Press release from the Saltburn Big Band

Please see the fabulous Saltburn Big Band performing No Moon at All, sung by the equally fabulous Bridget Metcalf, during our recent sellout concert at St. Peter and St. Paul Church in Stokesley. 

 

The band is next appearing at Saltburn Community Theatre on the evening of the 27th of October.  Tickets can be purchased HERE. Adrian Beadnell

The Olivia Cuttill Quintet @ King's Hall, Newcastle University - Oct. 17

Anonymous

Olivia Cuttill (trumpet, compositions); Issey Chivers (vocals); Tom Harris (piano); Fergus Quill (bass); Miles Pillinger (drums).

When I took my seat in the King's Hall Recital Room in Newcastle University for a 45 minute lunchtime concert little did I think I was about to witness one of the 'Gig of the Year' contenders. After all, there's some mega names in the running already - and the opening number, Isabella, did nothing to change things. Don't get me wrong, it was fine, Cuttill displaying a big round sound on an interesting composition but the (musical) Earth didn't move for me.

Album review: Al Jarreau & NDR Bigband - Ellington (ACT)

Al Jarreau Vocals)+ NDR Bigband: Thorsten Benkenstein, Ingolt Burkhardt, Nicolas Boysen, Reiner Winterschladen (trumpets); Fiete Felsch, Björn Berger, Christof Lauer, Frank Delle, Tini Thomson (reeds); Dan Gottshall, Klaus Heidenreich, Stefan Lottermann (Nov. 26), Günter Bollmann (Nov. 29) (trombones); Ingo Lahme (trombone/tuba); Hans Vroomans (piano/Rhodes); Peter Tiehuis (elec. acoustic guitar); Christian Diener (basses); Wolfgang Haffner (drums); Jörg Achim Keller (MD?arranger); Joe Turano (vocal arranger).

I've heard Ellington performed in every which way including loose but never quite like this! Some purists might class it as sacrilege - I almost did. However, the trick I found is to forget every bar of Ellingtonia you've ever heard and treat it like you're hearing it for the very first time. Judging by the applause I guess that's what the enthusiastic audience did.......and so did I!

The Black Swan jam session - Oct. 15

Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Bailey Rudd (drums) + Niffi Osiyemi (vocals); Olly Styles (tenor sax); David Gray (trombone, vocals); Abbie Finn (drums); Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Lara Hopper (trumpet); Liam Oliver (guitar); Robert Johnson (alto sax); Alexia Gardner (vocals); Dan Potter (drums); Oscar Nolan (piano); Ian Drever (vocals); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet); Neil Hopper (double bass); ? (guitar); Shayo (vocals); Jack ? (drums); Becky Tuck (vocals); Moyo (guitar); Darius (vocals); Theo Nolan (drums)

Freshers' week has been and gone, student hangovers a thing of the past...until the next time. Judging by the large student turn out at last night's Black Swan jam session, with the bar staff working non-stop, this morning it's likely the cry 'never again' will be heard across student halls of residence. 

R.I.P. Malcolm Armstrong.

Just received the sad news that pianist Malcolm Armstrong passed away yesterday (Oct. 15).

Over the years, Malcolm played with many local bands including the River City Jazzmen, the Maine St. Jazzmen and Rendezvous Jazz.

He was also accompanist for Ponteland Ladies Choir.

I remember him well from the Breda Jazz Festival back in the 1980s where he was part of the award winning River City Jazzmen (see photo).

A fine pianist who will be sadly missed. Lance

Shellac (M2): Jimmy McPartland & his Orchestra - Daughter of Sister Kate/In a Mist (Harmony)

With apologies to Fats Navarro and Jimmy Noone, I have to slip in another 'M' as I haven't any 78s by artists whose surname begins with the letter N!

Nevertheless this is an interesting one not least because the 'orchestra' - all six of them - is led by legendary Chicago cornet player Jimmy McPartland and his wife, British born, Marian McPartland who became an even greater legend. On this recording Marian is listed as Marian Page, the stage name she'd adopted in her early days playing theatres in Britain with fellow pianist Billy Mayerl.

Press release: Trailer Released For The Record Store Project Documentary: Exploring The Cultural Impact Of The Uk Record Store & Black Music

A major new project that explores the cultural impact of UK independent record stores that specialised in Black music from 1950 onwards, will be released in time for Black History Month 2024., the Trailer for which can be viewed here- https://youtu.be/W9JcX-kvszE.

“A lot of us (DJs) kind of started at the same time and we all kind of grew together. Some I would just see in the record shops fighting over records or whatever. Hustling to try and get the latest import - actually, we don't have that anymore. I miss that. We don't have that kind of community where you just hang out and chill. Like I could spend hours in the record shop just chilling - there was a certain happiness, like a joviality to just being in as a punter and seeing certain regulars coming in again. I'd never thought of it like that before, but they were actually really good meeting hubs.” WAYNE C MCDONALD Newcastle

Album review: Nick Tomalin Quintet - Shades of Shearing

Nick Tomalin (piano); Nat Steele (vibes); Dave Warren (guitar); Dominic Howles (bass); Matt Fishwick (drums).

A reimagined version of the fabulous George Shearing Quintet, a band that created a lot of  attention on both sides of the Atlantic back in the late 1940s/early 50s when the classic singles first appeared on those distinctive, yellow labelled MGM 78s. I've still got a few of them plus a double album collection.

Over the years, the distinctive, closely knit harmony became over-formulated with familiarity perhaps taking the edge off the initial excitement.

Sunday night @ the Globe - Dulcie May Moreno - Oct. 13

© Patti/Sylvia

Dulcie May Moreno (vocals); Mark Williams (guitar); Mick Shoulder (bass); John Bradford (drums)

Across the road in the aircraft hanger known as the Utilita Arena, Becky Hill was feeding the 10,700. In the Globe Dulcie May Moreno was preaching to a lesser congregation. In a perfect world the situation would have been reversed. At least nobody in the Globe needed medical attention.

Dulcie is a regular visitor to the area (she was born here) and never fails to captivate an audience as was proved last night.

Tonite! (Sunday Oct. 13) Dulcie sings at the Globe!

On Friday lunchtime, during a short return visit to the region, Dulcie May Moreno attracted a full house to Auckland Castle (they were turning people away at the door). This evening, our Newcastle-born, Kent-resident vocalist/composer will be in concert with her 'Northern Jazz Cats' on Railway Street, NE4 7AD. Join Dulcie, guitarist Mark Williams, bassist Mick 'The Bishop' Shoulder and drummer John Bradford for two sets of jazz standards and one or two original compositions. It's an eight o'clock start (doors at 7:00pm). Tickets £10.00. advance, £12.00 at the door, £7.00. 25 & under. Book now: www.theglobenewcastle.bar. Russell 

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

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

Playlist 13/10/24 (repeated Tuesday 15/10/24)

Requests: George Melly with John Chilton's Feetwarmers.

From Darlington NOJC - Sarah Spencer's Transatlantic Band:  Eli Newberger & the Hot 6 featuring Jimmy Mazzy; The King of Swing Orchestra; Coleman Hawkins; Sir Charles Thompson; Louis Armstrong; Luis Russell and His Orchestra 'Jersey Lightning'; Kid Thomas Valentine's Creole Jazz Band.

New Releases: Gaz Hughes.

Memories: Art Blakey + Terence Blanchard, Thelonious Monk.

NE Jazz: Alligator Gumbo, Nicola Farnon.

Memories: Art Tatum, Buddy Rich Big Band with Terry Gibbs, JATP Swing Set.

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

Shellac (M): Gille Mellé Sextet - Four Moons/The Gears (Blue Note)

Gil Mellé (tenor sax); Eddie Bert (trombone); Joe Manning (vibes); George Wallington (piano); Max Roach (drums)

A Blue Note 78! The only one in my collection, there can't be many of them still around and even less by Gil Mellé. He recorded eight sides over four discs and this was the first.

Mellé, it appears, was quite an enigmatic character. Apart from playing tenor sax, composing and arranging, he was also an abstract painter who provided a lot of the artwork that enhances the very early Blue Note LPs.

Album review: Louis Stewart, Martin Taylor - Acoustic Guitar Duets (Livia Records)

Louis Stewart, Martin Taylor (guitars).

Recorded in Dublin's Trend Studios in July 1985, Acoustic Guitar Duets features perhaps two of the greatest living (at that time) jazz gúitarists from outside of the United States. Stewart, sadly, is no longer with us whilst Taylor continues to be  at the forefront of the world's outstanding jazz guitarists.

Just as he did in the recently released duo set with Jim Hall, Stewart once again proves to be a man for all seasons. The two guitarists are the perfect foil for each other feeding ideas so seamlessly that it's difficult to tell where the join is.

Francis Tulip makes JRR!

© Ken Drew

This weekend's edition of Jazz Record Requests includes a track from Catriona Bourne's new album Triquetra. It was only last weekend that Catriona's band played a concert at the Globe as part of this year's Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music. LL's review of Catriona's festival appearance made reference to local hero, guitarist Francis Tulip. From County Durham to Birmingham Conservatoire to the London jazz scene and now Radio 3, Francis, aka Frank, is going places! Tune in, Sunday at four o'clock. Russell 

John Carstairs Hallam on Vintage Chart Toppers.

North east authority on all things vintage John Carstairs Hallam recently appeared on Colin Aitchison's Hong Kong radio show (RTHK)Vintage Chart Toppers. LINK.

His next guest is Tyneside trombone and trumpet ace David Matthew Gray. Lance 

Indigo Jazz Voices w. the Little Big Band @ the Globe - Oct. 10

© Patti (singer Jen Errington)

David Edgar, Jen Errington, Jenny Lingham, Carrie McCullock (individual vocals), Paul Close (vocal, guitar); Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Rob Walker (drums); Harry Keeble (tenor saxophone); Pete Tanton (trumpet).

Indigo Jazz Voices began life as Blue Jazz Voices, at what was then Sage Gateshead, under the tutelage of Lindsay Hannon. With the move to the Globe and a change of colour they began what was to become an ongoing ten year, bi-monthly, residency.

Last night the five singers strutted their stuff before an enthusiastic crowd with a varied choice of songs.

Album review: T.K. Blue - Planet Bluu (Jaja Rexords)

T.K. Blue (alto/soprano sax, alto flute, kalimba); Wallace Roney Jr. (trumpet); Davis Whitfield (piano); Dishan Harper (bass); Orion Turre (drums) + Steve Turre (trombone & shells on tks 3, 4, 8, 9); Dave Kikoski (piano on tk 7)

T.K. Blue describes Planet Bluu as one of his most compelling and significant works to date. Planet Bluu, he further describes it, is a world that lies just beyond the realm of our imagination. A dream so fragile that if you whisper its presence this magnanimous world might disappear into thin air. It's a place, he says, that's devoid of war, famine, systemic racism, gender discrimination and religious intolerance.

Preview: Indigo Jazz Voices + Little Big Band @ The Globe - Thursday October 10 - tonight!

David Edgar, Jen Errington, Paul Close, Jenny Lingham, Carrie McCullock (individual vocals); Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Rob Walker (drums); Harry Keeble (tenor saxophone); Pete Tanton (trumpet).

An Indigo Jazz Voices special with their Little Big Band downstairs at The Globe on October 10. Individual vocal performances will include Feeling Good with a bit of Sway, some Ramblin’ On My Mind and Day In, Day Out, plus a trip to the moon – a song about it at least, among many others.

 

The singers are accompanied by superb musicians. You will probably all know them by now and if not, make sure you come along to ensure you do. They are great!

 

Performance starts at 7.45pm. £5 cash on the door.

See you there! CMc

Album review: Terry Gibbs Dream Band - Vol. 7: The Lost Tapes, 1959 (Whaling City Sound)

Recorded live in 1959 with a star-studded line-up of west coast jazz aristocracy at two Hollywood clubs,* the Terry Gibbs Dream Band certainly lives up to its name.

To say it swings is the understatement of the year, any year but maybe 1959 would be a good one given the masterpieces that were recorded during that memorable year. Truly a worthy addition to the roll of honour.

Album review: Brian Lynch - 7x7by7 (Hollistic MusicWorks)

Brian Lynch (trumpet); Craig Handy (tenor sax); Luis Perdomo (piano); Boris Kozlov (bass); Alex Wintz (guitar); Kyle Swan (drums); Murph Aucamp (perc.)

The clue here is in the title. Seven musicians playing seven compositions and each one lasting for 7:06 minutes. Clever what?

The magical, mystical number is also used to charter his adult life by way of each track's subtitles: 7x3 equates to when he was 21, 7x4 = 28 and so on.

Tommy Weatherley funeral update.

It has been announced that the funeral of the highly respected and much loved trombonist Tommy Weatherley will take place at 10:30am on Wednesday, October 23 at Whitley Bay Crem. 

Donations to Cancer UK can be made at the crem.

Afterwards, friends and fellow musicians are invited back to remember Tommy at Cullercoats Crescent Club circa 11:30am. Lance

See: R.I.P. TOMMY WEATHERLEY

Shellac (L): Humphrey Lyttelton with the Melody Maker All Stars - Mainly Traditional/Oh! Dad (Parlophone)

Humphrey Lyttelton (trumpet); George Chisholm (trombone); Wally Fawkes (clarinet); Bruce Turner (alto sax); Mike McKenzie (piano); Fitzroy Coleman (guitar); Joe Muddel/Micky Ashman (bass); Eric Delaney (drums)

There's a story behind this recording. In 1954 the Melody Maker, at the time the 'Musician's Bible' decided to run a poll asking their readers to come up with their ideal traditional jazz group. The winners were Ron Onions and Robert Earl who liked the idea of a mainly traditional front line with a modern (for the time) rhythm section resulting in the above line-up (Wally Fawkes dropped out of the Oh! Dad side and Mickey Ashman replaced Joe Muddel on bass).

The '58 Jazz Collective @ Dorman's Jazz Club, Middlesbrough - October 4

Kevin Eland (trumpet/flugel); Paul Donnelly (guitar); Donna Hewitt (tenor sax/clarinet/flute); Dave Archbold (keys); John Daniel (bass); Alex Cromarty (drums); Jan Spencelayh (guest vocalist).

Led by Kevin Eland and with a changed line-up, this month's guest band gave us an entertaining night of jazz. Several of the numbers were recently arranged by Dave Archbold, and given a fine and polished performance that was much appreciated by a good sized audience.

Clifford Brown's Sandu gave a fine start to the night with solos all round and a tight ensemble sound clearly showing how well they all played together.

Jan, with excellent backing from the band, showed her skills as the fine jazz vocalist that she is with the Peggy Lee classic He's a Tramp.

Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2024 @ the Globe. Emma Johnson's Gravy Boat, Catriona Bourne Quartet, Heather Ferrier - Oct. 6

© Ken Drew

Emma Johnson (tenor sax); Fergus Vickers (guitar); Richard Johnson (piano); Angus Milne (bass); Steve Hanley (drums).

The Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2024 went out on a high. In fact if it had drawn to a conclusion any higher then we'd have been sitting on the roof!

This was the third appearance by Emma Johnson's Gravy Boat at the Globe and, as at their previous gigs at the venue, they blew up a storm. The band, like all great bands, captures the mood of each of the compositions - all originals by Emma. 

The Musicians' Company Young Jazz Musician Competition 2024 - Tina May J...

Maurice Summerfield kindly sent me this YouTube recording of the finalists in the Musicians' Company Young Jazz Musician of the Year Competition 2024 - Tina May Award.

As Maurice pointed out to me there's some young saxophone talent on display - There most certainly is! Lance

Luis Verde Quartet @ Central Bar, Gateshead - Oct. 6

Luis Verde (alto sax); Joe Steels (guitar); John Pope (double bass); John Hirst (drums)

October's concert at Central Bar featured Luis Verde. First heard at a Black Swan jam session, in no time at all our Spanish alto saxophonist made a major impact on the regional jazz scene. A razor-sharp approach to playing standards, Verde also excels in other contexts, not least that of original composition, both his own and those of others. This Sunday afternoon performance would focus upon the latter - original composition. 

Lewis Watson Quartet @ Wylam Institute - Oct. 5

Lewis Watson (tenor sax); Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (double bass); John Bradford (drums)

A first jazz concert at Wylam Institute. Would anyone turn up? Train from Newcastle Central, one stop after Blaydon* on the Tyne Valley line, a short walk up Main Road, turning right and there's the Institute. Opening the door, there stood Lewis Watson. Have you got an audience? your scribe enquired. Yeah, replied the main man. 

A typical village hall set up, cabaret table layout, a bottle bar, a relaxed air about the place. As the seven thirty start approached, how about this? More table and chairs were required! By the down beat the hall was standing room only. Jazz in Wylam, as of this evening, it's all the craze.

Album review: Vanisha Gould - She's Not Shiny, She's Not Smooth (Cellar Music)

Vanisha Gould (voice, composer); Chris McCarthy (piano); John Sims (bass); Jongkuk Kim (drums)

All of the these little things we do, that I do, to make sure everything goes smoothly - you can bet your bottom dollar that something will go wrong.

The above philosophy is the theme behind this collection of originals, commissioned by the Jazz Gallery and composed by NYC based singer/songwriter Vanisha Gould. 

The words are perceptive, a mix of humour and pathos written by someone who's been there and back and survived - sometimes, not often, to advantage.

I've been there, you've been there, everybody's been there - it's one of life's inescapable facts.

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

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

Playlist 06/10/24 (repeated Tuesday 08/10/24)

Requests: Henry Mancini

James Birkett talks jazz & makes his picks: Eddie Lang & Joe Venuti, Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Joe Pass/Ella Fitzgerald, John McLaughlin & Shaki, Pat Metheny.

New Release: John Donegan.

Memories: Papa Jo Jones (drum solo), Harry 'Sweets' Edison/MJQ, Kenny Garrett.

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

Joel Frahm Trio/Saul Duff's Dufftet @ Seven Arts, Leeds - Oct. 3

© Patti

Joel Frahm (tenor sax); Dan Loomis (double bass); Ernesto Cervini (drums)

To pack an overnight bag and jump onto a Transpennine Express down to Leeds suggests that something special was afoot ... and it was!

Last month I reviewed Lumination by the Joel Frahm Trio (HERE) and my immediate reaction was an urge to see/hear this trio live. When the word got out that they were doing a European tour with four dates in the UK and that one of them was 'down the road' at Seven Arts in Leeds the die was cast.

If I'd had any pre-gig reservations they were soon disposed of. From the opening bars of  The Nurse is in this was everything I hoped for and more. Frahm's fingers producing amazingly fast phrases and runs that came from subterranean depths up to  altissimo heights and higher. At times, by some saxophonic jiggery-pokery, he managed to blow two notes at once - or so it seemed!

Album review: Samara Joy - Portrait (Verve)

Samara Joy (vocals); Jason Charos (trumpet, flugel); David Mason (alto sax, flugel); Kendric McCallister (tenor sax); Donavan Austin (trombone); Connor Rohrer (piano); Felix Moseholm (bass); Evan Sherman (drums)

Samara Joy's new album is, as expected, outstanding. Hearing her with four horns and rhythm is mindblowing. Her range is awesome and that's not a word I use lightly. For me to describe something as awesome simply means that it is, well, er, awesome!

Is there a singer outside of the Met, La Scala or the Royal Opera House with such a range? I doubt it.

Eight songs, some more familiar than others but, once heard, all become unforgettable.

The Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill - Oct. 1

Last night, BSH's County Durham jazz hound Tony Eales ventured out to the wilds of Ferryhill. Why Ferryhill? Well, TE got wind of a new session at the Masonic Hall. Peter Morgan's Customs House Big Band gave the first in a series of 'first Tuesday in the month' concert performances. TE reports a healthy turn out, the Masonic Hall's bar was open and no funny handshake was required to gain admission! The CHBB's next concert is scheduled for Tuesday Nov. 5. 7:30pm. Russell   

The Black Swan jam session - Oct. 1

Michael Young (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Sid White (drums) + Paul Ruddick (alto sax); Shivan Ruddick (trumpet); Joe ? (drums); Lara Hopper (trumpet); Olly Styles (tenor sax); Jack ? (drums); Jamie Watkins (double bass); Ian Drever (vocals); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet); Darius ? (vocals); Paul Gowland (alto sax, piano); Owen Jones (double bass); Lisa ? (vocals); Edgar Bell (trumpet); Josh ? (piano); Robert Johnson (alto sax); Jacob Egglestone (guitar); Moyo ? (guitar); Roger ? (vocals)

Newcastle at St James' Park*, Sunderland at the Stadium of Light**, Tyne and Wear's Metro network would be busy. The ongoing works on the Tyne Bridge wouldn't help matters, parking spaces at a premium. Attendance at the Black Swan jam session could take a hit.

At the down beat (half past seven) the room wasn't as full as usual. Take That (!), Chic Corea and Jerome Kern for starters. The trio nicely warmed up (Messrs. Young, Grainger and White), the floor was open to...the Ruddicks, Paul (alto sax) and Shivan (trumpet), Paul Gowland (alto sax), all doing the business.

R.I.P. Tommy Weatherley

More sad news. North east trombone legend Tommy Weatherley died early this morning at the age of 91.

Tommy, brother-in-law of another north east trombone legend the late Ronnie McLean, was for many years the first call trombone player not only locally but further afield playing with the Teddy Foster Band, the Squadronaires, Don Smith, Jimmy Bence and many more even conducting the Count Basie Band on a cruise.

Back in 2011 Colin Aitchison collated a photo album of Tommy's career Which can be viewed HERE. The above photo of Tommy with the Squadronaires captures him to perfection.

Well remembered and sadly missed with sincere condolences to Lorna and family.

RIP Lance

R.I.P. John Cram

The death has been announced in today's Shields Gazette of organist/accordionist John Cram on Sept. 27.

Although not an out and out jazzman he could, because of his acute sense of pitch, hold his own in any musical situation.

He began on accordion and his teacher, my father, would marvel at how quickly he picked things up. He only needed to hear it once and he'd nailed it.

After playing in local dance bands on accordion, and I was privileged to sometimes share the stage with him, with the expansion of the working men's clubs he switched to Hammond organ and became resident at Hebburn's Elmfield Social Club for many years.

Album review: Zaccai Curtis - Cubop Lives! (Truth Revolution Recording Collective)

Zaccai Curtis (piano); Luques Curtis (bass); Willie Martinez III (timbales); Camilo Molina (congas, pandero); Reinaldo DeJesus (bongos, chekere, guiro)

Zaccai Curtis is deeply immersed in both bebop and Afro-Cuban jazz which makes any recording by him a shoo-in for BSH. As the pianist points out, bebop and Cuban jazz were one of the earliest forms of fusion and, in my own opinion, probably the most natural.

Here he pays homage to the early greats of both genres, delving into works by: Monk, Ray Bryant, Dizzy, Hilton Ruiz, Noro Morales (x 4), Kenny Drew, Kenny Durham and Charlie Parker. He even takes Scott Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag down to Havana, gives a Latin touch to When I Fall in Love and Someday my Prince Will Come and plays Moose the Mooche as a cha cha cha. On top of all that cubop he's also contributed three of his originals that tick all the boxes.

October highlights...

October is a month of non-stop goodies. The Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music continues across the first week of the month, running up against two unmissable gigs, the first of them on Saturday evening, the second on Sunday afternoon. On Saturday, doors at 7:00pm (Oct. 5), tenor saxophonist Lewis Watson pops up in Wylam with his acclaimed quartet and at two o'clock on Sunday (Oct. 6) alto saxophonist Luis Verde appears at Gateshead's Central Bar (see the BSH listings). What a start to the month!

Preview: Classic Jazz Party 2024

Mike Durham's International Classic Jazz Party is almost upon us. This year's CJP, scheduled over the long weekend of November 1-3 at the Village Hotel, Cobalt Business Park on North Tyneside is completely sold out. Musicians will be flying in from all over the world, many festival attendees will be travelling from all four corners of the globe, and then there's the British contingent, all converging on NE27 0BY.

Shellac (K): Gene Krupa - Leave Us Leap/That Drummer's Band

K presented me with the unenviable task of having to choose between Stan Kenton, the John Kirby Sextet, Andy Kirk and his Clouds of Joy or Gene Krupa and his Orchestra. All front runners and packed with great soloists, singers and arrangers. A difficult choice and, in the end, I opted for Krupa and Leave Us Leap (YouTube).

Ed Finkel's composition and arrangement is outstanding and, along with solos from Don Fagerquist (trumpet), Charlie Ventura (tenor sax), Tommy Pederson (trombone), Teddy Napoleon (piano) and, of course, the leader himself, it's just about as swinging as it could get in 1945. That one bar of silence in the out chorus always sends shivers down my spine!