Alan Barnes with the Mick Shoulder Trio @ Opus 4 Jazz Club - Jan. 31

Alan Barnes (alto sax, baritone sax, clarinet); Alan Law (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums)

The second of Alan Barnes' three 'up north' gigs attracted a disappointingly small crowd to Darlington's Opus 4 Jazz Club. A lack of publicity for the concert no doubt contributed to the poor turn out. The Traveller's Rest on West Auckland Road is a key jazz venue in Darlington which deserves better.

To the concert...as in Bishop Auckland earlier in the day, Alan Barnes  would play two sets in the company of bassist Mick Shoulder's trio featuring pianist Alan Law and drummer Tim Johnston. Kenny Barron's Voyage set the standard, the tempo just right, we were all ears for what was to follow. What followed was amazing alto sax playing from Barnes, launching into Bird's Steeplechase, seamlessly segueing into Sonny Stitt's The Eternal Triangle. If that had been it, we would have gone home happy. 

Press release: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library on Feb. 14

Two of the best known local musicians, Alan Law (piano) and Paul Grainger (bass), join John Rowland (tenor saxophone) for Valentine’s lunchtime jazz on February 14.

This will be the first of several monthly sessions in support of the library. Donations welcome.

Jesmond Library is wholly volunteer run and funded so, if you can, please consider a donation through justgiving page at http://www.justgiving.com/jesmond-library

St. George’s Terrace, Jesmond NE2 2DL.

Photo image © Kate O’Neill

Doors: 12:30pm. Music: 1:30pm. £5.00 on the door.

Alan Barnes with the Mick Shoulder Trio @ Auckland Castle - Jan. 31

Alan Barnes (alto sax, baritone sax, clarinet); Alan Law (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums)

The first of Alan Barnes' three north east concert dates attracted a full house. Closed for six weeks for annual maintenance, Auckland Castle's management decided to open the historic Bishop Auckland building's Old Library especially to accommodate Mr B.   

All seats occupied, Barnes renewed acquaintance with Mick Shoulder and several fans of long standing. Bassist Shoulder invited pianist Alan Law and drummer Tim Johnston to form a trio for this concert, the first of two with Barnes on this last day of January. Opening with There'll Never Be Another You, AB stretched out, MS responsive and entirely comfortable with the material, Messrs Law and Johnston perhaps a little tentative, understandably so, taking to the stage alongside the great Alan Barnes. 

Album review: Kenny Wheeler Legacy – Some Days are Better (Greenleaf Music)

The Royal Academy of Music Jazz Orchestra directed by Nick Smart and Frost Jazz Orchestra directed by John Daversa plus special contributions from Shelly Berg (piano track 3); Etienne Charles (flugelhorn track 10); James Copus (flugelhorn tracks 3, 6, 7); John Daversa (trumpet tracks 9, 11); Ingrid Jensen (trumpet (track 1); Brian Lynch (flugelhorn (track 5); Evan Parker (soprano and tenor saxophone tracks 2, 7); Chris Potter (tenor saxophone track 4); Nick Smart (flugelhorn tracks 2, 8); Norma Winstone (voice tracks 2, 4)

In 1968 Kenny Wheeler and the John Dankworth Orchestra released Windmill Tilter, an album composed by Kenny Wheeler. Wheeler’s second album, Song For Someone, came out in 1973. In between he wrote and arranged for a big band whose only outlet was the BBC who broadcast the Band’s performances in the 1970s. These tunes and arrangements have been exhumed from that era and make up this album. Some of them (e.g. Smatta (as Smatter) and Song For Someone) have been heard before on albums from the period and, happily, Norma Winstone and Evan Parker have also traversed the arc from those seventies albums to appear on Some Days are Better.

Album review: Mafalda Minnozzi - Riofonic (MPI)

Mafalda Minnozzi (vocals); Roberto Menescal (vocals on 2,6,7,9/acoustic guitar on 1-7,9,12); Paul Ricci (electric guitar all tracks/acoustic guitar on 10,12); Kassin (electric bass (on all tracks except 8,11); Jorge Helder (acoustic bass on 8,11); Joao Cortez (drums, percussion); Jaques Morelenbaum (cello on 11); Rafael Rocha (trombone on7,10,13); Marcelo Martins (tenor sax on 10, 12, soprano sax on 4, flute on 6, alto flute on 5); Jessé Sadoc (trumpet on 10,  flugelhorn on 13).

Primorosos is a Portuguese adjective that translates as “exquisite” or “tasteful.” It’s the kind of word that gently slides off one’s tongue and one that perfectly describes Mafalda Minnozzi’s latest album release, Riofonic. As one might surmise, it is a recording that features the musical breezes of Terra do Brazil in abundance as fourteen selections are offered featuring both classic and novel fare.

House of the Black Gardenia @ 'Somewhere in Jesmond' - Feb. 1

© Russell

Elise Rana (vocals, washboard); Pete Tanton (trumpet); David Gray (trombone); Keith Robinson (reeds); Katja Roberts (violin); Elliott Rush (piano); Michael Littlefield (guitar, banjo, vocals); Neil Hopper (bass, sousaphone); Kit Haigh (drums)

The house was impressive, top end of six figures, inside it was wall to wall eating, drinking, dancing and goodness knows what else! Resplendent in his officers mess dress uniform (Guards?) mein host introduced the House of the Black Gardenia to the rapidly filling mini ballroom where the swing dancers were straining at the leash ready to strut their stuff and strut it they did - mein host leading the charge as his forebears may have done at Sebastopol.

Band and dancers were soon rhythmically connected. Saxist, singer Fiona Finden later commented that they were as one with each inspiring the other.

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

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

Playlist 02/02/25 (repeated Tuesday 04/02/25)

Seasonal: Ella Fitzgerald & Duke Ellington.

Requests: B.B. King & Eric Clapton, George Chisholm, Mark Cherrie Quartet.

Memories: James P. Johnson, Sonny Stitt, Stan Getz.

SSBB Christmas Special @ O2 City Hall - special offers.

Back in the day when I first took an interest in jazz big bands ruled. British bands such as Ted Heath, Johnny Dankworth (as he was then), Eric Delaney, Vic Lewis, Jack Parnell and the short-lived Ronnie Scott Orchestra led the way for legendary American bands in the form of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Lionel Hampton, Buddy Rich and Woody Herman among others.

Where did I see all of those fabulous aggregations of the finest musicians? At Newcastle City Hall of course.

And now the wheel has turned the full circle and the venue opens its doors once more to a great big band show that promises to surpass or at the very least equal anything from those days of yore.

Jazz on the Tyne – What’s On & What’s New, February 2025

In the latest edition of the podcast, presenter Colin Muirhead previews upcoming gigs and showcases new releases, with music by Knats, the Mark Williams Trio, Gerry Richardson, the Strictly Smokin' Big Band, Emma Rawicz, OUTRI, Zoë Gilby & Andy Champion, Phil Bancroft's Beautiful Storm, the Brian Molley Quartet & the Asin Langa Ensemble, and Emma Fisk & James Birkett.

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.

Press release: Kay revisits Golden Sands for Jazz Thursdays

© Mariola Zolasz

Helena Kay returns to the Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh on Thursday February 13 for the second in a series of four concerts that the saxophonist has been invited to curate by the venue.

Promoted under the Jazz Thursdays banner, the concert features Kay’s quartet revisiting the saxophonist’s internationally acclaimed second album, Golden Sands, with support from improvising folk duo Norman & Corrie.

“I really enjoyed recording Golden Sands with my band at the time and I was happy with the results,” says Kay, a former Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year who went on to win the much-coveted Peter Whittingham Jazz Award and became a Take Five artist in 2024. “But I’m looking forward to playing the music with my current quartet as different musicians bring their own interpretations and add their own personalities to each tune.”

Album review: David Ferris Septet - Sketches (Stoney Lane Records)

David Ferris (piano); Hugh Pascall (trumpet); Richard Foote (trombone); Chris Young (alto sax); Vittorio Mura (tenor sax); Nick Jurd (bass); Euan Palmer (drums) + Peter Bernstein (guitar on tks 2, 8) 

Cornish born Ferris studied at the prestigious Royal Birmingham Conservatoire before moving to London where he soon became embroiled in the city's ever evolving jazz scene.

Because of his association with the UK's so called Second City it was only natural that his sophomore album should be  recorded by Birmingham's Stoney Lane Records and in the process, at least in jazz terms, remove the 'Second City' tag - the standard of playing, writing and arranging really is as good as anything from anywhere.

Album review: Elaine Dame - Reminiscing (self-released)

Elaine Dame (vocals - flute on tk 3); Chris Madsen (tenor/soprano sax on tks 4,5.6.9); Tom Vaitsas (piano, organ, Rhodes); Sam Peters (bass); Jon Deitemeyer (drums) + Victor Garcia (trumpet trumpet on tk 1); Art Davis (trumpet on tk 3); Neal Alger (guitar on tks 2,3); Alyssa Allgood, Christy Bennett (harmony vocals on tk 5)

Despite this being her third album I must confess that Elaine Dame is a new name to me. I always find it interesting to check out someone who's, reportedly, been round the block a few times. When those blocks are situated in  Chicago and NYC well, if you can make it there ...

Press release: Branford Marsalis Quartet release single, Spiral Dance, ahead of forthcoming new album

Saxophonist Branford Marsalis, one of the foremost jazz artists of our time and a pacesetting creative force in the music for more than four decades, is set to make his Blue Note Records debut with the March 28 release of Belonging, a full album interpretation of Keith Jarrett’s 1974 ECM album of the same name which introduced the pianist’s European Quartet. Belonging is Marsalis’ first new release since 2019 with his acclaimed longstanding quartet featuring pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis, and drummer Justin Faulkner. The lead track ‘Spiral Dance’ is available to stream or download today.

Press release: NN North Sea Jazz Festival 2025 reveal the first wave of artists for this year's festival

The NN North Sea Jazz Festival, the world’s largest indoor music festival, has revealed the first wave of artists for its return to the Ahoy Centre in Rotterdam this July. Taking place from Friday July 11 to Sunday July 13, 2025, this year’s event will feature a star-studded line-up of international talent alongside the most celebrated up-and-coming artists spanning jazz, blues, soul, pop and more.

Amongst the 30+ artists announced today are a multitude of jazz heavyweights including 4x Brit Award-nominated Ezra Collective, vocal sensation Samara Joy, virtuoso guitarist Julian Lage, Armenian-born pianist-composer Tigran Hamasyan, Kurt Elling & Yellowjackets celebrating Weather Report, boundary-pushing Israeli trumpeter Avishai Cohen’s Quartet, multi-award-winning singer Jazzmeia Horn, Lionel Hampton Big Band featuring Jason Marsalis, Snarky Puppy alumni Robert “Sput” Searight and Nate Werth’s fusion outfit Ghost-Note, and a sparkling array of visionary US saxophonists including Kamasi Washington, Immanuel Wilkins, Branford Marsalis and Lakecia Benjamin.

The February issue of DownBeat

The February issue of DownBeat is, as always, compulsive reading for fans of Jazz, Blues & Beyond as the inscription on their various items of merchandise reads, and this issue is no exception with obituaries of Quincy Jones, Roy Haynes, Lou Donaldson, Zakir Hussain and Martial Solal as well as an article/interview with pianist Sullivan Fortner.

All well and good you might think and so it is until you get to the International Jazz Venue Guide.

J.G. Windows' stock to be auctioned next week

The stock of the recently closed Newcastle music store J.G. Windows Ltd. goes under the hammer next week. 

Items that are up for grabs include prestigious makes of stringed instruments, brass, woodwind, percussion, acoustic and electric guitars, amps, grand pianos, keyboards, vinyl records, CDs, sheet music and much more.

Viewing at the Central Arcade premises will take place on Monday (Feb. 3) and is by appointment the details of which can be found HERE. The actual auction takes place online the following day. Lance

Album review: Nick Hempton & Corey Weeds - Horns Locked (Cellar)

Nick Hempton, Cory Weeds (tenor sax); Nick Peck (Hammond B3); Jesse Cahill (drums)

A good old-fashioned blowing session which, to my ears, is anything but old-fashioned. Two tenor saxophone players firing their best shots at each other. No quarter asked and none given. There's nothing quite like it in jazz to compare with two hard-hitting tenors in musical combat.

Norman Granz made a fortune pitting Flip Phillips and Illinois Jacquet against each other on record and in concert with JATP. Wardell Gray and Dexter, Dexter and Teddy Edwards, Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt, Lockjaw and Johnny Griffin all carried on with the tradition. Putting two tenor saxes together can be like the Gunfight at the OK Corral and the Thriller in Manila combined.

JazzMain @ Whigham's, Edinburgh - Jan. 26

Nick Gould (tenor sax); Steve Grossart (keyboards); Iain Harkness (bass): Kevin Dorrian (drums)

Whigham's, just off Princes Street, is a long established Edinburgh jazz venue. A wine bar with a couple of handpulls and an extensive food offering, the place is invariably busy on a Sunday evening.

If it's a Sunday evening, it's jazz night here at Whigham's. This evening it just so happened one of the co-founders of Whigham's Jazz Club was sharing the stage with his JazzMain bandmates. The man himself, drummer Kevin Dorrian, arrived in good time to set up his kit, likewise pianist Steve Grossart, opting to play a recently acquired keyboard, rather than the house upright. Five-string bassist Iain Harkness and bandleader Nick Gould were ready to go at a moment's notice. 

Press release: New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Gosforth Civic Theatre on March 21

This is to let you know that we are celebrating our 25th anniversary at our annual concert at Gosforth Civic Theatre in Newcastle on Friday evening, 21st March at 7.30pm.

Our special guest on piano is Martin Litton, an internationally renowned musician, arranger and bandleader, specialising in all the classic styles of jazz from ragtime to

swing.

Also joining us once again will be our good friend Nick Ward on vintage percussion, and of course not forgetting our vivacious chanteuse Caroline!

 

This will be the second time we have performed at this excellent venue, which is on Gosforth High Street very near Regent Centre metro station, with ample parking  nearby at the station (free after 5pm) or the Asda supermarket. The nearest postcode is NE3 3PF.  Everything is on the ground floor, and there is a cafe/bar open throughout the concert.

Album review: Matt Carmichael - Dancing With Embers (self-released)

Matt Carmichael (tenor sax, piano on tks 1,12); Fergus McCreadie (piano); Ali Watson (bass); Charlie Stewart (fiddle); Tom Potter  (drums) + Chris Amer (electric/tenor guitar on tks 1,8,9,12); Innes White (acc. guitar on tks 3,4,5,8,9); Rachel Sermanni (voice on tk 10); Brighde Chaimbeul (small pipes on tks 6,7)

Given that the musicians were born or are based in and around Glasgow it isn't surprising that the music has a distinctively Celtic feel to it. It's probably nearer to Scottish folk music than it is to jazz.

As such it's well played and even though it's not exactly my dram of single malt I do appreciate the musicianship of the players and the power of the emotions expressed. The melodic lines are indigenous to Scotland and compelling. The emphasis leans towards the ensemble rather than the soloist although Carmichael and McCreadie do have occasional moments of controlled freedom.

Album review: Alex McLaughlin - Brand New State (self released)

Alex McLaughlin (bass); Jeremy Siskind (piano); Tina Raymond (drums); Jeremy Pelt (trumpet)

Can he play? Can he compose? Can he arrange? Those were the questions that sprung to my mind as I slid McLaughlin's debut album into the machine

Well I'm pleased to say that McLaughlin (no relation to John) ticked all of those boxes and, with the assistance of a couple of L.A.'s big hitters and some exciting trumpet blasts from Pelt, all of the tracks work well.

Desert Chapel opens with some gentle bass playing, Siskind and Raymond pick up the mood before Pelt joins the caravanserai. His tone, round and clear, paints the scene for solos by the leader and pianist Siskind. An evocative title for an evocative tune.

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

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

Playlist 26/01/25 (repeated Tuesday 28/01/25)

Burns Night: Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.

Requests: Stan Kenton & His Orchestra, Tom Jobim, Erroll Garner, Artie Shaw/Billie Holiday.

A golden oldie: Serge Chaloff - Blue Serge (Capitol)

There was cool and then there was baritone saxist Serge Chaloff - the coolest of them all. Recorded for Capitol in 1956 on an album titled Blue Serge it's an eyeopener! Such laid back baritone playing.  So relaxed, every note pertinent and meaningful yet not without florid displays of technique when he felt the occasion demanded it. When he plays the melody you know he's playing the melody and yet he isn't - not quite. The subtle variations of the composer's intent are sufficient to completely personalise it.

Sonny Clark (piano); Leroy Vinnegar (bass) and Philly Joe Jones (drums) were a rhythm section described by Serge in the notes to the original album as "...what I felt was the best rhythm section around." They were most certainly that!

Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club - Jan. 24

Jeremy McMurray (keys); Neville Hartley (trombone, vocals); Jim McBriarty (alto sax, clarinet, vocals); Alan Marshall (tenor sax, clarinet); Alan Rudd (bass); Ian Stocks (drums); Olive Rudd (vocals).

The gale force winds and the resultant train and bus cancellations meant that there were, unusually, a few empty seats for Classic Swing’s regular Friday lunchtime at CCC.  However the hardy souls who did brave the weather were rewarded as usual. Kudos too to several of the musicians who travelled some distance in storm conditions.

Album review: Michael Buckley - Ebb and Flow (Livia Records)

Michael Buckley (tenor sax); Greg Felton (piano); Barry Donohue (bass); Shane O'Donovan (drums)

Another fine release from Livia. However, unlike many of their previous releases this one doesn't feature Louis Stewart. How could it? The Irish guitar wizard had been gone some eight years when this session was recorded. Nevertheless, in Michael Buckley we have the saxophone equivalent of Louis inasmuch as Buckley has an original voice that stands up to microscopic comparision with any hornman or woman from either side of the Atlantic.

He can swing, reflect, meditate, put the boot in or search to extend boundaries, whatever the music demands Michael Buckley comes up with the goods.

Album review: Jim Doherty's Spondance (Livia Records)

Jim Doherty (piano, compositions); Louis Stewart (guitar); Bobby Shew (trumpet, flugel) Bob Sheppard (alto sax); Gordon Brisker (tenor sax); Randy Aldcroft (trombone); Tom Warrington (bass); Billy Mintz (drums, perc.)

Recorded in L.A. in September 1986, Doherty's compositions were originally conceived as the music for a modern jazz ballet. Unfortunately the ballet partner came up short with the Jimmy O'Goblins so it was decided to go ahead with the project as a stand alone jazz album.

Initially released on cassette in 1986 and ten years later on CD. This re-release is more than welcome - in fact it's an essential addition to anyone's jazz library.

The Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ The Fire Station, Sunderland - Jan. 22

Duncan Galloway (vocals); Dave Ford (trumpet); Malcolm Baxter (trumpet); Rory Ingham (trombone); Robert Fowler (alto sax, baritone sax, clarinet); Oliver Wilby (tenor sax, clarinet); Dai Pritchard (alto sax, clarinet); Keith Stephen (banjo, guitar); Cody Moss (piano); Dave Berry (double bass, sousaphone); Dominic Sales (drums)

The Fire Station first hosted the Pasadena Roof Orchestra in April 2023. Less than two years on, the vintage jazz ensemble - vintage charts, and of a certain vintage, some 56 years and more the band continues to tour home and abroad - made a midwinter return visit to Wearside. As the house lights dimmed, the auditorium appeared to be more than three quarters full.

South Rampart Street Parade stomped-off. Terrific. MC and band singer Duncan Galloway emerged from the wings to sing Undecided. Over the course of two sets, Galloway introduced the numbers, cracked jokes (the same jokes as last time!) and - good for him - spoke warmly about the Fire Station and its staff. We're in the Money, from the 1933 film Gold Diggers of 1933, Cole Porter's You're the Top, all tried and tested material, the ensemble on top of it all.

Album review: Marian McPartland Trio – at the Peninsula Library 1972 (Liberation Hall)

Marian McPartland (piano); Rusty Gilder (bass guitar); Joe Cosello (drums)

The first 'vintage' album I've received this year and it's a lulu! If I don't hear a better piano trio album than this over the coming months I won't complain. How could I? Marian McPartland, to my eyes and ears, ranks alongside the all-time jazz piano greats and with this live album, recorded in 1972 at the Peninsula Library, Long Island, and recently unearthed for release in April, I rest my case. The technique is impressive, the solos relevant and meaningful, the harmonies rich and the empathy with her fellow travellers on this 78 minute journey, priceless.

George Robinson funeral details

The family of the late George Robinson, instrument repairer and saxophonist who passed away on Jan. 5, have announced that the funeral will take place at 1:00pm on Feb. 7 at Carrville Methodist Church, 103 High St., Carrville, Durham, DH1 1BQ. R.I.P. Lance (and all at BSH)

Preview: Pasadena Roof Orchestra (Fire Station, Sunderland - Jan. 22)

The Pasadena Roof Orchestra first visited Sunderland's Fire Station in April 2023. On the night there was a large attendance, the concert couldn't have gone better and a return engagement was on the cards. Sure enough, tomorrow (Wednesday) Duncan Galloway's all-star ensemble will once again be in action on High Street West. John Arthy's PRO first hit the road in 1969, they're still at it and Sunderland's Fire Station is a welcome addition to the band's tour itinerary. Ticket sales have gone well and all the indications are it'll be another near-capacity audience. Don't delay, book now at: www.thefirestation.org.uk. Russell    

Sunday night @ the Globe: Freight Train Jazz Meets Folk - Jan. 19

© Ken Drew

Christine Tobin (voice); Liam Noble (piano, synth); Paul Clarvis (drums)

An interesting, unusual and not unpleasant gig by a trio that did what it said on the tin as well as injecting a few sub-genres. Tobin has a pleasing voice that is equally suited to the varied material presented be it blues, swing, jazz, contemporary pop or Irish traditional folk - the list is endless.

The strange part of the equation was the seamless joining of the songs, done three at a time with little or no space in between for the applause they deserved.

R.I.P. Kenny Kirsopp (1962 - Jan. 19, 2025)

Last night I was told that north east sax player Kenny Kirsopp was seriously ill. I was shocked then and, when I learned this afternoon that he'd actually died last night (Jan. 19), I was completely stunned.

Although I knew his parents well (family friends and, like my parents, members of Hebburn Amateur Operatic Society) it wasn't until Kenny enrolled at Newcastle's prestigious College of Arts and Technology (CAT) that I really got to know him, mainly from when he came into J.G. Windows buying reeds and various other sax accessories.

The Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle - Jan. 19

© Patti

Charles Dearness (cornet); Stephen Feast (clarinet); Paddy Darley (trombone); John Youngs (banjo, vocals); Rory Clark (sousaphone) + Midas the dog

The Tenements arrived at Prohibition Bar with their new recruit in tow. Midas, the new recruit, immediately made himself at home, stretching out on the floor and promptly falling asleep. Having arrived from Cambridge via a spell busking in York, some of the band sought 'refreshments'. The Forth, on the other side of the lane, offered said refreshments, the advertised seven o'clock start came and went, and, at a quarter past, the band reappeared, ready to go. Dusty Rag signalled the start of the first of two sets.

The Adrian Cox Trio @ The Pizza Express, Soho - Jan. 18

Adrian Cox (clarinet, vocals); Alex 'Honey' Boulton (guitar, vocals); Alex Gilson (double bass)

A Saturday night out in Soho. The Dog and Duck for a pint of London Pride, the place packed to the gunnels, the dated pop music playing over the sound system at a level requiring patrons to bellow at a companion sitting/standing at 0.5 metres' distance. Out on the street it was easier/necessary to walk in the road thanks to the hordes bustling/sauntering along the pavements.

Turning onto Dean Street, our destination was up ahead, but one minute's walk. The Pizza Express was doing good business, upstairs and downstairs. Upstairs it was pizza, pizza, pizza. Downstairs it was jazz, jazz, jazz, and a pizza or two. The sold out first house had been and gone, we were here for the second sold out house featuring the Adrian Cox Trio.

Martin Speake resignation

© Sheila Herrick

The Martin Speake situation is, frankly, appalling. How such a respected jazz musician and educator can be thrown on the musical/educational scrapheap without support from his educational employers, Trinity Laban, beggars belief. Speake a racist? No way.

I hope his court action against Trinity is successful, even though there may be further repercussions effecting the whole future of jazz education at Trinity and the other conservatoires that are currently supporting them.

DETAILS. Lance 

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

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

Playlist 19/01/25 (repeated Tuesday 21/01/25)

Jan 20 is Martin Luther King Day: Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, Max Roach.

Requests: Kid Ory, Dexter Gordon.

New Release: Fabienne Ambuehl.

What’s happening: Bridget Metcalfe, SNJO, Matt Camichael/Fergus McCreadie, Tam White/Brian Kellock.

MLK Day: Charles Mingus.

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

Preview: Sunday night @ the Globe - Freight Train

Publicity shot

Freight Train, featuring legendary musicians Christine Tobin (vocals); Liam Noble (keys) and Paul Clarvis (drums), incorporates an intriguing mix of jazz and folk. The late Ann Alex was an enthusiastic supporter of both genres and reviewed several concerts by Christine Tobin at what was then Sage Gateshead and her favourable comments on Christine were fully justified.

Combined with two outstanding musicians, themselves no strangers to the north east and fully paid up members of the UK's jazz hierarchy, this looks to be an exciting gig. Lance

Preview: The Tenements head South to Prohibition Bar (Jan. 19)

The Tenement Jazz Band is one of the great success stories of the Scottish jazz scene. Formed in 2018, the Edinburgh based outfit wasted little time, gigging and busking, whenever and wherever. Newcastle's Prohibition Bar became a regular port of call and the band's first CD, Wiggle, sold like hotcakes. 

Just in case you hadn't noticed ...

7,000,000 and counting!

Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits For No Man @ the Lit & Phil - Jan. 17

Lindsay Hannon (vocals); Alan Law (piano); Brendan Murphy (variou percussion items)

I hold my hand up and confess that Tom Waits' voice grates on me. I'm in a minority of one but, there you are. However, as a composer and a writer of lyric poetry it is a different matter. His streetwise words are up there alongside those of Dylan and Cohen. He's a hardboiled novel set to music.

Bypass the composer and give his raw sentiments to someone who can sing and you've got a recipe that is very palatable indeed. 

Lindsay Hannon is that singer! A singer who conveys the emotions expressed as if they were her own. The sold-out Lit & Phil audience concurred with much deserved applause at the end of her 14 song, one hour, set. 

Pete Tanton and the Cuban Heels @ the Prohibition Bar, Newcastle - Jan. 16

© Russell

Pete Tanton (trumpet, vocal, shakers); Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Mark Robertson (drums, whistle)

Tonight it was Cuban Heels on other days it could have been the Chet Set or the Riviera Quartet. They're interchangeable, all featuring Tanton's blistering trumpet and his cajoling vocals over various, often Latin, but rarely Cuban either geographically or geometrically, rhythms. It didn't matter. We were there to enjoy ourselves and that's what those in the well-attended room did. The music inspired some couples to dance - or maybe it was to keep warm!

DVD review: Ella & Basie - The Perfect Match

Ella Fitzgerald (vocals) with: 

The Paul Smith Trio: Paul Smith (piano); Keeter Betts (bass); Mickey Roker (drums)

Count Basie & his Orchestra: Count Basie (piano); Freddie Green (guitar); Keeter Betts (bass); Mickey Roker (drums); Pete Minger, Sonny Cohn, Paul Cohen, Ray Brown (trumpets); Bootie Wood, Bill Hughes, Mel Wanzo, Dennis Wilson (trombones); Bobby Plater, Danny Turner (alto sax); Eric Dixon, Kenny Hing (tenor sax); Charlie Fowlkes (baritone sax) 

You know how it is. Some days you are walking along, minding your business, when, inside a charity shop, you spot a DVD of Ella and Basie at Montreux in 1979! That's what happened to me today and, to make it even sweeter, the asking price was 20p! I didn't haggle, it was cash on the barrelhead. Transaction completed, it was home Lance  and don't spare the horses.

Album review: Barb Jungr and her trio - Hallelujah on Desolation Row (Absolute)

Barb Jungr (vocals); Simon Wallace (piano, keys); Davide Mantovani (bass); Gary Hammond (percussion)

Eleven songs by two of the greatest contemporary wordsmiths -  Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen.

Cohen provides five of them: Hallelujah, Slow, Tonight Will be Fine, Tower of Song and You Got me Singing whilst Dylan goes numerically two better with: Handle With Care, Desolation Row, Love Minus Zero/No Limit, Mississippi, Kansas City and New Morning.

Rossano Sportiello: Live at the Flat in Greenwich Village (#123) - Jan. 14

Rossano Sportiello (piano); Joey Ranieri (double bass); Aaron Kimmel (drums) 

#123 of Rossano Sportiello's Live at the Flat livestreams more than met the highest of standards set way back when with (lockdown) livestream #1. Pianist Sportiello's no frills presentation - one fixed camera - affords the listener/viewer the luxury of concentrating on the music without distraction. Joining our host this evening, Live at the Flat debutant, bassist Joey Ranieri and drummer Aaron Kimmel. 

Lily Dior Quartet @ Burford Jazz, Warwick Hall, Burford, Oxfordshire - Jan. 10

Lily Dior (vocals); Jez Cook (guitar); Paul Jeffries (bass); Rob Bryan (drums).

The display stands for Burford Jazz promises “Top quality live jazz every month with an accent on entertainment” so let’s see if that promise is met. Lily Dior, in turn, told us that she would be singing all wonderful old standards with her twist on them, and, in fairness, she did that.

She opens with My Foolish Heart, an easy grooving intro to the night’s entertainment, with rolling mallets and glowing guitar chords, with Montgomery-ish, spring-loaded, single notes soloing from Cook. Angel Eyes, as a Latin shuffle follows. It’s mainstream jazz but Dior puts herself into it; she has a flexible voice of some corners and angles. She seems to thrive on stage as if it’s her Friday, end-of-the-week release as much as it is the audience’s. There’s a strong hint of Cleo Laine, but with less scatting.  Jeffries adds a bouncing bass solo.

Album review: Emily Masser Quintet - Songs With My Father (self-released)

Emily Masser (vocals); Dean Masser (tenor sax); Matyas Gayer (piano); James Owston (bass); Steve Brown (drums)

The clue is in the album title. This is indeed a father and daughter based quintet and a brilliant one it is too!

Emily first appeared on my radar last year as part of Clark Tracey's album Introducing Emily Masser which, paradoxically, I chose as my UK Jazz Instrumental Album of the Year mainly on the basis of Emily's vocalese/scat. It could easily have been my Vocal Album of the Year - I may well be once again faced with this dilemma at the end of 2025!

Her dad has been around longer! Dean impressed me on an Art Blakey tribute album and gig he did with drummer Gaz Hughes' sextet. Here, father and daughter together, along with a sympathetic rhythm section, create more magical moments than in all of the Harry Potter books and films combined.

Press release: Ronnie Scott’s Announces New Musical Instrument Amnesty to Support Aspiring Musicians in the UK and Beyond

Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club has announced its latest Musical Instrument Amnesty*, an initiative designed to repurpose unused or unwanted musical instruments by donating them to children and young people. The amnesty will take place on Saturday January 25, 2025 at the club’s renowned Frith Street location in Soho, London, between 10am and 3pm. Members of the public are invited to contribute instruments, which will subsequently be distributed to school-aged children participating in transformative music programs in the UK and overseas.