The Black Swan jam session flies again @ Newcastle Arts Centre - Feb. 4

Ben Phillips (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Bailey Rudd (drums) + Kate O'Niell (vocals); David Gray (trombone); Luis Verde (alto sax); Jan Spencelayh (vocals); Olly Styles (alto sax); Edgar Bell (trumpet); Lara Hopper (trumpet); Neil Hopper (double bass); Liam Oliver (guitar); Shayo Oshodi (vocals); Martin Waugh (piano); Jamie Watkins (double bass); Paul Ruddick (alto sax); Shivan Ruddick (trumpet); John Rowland (tenor sax); Laurence Harrison (guitar); Robert Johnson (alto sax); Jed (drums); Dylan (alto sax); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Owen Jones (double bass); Ian Drever (vocals); Becky Tuck (vocals); Remy Coulthard-Boardman (vocals); Theo Nolan (drums); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet)  

Closed for refurbishment for something like six weeks, would the Black Swan look any different? Queueing in the courtyard of Newcastle Arts Centre ahead of doors opening at seven o'clock, thoughts turned to who might be sitting in. Descending the stairs to the Black Swan, the bar area hadn't changed one jot. It transpired the women's loos had been the focus of the refurb.

Kenny Kirsopp funeral arrangements

The funeral of Kenny Kirsopp (Kenny the Sax) will take place on Wednesday Feb. 19 at South Tyneside Crematorium at 2:45pm. 

Press release: Exceleration Music Announces Acquisition of Mack Avenue Music Group, Expanding Exceleration’s Commitment to Jazz

Nashville, Jan 31, 2025 – Exceleration Music, the prominent global music company dedicated to advancing the future of independent music proudly announces the acquisition of Mack Avenue Music Group, the globally celebrated collection of jazz labels known for its exceptional roster of artists and award-winning catalogs.

This deal strengthens Exceleration Music’s commitment to both legacy and new jazz artists, as it already owns the legendary, multiple Grammy® award-winning, Candid Records. Post acquisition, Mack Avenue’s operations will be integrated with Candid Records to form Exceleration’s overall jazz group and will be led by current Mack Avenue President, Denny Stilwell. This collective jazz group will also feature a team of other key executives from both Mack Avenue and Candid Records.

Lewis Watson Quartet @ Central Bar, Gateshead - Feb. 2

Lewis Watson (tenor sax); Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (double bass); John Bradford (drums)

In Independent Venue Week they came out of the woodwork for this one. Central Bar's upstairs concert room filled up nicely. Two o'clock on a Sunday afternoon, some people no doubt had better things to do - like what? - but here on Half Moon Lane the hardcore got themselves a beer, took a seat and awaited the arrival of the man. Yes, King Lewis was in town (Gateshead town).

Opening with Earth, Lewis Watson's magisterial tenor playing was a thing of wondrous beauty. Commanding, powerful, this was tenor saxophone playing at its very best. Watson's bandmates - Mark Williams, guitar, Andy Champion, bass, and drummer John Bradford - are A-listers and their abilities would be put to the test across two terrific sets. 

R.I.P. Diana Melly (1937- Feb. 2, 2025)

Diana Melly, writer and wife of the late jazz singer George Melly, died on Sunday.

As outré as George - maybe even more so - her Bohemian lifestyle is captured to perfection in this Times obituary - read HERE.

Diana Melly was 87. Lance

Alan Barnes & John Hallam with the Tom Kincaid Trio @ Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club - Feb.1

Alan Barnes (alto sax, baritone sax, clarinet); John Hallam (tenor sax, baritone sax, clarinet); Tom Kincaid (piano); Dave Tomkins (double bass); Eryl Roberts (drums)

The third and final concert of Alan Barnes' flying visit to the region attracted a large crowd. In excess of one hundred fans turned out as Barnes reunited with John Hallam at Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club. Our duo met up with the Tom Kincaid Trio in time for a half past twelve start. 

Barnes (AB) and Hallam (JH) opened on clarinet - As Long As I Live (Harold Arlen), followed by Oh, Lady Be Good! (George Gershwin). The Larchfield Street audience liked what it was hearing - more GASbook than N'Awlins, but, when these guys are on stage, no one but no one can fail to like what they play! Cole Porter's What is This Thing Called Love? maintained the highest of standards (AB, alto, JH, tenor) and it was a joy to listen to a top class trio - Messrs, Tom Kincaid, Dave Tomkins and Eryl Roberts.  

Album review: Nishla Smith & Tom Harris - Live in Manchester (digital download)

Nishla Smith (vocals); Tom Harris (piano)

A pleasant vignette from a singer not entirely unknown in the north east. In fact not at all unknown in the north east if you were a regular at the old Jazz Café jam sessions, or at the Globe when, strangely, she shared the bill with the Tenement Jazz Band, or if you were at the Sage (now the Glasshouse) when she was part of the faculty of that cultural centre's musical education programme. 

Now firmly established in Manchester this is her second album to be featured here after her 2021 release Friends With Monsters. That one was by her quintet and featured mainly original material. This time it's pared down to just piano accompaniment and some good old good ones. 

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: 1:00pm. £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.