprout number, Hardy, Ben Lawrence, Andy Champion and John Bradford read the dots, performing as a cohesive unit with, as yet, little in the way of stage time together.

Clark Terry's In Orbit (Hardy, flugelhorn), Wayne Shorter's Tom Thumb and one by one of bandleader Hardy's favourite trumpeters, Clifford Brown's Daahoud (as arranged by Terell Stafford) set the standard, a very high standard at that. From the bebop feel of Clark Terry to a workout on Prefab Sprout's One of the Broken, an eclectic and varied opening selection. The wittily-titled Muscat Ramble journeyed to the Middle East and on in an easterly direction, closing an interesting and entertaining first set.

Mike Hall Quartet @ the Moor Club, Heaton Moor, Stockport - Sept.8

© Jeff Pritchard

Mike Hall (tenor sax/saxello); Richard Wetherall (keys); Ed Harrison (bass); Dave Walsh (drums).

When I tried to buy a train ticket on Saturday morning I was told there would be at least fifteen cancellations on Sunday Sept. 8 so I decided to give this gig a miss. However, I changed my mind when I found out that the 6:44 train from Handforth to Manchester was running and was on time. The only problem was that, unlike last week, the train did not stop at Heaton Chapel so I had to get off at Stockport and catch the 192 bus and backtrack to Heaton Moor Road. The 192 actually goes past the Railway which of course is now closed. Mike Hall was a popular attraction at the Railway and he mentioned that the quartet this evening was the same line-up that he had been going to use there before its unfortunate closure.

NYC jazz notes (8)

From way up in the Bronx (Woodlawn Cemetery) during a scorching hot day, call into our Midtown Manhattan hotel (quick shower and change) and out to an evening concert on the Hudson River, W 13th St. Getting across town on the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) subway system isn't easy. It took a while. Eventually we found ourselves on West 13th, let's keep heading west. Eight in the evening, darkness descended, twinkling lights from towering skyscrapers illuminating a shimmering Hudson River. Pier 55 our destination...there it is!

R.I.P. Dan Morgenstern. October 24, 1929, Munich, Germany, September 7, ...

Maurice Summerfield kindly drew my attention to this YouTube clip of  the late Dan Morgenstern who died, aged 94 on Sept. 7, 2024. He served as the director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University from 1976 to 2012, which is one of the largest jazz archives in the world. Lance

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

Playlist 08/09/24 (repeated Tuesday 10/09/24)

Requests: Stéphane Grappelli.

Seasonal: Cannonball Adderley.

Requests: Dave Brubeck, Jo Harrop, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Strayhorn, Nat King Cole & His Trio.

What’s coming to the NE: Jeff Barnhart, Neville Dickie.

Memories: Sarah Vaughan, Martin Luther King 'I Have a Dream', Nina Simone, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock

Sonny Rollins Quartet.

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

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

Great North Run

This cartoon by the late Bill Shaw captured the spirit of the less than elite runners. Lance

More deaths ...

Sept. 5: Martin France, 60. Top British drummer. Professor at RAM. After long illness. 

Sept. 5: Herbie Flowers, 86. British rock bass guitar legend.

Sept. 6: Sérgio Mendes, 86. Legendary Brazilian musician.

Sept. 7: Dan Morgenstern, 94. American jazz writer.

May they all REST IN PEACE. Lance

NYC jazz notes (7)

Saturday morning. It was hot, then some! Take the 4 train way up into the Bronx to Woodlawn, the end of the line. Not a cloud in the sky, it was hotter than hot. Fortunately, several bottles of water would see us through - or would they? Woodlawn Cemetery is the final resting place of some of America's once rich and most certainly famous. At the entrance to the sprawling grounds a helpful gatekeeper handed us a map, a most useful aid, showing, as it does, the approximate location of several prominent graves. 

Woodlawn is on a vast scale. Over the course of four hours and more we saw two other people - one tending a grave, the other on a mission. Some of the many famous names resting/residing here include: George M. Cohan, Damon Runyon, Herman Melville, Dorothy Parker, Otto Preminger and F.W. Woolworth. Our focus was on the jazz legends. Walking with map in hand, the jazz section was that-a-way...

Just Friends @ Dorman's Jazz Club Middlesbrough - Sept 5

Ian Bosworth (guitar); Josh Bentham (tenor/soprano saxes); Garry Hadfield (keys); Ron Smith (bass); Mark Hawkins (drums).

After the summer recess the jazz nights restarted with a guest band, comprising five well-known and highly respected local jazz musicians.

The evening began in great style with the appropriately titled Just Friends showing how tight an ensemble they are enhanced by fine solos from Ian, Josh and Garry not to mention the great backing from Ron on bass and Mark on drums setting the mood for  what was to follow.

Stanley Turrentine's Sugar came next, again with fine solos from keys, guitar and soprano also giving Ron the chance to show his bass skills with an impeccable solo.