Conor Emery (trombone), Stage 3 Final Recital @ Music Studios, Newcastle University - May 8

Conor Emery (trombone) + Olly Styles (alto sax, tenor sax); Dewi Chilton (trumpet); Liam Oliver (guitar); Emma Thomlinson (keyboards); Jamie Watkins (bass guitar); Abbie Finn (drums); Remi Coulthard-Boardman (vocals)

Over the last couple of years or so trombonist Conor Emery has been a welcome presence on the Tyneside jazz scene. Sitting in at jam sessions, sitting in the 'bones of various big bands and latterly fronting his own band, this evening the soon-to-graduate final year student kept an important appointment. At seven o'clock Conor took to the stage in the Music Studios at Newcastle University to present his Stage 3 Final Recital.

Album review: Clara Haberkamp Trio - Plateaux (TYXart series "JAZZart")

Clara Haberkamp (piano); Oliver Potratz (bass); Jarle Vespestad (drums)

A new name to me, indeed three new names although all are well-established names in Germany and deservedly so. Let's blame Brexit for my ignorance.

Haberkamp is an original and exciting player far removed from any suggestion of being just a pianist 'tinkling the ivories' in a cocktail lounge. Quite the opposite in fact varying from a Schumann meets Jarrett to a Wagnerian influenced Cecil Taylor approach depending on the mood of the composition. 

However, these references are slight compared to the greater scenario which is that of an outstanding pianist and an innovative composer. Enfold me Like a Poem is as evocative as the title implies conjuring up sensitive images normally only done with words. Here the music is the words.

Ed Kainyek @ the Railway, Stockport - May 7

© Jeff Pritchard

Ed Kainyek (alto sax); Liam Butler-Webb (keys); John Sandham  (bass); Tim Franks (drums).

The last time Ed gigged at the Railway he was playing a Yamaha tenor sax. Tonight however, he was using an alto sax made by Hanson, a Yorkshire based company, and sounding good on it. 

The Black Swan Jam session - May 7

This evening’s Black Swan jam session attracted yet another full house, they were queuing at half past six, an hour before the down beat. The house trio - Stuart Collingwood, Paul Grainger and Abbie Finn - warmed up with Henry Mancini’s Days of Wine and Roses. It wasn’t long before the first of the hopefuls caught the eye of MC Grainger. 

Up stepped Harry Keeble. A tenor saxophonist of some renown, this evening HK arrived with a soprano sax. Well, let’s hear if he can play the thing. Of course he could! Unforgettable the choice, great stuff! And it wasn’t long before alto saxophonist Luis Verde joined HK to play Lover Man. If that was to be the highlight, it was worth queuing for.

Hello Central give me Doctor Who...

Apart from the many great musicians who are no longer with us there are also a whole lot of places that saw the birth of the music and its growth. As I thought of the many cities and venues my imagine ran riot and I visualised jumping into an old police box and being transported back in time to where it all happened. Here are are some of the places...

Sunday night @ the Globe: Guido Spannocchi Quartet - May 5

© Ken Drew

Guido Spannocchi (alto sax); Danny Keane (piano); John Pope (bass); Steve Hanley (drums)

The moral of the story re last night's gig at the Globe is that, just as you can't judge a book by its cover, nor can you judge a band by listening to a few bars on YouTube.

I made just such an error of perception when I concluded it was going to be a long haul until the final coda.

I was wrong - boy was I wrong and I'm delighted to admit it! Pass me my suit of sackcloth and ashes.

After the recent surfeit of top class tenor players: Watson, Themen, Gould, Keeble and Teimoori it was good, despite my initial reservations, to here some very fine alto playing.

Sue Ferris Quintet plays Horace Silver @ Central Bar, Gateshead - May 5

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

It's the new thing at Central Bar - doors at 1:45pm with hardly a soul to be seen, by the two o'clock down beat the first floor room is all but standing-room only. This month's session featured Sue Ferris' excellent quintet playing Horace Silver. Not an album as such, more a selection from the pianist's extensive back catalogue plus a couple of non-Silver compositions for good measure.    

John Pisano (Feb. 6, 1931- May 2, 2024)

Jeff Barnhart @ The Vault, Darlington - May 4

Jeff Barnhart (piano, vocals); Anne Barnhart (vocals)

Following a most successful lunchtime concert at St Augustine's Parish Centre, Jeff Barnhart wasn't about to leave town anytime soon. Two minutes' walk from the venue lies one of our American visitor's favourite pubs. The place was more than busy and the arrival of Mr B's entourage made it all the more so. A pint or three later it was time to head down to Darlington's Market Square for the second of Barnhart's eagerly anticipated two-gigs-in-a-day. 

The Vault overlooks Darlington's Market Square. This weekend it's the town's 'Food & Drink Festival 2024'. Stalls offering a wide range of goodies were doing good business, meanwhile, our East Row hostelry was doing equally good business. The Vault attracts a wide clientele: drinkers, 'night out' types, party-goers (some dressed up to the nines) and, on this early Saturday evening, a battalion of jazz fans. 

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

Playlist 05/05/24. (Repeated Tuesday 07/05/24)

Seasonal: Stan Getz, Blossom Dearie, Nat 'King' Cole.

Requests From Graham Hardy Gala Gig:  Ushaw Ensemble, Oscar Peterson/Clark Terry, Kenny Barron, Immanuel Wilkins.

What’s happening in Scotland: Makote Ozone,.

Memories: Maynard Ferguson, Mary Lou Williams, Keith Jarrett, Red Nichols,.

British Modern Jazz: Mike Westbrook.

What’s on in the NE: Fergus McCreadie. Zoë Gilby.

Bill Evans Trio.

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

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

Jeff Barnhart's Mr Men @ Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club - May 4

Jeff Barnhart (piano, vocals); John Hallam (tenor sax, baritone sax, clarinet); Keith Stephen (guitar, banjo); Bruce Rollo (double bass, vocals)

The Mr Men's annual visit to Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club attracted a large crowd to St Augustine's. Pianist Jeff Barnhart was just about over jetlag, this Larchfield Street engagement the first in his spring UK tour itinerary. As always, joining the man from Mystic, Connecticut, from west of the Pennines, the affable John Hallam (reeds), from Northumberland, Keith Stephen (guitar and banjo) and DNOJC favourite, string bassist Bruce Rollo.

The Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman's Jazz Club Middlesbrough - May 2

Mark Toomey (alto sax); Jeremy McMurray (piano); Alan Rudd (double bass); Paul Smith (drums).

A night of jazz standards and original compositions. All delivered with the passion and excitement that is always guaranteed with this group which isn't surprising comprising as it does some of the best jazz musicians in the Teesside area. It also gave Mark  the the opportunity to demonstrate his skills as a talented composer with a number of his own compositions.

Sonny Rollins' version of Tenor Madness set the style for the night with excellent solos all round. Jimmy Van Heusen's It Could Happen to You was nicely played before Jump High, an up tempo Parker influenced composition of Mark's, again  included sax, piano and bass solos before exchanging fours with Paul to finish.

Preview: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn Community Theatre - May 26

Following on from their debut concert in Saltburn last year, the band has gone from strength to strength delivering stunning performances throughout the area including a standing ovation at a sell out concert in Stokesley earlier this year. 

Lead by trumpet ace Kevin Eland, the concert promises to be of the same high standard with some great arrangements and knockout soloists, many of whom are musicians well-established in the area and beyond. Lance

PROMO VIDEO.

Tickets HERE.

Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Old Library, Auckland Castle - May 3

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

The sun shone today. Sunny Bishop Auckland suggested the best of spring is just around the corner. Auckland Castle, a tourist attraction at the best of times, today looked a picture, a magnet for the many culture vultures milling about town. Those in the know queued at the door to the Old Library, eager to part with a mere eight pounds to hear some of the finest jazz the region has to offer.

Album review: Synia Carroll - Water is my Song (Clarion Jazz 851724)

Synia Carroll (vocals); John Di Martino (piano); Kenny Davis (bass); Jerome Jennings (drums) + Cafe (perc on 2 tks); Will Galison (harmonica on 1 tk); Aaron Heick (reeds on 4 tks); Beatriz Hernandez (backing vocals on 1 tk); Westey Lima De Amorim (guitar on 4 tks); David Oquendo (vocals and chants on 2 tks); Houston Person (tenor sax on 2 tks).

Carroll is we are told, a vocalist, poet, teacher and professional storyteller. Her poetic side can be heard on Child of the Times co-written with Jane Getz who isn't related to Stan. It was after receiving a master's degree in education at the University of New Haven and spending several years teaching that she found herself becoming a part of the South Florida jazz scene.

Press release: Etude: A Study In You And Me | Rehearsal Session @ Brixton Hill Studios

Yesterday was the last rehearsal with the ISQ boys before our gig at the iconic Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho this coming Wednesday the 8th and we were sounding hawt if I may say so myself! I’ve been putting the finishing touches on the writing for the next album  and brought in some new material that we played through yesterday. Really excited about how the new songs are shaping up, featuring some of the most honest writing I’ve ever done.

Book your tickets here:   https://bit.ly/ISQ-PizzaExpressLive-24

Mayhem in Manhattan - JATP remembered

Illinois Jacquet, Flip Phillips (tenor sax); Howard McGhee (trumpet); Bill Harris (trombone); Hank Jones (piano); Ray Brown (bass); Jo Jones (drums).

As the review CDs pile up I'm in the horns of a dilemma. Our local binmen are on strike and charity shops frown at being overloaded with more of the same - particularly with  jazz CDs. So, in the forlorn hope that the hustlers out there will ask me first before dumping 'the latest thing' on me, I decided to listen to some of the albums that I've treasured over the years that I no longer find the time to listen to.

The recordings by Norman Granz's JATP were among the earliest ones I got hooked on after I'd graduated from Goodman, Dorsey, Miller and the big bands of the swing era.

Late Night Chicago Radio w. Denny Farrell - May 2 to May 8

Lionel Hampton: Midnight Sun.

Sidney Bechet: Muskrat Ramble.

?: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.

MJQ: Venice.

Chris Connor: Mixed Emotions. 

Woody Herman: Basin Street Blues.

A photo collage from last night

It was a great night, a night that will remain in the memory of all who were present. Pam, whose birthday it also was - no secrets on Facebook - took these great shots apart from the one (bottom right of the photo) of yours truly saying a few fumbling words. Ros Rigby took that one - thank you Ros. 

Every number was great including the two beautiful ballad features; Ask me Now and I'm Through With Love with Nadim Teimoori (tenor sax) and Colin Steele (trumpet) respectively doing the honours.

Tremendous! Lance

The Clark Tracey Quintet @ the Globe, Newcastle - April 30

© Ken Drew

Nadim Teimoori (tenor sax); Colin Steele (trumpet); Dave Newton (piano); Andy Cleyndert (double bass); Clark Tracey

The closing concert in Newcastle Jazz Co-op's '10 Years a Co-op' festival featured an all-star quintet led by the one-and-only Clark Tracey. The Globe considers Clark a friend and this return visit drew a capacity audience. And little wonder...the Globe's ten year anniversary (on International Jazz Day), speeches by local bigwigs, a free buffet and, of course, Clark's band. And what a band!

Other than bandleader Clark, the quintet didn't include any of the musicians originally scheduled to appear. Any initial disappointment at their absence was instantly dispelled with a rip-roaring take on the opener, Rainbow at the Five Mile Road. The depping frontline horns tore it up. As deps go, Nadim Teimoori and Colin Steele were more than acceptable! BSH first heard tenor saxophonist Teimoori at the Wigan International Jazz Festival. On that occasion, Teimoori sat in the reeds of the powerhouse Louis Dowdeswell Big Band. This evening's small group setting offered Teimoori the chance to show what he could really do. Let's say he didn't spurn the opportunity! 

Album Review: Tim Garland – Moment of Departure (Ubuntu)

Tim Garland (soprano and tenor sax, bass clarinet, conductor); Gwilym Simcock (piano) and Asaf Sirkis (drums, percussion); Yazz Ahmed, (trumpet); Thomas Gould (violin); the Strings of the Britten Sinfonia, Clio Gould, Leader; the Strings of the London Studio Orchestra, John Mills, Leader; Rob Millett (cimbalom).

It’s rare that an album puts its billy big boots on and, from the first chord demands to be given serious consideration for the album of the year slot, especially in April! Winds of Hope opens with crashing chords from Simcock, thumping drums and a sinuous soprano line from Garland. It’s a high energy statement of intent as the Lighthouse Trio come storming back after several years’ absence. The Britten Sinfonia’s strings fill in any spaces to complete the wall of sound. Everyone plays with a forceful drive and the knotty lines become impossible to untangle.

Trails starts equally boldly and brightly before Garland constructs an intense questioning solo which builds in power with more heavy duty pianism cutting across his lines. Sirkis is lighter but furious on the drums.

It's a busy old year is 2024!

It's International Jazz Day (April 30) and there's no better way to celebrate the occasion than by going to the Globe (that's Newcastle Jazz Co-op's HQ on Railway Street) to listen to the Clark Tracey Quintet. The gig has long since been sold out, however, if you haven't got a ticket, there is a livestream option. Take a look at www.theglobenewcastle.bar.

Next month there is the Northumberland Jazz Festival to look forward to. The dates for your diary...Sat. 25 & Sun. 26 May. Concerts include the Paul Edis Trio with special guests Bruce Adams and Alan Barnes and the aforementioned Clark Tracey Quintet. Ticket info at: www.queenshall.co.uk. 

International Jazz Day @ the Globe - tonight from 5:30pm.

It's April 30 which means that it is International Jazz Day that day when cities and countries around the globe and at the Globe if you live in and around Newcastle celebrate  the music. This in itself is also a significant day for the Globe and the Jazz Co.op, the cooperative which actually bought the pub ten years ago and turned it into the successful jazz venue that it is today. 

Andrew McCormack Trio featuring Kyle Eastwood @ the Glasshouse, Gateshead - April 28

(© Pam)

Andrew McCormack (piano); Kyle Eastwood (bass); Rod Youngs (drums)

The signs in the Glasshouse on Sunday night directed all those in pork pie hats, roll neck jumpers, posh frocks and co-respondents shoes to the left and the big room for the Postmodern Jukebox whilst those of us more modestly attired to sit in the dark turned right to Sage 2 in search of more contemporary sounds.

Apparently it was 2014 when McCormack was last here (as the photo on THIS PAGE attests) and 2011 when Eastwood brought a group to that year’s Jazz Festival. Tonight’s gig was mainly in support of McCormack’s fine 2022 album, Terra Firma and nearly all the music was from that.

Ben Crosland Quartet @ the Railway, Stockport - April 28

(© Jeff Pritchard)

Ben Crosland (bass guitar); Dean Stockdale (keys); Jon Taylor (tenor sax); Dave Tyas (drums).

Like last week, the audience for this Sunday night gig was less than usual but there were enough people present to give the room some atmosphere and Ben wisely turned over most of the tune selecting to his tenor saxist Jon Taylor who as far as I know has never played here before. I remember seeing him play a gig many years ago at a small pub in Yorkshire but I think it was during the time I used to make frequent trips to the Anchor Inn in Brighouse a great venue, run by jazz loving landlord Rod Marshall who, I believe, is no longer with us. 

Sunday night @ the Globe: Alligator Gumbo - April 28

(© Sheila Herrick)

James Paylor (bass, vocals); Chris Williamson (trumpet); Greg Surmacz (clarinet, sax); Tim Hurst (trombone, vocals); Mike Rudland-Simpson (steel guitar, vocals); Chris Lloyd (piano, vocals); Jose Williamson (drums, washboard, bells, whistles)

Sheila, who supplied the photo, describes the evening thus: 'The joint is jumping, singing, dancing, everything'. She didn't elaborate on the 'everything' but it certainly looks as if a good time was being had by all which befits the Jazz Co.op's tenth birthday celebrations. Lance

Postmodern Jukebox @ the Glasshouse - April 28

Rogelio Douglas Jr. (vocals MC); Sarah Potenza, Ashley Campbell + 2 (vocals); Kyle Morgan (tenor sax, clarinet, flute); ? (trombone);  ? (guitar); Adam Kubota (bass); Tony ? (piano); Jack Amblin (drums, washboard); ? (dancer)

Once again the 'three bus' syndrome came into play. Three gigs, two in the same building, and each one as tasty as a Sunday dinner of sherry trifle, roast lamb and apple crumble served on the finest porcelain tableware.

As well as a foot-stomping session at the Globe, the Andrew McCormack Trio featuring Kyle Eastwood were in Sage Two at the Glasshouse whilst in Sage One it was the all-singing, all-dancing machine known as Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox.

I opted for the latter - me and maybe a thousand others some of whom had travelled a fair distance. The girl sitting next to me was from Billingham which is a good place to come from.

Album review: The Jazz Defenders - Memory in Motion (Haggis Records)

George Cooper (Wurlitzer, organ, vibes, perc.); Nick Malcolm (trumpet); Jake McMurchie (tenor sax); Will Harris (acoustic/electric bass); Ian Matthews (drums) + Doc Brown (vocal tk 4); Gemma Bott, George Cooper (backing vocals tk 4)

It was two years almost to the day (April 7) when the Jazz Defenders tore Hoochie apart with some danceable hard bop. That was quite a night. A couple of weeks back they played Cluny 2 but it clashed with several other gigs that same evening so I didn't make it. 

Teddy Edwards @ Darlington

Teddy Edwards, one of the all-time great bebop tenor sax players alongside Wardell, Dexter and Gene, was born on April 26, 1924, which was 100 years ago yesterday. Alyn Shipton paid tribute to the occasion on last week's JRR as others have, or will do, on various jazz stations around the world.

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

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

Playlist 28/04/24 (repeated Tuesday 30/04/24) 

Requests: Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers, Bix Beiderbecke, Oscar Peterson, Gerry Mulligan Qt + Chet Baker.

Memories: Ella Fitzgerald, Ma Rainey, Jimmy Giuffre, Modern Jazz Quartet, Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges, Teddy Edwards, Dexter Gordon.

Jazz on the Tyne takes 5, with special guest Michael Lamb

To mark the fifth anniversary of Jazz on the Tyne, presenter Colin Muirhead chats with Michael Lamb, leader of the Strictly Smokin’ Big Band, about the new album “Strictly Smokin’ & Friends” and about upcoming shows.  Along with tracks by the band, you’ll hear music by George Benson, Stu Collingwood, Jo Harrop, Signe Emmeluth, Fergus McCreadie, and Makoto Ozone.

You can listen to the programme anytime HERE.

Plus, you can request tunes 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.

Jo Harrop & Paul Edis w. Ken Marley @ Clothworkers' Centenary Concert Hall, Leeds University - April 27

Jo Harrop (vocals); Paul Edis (piano); Ken Marley (double bass)

Jo Harrop and Paul Edis are on a short tour of northern England and their itinerary includes one or two performances with Newcastle-born, west of the Pennines resident, bassist Ken Marley. Following a Thursday evening concert performance at Seven Arts in Leeds, our trio arrived at Leeds University's School of Music for a Friday lunchtime engagement in the historic Clothworkers' Centenary Concert Hall. 

Paul Skerritt w. the Danny Miller Big Band @ the Glasshouse - April 26

(© Patti)

Swing singer Skerritt is moving up the ranks. He may have yet to conquer Vegas but that horizon no longer looks to be quite as distant, at least that's the way it seemed last night at the Glasshouse.

Backed by the punchy 18 piece Danny Miller Big Band from Liverpool, seven of whom are actually north east based*, he entertained a near capacity Sage Two audience with expertly tweaked covers of songs from the repertoire of Sinatra, Bennett, Bublé, Bennett, Tormé, Darin, Connick Jr., Anka, Stevie Wonder and Take That.

Samara Joy @ Birmingham Town Hall - April 25

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

First Emmet's Place, then Ronnie's, this evening Birmingham Town Hall. Samara Joy, all of 23, is touring the world as the bona fide superstar she has so rapidly become. Accompanying our NYC-based singer was an all-star septet featuring several familiar names. The suited-and-booted septet walked out onto Birmingham Town Hall's vast stage, took their seats and began to play. We were awaiting Ms Joy's entrance. And there she was, strolling out from the wings. An almighty roar greeted our superstar. Wow! 

Tonight @ the Glasshouse: Paul Skerritt w. the Danny Miller Big Band.

Tonight north east jazz and swing singer Paul Skerritt makes his Glasshouse debut with a concert in Sage Two in the venue previously known as Sage Gateshead.

Backing Paul will be the fourteen piece Danny Miller Big Band. The band, mainly from the north west (although usually with a couple of top notch local ringers), has backed Paul on several occasions, including a couple of concerts at South Shields' Westovian Theatre where packed houses gave singer and band a standing ovation and deservedly so.

Album review: Ricky Alexander - Just Found Joy (Turtle Bay Records)

Ricky Alexander (soprano sax, clarinet, vocals, arrangements); Jon-Erik Kellso (cornet); Dalton Ridenhour (piano); Jon Thomas (piano tks 1,3,4,6,7,11); Brennen Ernst (guitar tks 2,4,8,9,10,12); Rob Atkins (bass); Kevin Dorn (drums) + Vanisha Gould (vocals tks 2,5,8,10).

Despite being basically a quintet, the overall feeling I get from my first listen is of those 1940 recordings by the Bechet-Spanier Big Four. On soprano, Alexander has that wide vibrato associated with Bechet although Kellso is a more assertive figure than Muggsy was which makes for more of a level playing field. The illusion is particularly compounded on those tracks where Ernst provides a link between the two just as Carmen Mastren did on the Bechet-Spanier dates. 

This week's Late Night Chicago Radio with Denny Farrell (Thursday April 25 - Wednesday May 1).

George Shearing Quintet: I'll Remember April.

Charlie Parker w. strings: April in Paris.

Gene Ammons All-Stars: Jim Dog. 

Mel Tormé: Body and Soul.

Billy Taylor: Easy Like.

Lester Young w. Count Basie: Polka Dots and Moonbeams. 

Four Freshmen and 5 Saxes: This Love of Mine.

Their mothers called them Arthur

(© Ken Drew)

The knockout concert by Art Themen (pictured) at the Globe last Sunday got me to thinking as to how a lot of great jazz musicians were called by, or adopted, that first name. It also had me imagining what if the 'Great Reaper' had worked his wonders to perform and reincarnated those 'Arts' that were no longer with us to join those that are still around. Imagine this line-up (and, according to Fats Waller, God himself would be on piano!):

Art Farmer (trumpet); Art Baron (trombone); Art Pepper (alto sax); Art Ellefson (tenor sax); Art Themen (soprano/tenor sax); Art Tatum (piano); Art Davis (bass); Art Blakey (drums); Art Baxter (vocals). 

Also, waiting for their wings, Artie Shaw (clarinet), Artie Bernstein (bass), Art Hodes (piano), Art Lund (vocals) and Art Taylor (drums). Lance

Album Review: Julian Costello Quartet – And All The Birds Were Set Free (33 Jazz)

Julian Costello (tenor/soprano saxes); John Turville (pianos); Andy Hamill (double bass, harmonica); Tom Hooper (drums) + Georgia Mancio (vocals).

This album is definitely a grower. It has moved from acceptable background music to the front of the stage with every listening. There is some very fine playing, especially from Julian Costello and John Turville and it was nice to ‘catch up’ with Turville after not hearing much by him in recent years. Costello has, for the most part, a lovely flowing style, forceful but not overwhelming. Don’t be misled into thinking he’s a smooth operator, though. He has a big voice and his sound, unless he is sharing the metaphorical front line with Turville’s piano, dominates. Turville is the other star of this session. I remember him from a concert at Newcastle University back in 2013 and was hugely impressed then. This recording only serves to increase my admiration for his playing.

Album review: Ted Nash and Kristen Lee Sergeant – Holidays (Sunnyside Records)

Multi saxophonist, composer and arranger, Ted Nash collaborates with his partner in life and song, Kristen Lee Sergeant on Holidays, released in November 2023. Despite the title, Holidays delivers a much deeper and broader remit than a token collection of Yule melodies that are attractive to the refined chattering classes for its jazzifying of this great trove of 19/20th century songdom. Many of the selections are songs equally playable 12 months a year and celebrate the joy and hope that is not unique to Christmastime.

Claus Jacobi - RIP

We're very sorry to have to tell you that our friend and Classic Jazz Party music director Claus Jacobi has died after a brief illness. Jonathan Holmes (Mike Durham's International Classic Jazz Party) continues: The Jazz Party will not be the same without him. Claus was responsible for so many concert themes and ideas over the last 10 years. He inspired the musicians that he played with, and all of us at the Jazz Party will miss him dearly.

Photo credit: Malcolm Sinclair.

Album review: Cornelia Nilsson - Where do You go? (Stunt Records)

Cornelia Nilsson (drums); Daniel Franck (bass); + Aaron Parks (piano on tks 1,2,4,6,8,9); Gabor Bolla (tenor sax on tks 3,5,7,10)

I posted a clip of this fine album back in March with the promise of a 'proper' review to follow and then one thing led to another ad it slipped my mind which is unforgivable as it really is worth checking out. So, only one month after its March release date, here it is.

It gets off to a flying start with Bud Powell's John's Abbey. Parks almost outdoing Bud and being driven along by Nilsson with Franck doing what bass players are paid to do which is to keep the harmonic structure in place.

Sam Lightwing Quartet @ the Railway Stockport - April 21

(© Jeff Pritchard)

Sam Lightwing (tenor sax); Max Rosen (piano); Steve Berry (bass); Calum Montgomery (drums).

Tonight the train I usually take arrived on time so I anticipated arriving at Stockport Station around about 7:00pm ready for a 20 minute stroll to the Railway, but, guess what happened? Nothing! Even though I'd pressed the green button on the doors - nothing!

Jamie Toms Quartet @ Queen's Hall, Hexham - April 21

(© Malcolm Sinclair)

Jamie Toms (tenor sax, soprano sax); Graham Don (keyboards); Ian Paterson (double bass); John Bradford (drums)

An audience turned out in the library located within Queen's Hall to listen to a new quartet with all of the material heard over the course of two sets composed by bandleader Jamie Toms. Blue Note and ECM informed the performance, the opening number very much a bop-inspired workout. A waltz followed, then a Latin number, all adding up to a varied set. 

Sunday night @ the Globe: Art Themen w. the Dean Stockdale Trio - April 21

(© Ken Drew)

Art Themen (tenor/soprano sax); Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (bass); Abbie Finn (drums) + Harry Keeble (tenor sax).

In the ten years of its existence the Jazz Co.op - often, like tonight, in conjunction with Jazz North East - has put on many great gigs at the Globe to the extent that it's impossible to draw up a league table. However, if I was foolish enough to attempt that daunting task then last night's concert by Art Themen and the Dean Stockdale Trio would certainly be in contention for a Champions League place, maybe even outright winners.

It was that good!

Thoughts of the 27 bus were banished. I'd get the last one, I wasn't going to miss a single note, chord or rim shot.

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

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

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

Playlist 21/04/24 (repeated Tuesday 23/04/24)

Maureen Hall's Rendezvous Jazz @ St Andrew's URC Church, Monkseaton - April 20

Maureen Hall (vocals); Gavin Lee (clarinet, alto sax); Gordon Solomon (trombone); Alf Langthorne (keyboards); John Robinson (bass guitar); Scott Adair (drums, vocals)

A first visit to St Andrew's URC Church in something like eleven years for Maureen Hall's Rendezvous Jazz. Where has the time gone? In its 25th anniversary year (where has the time gone?), the band's return to the well-appointed church in leafy, sleepy Monkseaton attracted a large crowd there to listen to the band and, for some, to participate in a traditional brolly parade.

Is it True What They Say About Dixie? sang Maureen. Our bandleader has sung the song many times over the years, clearly it's a favourite number. Twelfth Street Rag hit the spot, Messrs Lee and Solomon nicely warmed up. A Hundred Years From Today, (steady, medium tempo), Careless Love (ditto), then onto the first of the evening's two 'second line' brolly parades: brightly coloured, twirling, some adorned with battery-powered lights. It was as if we in New Orleans!

Just Friends @ Dorman's Jazz Club, Middlesbrough - April 18

Ian Bosworth (guitar); Donna Hewitt (saxes/clarinet); Dave Archbold (keys); Ron Smith (bass); Mark Hawkins (drums).

The popular group, Just Friends, were this month's guest band with Donna Hewitt standing in for Richie Emmerson on sax and clarinet.

A lively start was made with Earl(e) Hagen's Comin' Home Baby. Great solos from Donna, on tenor, guitarist Ian and Dave on keys. All backed by fine bass work from Ron whilst Mark's drumming demonstrated just how tight an ensemble they were.

Stanley Turrentine's Sugar followed, again with guitar, sax and keyboard solos including some fours traded with Mark on drums.

Art Themen - Sold Out! - However...

If you've left it too late to get a ticket for Sunday night's JNE gig at the Globe by the great Art Themen do not despair.

It isn't the only game in town. Over on the east side of the city at Cluny 2 the Jazz Defenders are in concert.

This hard-driving band from over the border made a big impression on me when they played at Hoochie a couple of years ago. It was one of my gigs of the year in 2022 as you will gather from this review - LINK.

Lindsay Hannon's Tom Waits for No Man @ 1719, Sunderland - April 19

(© Ken Drew)

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

Sunderland has never been known as a jazz stronghold. However, Seventeen Nineteen's Old Black Cat Jazz Club is going from strength to strength. Located in the historic Hendon area of Sunderland on the south bank of the Wear, the recently renovated '1719' Georgian church is a cultural gem offering a wide range of community activities and jazz is very much part of the 'offer'.  

This evening's concert presented Lindsay Hannon's loving take on Tom Waits. Joined by pianist Alan Law, bassist Paul Grainger and percussionist Brendan Murphy, Lindsay walked out onto the stage to a full house.  

Jazz @ the Lit and Phil: Cia Tomasso - April 19

(© Richard Morris)

Cia Tomasso (vocals); Jim McBriarty (tenor sax, clarinet); Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (bass); John Bradford (drums)

The Tomasso name seems to have been ever present in the annuls of British jazz for as long as I can remember going back to when Ernie and Freddy Tomasso played clarinet and trumpet with Harry Gold and his Pieces of Eight in the late '40s/early '50s.

Ernie begat Enrico who has long been a well established trumpet/cornet player on the trad to mainstream circuit appearing regularly at the annual Whitley Bay Jazz Party.

The family legacy continued this afternoon at the Lit and Phil when Enrico's daughter Cia held the audience spellbound with her interpretation of songs associated with Billie Holiday and a couple of others - a star was being born before our very eyes!

Knats @ Hoochie Coochie, Newcastle - April 18

Ferg Kilsby (trumpet); Cam Rossi (tenor sax); Sando Shargorodsky (keyboards); Stan Woodward (bass); King David Ike Elechi (drums)

From NONUNONU's Chillingham Road gig straight into town to catch the last half an hour of Knats on Pilgrim Street. Three local lads currently studying music in London plus two fellow conservatoire friends were having a blast. Hoochie Coochie was bouncing, the dance floor a throng. Walking into Hoochie Coochie, trumpeter Ferg Kilsby was all guns blazing, founding band members Stan Woodward (bass) and King David Ike Elechi (drums) absolutely killing. 

Some RSD gems and a few other thoughts

Tomorrow (April 20) is Record Store Day. That treasured day when much sort after vinyl is made available and there is some mouth watering stuff.

We at BSH didn't manage to play everything on the old Victrola. We missed out on the 3 LP set by Art Tatum at the Blue Note which, by all accounts, was  something to truly savour. Still, much as I love the music of Art, six sides of Tatum playing standards might have been a middle eight too far (bridge/middle eight get it?).

NONUNONU @ Elder Beer, Newcastle - April 18

Tim Williams (guitar); Andy Patterson (bass); Ruben Sheridan (drums); Callum Connell (tenor sax)

Guitarist Tim Williams first came to the attention of BSH as a member of Dean Stockdale's superb 'Celebrating Oscar' Quartet. On the first occasion at Newcastle's Lit Phil, and later at Hampstead Jazz Club, Williams proved to be a revelation. This evening in the east of Newcastle, we were listening to Williams in an entirely different context. NONUNONU, that's Williams' trio - Andy Patterson (bass) and Ruben Sheridan (drums) - with the addition of tenor saxophonist Callum Connell, is on tour.