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!

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.