Album review: Janette Mason - ReWired (JM/ECN Music)

Janette Mason (piano); Tom Mason (bass); Eric Ford (drums) + Paul Booth (tenor sax on tks 3 & 5); Roderick Lewis Frazier, Brendan Reilly, Natalie Williams (vocals on tk 3) 

An established pianist, composer and arranger across several genres, Janette Mason adapts those skills to interpret a variety of pop, jazz and songbook standards into  a very personal context.

Gary Numan's Cars varies in tempo starting with a jumpy, repetitive rifflike motif before going into a reflective mood then building back up to the original theme. Mason the Bass is heard to good advantage.

Sam Lightwing Quartet @ the Moor Club, Heaton Moor, Stockport - March 30

© Jeff Pritchard

Sam Lightwing  (alto/tenor sax); Max Rosen (keyboards); Peter Hartley (bass); Callum Montgomery (drums).

The joys of travel when you can't drive never cease! I went to Handforth Station to catch the 5:44pm train to Stockport which was actually on time. The problem was that instead of the normal three carriages they had added some more but I still had to squeeze myself on board into very little space. The overcrowding was due to some earlier broken down trains according to an announcement. Anyway, I  eventually arrived at the Moor Club after a pizza at the nearby Crown pub, ready to listen to Sam Lightwing and  his  quartet - a group of fine musicians.

 

First prize for Gabriele Heller at UK International Audio Drama Festival, Canterbury with UTOPIA More and more

Gabriele 3rd from left of pic.

UTOPIA More and more won 1. Prize (Full Length Drama) at the UK International Audio Drama Festival, Canterbury 2025 out of 64 shortlisted submissions from 32 countries.

UTOPIA More and More listen here

Full Length Drama Awards include:

Sunday night @ the Globe: Jamil Sheriff Trio with Nadim Teimoori - March 30

© Ken Drew

Jamil Sheriff (piano); Sam Quintana (bass); Dave Walsh (drums); Nadim Teimoori (tenor sax)

The quartet had played Hexham in the afternoon then hotfooted it down the A69 to the Globe for an evening session.   

Dave Sayer has already reviewed the band's Hexham gig (see previous post) and, as  the evening's setlist was identical to that  played earlier and, as I am in total accord with Dave's pertinent observations, it leaves me with little to add.

There are however, other observations to make regarding this session one being the damage to the first floor and the confirmation of the structural repair needed meaning that events scheduled for the upper room such as Wednesday's  weekly Take it to the Bridge sessions are cancelled until further notice. This was said to have been caused by a party of punks pogo-dancing somewhat over enthusiastically.

Jamil Sheriff Trio with Nadim Teimoori @ Queens Hall Library, Hexham - March 30

Nadim Teimoori (tenor sax); Jamil Sheriff (piano); Sam Quintana (bass); Dave Walsh (drums)

I first encountered Jamil Sheriff sometime last century as part of a Pat McCarthy Octet at Scarborough Jazz Festival, all of whom came back later in the festival as part of a Jamil Sheriff Octet. I had the good fortune to win his debut album in a raffle that weekend and have followed him ever since through expansion (big band album Icthyology) and contraction (the trio album Places Like This) and even a concept album (Rafe’s Dilemma). He has turned into regular visitor to this area playing Hexham this afternoon, the Globe tonight and back on Wednesday in Corbridge accompanying singer Lauren Bush.

So what of today? The drummer arrived late from Venice and was being refreshed and re-fortified courtesy of the local branch of that fine chef, Gregory. Jamil had to borrow a keyboard, (the drums were borrowed too). The gig took place in a library, (my first) so if the attention wandered you could pick the latest Richard Osman off the shelf. (Spoiler alert: the rabbit did it, in the shrubbery, with a carrot).

Tonight (March 30) @ The Globe - Jamil Sheriff Trio with Nadim Teimoori

(Press): Performing brand new music from his upcoming album, Jamil brings together this exquisite group of musicians featuring long time collaborators Dave Walsh (drums), Nadim Teimoori (saxophone) and Sam Quintana (double bass).

For this new project Jamil has written a collection of music that stands out amongst his impressive back catalogue, drawing from African and Latin American influences as well as pieces that feel more connected to classical composers such as John Ireland. Expect to pulled in by his immersive writing and as always, space and freedom for this group of world-class soloists.

"Entirely Delightful – the model of a great band playing great tunes with flair and evident enjoyment." Jazzwise, 2024.

TICKETS YouTube.  

Earth, Wind & Fire - Got to Get You Into My Life (Audio)

I first heard this Lennon and McCartney song by a sixties' pop band, Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers. I quite liked the way they used tenor sax.

That was back in 1966 and, over the years I forgot about it although I knew it was on the Beatles' album Revolver, bypassing a couple of cover versions along the way until this 1978 version just recently began getting airplay on JazzFM.

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

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

Playlist 30/03/25 (repeated Tuesday 01/04/24)

Request: Louis Armstrong.

Mother's Day: Clarence Williams & His Orchestra, Duke Ellington, Earl Hines, Gregory Porter, Etta James.

Memories: Sarah Vaughan/Clifford Brown, Ben Webster/Johnny Hodges, Pee Wee Russell, Paul Whiteman, Norah Jones.

Requests: Charlie Haden, Kenny Dorham.

What’s on: Jamil Sheriff Trio, Tenement Jazz Band.

Seasonal: Ramsey Lewis, Erroll Garner, Cleo Laine, Melissa Aldana Quartet.

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

Howay The Lads!

© Kaveh Emami

Watching the football celebrations on tv was quite emotional as an estimated 300,000* Newcastle United fans applauded the Carabao Cup winning team as they made their way via a couple of open topped buses from St Jame's Park to the Town Moor.

It was the sort of occasion more associated with state funerals than with winning a football trophy. However, as it had been a while I think it was justified.

Paradoxically, the last similar show of feeling in Newcastle, admittedly on a considerably lesser scale (there were at least several 100,000 fewer) was the funeral of the late Keith Crombie who ran the original Jazz Café on Pink Lane.

Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham - March 28

© Malcolm Sinclair

Giles Strong (guitar); Pete Tanton (trumpet, flugelhorn); Ian Paterson (double bass); John Bradford (drums)

The Gala's monthly Friday lunchtime jazz concerts continue to attract capacity audiences and this afternoon's concert wasn't about to buck the trend. The Giles Strong Quartet is one of the region's banker bets. Four experienced musicians, restraint and sensitivity at the heart of their musicianship, the audience hanging on every note, for want of a better term, this was 'chamber jazz' at its finest. 

Billy's Blues, composed by bandleader Giles Strong, set the tone. These guys don't do 'flash', far from it, Strong's measured and informative introductions engaging the audience from the off. Coco in Paris (something to do with a cat) purred, John Lewis' Django paid homage to Django, Lewis and the MJQ and Two Add Two was an elegant contrafact of a classic number. If your maths is up to speed you'll know the tune. 

Album review: Leon Anderson - live at snug harbor (Outside in Music)

Leon Anderson (drums); John Michael Bradford (trumpet); Ricardo Pascal (tenor sax); Oscar Rossignoli (piano); Rodney Jordan (bass)

Snug Harbor may be a jazz club/bistro on Frenchman St. in New Orleans but dismiss any preconceived notions that this album is in anyway related to the distant past. These five guys' idea of the past would be akin to what the Jazz Messengers might have sounded like had the band been formed tomorrow.

Bradford and Pascal are as wild as a Force 9 building up to a Force 11. The heat is on, it's the hardest of hard bop and then some. Bradford hits notes even dogs would struggle to hear. Pascal must be an octopus - no mere two-handed saxophonist could play as many notes as he does.

Johnny Hodges and the Ellington Men - The Big Sound (Columbia Clef Series 33cx 10136)

(Tks 1-4): Willie Cook, Ray Nance, Clark Terry, Cat Anderson; Harold Baker (trumpets); Quentin Jackson, John Sanders, Britt Woodman (trombones); Johnny Hodges, Russell Procope, Paul Gonsalves, Jimmy Hamilton, Harry Carney (reeds); Billy Strayhorn (piano); Jimmy Woode (bass); Sam Woodyard (drums). Sept. 1957.

(Tks 5-8): As above: Cook, Anderson & Baker out. June 1957.

(Tks 9-12): Baker returns. Sept. 1957.

Another classic album from Tuesday's Hexham jaunt - Johnny Hodges leading the Ellington band with Duke's alter ego Strayhorn on piano. Even without Ellington as composer, arranger, pianist or leader such is the influence the great man had on his musicians that he could have been there in any one or, indeed, all of those roles and I wouldn't have known the difference!

Hodges is at his silken toned best, as smooth as ever - he could turn a simple scale into a thing of beauty. I first heard the Ellington band live around about the time of this recording at Newcastle's Odeon Cinema and I marvelled at the sound that filled every corner of the theatre. This was the first American big band I'd ever heard and, overnight. the bands of Heath, Parnell, Dankworth and the other Brits were put into perspective.

This Sunday (March 30) @ Moor Club, Stockport

This week’s Stockport Jazz gig at the Moor Club features the return visit of a quartet of recent graduates from the Royal Northern College of Music/University of Manchester led by tenor saxophonist Sam Lightwing with Max Rosen (piano), Peter Hartley (bass) and Callum Montgomery (drums).

Sunday March 30

8-10pm, doors open at 7.30pm

£5 entry on the door, all welcome

The Moor Club, 35 Heaton Moor Road, Stockport SK4 4PB 

Paul

Sultan swings into In Tune (Friday 28)

Tomorrow (Friday) the Sultan Stevenson Trio will be live in the BBC Radio 3 In Tune studio. The following week (Friday 4 April), pianist Stevenson's new album El Roi will be performed in full at the Purcell Room on London's Southbank Centre. Tune in tomorrow at five o'clock for a sneak preview. Russell         

Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ Newcastle University - March 27

Hannabiell Sanders (trombone, percussion);  Yilis Suriel, Juan Manuel Loaiza (percussion); King David Ike-Elechi (drums); Luke Gaul (guitar); Stan Woodward (bass guitar); Tom Dixon (tenor sax); Max O'Hara (keyboard)

Was this or was this not the gig of the year? To my ears it will take something extra special to top it. What am I saying? This was extra special!

With King David on kit, Yilis, Juan and Hannabiell herself on percussion (in between trombone blasts) this was the most spellbinding, pulsating and exciting rhythm section imaginable.

Throw King David's partner in Knats, Stan, on bass, Luke on guitar, Max on keys and Tom on tenor, into the mix and the earth moved, the roof was lifted and the walls almost came tumbling down.

It was loud, sure it was loud but, unlike last Sunday at the other end of town, it didn't split my head open - quite the opposite. My brain, my feet, my hands and my pulse rate were all effected and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Album (double) review: Freddie Hubbard - On Fire, Live from the Blue Morocco, (Resonance Records)

Freddie Hubbard (trumpet); Bennie Maupin (tenor sax); Kenny Barron (piano); Herbie Lewis (bass); Freddie Waits (drums)

No, this previously unreleased 1967 live session wasn't discovered in a Hexham charity shop but was unearthed by Zev Feldman whose track record is second to non when it comes  to finding those hidden gems.

Like the recent Kenny Dorham album Blue Bossa, also recorded at the Blue Morocco in 1967, On Fire also features a hard-blowing post bop quintet led by one of the greatest ever modern jazz trumpet players. The title is apt as all five are on fire with Hubbard setting his stall out early on. At this point I don't think even Dizzy could have topped him.

Retro rummaging in Hexham

It was one of those sunny spring days that I thought I'd never see the like of again so, just in case it was a one off event, I took a bus from Newcastle to Hexham enjoying the beautiful views, the rolling hills and meadows to the right and left bringing back many memories of days spent cycling on those very same roads.

I'd almost forgotten how delightful a market town Hexham is even though today wasn't an actual market day.

Album review: Michelle Nicolle & Larry Koonse - The Silent Wish (Purple Lead Music)

Michelle Nicolle (vocals); Larry Koonse (guitar)

The vocal-guitar duo has a long history in jazz with vocalists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass, Rosemary Clooney and Ed Bickert (9 times), Sheila Jordan and Barry Galbraith, Samara Joy and Pasquale Grasso, and other examples. And, it is not every day that an Australian singer flies to Los Angeles to record an album with one specific musician. Well-known vocalist-composer, Michelle Nicolle did just that to record this uniquely fascinating duo album with one of LA’s finest guitarists, Larry Koonse. The album is comprised of 10 selections with eight well-known re-works, a Nicolle original, and a cover of a New Zealand pop group’s hit.

Tuba Skinny livestreaming from the Tigermen Den - March 24

Shaye Cohn (cornet, trumpet); Craig Flory (clarinet); Barnabus Jones (trombone); Max Bien-Kahn (guitar, tenor banjo); Greg Sherman (guitar); Todd Burdick (sousaphone); Robin Rapuzzi (washboard)

The livestream. Lockdown inspired many a livestream, some more successful than others. Emmet Cohen and Rossano Sportiello continue to livestream, albeit less frequently than at the height of the pandemic, and Way Down Yonder, Tuba Skinny.  

Busking on the streets of the Crescent City, playing regular gigs and maintaining residencies at venues with evocative names (the Barnett Hotel, Buffa's Bar, Vaughan's Lounge), Tuba Skinny's latest livestream from New Orleans served as a fundraiser for the band's forthcoming cycling tour of northern Europe. Yes, that's right, during June and July the Tuba Skinny guys and gals will be cycling from gig to gig, busking along the way, hoping to pick up extra bookings to help fund their adventures.

Paul Hartley Quartet featuring Jeff Guntren @ the Moor Club, Heaton Moor, Stockport - March 23

© Jeff Pritchard

Paul Hartley  (guitar); Jeff Guntren (tenor sax); Ken Marley (bass); Dave Walsh drums.

As Paul explained in his informative preview on BSH earlier last week, Jeff Guntren was born in the state of Iowa, USA near the town of Davenport which is well known as being the birthplace of jazz legend Bix Beiderbecke. 

Jeff now lives in Bramhall, a town close to Stockport, and a place I spent a lot of time in when I was younger, particularly in the park when we had lots of snow in winter. In summer we'd hang out at the open air swimming pool. The pools (there was also an indoor one) have long gone but the park and hall are still there.

I digress - back to the gig.    

Sunday night @ the Globe: The Great Deceivers – March 23

© Ken Drew

Tom Atkinson (guitar, vocals); Josh Bentham (alto sax, tenor sax); Stu Dawson (bass, vocals); Jeff Armstrong (drums)

Time for a re-appraisal and resurgence of music from 50 years ago?  Tom Atkinson certainly thinks so, as did an enthusiastic crowd at the Globe in the “Sunday night jazz slot”.  Atkinson’s latest one-off project is a carefully and convincingly crafted tribute to King Crimson and their music of 1969-1974, with the stage name of Great Deceivers taken from the first track of Crimson's 1974 album, Starless and Bible Black. Atkinson has form in renaissance of this era with previous jazz-rock projects aired in his NE home including the music of Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker’s Air Force, Miles Davis’ Jack Johnson, Billy Cobham and Pharoah Sanders.

Album review: Georgia Mancio & Alan Broadbent - A Story Left Untold (Roomspin Records)

Georgia Mancio (vocals, lyrics); Alan Broadbent (piano, composer); Andrew Cleyndert (bass); Dave Ohm (drums) + FAME'S Skopje Studio Orchestra (title track only.)

The third album by lyricist/vocalist Mancio and pianist/composer Broadbent  confirms what I've known from the first hearing of their debut album Songbook (2017) via Quiet is the Star (2020) to A Story Left Untold (2025) - that I was in the presence of greatness.

Then and Now. Beautiful and sad. Lyrics you and I, probably everyone, can relate to served up on rich harmonies.

BSH interviews Alan & Olive Rudd

Olive and Alan Rudd have been iconic figures on the north east jazz scene for probably longer than they will care to admit! BSH spoke to them both about the highs and lows (if any) of their careers.

BSH: Olive, where did it all begin? When did you realise that you could sing?

Olive: I realised whilst at school that I could sing, and that I enjoyed singing. So I joined the school choir, and sang regularly with them. I can remember singing at Newcastle City Hall with my school choir, possibly in a competition with other schools. 

BSH: Alan, you have a rich musical heritage. Your father, Norman Rudd, was for many years considered to be one of the top swing/mainstream pianists around. Did he inspire you to take up the bass or did you try other instruments first?

Exiled superstars make JRR (Sunday 23)

Two of the region's London-exiled superstars will feature on this afternoon's edition of Jazz Record Requests. Who? Ah, that would be telling! Join Alyn Shipton at four o'clock on BBC Radio 3 to find out who they are! Russell   

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

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

Playlist 23/03/25 (repeated Tuesday 25/03/25)

 

Requests: Mark Knopfler, Chris Barber.

Requests from the Pete Tanton Auckland Library gig: Miles Davis, Melvin Taylor, Sonny Rollins, Chet Baker, Ted Heath, Dick McDonough/Carl Kress, Jimmy Smith, Brad MehIdau.

Memories: Sir Charles Thompson Orchestra.

Requests: Lee Konitz.

What’s on in the NE:  Sue Ferris Quintet, Jamil Sheriff Trio.

Request: Miles Davis Quintet.

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

New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle - March 21

New Century Ragtime Orchestra: Alistair Lord (trumpet, cornet); Dave Hignett (trumpet, cornet); Neville Hartley (trombone); Jim McBriarty (reeds, vocals); Alan Marshall (reeds); Gavin Lee (reeds); Martin Litton (piano); Ed Cross (violin); Keith Stephen (guitar, banjo); Phil Rutherford (tuba); Nick Ward (drums); Caroline Irwin (vocals)

The New Century Ragtime Orchestra marked its twenty fifth anniversary with a return visit to Gosforth Civic Theatre.* Cabaret table layout, the NCRO attracted a sizeable crowd, there to listen to two one hour sets of ragtime numbers and more. 

The first of several surprises occurred right at the beginning of the evening. The twelve piece NCRO was shorn of several members. Eight, yes, eight musicians ambled onto stage. What was going on? Très Moutarde (Too Much Mustard) opened the show with eight musicians on the bandstand. In the absence of the NCRO's vacationing Steve Andrews, Caroline Irwin and Jim McBriarty would share MC duties and it was Ms Irwin who explained all: the band's very first public performance comprised eight musicians. Yes, it was a surprising and most entertaining opening! As the applause died down, the eight were joined from the wings by the remaining members of the orchestra, making it the more familiar round dozen.  

Album review: Yolee Hyde - Reverie (self released)

Yolee Hyde (vocals); Chuck Findley (trumpet, trombone, flugelhorn on tks 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12); Jesse Snyder (saxophones on tks 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, clarinet on tk 8, drums; Brian McCree (bass); Richard Russell (guitars); Alex Czerny (piano, keys).

One must conclude after listening to Reverie from vocal artist Yolee Hyde that reverie certainly describes both her joy while performing it and ours as receptive audience. Truly artistically embracing a dozen selections from the Great American Songbook, Hyde and a team of stalwart performers gives us an enjoyable and refreshing perspective on the tried and true.

Latin and straight-ahead rhythm bed grooves launch I’ll Remember April. Hyde covers the Gene de Paul, Patricia Johnston and Don Raye 1941 warhorse (from the Abbott and Costello movie Ride ‘Em Cowboy) with elegant taste and she is bookended with tasty solos and fills from jazz master (and brother-in-law) Chuck Findley.

Album review: Dave Panichi - The London Sessions featuring The Callum Au Big Band (self released)

Dave Panichi (MD, trombone); Simon Marsh, Graeme Blevins, Martin Williams, Nadim Teimoori, Jonathan Shenoy (reeds); Tom Walsh, Louis Dowdeswell, James Davison, Freddie Gavita (trumpets); Mark Nightingale, Robbie Harvey, Callum Au, Andy Wood (trombones); Chris Eldred (piano); Chris Hill (bass); Tommy Emmerton (guitar); Mike Smith (drums)

Australian born, internationally recognised trombonist and arranger/composer, Dave Panichi’s new CD - The London Sessions - features the UK based Callum Au Big Band. A splendid ensemble that  exuberantly  conveys Panichi’s  music to life with excitement and energy while attending to the finer details as well. According to Panichi “their dynamics were the best I’ve ever received as a composer”. High praise indeed.

Paul Skerritt @ the Lit & Phil - March 21

© Patti

Paul Skerritt (vocals); Ben Phillips (piano); Jamie  Watkins (bass guitar); John Bradford (drums)

Swing singers are a dying breed - good ones that is, there are plenty of the other variety. Fortunately, Paul Skerritt is far removed from that 'other variety' as the Lit & Phil audience discovered to their delight this sunny afternoon.

Opening up with Don't Get Around Much Anymore he hit the deck running. The voice, the stagecraft and cool phrasing were all there. As well as the voice, I also judge a singer by what he does with his hands and our boy scored in that department.

There's a line in The Way You Look Tonight that always grabs me: Keep that breathless charm could almost describe a Skerritt vocal!

Album review: Dreamweavers – Woven in Time (Perdido)

Chris Allard (guitars; Jim Watson (piano,, keyboards); Dudley Phillips (basses); Nick Smalley (drums, percussion); Mike Trim (guitars, mando cello, lap steel guitar)

This is an easy swinging 50 minutes of intricate guitar led instrumentals that ranges from jazz-rock to prog-rock with a bit of blues, Latin, folk, eastern vibes and  country swing thrown in for good measure. It should be a relaxed easy going session but it grooves solidly and holds the attention from first to last. Definitely more for urban nights than for accompanying the first sundowner of the evening on the patio. Dudley Phillips at the back has all the basses covered and provides such a solid anchor all the way through. This allows for everyone else, including drummer, Nick Smalley, the freedom for adventurous excursions of their own.

King Bees @ Cumberland Arms, Newcastle - March 20

Michael Littlefield (guitar, vocals); Scott Taylor (harmonica, vocals); Dominic Hornsby (piano, vocals); Ted Harbot (double bass); Giles Holt (drums) + Ron Seymour (guitar); Eric Booth (harmonica, vocals); Dave Kennedy (guitar); Mick Cantwell (vocals, tenor sax)

I been drinkin'...King Bees like to have a pint. For these guys a gig is a sociable thing, musicians and audience are one of a kind with a liking for the blues and booze. An Allendale stout, salted peanuts would follow, table bagged, we were all set to listen to the best Chicago blues band east of the Windy City. 

Publicity for this occasional blues and booze session stated '7:30pm 'til late'. At a little before half past eight King Bees took to the stage, Michael Littlefield saying they would play for half an hour or so before inviting any fellow musicians in the audience to join them. This being King Bees it was close on one hour later before guitarist/vocalist Littlefield said they would take a short break. Typically King Bees!

The Ray Stubbs R & B All Stars @ the Mill Tavern, Hebburn - March 20

Ray Stubbs (harmonica, vocals); Nick Ross Rickard (guitar); Pat Rafferty (keys, accordion, vocals); Max Whitehouse  (bass guitar); Rob Walker (drums).

There were blues on both sides of the river tonight. Over on the north side the King Bees were laying it down at the Cumberland Arms in Byker whilst on the  south side the  Ray Stubbs R & B All Stars had the joint jumpin'.

The All Stars are  well named and well-versed in the work of the bluesmasters as witnessed by their repertoire of classics born in juke joints, cotton fields, hollow logs and dusty roads - usually inspired by mean women who'd done  them wrong. 

Don Fairley funeral details

It has been announced that the funeral of trombonist Don Fairley will be on March 27 at Mountsett Crematorium nr Dipton, Stanley, DH9 9JP at 10:15AM and afterwards at the Owl & Otter pub which is nearby just off the A692.

R.I.P. Lance

Album review: Charles Mingus - Mingus in Argentina (Resonance)

Charles Mingus (bass, piano on final track, both discs); Jack Walrath (trumpet); Rick Ford (tenor sax); Robert Neloms (piano); Dannie Richmond (drums).

Yet more previously undiscovered recordings from Resonance - there's hope for Buddy Bolden yet! This latest offering is from a 1977 concert by the Charles Mingus Quintet in Buenos Aires.

Needless to say, being Mingus, the music grabbed me from the off. Any band led by the great man has an identifiable sound - often with a tongue-in-cheek arrangement that, as it does here, creeps into the solos by way of outrageous quotes.

Spread over two CDs (or three LPs) it's an enjoyable mix of the old and the new (to me that is) with both horns stretching out, delicate piano from Neloms and virtuoso bass playing by the leader. Has any bassist ever produced such a beautiful tone from his instrument?

Preview: Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars @ the Mill Tavern, Hebburn - March 20

R & B fans in the vicinity of Hebburn's Mill Tavern are in for a treat tonight - a return visit by the Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars and even if you're not within truckin' distance the good old 27 Greyhound (actually Go North East) bus stops directly outside.

Ray Stubbs has been rockin' and rollin' and singin' authentic inner city/delta blues since Robert Johnson made a pact with the Devil - well maybe not quite that long but his blues harp playing suggests that he could have met up with Robert Johnson and the Devil at that legendary crossroads in Mississippi. Think Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Albert King and a whole lot more - maybe Satan himself will show up - he often does in Hebburn.

The last time the band played the Mill Tavern I'm told it was wall to wall with rockers and rockettes so get there early for an 8:30pm start - entry is free as is the interval buffet! Lance

Mill Tavern, Mill Lane, Hebburn, NE31 2EU

Springtime at the Black Swan - March 18

Laurence Harrison (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums) + Kate O'Niell (vocals); Paul Ruddick (alto sax); Robert Johnson (alto sax); Martin Waugh (piano); Jen Foster  (vocals); Owen Jones (double bass); Shayo Oshodi (vocals); Shivan Ruddick (trumpet); Leah Kirk (vocals); Alec Gamble (guitar); ? (percussion); Liam Oliver (guitar); David Gray (trombone); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet); Ian Drever (vocals); Paul Skerritt (vocals); Jamie Watkins (double bass); Katrina Miller (vocals); Ruth Lambert (vocals) 

Spring is just around the corner. The Black Swan jam session continues to attract the regulars (sitting at their usual tables) and many new faces - where do they all come from? A questionnaire/survey is called for! The house trio usually comprises piano, bass and drums. This evening it was guitar, bass and drums. 

Press release: Stockport Jazz @ the Moor Club welcomes US tenor saxophonist Jeff Guntren with the Paul Hartley Trio - March 23

Jeff Guntren (tenor sax); Paul Hartley (guitar); Ken Marley (bass); Dave Walsh (drums).

Jeff Guntren was born in Sioux City, Iowa, and began playing saxophone at age 10.  He studied jazz at William Paterson University just outside of New York City and went on to receive his degree in jazz performance from the University of Northern Iowa.  

After working professionally as a woodwind specialist on cruise ships for several years, he moved to Manchester in 2015 to live with his British wife, harpist Rebecca Mills.  Since arriving, he has been involved in various creative music projects including numerous festival appearances and recording sessions, most of which have been in the North West.  His passion has always been small group jazz where he has the most freedom to improvise

More discoveries: Carmen McRae and Paul J. Gillette

There's a cat charity shop on Clayton St. that I always call in when passing in an attempt to support our furry friends. Today, in exchange for £3 I left with an LP by Carmen McRae and a book by Paul J. Gillette.

I'll deal with the book first. Play Misty For Me is based around the screenplay by Jo Heims and Dean Riesner of the Clint Eastwood movie of the  same name. You may remember Roberta Flack's The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face playing in the background. I read it a long time ago - probably circa 1978 - so, with the passage of time, it will be like reading it anew.

Album review: Kenny Dorham - Blue Bossa in the Bronx Live From the Blue Morocco (Resonance)

Kenny Dorham (trumpet); Sonny Red (alto sax); Cedar Walton (piano); Paul Chambers (bass); Denis Charles (drums)

Another piece of buried treasure unearthed by the intrepid Zev Feldman. 

Recorded live at the Blue Morocco Club up in the Bronx back in 1967 it serves to demonstrate just how great a trumpet player Kenny Dorham was and how, living in an age where his contemporaries included Fats Navarro, Dizzy, Miles, Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan and Freddie Hubbard, underrated he was. On the strength of his playing on this album it soon becomes evident that, on his day, he could hold his own with any of them. On that night in the Bronx he was most certainly 'on his day'.

Gabriele Heller on UTOPIA MORE and more

 UTOPIA MORE and more

My new audio play UTOPIA MORE and more was shortlisted for the International Radio Drama Festival in Canterbury, which will take place from the 24th to the 28th of March 2025.

The play features the brilliant voices of James Ryland and Jane Arnfield besides a cast of many more amazing actors. The improvised musical score was made by my wonderful colleges John Garner, John Pope and Tobias Illingworth (Sarra).

I am looking forward to attend the festival for the whole week listening to audio plays from all over the world.  https://radiodramafestival.org.uk/

Jamie Toms Quartet @ Blaydon Jazz Club - March 17

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

The Jamie Toms Quartet arrived in good time to set up and then take five. The Black Bull audience duly arrived and at eight o'clock on the dot we were ready to go. Eleven numbers across two sets, all of them composed by bandleader Jamie Toms, it would be an opportunity to listen to the principal soloists - Toms (tenor and soprano saxophones) and Graham Don (piano) - stretching out, supported by Ian Paterson (bass) and John Bradford (drums), from time to time our excellent rhythm section duo would also bask in the soloist's spotlight.

All of the compositions played this evening were written by Jamie Toms and, by way of introduction, our bandleader offered an insight as to how each number came about. It became apparent much of the set list was composed by a stay-at-home Toms - battening down the hatches in the face of stormy weather or, like everyone else, stuck at home thanks to lockdown restrictions.

Album review: Gordon Wellard Ensembles - Tribute to Keezer (self-released)

Gordon Wellard (drums); James Scannell (tenor sax) with (collectively): Tom Cawley (piano); Andrew Cleyndert (bass); Henry Collins (trumpet); Roger Beaujolais (vibes); Mike Edmonds (bass); Steve Fishwick (trumpet); Jamie O'Donnell (alto sax); Nick Tomalin (piano); Adrian Fry (trombone); Mike Gorman (piano)

A tribute to American jazz pianist/composer/arranger Geoffrey Keezer by British drummer Wellard and a choice selection of hard-bop orientated musicians playing pieces composed and arranged by Keezer as well as numbers by Wayne Shorter, Idrees Sulieman, Clifford Jordan and Cedar Walton along with a couple of standards by Sacha Distel and Cole Porter. The latter two arranged by Steve Fishwick.

Mike Hope Quartet @ the Moor Club, Heaton Moor, Stockport - March 16

© Jeff Pritchard

Mike Hope (tenor sax, flute); George King (keyboards); Grant Russell (bass); Eryl Roberts (drums).

Mike Hope has been a major player in the north-west and beyond for many years and although I've seen him many times its not very often that I've seen him play flute. However, he did use it once during the course of the evening on George Shearing's classic tune  Lullaby of Birdland. This is a tune that I don't normally care for but Mike 's version was impressive with a really full sound.

Mike is a big fan of Stan Getz and he ended the first set with a tune that Getz liked to play, Moonlight in Vermont. Getz and guitarist Johnny Smith had, in jazz terms, a big hit with this number.  Later came another big hit for Getz with Desafinado which Mike Hope played in the second half. Those who never saw Getz live should try and catch Mike on his next gig,

Sunday night @ the Globe: Alison Rayner Quintet (ARQ) - March 16

© Sheila Herrick

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

The scenes in Newcastle were incredible it was like V.E. Day (ask your grandad). The streets were crowded, car horns were tooting stentorian fanfares and if you weren't wearing black and white you were either an alien from Mars or from Sunderland. Newcastle United had triumphed at Wembley! After almost 70 years of pain they'd finally delivered the goods.

Down at the Globe it was also happening, the crowdfunder target had been reached and the Alison Rayner Quintet were on stage - all this in one day! Surely I was dreaming...

However, Buster Birch's opening drum break cut through like a Dan Burn header and I knew I wasn't dreaming.