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); Paul Grainger (bass); Brendan Murphy (various 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.

Raymond MacDonald & Andy Champion @ The Globe, Newcastle - Jan. 13

© Ken Drew

Raymond MacDonald (alto sax, vocals, whistling); Andy Champion (double bass, electronics) 

Upstairs at the Globe, Monday night, mid-January. The clan (the tightly-packed audience) would listen intently to two improvised solo sets followed by an improvised duo finale. The participants - Tyneside's Andy Champion and Scotland's Raymond MacDonald - were reunited in this one-off gathering.

Bassist Andy Champion opened proceedings with an assured performance: virtuosic 'conventional' jazz bass and sonorous bowed sections combining/competing with pulsating electronic sheets of sound. 

Johnny Staccato - E01 (The Naked Truth)

Johnny Staccato, like Peter Gunn, was another jazzy private eye TV show with John Cassavetes as the eponymous piano playing investigator. The house band comprised Pete Candoli (trumpet); Red Norvo (vibes); Barney Kessel (guitar); John Williams (piano); Red Mitchell (bass) and Shelly Manne (drums). The music is by Elmer Bernstein and the black and white footage is very evocative of New York in the 1950s.

This particular shot was broadcast on Sept. 10, 1959. Lance

Sunday night @ The Globe, Newcastle: Jack Pearce Quintet - Jan. 12

© Sheila Herrick

Jack Pearce (alto sax); Sam Hughes (guitar); Jascha Bingham (piano); Dan Sanderson (bass); Angus Haygarth (drums)

I wasn't sure what to expect. Five, unknown to me, young musicians on the first date of their first tour playing before  a relatively sparse  audience. However, they were alumni of the prestigious Leeds Conservatoire and I don't recall any duds emerging from there.

The jury was still out after the first number, Pearce's Icarus. An ephemeral composition that suggested they were still finding their way and not flying too close  to the sun. Another original, inspired by a town in Italy that Pearce had visited, saw them moving up a gear and, with Sam Rivers' Beatrice, it all began to fall into place. Their technical ability beyond question.

Ken Marley Quartet plays the Benny Carter Songbook @ the Moor Club, Heaton Moor, Stockport - Jan. 12

© Jeff Pritchard

Ken Marley (bass); Liam Byrne (tenor/bass sax); Paul Hartley (guitars); Dave Walsh (drums)

Ken Marley likes the tunes of legendary saxophonist and arranger Benny Carter and tonight he took centre stage and played two very interesting sets, six tunes each set all composed by Carter. For those amongst you who never got to hear Benny Carter during his many tours of the UK and Europe he was an impressive musician with a great sound on alto sax, his main horn, but he could also play trumpet which he did on occasion.

Martin Hummel (Feb. 2, 1955 - Jan. 10, 2025)

It was on Jan. 10, 2024 that Martin Hummel revealed to myself and others in the jazz community that he had been diagnosed with  esophageal (oesophageal) cancer. Exactly a year later, after a brave and courageous fight, he eventual succumbed to its unstoppable growth.

Of dual nationality, hence the US/UK spellings of the disease, he first came to prominence as founder of the Ubuntu Music record label releasing albums by jazz artists past and present from both sides of the Atlantic. I met Martin a couple of times: once at Pizza and once at 606. On both occasions he took photos for me to use with my BSH reviews.

The Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman's Jazz Club, Middlesbrough - Jan. 9

Mark Toomey (alto sax); Jeremy McMurray (piano); Peter Ayton (bass); Mark Robertson (drums).

The jazz club's first meeting of the year was well attended with the audience giving  a warm welcome on a bitterly cold winter night to this quartet, comprising as it does with some of the best jazz musicians of the area and thus with high expectations of a night of interesting and exciting jazz. This also gave Mark the opportunity to demonstrate his considerable skills as a talented composer and arranger with a good number of his own compositions.

From JRR to Tyneside - Jan 12 then March 2 & April 26

This afternoon's edition of Jazz Record Requests includes two musicians/bands who are heading to Tyneside in the near future. Bassist Ali Watson will be at the Globe on Sunday March 2 with his all-star band and at the end of April (Saturday 26) at Gateshead's Glasshouse, it's the Neil Cowley Trio. 

Tune in to BBC Radio 3 at four o'clock. Oh, then book your concert tickets  - www.theglobenewcastle.bar and 

www.theglasshouseicm.org. Russell 

Album review: Meredith d'Ambrosio - Midnight Mood (Sunnyside Records)

Meredith d'Ambrosio (vocal); Frédérik Loiseau (guitar); Paul McWilliams (piano)

I know it's early in the game but, come New Year's Eve, this could well be a contender for Vocal Album of the Year  it's that good!

A choice selection of songs, some of which I knew and some of which I thought I knew only to have them interpreted tantalisingly differently by three performers who really get to the heart of the lyric and the melody.

d'Ambrosio has that husky Jeri Southern, Julie London edge to her voice that, if I'd been listening to it alone, in bed, in the wee small hours, it would have driven me slowly out of my mind. As it was, it came pretty close to doing that in the cold light of morning. It conjures up a night club scene in an old black and white movie just before somebody gets shot.

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

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

Playlist 12/01/25 (repeated Tuesday 14/01/25)

Requests: Woody Herman, Stan Kenton/Lionel Hampton, Martin James Bartlett, Jeremy Pelt, Lester Young.

Memories: MJQ/Kenny Clarke, Wilbur De Paris, Chris Barber +Trummy Young. Kenny Wheeler, Gene Krupa.

What’s happening in the NE: Glenn Miller, Tenement Jazz Band.

Memory:  Duke Ellington/Sam Woodyard & Coleman Hawkins.

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