A Nelson Riddle riddle.

Doing my triannual tidy up I came across this cutting from the Gazette dated August 20, 1997 and is by local radio broadcaster the late Frank Wappat.

The article refers to the start of a weekly gig by Tommy Moran (alto sax); Bill Harper (piano); Derek Dixon (bass) & Tommy Gibson (drums) with vocals by Mia Webb at the Turks Head pub up on the Lawe Top in South Shields. Back in the day I called in a few times and I remember it as being an excellent session.

However, my main interest in the article is the mention of some previously unrecorded arrangements by Nelson Riddle that Frank Wappat had acquired and that he had remastered them with Tommy Moran as the featured soloist. 

Did this actually happen and were they ever released commercially?

Come in Tommy Moran. Lance

Preview: Stockport Jazz @ the Moor Club - West Coast Jazz Octet

This week’s gig at the Moor Club features a rare opportunity to see the West Coast Jazz Octet performing the classic arrangements from the 1950s of the Great American songbook written for the Dave Pell Octet by the top arrangers of the day, including Shorty Rogers, Marty Paich, John Williams, André Previn and others. 

 

Album review: Misha Mullov-Abbado – Effra (Ubuntu)

Misha Mullov-Abbado (double bass); James Davison (trumpet, flugelhorn); Matthew Herd (alto/tenor sax); Sam Rapley (tenor sax, bass clarinet); Liam Dunachie (piano); Scott Chapman (drums)

So, what we have here is a sextet that wanted to be a bigger band; it’s like the little group that could. Now some people might like their jazz a little more down home and dirty but, when the light is in the right quarter, if you might want something bold, bright and brassy full of optimism and hope enough to ignore the orange cloud on the horizon you could do worse than pull Effra off the shelf. There are many worse ways to pass an hour and I should know as I’ve just spent an hour ironing and listening to Radio 2.

Press release: Debut album by Knats out TODAY!

“they gleefully rewire jazz with a hard-as-nails rhythm section, drum’n’bass energy and punk aggression.” - The Guardian

“jaw-dropping brilliance” - Jazzwise

Newcastle Upon Tyne quintet Knats recently announced details of their much anticipated self-titled debut album. Out physically on 28th February and digitally 28th March via London analogue specialist label Gearbox Records (Elliot Galvin, Cahill//Costello, Village Of the Sun), the album follows their recent single "Tortuga (For Me Mam)" which marked their first release for the label.

"Knats" comes on the heels of an incendiary year for the band including supporting Geordie Greep (black midi) and playing as the backing band for R&B legend Eddie Chacon on UK tours. They also played a sold out Jazz Refreshed headliner, supported Str4ta at a sold Jazz Cafe, and performed at the BBC Proms.

Album review: Yellowjackets - Fasten Up (Mack Avenue- Mac1217)

Bob Mintzer (tenor sax, EWI); Russell Ferrante (piano); Dane Alderson (bass); Will Kennedy (drums) + Raul Midón (vocals on The Lion)

Grammy Award winning Yellowjackets have just released their 27th studio album, Fasten Up. Formed in 1981 with long-time members Russell Ferrante and Will Kennedy still aboard they’re joined by saxophonist, Bob Mintzer (since 1990) and Australian bassist, Dane Alderson, who is now celebrating a decade with the group.

Fasten Up bursts with unbridled momentum spurred on with a vibrant blend of styles borrowing from old and new in equal measure. The disc hotfoots it out of the blocks with a 1960s'  classic Comin' Home Baby (penned by bassist, George Tucker) and covered by the likes of Herbie Mann, Mel Tormé and Quincy Jones among many others. Mintzer’s arrangement gives it a refreshingly updated treatment. His doubling of the melody on tenor and EWI along with his added re-harmonisations catapult this 60 year perennial chestnut well into the millennium.

This weekend big band fans are heading to Chester-le-Street!

It's that time of year again when all big band roads lead to Chester-le-Street. Literally hundreds of musicians will be converging on Park View Community Centre on Church Chare to celebrate all things big band at the amazing Great North Big Band Jazz Festival. The action begins this evening (Friday 28 February) with the annual opening concert featuring Musicians Unlimited. 

Jamie McCredie @ The Globe, Newcastle - Feb. 27

© Ken Drew

Jamie McCredie (guitar) + James Birkett  (guitar)

They turned out for this one. A full house, comprising the usual Railway Street habitué, the never-seen-before type and a gig bag full of of guitarists. Jamie McCredie is from these neck of the woods but for many a year has made London his home. This flying (rail) visit (arrive on gig day, depart early next day) found Jamie in great form - on and off stage. A friendly smile to greet everyone, Jamie knew many of the friendly faces walking through the door. 

Album review: Matthew Kilner - The Space In Between (Independent)

Matthew Kilner (tenor sax);  Paul Harrison (piano); Ewan Hastie (bass); Alyn Cosker (drums) + Paul Towndrow (alto sax on tk 3)

Matthew Kilner grew up in the north east of Scotland, Aberdeen to be precise, so I suppose it was inevitable that this collection of originals would be dedicated to that particular neck of the woods.

In recent years the Scottish jazz scene, from Edinburgh to Glasgow and now Aberdeen, has become a breeding ground for young talent. Indeed backing against a young Scottish jazz musician in the BBC's Young Jazz Musician of the Year contest is like backing against an Irish-trained horse at Cheltenham. They're always good for an each way flutter with bassist Hastie actually first past the post in 2022.

Emily Masser Quintet @ Scarborough Jazz Club - Feb. 26

Emily Masser (vocals); Dean Masser (tenor sax); Dean Stockdale (piano); Adrian Knowles (double bass); Gaz Hughes (drums)

Fully three quarters of an hour before the start of this evening's Scarborough Jazz Club concert a queue snaked down Cambridge Terrace. Minutes after the doors opened it was standing-room only. Some punters had travelled a distance - from Newcastle, from London, from all points of the compass. Everyone present knew it promised to be a special occasion....    

In recent years Alex Clarke, Xhosa Cole, Emma Rawicz and others have emerged on the jazz scene as promising young musicians (some of them award-winning musicians). At Scarborough Jazz Club, Emily Masser was to demonstrate beyond a shadow of a doubt that she too is a promising young musician, no, make that a 'rising star'. 

Album review: Richard Baratta - Looking Back (Savant Records)

Richard Baratta (drums); Bill O'Connell (piano, arr.); Vincent Herring (alto sax, flute); Paul Bollenback (guitar); Michael Goetz (bass); Paul Rossman (percussion) + Caroll Scott (vocal on tk 5)

Looking back is a common approach amongst the mainstream core of jazz musicians. Of course  some look back further than others, often going as far back as the days when it all began. Others draw their repertoire from the 1930s, '40s and '50s - the years that spawned those GASbook classics that began life on Broadway or in Hollywood.

Although Richard Baratta has connections with the silver screen, like so many of his contemporaries in the jazz world of today, Baratta's retrovision only goes as far back as the pop and rock songs of the 1960s. That's okay, some good songs emerged as witness the ten tracks here.

Album review: Matt Holborn - For Stuff (BL Records)

Matt Holborn (violin); Fraser Urquhart (piano); Joe Dessauer (drums); Simon Read (bass) + Honey Boulton (guitar on tks 3, 6 & 8).

When it comes to jazz violin, history turns up many illustrious names: Stéphane Grappelli, Eddie South, Joe Venuti and, some might say, the granddaddy of them all -  Stuff Smith.

Likewise, the current jazz scene has no shortage of active fiddlers such as Emma Fisk, Seonaid Aitken, Daniel John Martin and the featured virtuoso here - Matt Holborn.

Not surprisingly, today's crop frequently find inspiration from their stylistic forebear which, in Holborn's  case is Stuff Smith.

Despite seemingly incompatible sparring partners both violinists had no qualms about stepping outside of their comfort zones - Smith with Nat Cole, Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald, Holborn with Nubya Garcia, Chaka Khan and Tomorrow's Warriors. 

Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland - Feb. 24

Michael Young (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums)

The best laid plans of mice and Tyne and Wear's Metro. Not one, but two new trains came and went, neither heading for Sunderland. Sometime later, much later, an old bone shaker pulled in. Sunderland here we come...

Better late than never, we rocked up at Sunderland's Engine Room, the Michael Young Trio in full flow. At the bar, no handpull. Food? The staff would ask the chef if he could be bothered. No handpull = Guinness. A pint of Dublin's finest, a plate of thick cut chips, fine dining here on Wearside. Where were we? Oh, yes, the Michael Young Trio - Young, piano, Paul Grainger, bass, Abbie Finn, drums. The Beatles' She's Leaving Home, the first of several by the Fab Four. Here, There and Everywhere, then the killer tune of the evening, a stonking take on Can't Buy Me Love, pianist Young outstanding.

Roberta Flack (1937 - Feb. 24, 2025)

Five time Grammy winning soul/r&b singer Roberta Flack died earlier today aged 88. Not an out and out jazz singer, although she was never too far away from the genre having been discovered singing in a club by Les McCann, her songs had an impact that few listeners could ignore irrespective of the genre. 

The haunting sound of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face on the soundtrack to the Clint Eastwood movie Play Misty For me is pure magic. Sung by Roberta Flack, the film wouldn't be the same without it.

A truly great singer who will be sadly missed in every corner of the music world, may she REST IN PEACE. Lance

BBC obituary.

Jim Collins/John Hulme Quintet @ the Moor Club, Heaton Moor, Stockport - Feb. 23

© Jeff Pritchard

Jim Collins (tenor sax); John Hulme (flugelhorn, cornet); Robin Joiner (keyboards);  Peter Hartley (bass); Eryl Roberts (drums)

Although I'd heard Jim and John many times leading quartets at the now long gone Railway pub in Stockport, this was the first time I'd  heard them co-leading a quintet and I was looking forward to hearing what they had to offer. 

They opened up with a Clifford Brown blues Sandu and right away I knew I was going to enjoy this gig as the sound of tenor sax and flugel working well together is one that I love to hear. 

Album review: Tom Smith - A Year in the Life (Fey Moose Records)

Tom Smith (MD, alto/soprano sax, composer); Graeme Blevins (alto sax, flute, clarinet); Sam Glaser (alto sax); Alex Garnett, (tenor sax); Jessamy Holder (baritone sax, bass clarinet); Tom Walsh, George Hogg, Freddie Gavita, James Davison, Alistair Martin (trumpets, flugelhorns); Trevor Mires, Olli Martin, Dan Higham; Yusuf Narcin (trombones); Will Barry (piano); Jamie McCredie (guitar); Conor Chaplin (basses); Luke Tomlinson (drums) + Paul Booth (tenor sax tks 2 & 3) ; Liam Dunachie (Hammond B3 on tk 5)

Described as a celebration of London's thriving jazz scene, the line-up is certainly brimming with all-star talent. Big hitters every one, playing Smith's compositions and arrangements.

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

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

Playlist 23/02/25 (repeated Tuesday 25/02/25)

Requests: Humphrey Lyttelton.

Seasonal: Fats Waller, New Orleans Rhythm Kings.

RIP: Lou Donaldson, Roy Haynes.

Memories: Leroy Jones, Nina Simone, Count Basie/Buddy Tate/Buck Clayton.

Requests: Miles Davis Quintet, Sidney Bechet, Wilton Felder.

New Release: Julie Walkington/Jim Howard.

Grammy Award: Samara Joy.

Seasonal: Blossom Dearie, Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Rollins.

What’s on in the NE: Luis Verde, T J Johnson.

Memory: Chris Barber w Monty Sunshine.  

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

Emma Rawicz w. Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ the Glasshouse - Feb.21

© Russell

A monumental evening that will surely live long in the memory of those fortunate to be present on an evening of astounding, adventurous and forward looking music. A landmark in the advancement of big band jazz.

SSBB opened with Johnny Richards' Two Cultures, an atonal piece originally written for Stan Kenton. It was a good starting point and the band's new lineup was definitely up for it. This was to be a night to remember - a night where atonality was the norm.

Dave McKeague now appears to be the band's regular drummer and there are few who can power a big band like he does. Niall Armstrong occupied the baritone chair, Sue Ferris played flute exclusively and Alice Grace joined the section using her voice instrumentally.

The evening's star guest, Emma Rawicz, was warmly greeted by the audience who applauded respectfully whilst at the same time wondering if this 23-year-old saxophonist really was as outstanding a musician as word would have it? She was! - Was she not! 

Preview: Jim Collins/John Hulme Quintet @ the Moor Club, Stockport - Sunday Feb. 23

This Sunday, the Jim Collins/John Hulme Quintet, comprising  Jim Collins (tenor saxophone); John Hulme (trumpet/flugelhorn); Robin Joiner (piano); Peter Hartley (bass) and Eryl Roberts (drums), are at the Moor Club. 

Our man way out west, Mike Farmer, has waxed eloquently about previous gigs by the musicians involved so it should be well worth a visit. 

Support the Globe Crowdfunder

Ten years ago, The Globe was a failing pub. In 2014, Jazz Coop stepped in and transformed it into a community-owned, grassroots music venue and learning centre. Since then, we’ve built a space where people come together to enjoy an incredible variety of live music, club nights, and workshops.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-globe

When the pandemic hit, we refused to let our community be cut off from live music. While most venues were closed, we livestreamed performances across genres—from jazz to folk, rock to classical. These performances helped keep musicians afloat and brought joy to people isolated by lockdown.

JazzMain @ JATLP, Newcastle - Feb. 21

© Patti

Nick Gould (tenor sax); Steve Grossart (piano); Iain Harkness (bass guitar); Kevin Dorrian (drums) 

Edinburgh based JazzMain are no strangers to Newcastle having played the Newcastle Jazz Festival and the Globe on more than one occasion. However, I suspect that the majority of the audience today at the monthly Jazz at the Lit & Phil session were hearing JazzMain for the first time. They were in for a treat!

Although a set list was provided in the program, Nick Gould started his introduction by saying they would probably play what they felt as they went along. Given that they have been playing together, in his words, since ‘the last century’, I had no doubt that we were going to listen to an hour of four consummate musicians enjoying themselves.

Album review: Mette Juul - Thank You & Other Stories (Nilento Records)

Mette Juul (vocals, guitar); Peter Rosendal (piano, trombone, Rhodes); Lars Danielsson (cello, bass, melodica, Fender Telecaster, Rhodes, organ) + Xavier Desandre Navarre (percussion on tks 6 & 9) 

The seventh album by Danish jazz singer/songwriter Mette Juul maintains her high standard both as singer and songwriter, dwelling upon the storytelling aspect of her words in the latter category. The general theme relates to coming to terms with, and relating to, the dark and frightening world we live in.

Not all are doom and gloom. The dark despair of On Dragon Wings is countered with Thank You, a lyric that acknowledges being rescued by that special someone.

Be a Blessing to Someone - an ode to spreading that blessing to someone who needs it almost as much, maybe even more, than you do. 

James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ King's Hall, Newcastle University - Feb. 20

James Birkett (guitar); Emma Fisk (violin)

James Birkett and Emma Fisk are on a mission to present, promote and play the music of the pioneering Italian-American duo Eddie Lang and Joe Venuti. As our duo took to the stage, King's Hall was packed to its (very high) rafters. The printed programme for this afternoon's concert listed no fewer than twenty tunes. Birkett and Fisk would play a selection.

The Venuti-Lang composition, Cheese and Crackers, dating from 1927, opened the set, a set of three quarters of an hour. Violinist Emma handled the introductions and she and guitarist James did the playing and how! Two virtuoso musicians, wholly at ease, how do they do it?! An exquisite Stardust, a romping Sweet Georgia Brown (Emma saying there was no need to announce the number - she was right!), James' composition Eddie's Lament comfortably taking its place in the set list, every single note of each and every number bordering on perfection.

The Young Ones @ The Black Swan jam session - Feb. 18

Alan Law (keyboards); Paul Grainger (double bass); John Hirst (drums) + Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Kate O'Niell (vocals); John Rowland (tenor sax); Ruth Lambert (vocals); Sam Toulson (alto sax); David Gray (trombone); Edgar Ho (keyboards); Oscar Ho (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums); Liam Oliver (guitar); Leah Kirk (vocals); Robert Johnson (alto sax); Lara Hopper (trumpet); Shivan Ruddick (trumpet); Paul Ruddick (alto sax); Ian Drever (vocals); Moyo (guitar); Jay Straughan (drums); Jamie Watkins (double bass); Darius (vocals); Harriett (vocals) 

Jazz is dead. Jazz isn't what it used to be. Oh, yeah? Those present at tonight's Black Swan jam session would beg to differ. Oh! Lady Be Good for starters, the house trio would play a blinder all night. Pianist  Alan Law is the man for any jam session, a great player and endlessly encouraging to those sitting in. And then there's Paul Grainger, house bassist and the ideal jam session MC. And drummer John Hirst is as good as they come.

Farewell Kenny Kirsopp

It wasn't your average  funeral - not if crowd numbers are anything to go by. We waited in the cold, the queue of mourners increasing with every beat of our hearts. It wasn't so much goodbye as a fond farewell to a much loved musician who, in a calling where  extrovert is the norm,  was perhaps the extrovert's extrovert.

We're talking about saxophonist and piper - Kenny Kirsopp (Kenny the Sax).

Album review: Eldad Tarmu - Silver on Aluminium (Queen of Bohemia Productions)

Eldad Tarmu (vibes); Marty Isenberg (bass); Michael Shapira (drums)

Considering that Horace Silver had over 300 compositions to his name, the  problem facing Tarmu was not what to play but what not to Play! In this respect he has found a good balance between the familiar and the not so familiar. It's immaterial  - they all come out  swinging.

If I'm going to be hyper critical, a horn would have added variation but it would have had to be one helluva player to keep pace with these guys!

Russ Morgan Quartet @ Blaydon Jazz Club - Feb. 17

© Roly Veitch

Russ Morgan (drums); Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (double bass) + Zoë Gilby (vocals)

A rare February gig at Blaydon Jazz Club and a rare band for the occasion, the Russ Morgan Quartet, no less. The Black Bull's regulars turned out and they weren't to be disappointed. And what they didn't know, there was to be a guest appearance by the award-winning Zoë Gilby. At a little after eight o'clock, Russ, Harry Keeble, Mark Williams and bassist Andy Champion took to the floor. 

Across the course of two sets, drummer Russ spiced things up with a varied selection, including a couple of John Scofield numbers (step forward Mark Williams!), something by Julian Nicholas and Kenny Garrett, a Rodgers and Hart standard and Sammy Gallop and Phil De Rose's Autumn Serenade, the latter two featuring Ms Gilby. 

Album review: Alison Rayner Quintet - SEMA4 (ECN & Blow the Fuse Records)

Alison Rayner (bass); Buster Birch (drums); Deirdre Cartwright (guitar); Diane McLoughlin (tenor/soprano saxes); Steve Lodder (piano)

A timely release (March 7) as later (March 16) ARQ play the Globe which on the strength of  this album and the quintet's previous visits to the venue is one for the diary.

Espiritu Libre, presumably translates as Free Spirit and the spirits do indeed run free although not out of control. Composed by Rayner, the musicians create the illusion of frolicking in the mountains of the Basque country when in actual fact the frollicking is being done at the Vortex Jazz Club in East London.

Looking For a Quiet Place. A composition by McLoughlin, who has found just such a place to contemplate, mavbe discover the secret of life, or stumble upon a previously unknown minor chord progression. The solos and the melody lines are beautiful.

Sunday night @ the Globe: Gerry Richardson Quartet - Feb. 16

© Malcolm Sinclair

Gerry Richardson (organ, vocals); Garry Linsley (alto sax); Rod Sinclair (guitar); Paul Smith (drums)

McGriff, McDuff, Jimmy Smith, Shirley Scott and Mike Carr among others may no longer be with us but, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, Gerry Richardson is still around and delivering the soulful, funky grooves and forearm smashes beloved by his forerunners. The B3, or in this case the Crumar Mojo, is in safe hands. Last night's sold out Globe certainly wouldn't argue.

Aided and abetted by his three henchmen, who were namechecked after every solo, the Railway St. venue was transformed into a bar in downtown Philly or Detroit.  Some called it rock and roll although jazz audiences, if they like a rock number, seek absolution from Lady Day and John Coltrane by calling it rhythm and blues.

Jambone @ Glasshouse, Gateshead - Feb. 16

Jambone: Jason Holcomb (director) + 18 piece ensemble

It's MOBO time here on Tyneside. The 2025 Music of Black Origin awards are a big deal in the music world. This year, Newcastle Arena, Gateshead's Glasshouse and sundry other satellite venues either side of the Tyne are on board. The Glasshouse, Gateshead, Sunday lunchtime, noon. The concourse a hive of activity, an event was about to begin. Its full title...MOBO Song: Jambone, Jazz Attack, Quay Voices, Step Up Singing, Newcastle Youth Choir Project (NYCP). 

Album review: Caili O'Doherty - Bluer Than Blue, Celebrating Lil Hardin Armstrong (Outside in Music)

Caili O'Doherty (piano, arranger); Tamir Shmerling (bass); Cory Cox (drums); Nicole Glover (tenor sax); Tahira Clayton, Michael Mayo (vocals). 

Bluer Than Blue, Celebrating Lil Hardin Armstrong is a long overdue appreciation of Louis Armstrong's second wife. It could be argued that pianist and composer Lil Hardin Armstrong's contribution to Oliver's Creole Jazz Band and Armstrong's Hot Five were much greater than the historians would have us believe.

Pianist O'Doherty came to a similar conclusion whilst studying at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. The journey of discovery that followed ultimately led to this excellent album, updating Lil Armstrong's compositions and installing them with new vigor without losing the spirit of the originals.

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

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

Playlist 16/02/25 (repeated Tuesday 18/02/25)

Valentines: Nat King Cole, Bobby Timmons, Keith Nichols, Teddy Wilson.

Requests: Joshua Redman, Oscar Peterson, Carmen McRae.

New Releases: Jim Doherty/Louis Stewart, Rachael Calladine, Paul Taylor.

What’s happening in the NE: Emma Rawicz.

Requests/Valentine: Lee Morgan, Jeff Barnhart/John Hallam, Bill Evans, Dave Brubeck, Chet Baker. 

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

Champion @ Live Theatre, Newcastle - Feb. 15

Although our principal interests are music and jazz, myself and the rest of the BSH team do have other passions. These include, art, golf, football, boxing and theatre so that when Live Theatre announced they were putting on Champion, a play written by Ishy Dan and based around the effect Muhammad Ali's 1977 visit to Tyneside had upon a somewhat dysfunctional mother and her equally maladjusted two sons, we were there 'at the ringside' so to speak.

With the stage set out as a boxing ring, the action takes place in the family's South Shields living room, the only prop being a vacuum cleaner and a transistor radio.

Tickets going fast for Gerry Richardson (Sunday Feb. 16)!!!

If you thought you could rock up on the night, think again! Advance sales for the Gerry Richardson Quartet at the Globe are off the scale! 

Hammond ace Gerry gigs every now and again, Sunday is one such occasion. From Last Exit to a career in music education to running his magnificent outfit Big Idea, Gerry Richardson is the real deal. 

Tickets are almost gone - count 'em on the fingers of one hand. Join Gerry, Garry Linsley (alto sax), Rod Sinclair (guitar) and Paul 'Smithy' Smith (drums) on Railway Street for an eight o'clock start. Book now at: www.theglobenewcastle.bar. Russell    

Album review: Noah Preminger - Ballads (Chill Tone Records)

Noah Preminger (tenor sax); Julian Shore (piano); Kim Cass (bass); Allan Mednard (drums)

What can I say? Preminger's sound is absolutely gorgeous - tonewise he beats Stan Getz at his own game. If you doubt me, check out Stan's Mood. It really is a tone to die for. Apart from Stan's Mood, Gershwin's Someone to Watch Over me and Carry me Ohio which I thought was a college football song but isn't, Preminger composed the other four tracks.

John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle - Feb. 14

John Rowland (tenor sax); Alan Law (keyboards); Paul Grainger (double bass) 

Opening with This Can't be Love, the penny dropped, this was Valentine's Day! The first in a proposed second Friday in the month lunchtime jazz concert series featured the John Rowland Trio. A one hour set in the Grade II listed Jesmond Library attracted a fair few paying customers - half a dozen jazz faces, the others, perhaps, locals there to support the venture. Roses are red, violets are blue etc.

Kenny Kirsopp (Kenny the Sax) funeral update

A reminder that the funeral of Kenny Kirsopp (Kenny the Sax) will take place on Wednesday Feb. 19 at South Tyneside Crematorium at 2:45pm and afterwards at the Sundial pub. 

Press release: Northern Line 2025 is Revealed

Jazz North announces its latest roster of Northern Line - the live talent development programme for jazz across the North: 

Amy Thatcher & Francesca Knowles, Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band, Ex-Easter Island Head, Ellen Beth Abdi & The Exu make up the cohort of northern artists to watch.

Northern Line is the live touring programme providing transformative support for northern jazz artists. Today, Jazz North announces the five outstanding bands selected to join the cohort.

Chris Bye, Jazz North CEO, says: 

Where's Olly? King's Hall - Feb. 13

Thursday afternoon, four o'clock, King's Hall, Newcastle University. This week's term time 'Student Performances' would include tenor saxophonist Olly Styles. So said the printed programme. At a little after four, the first of the undergraduate musicians took to the stage to do their thing...flautist Gemma Davies, then organ scholar James Watson, guitarist Elle Bunker, they came and went.              

The one we came to hear, Olly Styles, was nowhere to be seen - or heard. As these weekly sessions go, it isn't unusual for (late?) changes to be made to the advertised programme. Oh, well. There's always the possibility Olly will show at one of the forthcoming Black Swan jam sessions.

Ed Kainyek Quartet w. Trish Heenan @ the Moor Club, Heaton Moor, Stockport - Feb. 9

© Jeff Pritchard

Ed Kainyek (soprano/tenor sax); George King (keyboards); John Sandham (bass); Tim Franks (drums); Trish Heenan (vocals). 

Ed was a frequent performer at the Railway pub until its closure. However, I'm pleased to say that the Moor Club seems to be attracting former Railway fans plus a few new visitors.

Ed has added a singer to his line-up as he did on his previous visit. Tonight it was Trish Heenan who was making her first appearance at this venue. 

Often seen on Ed's gigs is drummer Tim Franks and from where I was sitting he did a great job using both brushes and sticks particularly when backing Trish who was featured on every tune apart from the first number of both sets.

Munch Manship Quartet @ the Moor Club, Heaton Moor, Stockport - Feb. 2

© Jeff Pritchard

Munch Manship (tenor sax, flute); Richard Wetherall  (keyboards); Dave Lynane (bass); Dave Hassell (drums)

After not hearing any live jazz for a while I was looking forward to a night at the Moor Club where reeds maestro Munch Manship had assembled a group of first class local musicians to play an interesting selection of his favourite tunes. 

He opened the first set with an uptempo  the Best Things in Life Are Free and this number had all players in a high-energy, creative mode. This sounded so good that I thought it would be hard to maintain this standard throughout the evening but I was proven wrong as there were more highspots to follow..

Death of a legend: Tony Kinsey (1927-2025)

The reported recent passing of British drum legend Tony Kinsey at the age of 97 shouldn't have come as a surprise  and yet it has. He was of those musicians who seemed to have been, and always would be, around forever. Alas, it was not to be.

I remember well the first time I heard his wonderful, tasteful, drumming...

March 1, 1955 at Newcastle City Hall. Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald acc. by Sammy Stokes (bass) and Tony Kinsey (drums). It was a cold Tuesday night in Newcastle and the concert was far from being a sell-out. I had a seat at the right of the stage slightly behind the performers. Paradoxically, not only were those seats on the stage the cheapest, apart from being somewhat unkind to one's posterior, they were also the best in the house.

Steve Summers Quintet @ The Newcastle House, Rothbury – Feb. 11

Steve Summers (saxophones); Pete Tanton (trumpet, flugelhorn); Alan Law (keyboards); Michael Whent (bass); Mark Robertson (drums)

Another trip up into the hills for what is Coquetdale Jazz’s 10th gig. I hope they have reached that point where sustainability looks more likely than not. A programme so far of high quality gigs by reasonably local musicians has the support of Rothbury residents, a few incomers and the musicians themselves.

For tonight’s outing three past/present members of the Strictly Smokin’ Big Band and two or three friends old and older crammed themselves into the corner of the Newcastle House’s dining room and proceeded to try and blow the doors off. I can’t remember the last time I was at such a good natured, good humoured gig. The only lowlight being the point in the second set when my chair started to come from together and I wasn’t far from dancing with my heels in the air.