The Edison Herbert Trio @ the Lit & Phil - Dec. 20

Edison Herbert (guitar); José Canha (double bass); Harry Stobart (drums)

It wasn't exactly party time at the Lit & Phil today with not a sprig of mistletoe in sight - next year I'll bring my own! This, I hasten to add, was no reflection on the music which was smooth and acceptable all year round with a particular leaning towards the late Wes Montgomery which isn't a bad place for a guitarist to lean on.

Herbert's playing was cool and relaxed, mixing single string, horn-like passages with some chunky chords voiced imaginatively and well deserving of the accolades bestowed on him from near and far.

Dave Sayer’s Best of 2024

It’s not been a bad old year for jazz in my opinion. There’s been some good gigs, near and far, and a rich selection of new releases and some old stuff has been reissued, some has come out for the first time. Crate digging in charity shops has thrown up some real bargains again this year and there has been one jazz book which has stood out above the others (the accompanying CD wasn’t half bad either). Enough with the preliminaries and on with the awards

Best Albums

In no particular order, the albums giving the chart toppers a run for their money are: -

Kamasi Washington – Fearless Movement 

Lizz Wright - Shadow

Glasshopper – I’m Not Telling You Anything

Ant Law/ Brigitte Beraha – Ensconced

Lakecia Benjamin – Phoenix Reimagined (Live)

Claire Martin - Almost In Your Arms

Wayne Shorter – Celebration

… and the chart toppers themselves are:-

5. Jake Long – City Swamp

4. Charles Lloyd – The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow

3. Fergus McCreadie - Stream

2. Ezra Collective – Dance No One’s Watching

1. Nubya Garcia – Odyssey

Album review: Bill Warfield and the Hell’s Kitchen Funk Orchestra - Chesapeake (43rd St. Music & Arts)

Bill Warfield (leader, trumpet, piano); Gary Bartz, Lou Marini, Dave Riekenberg, Kurt Bacher, Matt Hong (reeds); Colin Brigstocke, Jason Wiseman (trumpets); Conrad Herwig, Charley Gordon, (trombones); Matt Chertkoff, Bill Washer, Bruce Arnold (guitars); Cecilia Coleman, Paul Shaffer, Art Hirahara, Eugene Albulescu (keyboards); Steve Count, Mark Wade (bass); Scott Neumann (drums); Memo Acevedo (percussion).

The Hell’s Kitchen Funk Orchestra name suggests a bold swaggering band capable of taking on the Warriors, the Sharks and the Jets with one collective hand tied behind their backs. It comes as a surprise, therefore, to hear the delicate opening piano ballad on this album. Beneath The Stacks is a lovely solo piece, composed by Warfield but played by Albulescu. I was expecting something more explosive than this very contemplative, melancholy tune. Currents takes us towards the more expected; a loping, shuffling urban funk, its space allows for warm collective passages and Warfield’s muted trumpet.

R.I.P. Derek Ansell

Novelist and jazz critic Derek Ansell passed away on Friday, December 13 at the age of 90.

As well as a couple of novels and many articles for Jazz Journal International Derek Ansell also penned the definitive biography of tenor saxophonist the late Hank Mobley* and in doing so opened my ears, and probably  those of many others, to one of the greatest musicians of the post-bop era. 

It's a book worth seeking out. Not only does it paint a compelling word picture of the subject but also shows the writer to have a deep perception of jazz and an insight into the environment that once surrounded it.

The world of music and literature will miss him. Lance

*Workout: The Music of Hank Mobley Northway Publications (2008) ISBN 978 09550908 8 2

A Xmas Black Swan jam session - Dec. 17

Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums) + Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Jacob Egglestone (guitar); Shayo (vocals); Paul Ruddick (alto sax); Shivan Ruddick (trumpet); David Pipkin (drums); Liam Oliver (guitar); Bailey Rudd (drums); Kate O'Niell (vocals); Robert Johnson (alto sax); Ian Drever (vocals); Jan Spencelayh (vocals); Lisa ? (vocals); Edgar Bell (trumpet); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet); Theo Nolan (drums); Tom ? (drums); Becky Tuck (vocals); Ruth Lambert (vocals); Pete Tanton (trumpet); Jessica ? (piano); ? (vocals); David Gray (trombone)

Glittery tops and Xmas jumpers were worn by some, others couldn't be bothered - bah humbug! What mattered was the jazz and the Black Swan was as busy as ever. The house trio got things underway with But Not for Me. Excellent. Drummer Abbie Finn sported a relatively restrained Xmas jumper, Messrs. Law and Grainger the more soberly attired. The final jam session of the year was up and running.  

Christmas competition - Identify the trumpet players. RESULT!

© Lance

Back in the 1980s I could frequently be  spotted at jazz concerts and festivals, both at home and abroad, with a Canon camera capturing black and white images of the musicians seen here. 

All you have to do to win is to identify the ten trumpet/cornet players shown in the graphic. Names will be drawn out of the hat and the winner will be the first one to send an all-correct answer. If no one gets all ten correct then the winner will be the entrant who identifies nine and so on.

Fabulous Prizes!

BBC Big Band: A Swinging Christmas @ the Glasshouse - Dec. 17

© Lance

Barrie Forgie (MD): Tom Dennis, Tom Walsh, Tom Tait,  Steve Fishwick  (trumpets); Kieran McLeod, Rob Harvey, Ollie Martin, Peter North (trombones); Sammy Mayne, Martin Kershaw (alto sax, flute, clarinet); Julian Siegel, Konrad Wiszniewski (tenor sax, flute, clarinet); Andy Hunter (baritone sax, flute, clarinet); Robin Aspland (piano); Ewan Hastie (bass); Tom Gordon (drums); Emer McPartland (vocals)

More Christmas fayre. The sparkly tops and the once a year jumpers were well to the fore and the ephemeral thoughts of peace and goodwill were in the air - at least for the moment. 

Those who groan at the thought of another avalanche of songs about snow should stop and listen to the actual music - in the main - they're very good tunes, at least they are when arranged by Barrie Forgie and played by the hard-hitting BBC Big Band and, if they have to have words, there's few better than Emer McPartland to sing them.

Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Christmas @ The Fire Station, Sunderland - Dec 16

Paul Edis (piano); Jo Harrop (vocals); Matt Anderson (tenor sax, soprano sax); Faye Thompson (alto sax, clarinet); Sue Ferris (flutes, piccolo); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jason Holcomb (trombone); Emma Fisk (violin); Andy Champion (double bass), Matt MacKellar (drums)

The fourth of five north east of England tour dates of Paul Edis' A Jazzy Christmas attracted a capacity audience on High Street West. The Fire Station glowed, inside and out. There's nothing like a full house: the auditorium's spacious foyer bar, the adjoining Engine Room bar, both doing a roaring festive trade, one or two of the all-star band happily socialising minutes before curtain up. 

Zakir Hussain (March 9, 1951 - Dec. 15, 2024)

Though I didn't realise it at the time, the first time I came across Zakir Hussain would have been on a Southbank Show dedicated to Indo-Fusion band Shakti shortly after John McLaughlin disbanded the Mahavishnu Orchestra Mk 2. Although strictly a soul fan by then, McLaughlin in Mk 1 was, and still is, displaying the most extraordinary musicianship that I've ever seen. When soul music led to jazz fusion, McLaughlin was back on my radar but this time bringing Shakti and Zakir Hussain with him.

I saw McLaughlin in an organ trio in the early nineties, but his playing was strikingly unexceptional compared to the Mahavishnu Orchestra. I saw him again in ‘96 in a North-West town, which may or may not have been Oldham, in a reincarnation of Shakti which, on the ticket, said Zakir Hussain and John McLaughlin. Although he received the greatest applause on entering the stage - which seemed to genuinely surprise him, perhaps because of the large Asian contingency in the audience - his playing was again strikingly extraordinary, given its magnificence on the original Shakti albums.

Dean Masser Quartet @ the Moor Club, Heaton Moor - Dec. 15

© Jeff Pritchard

Dean Masser (tenor sax); Richard Harrold (keys); Ed Harrison (bass); Gaz Hughes (drums).

After last week's frustrating experience due to so many train cancellations I decided that the best way of getting to this gig was by taxi and, after the gig, I used the same company to take me home to Handforth. It was an expensive night out but I thought it was worth it as Dean always puts on a great show. This was his first appearance at the Moor Club and there were many jazz fans present who used to attend the Railway so that by the 8:00pm start all of the seats were taken.

Sunday night @ the Globe: Alligator Gumbo - Dec. 15

James Paylor (bass, vocals); Chris Williamson (trumpet, vocals); Greg Surmacz (clarinet, alto sax); Mike Rudland-Simpson (guitar, vocals); Chris Lloyd (piano, vocals); José Williamson (drums, washboard, spoons)

There was a lot of 'Global warming', musically speaking, down on Railway St. last night. What an enjoyable gig and not a Christmas hat or jumper in sight although Surmacz did sneak a Rudolph quote into one of his solos but he was soon forgiven as the chorus that followed quickly made up for it.

More a Harlem jump band from the 1930s than a New Orleans band from the '20s, although they did cover both styles and more. As much Louis Jordan as Louis Armstrong they did what bands did back then - they entertained.

The audience were enraptured by the sheer swing, going along with the flow, displaying their dancing skills and applauding vociferously.

Preview: A Sunderland Jazzy Xmas (Mon. 16 Dec)

The Fire Station, the jewel in the crown of Sunderland's 'Cultural Quarter' gets all Christmassy tomorrow night. The fourth of five regional performances of Paul Edis' annual A Jazzy Christmas is an unmissable occasion for Wearsiders and, indeed, for those from further afield. An all-star band (including the award-winning Jo Harrop), accomplished arrangements, if you're of the 'Bah Humbug' school, you'll be pleasantly surprised by just how good this show is. Santa hats aren't compulsory, but, go on, be a devil. Seats are all but gone, however, if you're quick you might bag one of the last few. Concert tickets would make the ideal gift for your loved ones! Go on, book now at: www.thefirestation.org.uk. Christmas done with a touch of class, that's Paul Edis & Friends' A Jazzy Christmas. Russell

The Len Phillips Swing Orchestra directed by Joe Pettitt from the Stables, Wavendon - Dec. 15 on Sky Arts

Joe Pettitt (MD); Russell Bennett, George Hogg, Tom Dennis, Andy Gathercole (trumpets); Jon Stokes, Chris Traves, Richard Wigley, Bob Haslin (trombones); Jon Shenoy, ? (alto sax); David Black, Michael Coates (tenor sax); Gemma Moore (baritone sax); Bunny Thompson (piano); ? (guitar); Paul Morgan (bass); ? (drums) + Gary Williams, Julia Sullivan, Nica Paris (vocals); Ben Holder (violin, vocals)*

More bells jingling all the way on Sky Arts with the Len Phillips Swing Orchestra directed by Joe Pettitt live from the Stables, Wavendon.

The singers predominated and they did the job well.

Gary Williams sang: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, White  Christmas, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Winter Wonderland where he was joined by Ben Holder and Julia Sullivan.

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

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

Playlist 15/12/24 (repeated Tuesday 17/11/24)

RIP/Memory: Quincy Jones/Clark Terry.

Requests: Darlington NOJC and the New Century Ragtime Orchestra:  Kay Kyser, Sarah Vaughan, Luis Russell and His Orchestra, King Oliver & His Dixie Syncopators, Coleman Hawkins, Quincy Jones, Louis Armstrong, Ben Webster/Art Tatum.

Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre - Dec. 14

Michael Lamb (MD/trumpet/flugel), Dick Stacey, Billy Bradshaw, John Stone (trumpets); John Flood, Chris Kurgi-Smith, Mark Ferris, Kieran Parnaby (trombones); Keith Robinson, Steve Summers, Jamie Toms, Matthew Forster, Sue Ferris (reeds); Graham Don (keys); Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar); Michael Whent (bass guitar); John Hirst (drums); Alice Grace (vocals) 

Editor-in-Chief LL's review of the Strictly Smokin' Big Band's first night of two at GCT captured the essence of the occasion. This second performance followed suit. A full house, a set list appealing to the committed jazz fan and the party season crowd, superb ensemble work, stellar solos from all sections of the orchestra, the whole package is a winner. 

To concur with LL, Sue Ferris playing piccolo on Sister Sadie was something special, the big band drumming of John Hirst was nothing short of outstanding and the SSBB's gem that is Alice Grace sparkled (an exceptional Lush Life). Other (on the night) thoughts...Joy to the World, Fever and Kansas City made for a fantastic opening - lots of jazz and not so much in the way of tinsel-draped singalong. That would come later. 

Historic album: Tony Fruscella & Brew Moore - Fru'n Brew (Spotlite)

Tony Fruscella (trumpet); Brew Moore (tenor sax); Bill Triglia (piano); Teddy Kotick (bass); Art Madigan (drums)

NYC, mid 1953, the Open Door down in Greenwich Village, five of the most under-recorded, underrated and now mainly unremembered, musicians jammed.

With the exception of Fruscella who, prior to this session had only been recorded once, all five had a pedigree. Moore had, recorded with Mulligan and would later have several albums under his belt in both America and Scandinavia. He was very much of the Lesterian school of tenor playing. He was also a heavy drinker who died after falling downstairs when 'under the influence'. Triglia played piano on Mingus' Tijuana Modes. Kotick was one of Bird's favourite bassists whilst Madigan recorded with Wardell Gray and Art Farmer. 

Tomorrow night @ the Globetoon strutters ball

© Sheila H

Swing into Christmas with raw New Orleans jazz from Alligator Gumbo on Sunday 15 December. Dancing, drinking and decadence expected. Tickets £12 advance https://theglobenewcastle.bar/pro.../dec-15-alligator-gumbo/

Martial Solal (Aug. 13, 1927 - Dec. 12, 2024)

Martial Solal, Studio 32, Joinville le Pont, 1970.

A timely reminder of the genius that was Martial Solal who passed away on Thursday at the age of 97.

Probably the greatest French jazz pianist of all-time.

Rest In Peace.

Lance

Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Xmas @ St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook - Dec. 13.

Not so much a review….more a recommendation.

From its origins at The Sage, Gateshead, in 2017 the “Jazzy Christmas” franchise has grown and grown and is still expanding, territorially, with gigs in Surrey and Cumbria already this year! St. Cuthbert’s, Crook, is once again the first venue in the North-East from which I am reporting with uncharacteristic brevity (on the assumption that Lance or Russell will pen some more musically insightful comments after one of the remaining shows).

Attention! Musicians Unlimited's Xmas Party (Sun 15 Dec)

 

Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre - Dec. 13

Michael Lamb (MD/trumpet/flugel), Dick Stacey, Billy Bradshaw, John Stone (trumpets); John Flood, Chris Kurgi-Smith, Mark Ferris, Kieran Parnaby (trombones); Keith Robinson, Steve Summers, Jamie Toms, Matthew Forster, Sue Ferris (reeds); Graham Don (keys); Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar); Michael Whent (bass guitar); John Hirst (drums); Alice Grace (vocals)

Zowie! When the SSBB brass section hits you, you know you've been hit - Zowie!

Yes it's Christmas time once more and that means party hats and chestnuts roasting on open fires in contradiction to the fire safety regulations.

The opener, Joy to the World, set the scene for the delectable Ms Grace to do just that with Fever and Kansas City. Looked good, sounded good. 

It doesn't do any harm for a big band to have some Kenton charts in the pad and Recuerdos, from 1956, had a great Latin feel to it with solos by Robinson, Don, Parnaby and leader Lamb. It was the latter's only solo of the first set. In the absence of Pete Tanton I'd have liked more.

Dean Stockdale Trio @ Auckland Castle - Dec. 13

Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums)

Another full house in the Old Library, standing room only. Bishop Auckland Jazz is doing something right, that's for sure. To conclude a run of sold out concerts during 2024, pianist Dean Stockdale brought in his A-list trio featuring bassist Mick Shoulder and drummer John Bradford. A couple of Christmas trees, one or two Christmas jumpers sighted, bottles of wine on tables, yes, it's that time of year.

Album review: Judy Wexler - No Wonder (Jewel City Jazz/A-Train Entertainment)

Judy Wexler (vocals); Danny Janklow, (alto/tenor sax,  alto flute/ flute); Bob Sheppard (soprano sax , clarinet); Jay Jennings (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jeff Colella (piano, melodica); Larry Koonse (guitars); Gabe Davis (bass); Steve Hass (drums)

No Wonder presents the divinely talented vocalist, Judy Wexler and a cadre of L.A. A-listers in a collection of the tried and true, some outliers, and other brilliant choices in an overall bravura performance.

The title tune launches the session with a straight cover of Brazilian singer/composer, Luciana Souza’s poetic tune. Energetic, exceptionally polyrhythmic with tempo alterations, Wexler is definitely on her game here. She exhibits acrobatic vocal flair throughout and her scat unison with tenor saxophonist, Danny Janklow (who offers an engaging solo) is an exceptional touch. Steve Hass’s set work is an absolute master class.

Xhosa Cole single from new album released today.

Further to my review of Xhosa Cole's forthcoming release - On a Modern Genius Vol. 1 (available from Jan. 10, 2025) - Stoney Lane Records have released a taster single from the album today. Listen to Come Sunday HERE (or on a platform of your choice). Lance

Jazz on the Tyne Christmas Special 2024

On the latest edition of the podcast, presenter Colin Muirhead plays festive music by:

Paul Edis & Friends, Emma Smith, Herbie Hancock, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Paul Taylor, Yellowjackets, Laila Biali, Jo Harrop & Paul Edis, Gregory Porter & Samara Joy, Chris Botti, Caecilie Norby, Paolo Fresu, Michael Franks, and the Strictly Smokin’ Big Band.

You can listen to the show anytime HERE.

Plus, you can request tunes for future programmes by emailing Colin at jazz.tyne.hive@gmail.com or heading to www.jazzonthetyne.org.

TJ Johnson @ Jamboree, London - Dec. 11

© Patti

TJ Johnson (piano, vocals); Ewan Bleach (clarinet, tenor sax, alto sax, soprano sax, piano, vocals)

TJ Johnson's weekly Wednesday afternoon residency goes from strength to strength. Located conveniently across the way from King's Cross, Jamboree is an ideal drop-in to while away a couple of hours before catching a train 'up north'. This week, as luck would have it, TJ's guest was none other than Ewan Bleach. 

Throughout the afternoon Bleach would switch from one reed to another and find time to sing a solo number - Two Sleepy People, - playing clarinet and piano into the bargain. Do you know this one? TJ would ask Ewan. Yeah, I do, would come the reply. June Night (Ewan on alto), My Blue Heaven (Ewan on tenor and taking a vocal), TJ singing I'm Having a Good Time, deploying his left hand to great effect, we were listening to two musicians happy to be in one another's company.

The Tannery jam session – Dec. 11

Joe Steels (guitar); Paul Susans (electric bass); John Hirst (drums) + Jon Weaver (trumpet); Bailey Rudd (drums); Chris ? (guitar); Phil ? (keyboard)

My first time at this session in Hexham and what a delight to have on my doorstep.  Hexham is famously the third happiest place in the UK (DETAILS) and the Tannery must surely be a contribution to keeping it there! BSH roving scribe Russell has enthusiastically reported a few times since the jam started in May, but this was my first visit due to circumstances and travels.

Last night’s programme ambled through familiar territory - It Could Happen to You, Blackbird, Ladybird, Autumn Leaves with Black Narcissus (I think!) and Song for my Father to show there is jazz after 1960. 

Emmet Cohen Trio @ Wigmore Hall, London - Dec. 10

Emmet Cohen (piano); Philip Norris (double bass); Kyle Poole (drums)

The pandemic. What was it good for? Absolutely nothing...except for the proliferation of the lockdown livestream. Logging on in the early hours to watch online sessions from various cities across America, not least New York, helped to connect jazz fans from all over the world. Monday night Live from Emmet's Place became required viewing. Emmet Cohen, his rhythm section and a week-to-week guest list of some of NYC's finest talents 'in concert' from the pianist's Harlem apartment won Cohen, Samara Joy and others an international following.

Emmet Cohen made it to a sold out Ronnie Scott's (Oct. 2021), and this week, on the first date of a European tour, our man walked out onto stage at Wigmore Hall. The capacity audience roared like never before. Cohen, bassist Philip Norris and drummer Kyle Poole soaked up the applause. It took a while before Cohen was able to address his audience. Wow!

Album review: Xhosa Cole - On a Modern Genius Vol. 1 (Stoney Lane Records)

Xhosa Cole (tenor sax); Liberty Styles (tap dancing); Steve Saunders (guitar); Josh Vadiveloo (bass); Nathan England-Jones (drums) + Heidi Vogel (vocal on Come Sunday)

Tap dancing on record isn't new. The first time I heard it was on a Doris Day recording of Crazy Rhythm. Doris did the singing and Gene Nelson did the dancing. Norman Granz also recorded Fred Astaire dancing to the JATP class of '52 and, of course, Ellington featured Bunny Briggs hoofing on David Danced Before the Lord on one of Duke's Sacred Concert recordings. That composition is actually an uptempo version of Come Sunday so with On a Modern Genius Vol. 1 we've come full circle.

Trio Grand @ the Globe - Dec. 9

Paul Carter (bass guitar, vocals); Georg Voros (drums, vocals); Barbara Wilcox (keys, vocals)

The room was crammed, the nearest parking spots were available just outside of Morpeth and ale was flowing freely, well not exactly freely but cheaper than it would be across the road at the Arena where most of the audience where heading lured by the magnetism of Paul Heaton of The Beautiful South fame.

The remaining ten or so who stayed were treated to a couple of sets by Trio Grand, a relatively new band on the jazz circuit although well-established on the function scene.

When I describe the set that I heard (I had to leave early to avoid the mass exodus from the Arena) as a work in progress I'm not being derogatory, I'm sure the band would agree that they're still finding their way. 

James Birkett Trio @ Blaydon Jazz Club - Dec. 9

© Roly Veitch

James Birkett (guitar); Jeremy McMurray (piano); Andy Champion (double bass)

Blaydon Jazz Club's last concert of the year featured three old friends of Tyneside's longest-running jazz club, namely James Birkett, Jeremy McMurray and Andy Champion. 

The Black Bull's lounge filled up nicely ahead of an eight o'clock start. Guitarist James Birkett scribbled out a set list and the first selection - What is This Thing Called Love? - confirmed what we thought, it was to be an evening of standards, the Great American Songbook offering rich pickings.

Jobim's Triste (JB has a penchant for the bossa), They Can't Take That Away for Me (an early highlight, stellar playing from all three musicians) and a surprise detour into the Chick Corea songbook for a wonderful take on Crystal Silence, this was the James Birkett Trio and Blaydon Jazz Club at their very best. 

3 x 3 tonight!

© Roly Veitch

Tonight I'm spoilt for choice! Three trios to pick from. Two, tried and tested over course and distance, one, as yet, an unknown quantity - at least to me.

Mon 09: James Birkett Trio @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00. Looks very tempting. How could it not be with James Birkett on board? When it comes to swinging guitar jazz be it á la Eddie Lang, Django Reinhardt, Jim Hall or Pat Metheny, James Birkett's your man. Tonight he'll be in the company of Jeremy McMurray on piano and Andy Champion on bass. Well worth gannin' along the Scotswood Road for.

Middlesbrough Jazz & Blues Orchestra @ Dorman's Jazz Club, Middlesbrough - Dec.5

Christine Britland (MD); Harriet Macrae, Frank Britland, Neil Brodie, Alison MacKay (trumpets); Jonathan Tyndale, Eleanor 'Nell' Gammon, James Joy, John Mackay, Tony Slater, Dave Bowman (trombones); Richard Jones, Dave Vaughan, Mark Marsden (alto sax) Dave Bell, Ben Hastings (tenor sax); Paula Bailey (baritone sax); Garry Hadfield (keys); Dave Fisher (guitar); Ron Smith (bass); Sean Steel (drums); Barry Davis, Dave Vaughan, Eleanor 'Nell'  Gammon (vocals)

The 20-piece band + vocalists led by trombonist Christine Britland played a mixed and well thought out selection of numbers, many with a distinctive Christmas theme, to a good sized and enthusiastic audience.

Starting the night with their signature tune Strike up the Band and the medium swing number Brown Baggin' it clearly showed that this is a well-rehearsed band.

Barry Davis came up to sing Billy Hayes' Blue Christmas famously sung by Elvis Presley. With both band and audience participation, Barry then sang Minnie The Moocher.

Cockerton Prize Silver Band @ Darlington Market - Dec. 7

En route to St Augustine's Parish Centre for the New Century Ragtime Orchestra's lunchtime concert, calling into Darlington Market (a large covered space housing myriad stalls, a micro pub/bar, pool table and more) proved to be fortuitous. Within seconds, the sound of a brass band playing Ding Dong Merrily on High rang out. Rounding the corner there they were - the Cockerton Prize Silver Band!

New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club - Dec. 7

Steve Andrews (MC, clarinet); Alistair Lord (trumpet, cornet); Dave Hignett (trumpet, cornet); Neville Hartley (trombone); Jim McBriarty (reeds, vocals); Alan Marshall (reeds); Gavin Lee (reeds); Dean Stockdale (keyboards); Jonathan Trevor (violin); Keith Stephen (guitar, banjo); Phil Rutherford (tuba); Nick Ward (drums); Caroline Irwin (vocals)

Would Storm Darragh deter some? Some twenty minutes before the 12:30pm start the signs were encouraging with most seats occupied at St Augustine's Parish Centre. It takes more than the threat of wind and rain to put off Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club's regulars. The one unoccupied seat on stage was that of the New Century Ragtime Orchestra's MC. 

Driving from Cumbria on the A66 proved problematic for MC Steve Andrews. Road closures obliged the NCRO's frontman to take the Yorkshire/County Durham scenic route. The band decided to start without him. In the absence of Andrews, it was down to one of the NCRO's two vocalists, Jim McBriarty, to handle MC duties. Ellington and Oliver figured early on, Caroline Irwin singing Guilty. After a while, the door opened and 'In Walked Steve'. 

Sue Ferris Quintet @ Opus 4 Jazz Club - Dec. 6

Sue Ferris (tenor sax, clarinet); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Ben Lawrence (keyboards); Andy Champion (double bass); John Bradford (drums)

Storm Darragh threatened to do its worst, blowing a hoolie over on the west side of the British Isles. Those of us on the east coast were ready to batten down the hatches but not before attending an eagerly-anticipated concert on West Auckland Road in Darlington. Four fifths of the quintet arrived on West Auckland Road from various points across County Durham and Tyneside, the fifth member of the band - pianist Ben Lawrence - travelled from windswept Cumbria. That's dedication for you!  

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

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

Playlist 08/12/24 (repeated Tuesday 10/12/24)

Memory: Ray Nance/Duke Ellington.

Jo Harrop and Paul Edis talk jazz and make some picks: Jo Harrop, Beth Hart, Lady Blackbird, Lorez Alexandria, Tom Waits, Jo Harrop/Jamie McCredie, Paul Edis & Friends, Nat King Cole, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis.

My Top Ten UK Instrumentals 2024

1. Clark Tracey Quintet - Introducing Emily Masser* (Strayhorn Records)

2. Art Themen Organ Trio - Live in Soho (Ubuntu)

3. 4 in 1 - Monkin' Around (Ubuntu)

4. Osian Roberts Quartet - Bop Viveur (Hard Bop Records)

5. JazzMain - Blue Note Nights (Self)

6. Alan Barnes & Dave Newton - 'Tis Autumn (Woodville)

Album review: Nubya Garcia – Odyssey (Concord Jazz)

Nubya Garcia (tenor sax); Joe Armon-Jones (keys); Daniel Casimir (bass); Sam Jones (drums); Sheila Maurice-Grey (trumpet); Rosie Turton (trombone); Jansen Santana (percussion); Zara McFarlane, Kianja, Baby Sol (backing vocals); esperanza spalding, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Richie (featured vocalists); Chineke! Orchestra (strings)

This one crept past a lot of people when it was released back in September, but, in this house, it hit home straight away and quickly turned into my top pick of the pops for 2024.

It makes its first impressions early on with a broad flowing strings overture through which esperanza spalding’s vocals and then Casimir’s bass rise up; Armon-Jones throws in some complex piano and Jones’ drums rattle along behind. We’re hooked and Garcia hasn’t yet lifted her sax out of its case. A stop for the strings to take us out sees Garcia raise her voice amongst them.

Album review: John-Paul Muir - Home Now (Ubuntu Music)

John-Paul Muir (piano, compositions); Brigitte Beraha (voice); George Crowley (bass clarinet, tenor sax); Jakub Cywinski (bass); Eric Ford (drums); Anjali Bhat (lyrics)

A (sometimes) gentle gem that's almost impossible to pigeonhole. There's so much going on that genres fly out the window and, upon first spin, I found myself struggling to come to terms with what I was hearing. I played it again and, taking in David Mott's words of wisdom in his ultra perceptive essay, A Letter to Lee Konitz, I found myself listening rather than just hearing what was going on.

The timbre of the voice of Beraha is an integral part of the first three tracks, sinuously winding its way around sound and sentence. BBC Radio 3 described Beraha as one of the most creative vocalists on the UK scene and, after listening to the final track, I tuned in to Soweto Kench's late night jazz show on the aforemention radio station and it was almost a continuation of the album. It wasn't but it could have been.

My Top Ten vocal albums by Lance

My favourite vocal albums of 2024:

1: Samara Joy - Portrait (Verve)

2: Emma Smith - Hat-Trick (Wingsor Castle)

3: Claire Martin - Almost in Your Arms (Stunt)

4: Elaine Delmar - Speak Low (Ubuntu Music)

5: Catherine Russell & Sean Mason - My Ideal (Dot Time)