Lapwing nesting @ Low Newton-by-the-Sea

Lapwing, a new trio, make their debut on Oct. 12 at the Ship Inn, Low Newton-by-the-Sea, Northumberland - not to be confused with Low Newton in Durham which is a prison.

Lapwing comprises Richard Herdman on guitar, Jude Murphy on vocals, bass, flute etc. etc and Paula Whitty on bluesy vocals.

Apart from the music, it's a great pub that I remember well from my cycling days.

There's also an added attraction -  the pub brews its own beer! Let's organise a bus trip! Lance

LINK.

Preview: John Horler - Ronnie Scott's & Radio 3

If you didn't book in time for John Horler's sold out 'Celebrating Bill Evans' concert appearance at Ronnie Scott's (Sunday 6 October), the next best thing is to tune to BBC Radio 3 on Friday. Pianist to John Dankworth and accompanist to Cleo Laine for 20 years, John Horler will be Sean Rafferty's guest on In Tune at five o'clock. Russell    

Shellac (J): Harry James - I'm Beginning to See the Light/Carnival (Parlophone DPE 126)

According to the discographies, the record number is R2991 yet my copy has the number DPE 126. Also, the label is different to that of the other Parlophone discs that I have by James. However, a closer examination revealed the words (about five o'clock on the label) MADE IN INDIA. As the two sides were recorded (in Hollywood) in 1944/45 presumably this was something to do with a shellac shortage although, further investigation reveals that several albums and 45s by the Beatles were also pressed in India. Perhaps someone will enlighten me.

Album review: Micah Thomas - Mountains (Artwork Records)

Micah Thomas (piano); Adam O'Farrill (trumpet); Immanuel Wilkins (alto sax); Nicole Glover (tenor sax); Caleb Smith (trombone); Kanoa Mendenhall (bass); Kweku Sumbry (drums)

Recorded live at NYC's Jazz Gallery over two nights in June 2023, Mountains is Thomas' attempt to evoke the grandeur and diversity of the natural landscapes represented on the album.

Not being familiar with these particular landscapes nor able to relate them to the titles I cannot comment as to how successful he's been. 

However, treating the music purely on a contemporary jazz basis it's interesting and original. The changing moods and tempos captured my attention albeit with a bit of a struggle. This is personified in Libre which it most certainly is. As the personnel shows there are some big names aboard, including the leader and they've collectively and individually produced some thought-provoking moments that are worth checking out.

Press release: London Symphony Orchestra and Cassie Kinoshi’s seed. Collective Join Forces For London Jazz Festival 2024

British composer, arranger and saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi and her Mercury Prize-nominated ensemble seed. are set to collaborate with the London Symphony Orchestra as part of this year’s London Jazz Festival. Entitled Nature’s HEART, the concert marks Kinoshi’s latest collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra following her involvement with the LSO Panufnik Composers Scheme, and will take place at the Barbican on Thursday November 21, 2024.

Press release: Meet the promoters making a difference to emerging talent across the North of England.

Today, Jazz North announces the seven promoters awarded bursaries to present emerging artists in their programmes through its support scheme, New Northern. 

Bursaries up to £1000 were awarded to the North West Music Academy (Barrow-in-Furness), Paul Rigby (The Continental, Preston), Nanette Brimble (YardFest, Saltaire), Anna Ross (Offshoots in Leeds), Robert Walker (Scarborough Jazz), DJ Lubi (Leeds) and Wesley Stephenson’s New Jazz and Improvised Music Recordings (Newcastle-upon-Tyne). 

Chris Bye, Jazz North CEO, says: “Jazz North is thrilled to support the work of promoters across the North of England who are working to keep grassroots music alive and support that all important pipeline of talent in the North.”

Mike Hope Quartet @ the Moor Club, Stockport - Sept. 29

© Jeff Pritchard

Mike Hope (tenor sax); Andrzej Baranek (keys); Ed Harrison (bass); Eryl Roberts (drums).

More travel problems with cancelled trains due to staff shortage, delays due to trespassers on the line and again I had to get off the train at Stockport and get the 192 bus otherwise I would have ended up at Piccadilly Manchester. I did however make it to the Moor Club in time to be one of the first customers to arrive as organiser Paul Hartley was setting up the pa equipment and creating a great pre-gig atmosphere by playing the Art Pepper Plus Eleven album.  If you don’t know this record, try and find it as it’s one of Art’s best with arrangements by the legendary Marty Paich.

Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar - Sept. 29

On leaving the grandeur of the Common Room this Sunday evening (see LL's Emma Smith review), with half an hour to kill, there was a first opportunity to call into Prohibition Bar to check out the recently established monthly 'Jazz Jam Sandwich'. Time enough to enjoy a bottle of Double Maxim, let's see what's going down on the last Sunday in the month on Pink Lane. 

Emma Smith w. Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ the Common Room, Newcastle - Sept. 29

© Russell/Patti

Emma Smith (vocals); Michael Lamb (MD, trumpet); Pete Tanton, Billy Bradshaw, Tom Rushton (trumpets); John Flood, Mark Ferris, Keiran Parnaby, Chris Kurgi-Smith (trombones); Steve Summers, Keith Robinson, Jamie Toms, Matt Forster, Sue Ferris (reeds); Graham Don (piano); Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar); Michael Whent (bass guitar); Dave McKeague (drums); Alice Grace (vocals)

We've had a run of great gigs over the last few weeks and tonight's concert, at the Common Room on the corner of Orchard St., ranks alongside the best of them as the capacity crowd would surely testify to.

On record, Emma Smith is fantastic, live she is double fantastic and with a swinging big band - well I guess I'll have to find a new thesaurus of superlatives!

She's that good...

The Gramophone Jass Band @ Prohibition Bar - Sept. 28

Lachlan Fotheringham (clarinet, soprano sax); Paddy Darley (trombone); Ollie Marge (guitar, vocals); Seamus Conacher (guitar); John Youngs (banjo); Alex Hill (piano, accordion); Ted Harbot (double bass); ? (drums)

The Reunion Tour. Ten years ago members of the Gramophone Jass Band went their separate ways. Having spent countless days and nights in a minibus gigging across Europe, life got in the way. Two of their number went to medical school, some joined or formed other bands and a couple of them got married. Now, for one weekend only, the boys reunited for two gigs, one on home turf in Edinburgh on Friday evening and a second, a Saturday evening outing here at Prohibition Bar, Newcastle.

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

Playlist 29/09/24 (repeated Tuesday 01/10/24)

Classic Jazz Party: Charlie Halloran, Gavin Rice.

Opus 4 Gig requests: Gaz Hughes, Ray Brown/Benny Green, Bill Evans, Emmet Cohen. 

Memories: Bud Powell, Buddy Rich Big Band, Oscar Pettiford.

RIP Benny Golson: Benny Golson/Milt Jackson/Art Farmer.

What’s on in the NE:  Sarah Spencer's Transatlantic Band.

Requests: Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, Paul Desmond. 

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

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

Album review: Avishai Cohen - Brightlight (naïve/believe)

(Collective): Avishai Cohen (bass, vocals); Guy Moskovich, Eden Giat (piano); Roni Kaspi, Noam David (drums); Yuval Drabkin (sax); Yosi Ben Tovim (guitar); Lars Nilsson (trumpet); Hilel Salem (flugel); Jakob Sollerman (trombone); Ilan Salem (flutes); Jenny Nilsson (vocals)  

I have to be honest and say that this album didn't do a lot for me, at least not at first. By the same token I didn't dislike it. There were good moments that, as the album unfurled I was beginning to think that maybe I was a bit hasty in passing judgement. Cohen's bass playing, his compositions and arrangements are faultless and his vocal on Summertime is one of the better versions of that overworked song.

Jo Harrop @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead - Sept. 27

© Ken Drew

Jo Harrop (vocals); Paul Edis (piano, keys); Mark Williams (guitar); Jihad Darwish (bass guitar); Peter Adam Hill (drums) + Jason Holcomb (trombone)

With circa half a dozen albums to her name there's no stopping the gal from Chester-le-Street. Each one different, ranging from covers of standards to her own original compositions often in conjunction with tonight's MD and fellow Cestrian, Paul Edis, both are currently making waves on the London scene.

Although last night's concert at the Glasshouse was basically aimed at promoting her latest album The Path of a Tear there were also selections from The Heart Wants; Weathering the Storm and When Winter Comes.

Edis, riding high after his barnstorming set with Paul Booth at Blaydon on Monday gone was, as always, the sublime accompanist and his duet, just piano and voice, with Jo on If Ever I Would Leave You, a pin-dropping moment - what am I saying? They all were! Certainly the title track of this latest album, another duet - this time with Mark Williams - was beyond description.

Shellac (I). Illinois Jacquet - It's the Talk of the Town/Heads

This one presented a problem owing to the fact that I don't have any 78s by anyone whose surname begins with I. I do have several by the Ink Spots but they're with Ella Fitzgerald who, unsurprisingly, gets top billing. In the end I cheated and opted for Illinois Jacquet covering both I and J although there's plenty to chose from in the latter category.

Illinois, of course, was the original wild man of the tenor sax based on his recordings with Lionel Hampton and JATP. I saw him live at the North Sea Jazz Festival where he slugged it out with Arnette Cobb, Budd Johnson and Scott Hamilton. A battle royal if  there ever was one! 

Album review: John Donegan, the Irish Sextet w. guest Hugh Buckley - We Will Meet Again, Sometime (Jayde Records)

John Donegan (piano, composer); Michael Buckley (alto/soprano sax, flute); Richie Buckley (tenor sax); Linley Hamilton (trumpet, flugel); Dan Bodwell (bass); John Daly (drums) + Hugh Buckley (guitar)

From the opening bars of the first track I said to myself (yes I do talk to myself!) "I'm gonna like this album"!

Blues For a Few Bucks  has a double meaning, it also refers to the fact that the band includes three members of the Buckley family with guitarist Hugh joining his cousins Michael and Richie. It's a bop influenced blues with solos all round apart from bass and drums who lay down a solid, but not rigid, foundation. 

Like One Moment, an introspective piece with piano and guitar perhaps recalling some past memory. Punctuations from the horns stop it from becoming over-sentimental.

Jazz on the Tyne previews the Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2024

In this special edition of the podcast, presenter Colin Muirhead previews the Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music, which will be taking place on 27-29 September and 3-6 October.  Colin chats with the festival’s producer and artistic director, Wesley Stephenson, and plays music by Juliana Day, Faye MacCalman, Jeppe Zeeberg, Ingrid Laubrock & Tom Rainey, Tara Cunningham, Satoko Fujii, The Flame (feat. Robert Mitchell), and Emma Johnson's Gravy Boat.

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.

Album review: Dulcie - For Your Listening Pleasure

Dulcie May Moreno (vocals); Frances Knight (piano); Paul Booth (tenor/soprano sax, flute); Jerome Davies (bass)

Last night Dulcie called into the Black Bull where Paul Booth was blowing up a storm. Dulcie had been gigging in Hexham the previous night and was en route to Rothbury tonight.

Paul and Dulcie are both on this album and the two gel with each other and their fellow musicians, Knight and Davies.

Paul Booth w. the Paul Edis Trio @ the Black Bull, Blaydon - Sept. 23

© Jerry E

Paul Booth (tenor/soprano sax); Paul Edis (piano); Andy Champion (bass); Russ Morgan (drums)

There's still three months to go but if this isn't my 'Gig of the Year' then I'll eat my hat! How could it not be? Four musicians at the top of their game - bring it on!

Nevertheless, great as they all were, one man stood head and shoulders above the rest - Roly Veitch. For 40 years, Roly, no mean musician himself, has brought top quality jazz to the community of Blaydon-on-Tyne. Despite venue changes and the hazards and pitfalls of running anything of a cultural nature he has survived along with an ever changing team of volunteers.

To celebrate those 40 years, Blaydon Jazz Club presented a series of concerts at its current home, the Black Bull, fittingly where it all began on Sept. 13, 1984.

Album review: Emma Smith - Hat-Trick! (Wingsor Castle Records)

Emma Smith (vocals); Samuel Watts (piano); Joe Lee (bass); Luke Tomlinson (drums)

Emma Smith is fast becoming one of the UK's best GASbook interpreters. However, the tracks here are no mere covers but individual versions that owe nothing to anyone but the actual songwriters themselves.

The greats, including the greatest, may have put their stamp on some of them but Emma proves that lightning can and does strike twice. Take You Go To My Head. Most singers sing it slow and dreamy which, I guess is the way the composer intended. Emma proves that it works equally well, maybe even better, as a medium tempo bossa nova.

R.I.P. Benny Golson 1929 - 2024

Up until Saturday (Sept. 21) there were two survivors from that legendary photo taken by Art Kane outside of number 17, 126th St. back on August 12 in 1958.

Now there is only one, Sonny Rollins. The other, Benny Golson, died on September 12 at the age of 95.

Album review: Walter Smith lll - Three of us are From Houston and Reuben Is not (Blue Note)

Walter Smith lll (tenor sax); Jason Moran (piano, Rhodes on tk 4); Reuben Rogers (bass); Eric Harland (drums)

Smith lll played a memorable gig at Sage Gateshead back in 2013. He impressed me then and has continued to do so over the course of several albums.

This latest recording, his first as a leader for Blue Note, is indicative of how far he has travelled with each recording. Ever moving forward, always ahead of the game, never finding himself in a blind alley, Smith incorporates a vision of the future without totally breaking from the traditions of the past.

Seesaw: The angular lines equate with the title. Moran, another reminder of a gig at Sage Gateshead where he paid tribute to Monk's New York Town Hall concert. Here, he is totally his own man laying it all on the line for Smith to take-off.

Shellac (H): Coleman Hawkins & Freddy Johnson - Stardust/Well, Alright Then!

Coleman Hawkins (tenor sax); Freddy Johnson (piano)

1937 and Hawkins at his arguable best. In fact I'd go so far as to say Stardust is on a par with his legendary recording of Body and Soul recorded two years later. Heresy I know but I find this duo recording much more lyrical than the arpeggio-ridden Body and Soul brilliant as it is.

Recorded in Holland, Johnson had played in Europe for most of the 1930s until, in 1941 he was arrested by the Nazis. He was interned until 1944 when he was repatriated to the USA. He proves to have been a sympathetic partner for Hawkins with shades of the earlier Armstrong/Hines couplings and the future Braff/Larkins collaborations.

The Vocalion label issued many earlier sides and is, I think, still around having had a number of name changes over the years including Okeh and Coral. Curious that the label spells Stardust as Star Dust - two words. Lance

YouTube.

Jude Murphy, Alan Law & Friends @ Prohibition Bar - Sept. 21

Jude Murphy (double bass, vocals); Alan Law (piano); Alexia Gardner (vocals); Abbie Finn (drums) + Ray Burns (harmonica) 

Prohibition Bar's initial publicity promised an evening of jazz featuring Jude Murphy and Alan Law. Along the way, Alexia Gardner was invited to join our duo, likewise Abbie Finn. Advertised as an eight o'clock start, arriving at seven, the place was heaving. The word was out, Alexia Gardner was well worth hearing. 

Two high stools at the door were the best available. Sometime later, a couple sitting to the side of the bijou stage, upped and left. A mad scramble ensued...seats secured, seats with a view, it was time for a second bottle of Double Maxim. Ms Gardner is well-travelled, having lived in various parts of the world - the Caribbean, Switzerland, NYC and now, cosmopolitan Morpeth! Opening without fanfare, all eyes were on Alexia Gardner, Cheek to Cheek putting down a marker. Impressive. Autumn Leaves, I Got Rhythm, assured, energetic, rhythmic, the jazz telegraph was right, Alexia is the one you've got to hear.

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

Playlist 22/09/24 (repeated Tuesday 24/07/24)

Seasonal: Dario Ronchi, Billie Holiday.

Requests: Jeff Barnhart, Swingle Singers. 

Memories: Blind Lemon Jefferson.

Mike Durham’s International Classic Jazz Party: Mike Durham/West Jesmond Rhythm Kings, Keith Nichols, Duke Ellington.

Ros Rigby's birthday bash @ The Old Coal Yard - Sept. 21

I'd been to the Old Coal Yard a couple of years previous and I got lost. I got lost again last night but, somehow, I turned a corner and there it was! I said to myself, "We're not in Byker anymore".

The invited audience, which comprised of la crème de la crème of north east culture and myself, were there for the 75th birthday bash of Ros Rigby OBE.

Ros, known throughout Europe and the UK for her work, among many other callings, in promoting live music, irrespective of genre, at Sage Gateshead (now the Glasshouse) and other venues, greeted those who'd made their way via sat-nav, the stars and sheer good luck, to Byker's best kept secret - the Old Coal Yard.* 

First impression is of just that - an old coal yard. However, it's people who make places and the warmth of the greeting by Ros' daughter Annie far exceeded that of a dozen coal fires. 

Gaz Hughes Trio @ Opus 4 Jazz Club - Sept. 20

Andrzej Baranek (piano); Gavin Barras (double bass); Gaz Hughes (drums)

Gaz Hughes is an Opus 4 Jazz Club favourite. The Traveller's Rest filled up nicely and by the eight o'clock down beat the regulars, creatures of habit that they are, had taken their usual seats. Bandleader Gaz is an amiable sort and chatted to all and sundry both pre and post-gig. The jazz would speak for itself, then some!

When it comes to touring, Gaz Hughes is 'old school', this Darlington date coming towards the end of a 50-date tour, not for him five gigs in six months constituting a tour! Drummer Hughes' back catalogue, more accurately, the titles of his albums, more than hint at where his heart lies - Beboperation (2022), Beboptical Illusion (2023) and the trio's latest release, Nuclear Bebopalypse. During the course of two sets, Hughes, pianist Andrzej Baranek and bassist Gavin Barras would revisit some of the material which is fast becoming familiar listening to an ever-growing fan base.

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.