Scarborough Jazz Festival - Friday evening (Sept. 26)

Scarborough Jazz Festival - Friday evening (Sept. 26)

The Friday evening session here on South Bay attracted a similarly large crowd to the afternoon's opening programme. And little wonder with Trish Clowes, Gaz Hughes and Alan Barnes on the bill.

 

Trish Clowes: My Iris

Taking to the stage, Trish Clowes informed the audience that due to a family illness, Chris Montague was unable to appear. In guitarist Montague's absence, Clowes chose to perform her set of original material and select standards as a trio: Clowes, Ross Stanley (sitting at his vintage Hammond) and drummer Joel Barford.       

Trish Clowes (tenor sax); Ross Stanley (piano, Hammond organ); Joel Barford (drums)

 

A slew of original numbers, some of them new, Jobim's Midnight Sun, Richard Rodgers, Clowes appeared to be in a relaxed mood. As and when required, Stanley stoked the fires and Barford needed little encouragement. A fine, mature set from Clowes and co.   

  

Scarborough Jazz Festival - Friday afternoon (Sept. 26)

South Bay sparkled in warm, autumnal sunshine. The Spa was about to host the 22nd Scarborough Jazz Festival. The long weekend festival schedule looked enticing and the highlight of Friday afternoon's opening session would culminate in a commemorative centenary concert. The first concert - the first of three this afternoon - featured pianist Jamil Sheriff's 4 in 1. 

Jamil Sheriff's 4 in 1

Will Howard (sax); Jamil Sheriff (piano); Sam Quintana (double bass): Steve Hanley (drums)

Jamil Sheriff, bassist Sam Quintana and drummer Steve Hanley were heard in action a matter of a few short weeks ago. BSH last heard the quartet's tenor saxophonist, Will Howard, a long, long time ago on the County Durham beat. How would he shape up? It is a pleasure to report that, in a set spanning seventy five minutes which included Jitterbug Waltz, Milestones and Upper Manhattan Medical Group, Howard reminded BSH what an accomplished  player he was and most certainly is!         

   

Belgium seeks info on Noah Howard

Can you help me with information about Noah Howard in England ? I don't know if he ever performed in England, strange if not.

Thanks for your research,

Erik Carrette (13.10.1943), Ruiselede (B).

Can anyone help Erik with info about the American saxophonist who died in 2010?

Did any of his European gigs reach the UK? Lance

Preview: Stockport Jazz, October 5 - Paul Smith Quartet featuring Liam Byrne

This week Stockport Jazz welcomes the Paul Smith Quartet to the Moor Club. 

The quartet features Liam Byrne (tenor sax) with Derrick Harris (guitar), José Canha (bass) and Paul Smith (drums).

Sunday 5th October 2025

8-10pm, doors open at 7.30pm

£5 entry on the door, all welcome

The Moor Club, 35 Heaton Moor Road, Stockport SK4 4PB  (next to the Elizabethan PH)

R.I.P. Jim McNeely (1949 - Sept. 26, 2025)

Pianist/composer/arranger/educator Jim McNeely passed away on Friday, Sept. 26. A longtime member of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, he also played and recorded with the quartets of Stan Getz and Phil Woods. 

Away from the US he was featured with several European big bands including the WDR Big Band. The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra featured his charts.

He also recorded many albums under his own name.

A jazz legend of our times. Lance

Album review: Linda Dachtyl - Full Steam Ahead (Chicken Coup Records)

Linda Dachtyl (B3, perc); Don Hales (guitar); Cary Dachtyl (drums, perc.) + Mark Donavan (tenor/alto sax, clarinet, tks 1,3,7,8,10); Ben Huntoon (trumpet tk 1); Pat Ankrom (perc. tk 1)

This one has been hanging around my door since July hoping to make the cut but, there always seemed to be a queue jumper - bit like a stranger from out of town trying to get served in a crowded local bar. Nevertheless, here we are and it turns out to be be quite an enjoyable listen. 

Linda and her husband Cary, from Columbus, Ohio, team up with Don Hales to make an excellent groove laden trio with some extra bite added by Donavan on tenor, alto (tk 8) and clarinet (tk 7) 

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

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

 

Playlist 28/09/25 (repeated Tuesday 30/09/25)

 

Opus 4 Gig: The Emily Masser Quintet, Sonny Stitt, Betty Carter.

Requests: Bunk Johnson, Biréli Lagrène.

Seasonal: Louis Armstrong/Ella Fitzgerald, John Coltrane/Stan Getz.

Requests: Redbrass, Dave Brubeck Quartet, Earl Hines, Oscar Peterson Trio.

New Release: Carole Nelson.

Memories: Lester Young/Buddy Rich Trio, Oscar Pettiford Trio.

What’s on in the NE: Lady Nade, Humphrey Lyttelton.

Tony Eales' big band choice: Tolvan Big Band.

Aycliffe Radio is now available on DAB in County Durham & the Darlington area or via your smart speaker.

Album review: Vincent Peirani - Living Being IV: Time Reflections (ACT Music)

Vincent Peirani (accordion); Émile Parisien (soprano sax); Tony Paeleman (piano, keys, Rhodes); Julien Herné (bass); Yoann Serra (drums)

In 2011, a group of friends left Nice independently and ended up in Paris. They subsequently 'adopted' Émile who was also from the south of France. Come 2025 they'd  formed a group that already had three albums to their name using jazz as a medium to embrace a wide musical spectrum incorporating baroque music and teen pop with Africa and the sounds of the Balkans.

Described as "a visionary suite-based meditation on the passage of time shaped during the pandemic's first wave", Living Being IV: Time Reflections turns out to be a pan-genre journey that, as described above, transcends traditional boundaries. Well, to give it its due the recording certainly does all of that and, I hasten to add, not in a fearful way but, like the pandemic, it's contagious and again, not in a fearful way.

Late Night Chicago Radio with Denny Farrell (Sept. 25-Oct. 1)

Dave Brubeck: That Old Feeling.

Roy Eldridge/Dizzy Gillespie: Trumpet Blues.

Dakota Staton: The Late, Late Show.

Tony Bennett: Moonlight in Vermont.

Stan Getz: Midnight Samba.

Beegie Adair: I've Got a Crush on You.

Billie Holiday: God Bless the Child.

Art Hodes/Barney Bigard: Tin Roof Blues.

Billy Eckstine: Jelly, Jelly.

Scott Gordon: Bésame Mucho.

Diana Krall: Dancing in the Dark.

George Van Eps/Alden: Moonglow.

Listen 24/7 HERE.

Barry, Sach and Brown Trio @ Vortex Jazz Club - September 25

Will Barry  (grand piano); Will Sach (double bass); Jason Brown (drums, percussion)

A superb evening was had by all who attended this concert at the Vortex Jazz Club in Dalston, North London. For 25 years this club has served as a platform for jazz, improvised and experimental music. It is one of the UK’s premier jazz venues programming almost 400 performances annually in an intimate space. This volunteer-led jazz club was winner of the Live Jazz Award category at the 2013 Parliamentary Jazz Awards.

All three musicians were known to me and in the past few years I have seen Will Sach and Will Barry on multiple occasions in different groups. I have seen Will Barry play live with Adrian Cox, Joe Farnsworth and Sarah Hanahan. I have been fortunate to see Will Sach play live with Wynton Marsalis, Joe Webb and Damian Lewis to  name but a few. I had not seen Jason play so regularly but when I saw this lineup I knew I was in for something very special and they did not disappoint. All three musicians are in high demand in the UK and internationally and of course Jason, born in the US, has played with many of the greats such as Joey De Francesco and Monty Alexander.

Album review: Aspyrian - Live at the Glad Cafe Jazz Festival (Hidden Threads Records)

Robin Porter (tenor/soprano sax); Jack Gillen (guitar) Matt Parkinson (drums)

An interesting album by a London band recorded live at the  Glad Jazz Festival last year. I scoured maps, both digital and physical, assuming Glad to be some distant Scandinavian jazz outpost. As it turned out Glad actually referred to an outpost closer to home - the Glad Cafe in Glasgow which is a prestigious community arts & music venue - not some greasy spoon!

Perhaps it's the community aspect that gives the album a rather attractive feeling of intimacy about it - almost as if the trio were playing in my own living room.

The more I listened, the more it grew upon me. Apart from their individual skills it's the way their various lines entwine. Sinuously complementing (and complimenting) each other with empathetic spontaneity. This is perhaps best personified in the final track - Lego. Just like trying to build the Taj Mahal with the Lego set you got for Xmas the pieces don't always fit as they should do but at the end of the day you find that your Taj is more futuristic looking than the original because, instead of copying, you've created! 

Preview: Scarborough Jazz Festival (Sept. 26-28)

This year's Scarborough Jazz Festival is packed with goodies. Starting at a quarter to twelve today (Friday 26), the long weekend winds down late on Sunday evening. Opening with Jamil Sheriff's 4 in 1, it's a non-stop parade of big hitters and emerging artists. 

From Emily Masser and Alex Clarke to Dean Stockdale's 100 Years of Oscar Peterson (it's an expanded eleven piece line-up) to Trish Clowes to the blazing bebop of the Gaz Hughes Trio and Alan Barnes' celebration of Art Pepper, it's all unmissable. And that's just Friday!

Alan Barnes @ The Moor Club, Stockport - Sept. 21

© Jeff Pritchard

Alan Barnes (clarinet, alto/baritone sax); Paul Hartley (guitar); Ken Marley (bass); Eryl Roberts (drums) + Mike Hall (tenor sax on 2 numbers).

This was mentioned in the latest flyer as Stockport Jazz's first anniversary celebration and due to this  being on the same weekend as a Greater Manchester bus drivers' strike I had decided  not to attend. However,  I had a chance meeting with promotor Graham Brook who lives close by and he offered to share a taxi which meant I could go after all. Thanks also to his friend Steve who organised the transport and we arrived at the Moor Club at 7:45pm to find the place was jam packed with fans.

Album review: David Kikoski Trio w. Randy Brecker - Weekend at Smalls (Cellar Music)

David Kikoski (piano); Joe Martin (bass); Billy Hart (drums); Randy Brecker (trumpet).

Nice, swingy, post bop by an ace trio along with Brecker who, on this showing, must surely be in poll position amongst today's trumpet hierarchy. The ideas flow seemingly effortlessly  on all seven extended tracks and never more so than on his own, cleverly titled, There's a Mingus a Monk us. One of two Brecker originals, the other being Moontide an appealing ballad.

Akiko Tsuraga (1967 - Sept. 13, 2025)

Only just heard the sad news that Japanese organist & composer Akiko Tsuraga passed away on Sept. 13 in her adopted hometown - NYC.

Perhaps best known for her work with Lou Donaldson, Tsuraga was also a frequently featured artist at Smalls, sometimes with her husband, trumpet player Joe Magnarelli. There are several YouTube clips that show just what a powerful and soulful player she was.

Listening to Akiko Tsuraga one senses a musician in her prime who may well have had even more to offer had she not left us at such a relatively early age.

Akiko Tsuraga was 58.

R.I.P.

Lance

Knats included in 2026 Brick Lane Jazz Festival line-up

(Press release): Today, Brick Lane Jazz Festival announced the first wave of artists for their fifth birthday edition, which will take place from 24th – 25th April 2026.

Growing from its modest debut across four venues in 2022 to a 12-stage extravaganza spanning Brick Lane and Shoreditch in just three years, the festival was named #1 Best London Festival by The London Standard in 2024, and has earned plaudits from the likes of The Guardian, Metro, NOTION, Clash, The Line Of Best Fit, Jazzwise, All About Jazz, UK Jazz News, Elle, Wonderland, TimeOut, Jazz FM, Rinse FM, One Jazz, Worldwide FM, and many more. Since 2024, the festival has also amplified its impact with the launch of BLJF Presents - a year-round series of events showcasing the UK’s most exciting artists, record labels, and parties. After sell-out shows in Manchester, Brighton, London and more, BLJF Presents is heading to new heights in 2025/26 with more regional stops in the likes of Bristol and Glasgow, as well as two international shows in Brussels in November.

R.I.P. Danny Thompson (April 4, 1939 - Sept. 23, 2025)

This YouTube film from two years ago says more about Danny Thompson, who passed away yesterday, than any one person could. The warmth and enthusiasm he shows for music - of different genres - is infectious.

A true legend.

Danny Thompson was 86. Sadly missed by the musical fraternity and all who knew him. Lance

Press release: Gala Charity Night with Jeremy McMurray & the Pocket Jazz Orchestra - October 25

I support St Mary’s Cathedral (based in Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough) with the promotion of their cultural events programme,  I'm hoping Bebop Spoken Here might help us to connect with the local jazz community.

As part of our autumn/winter events programme, we’re hosting a Gala Charity Night with Jeremy McMurray & the Pocket Jazz Orchestra. It’s a special evening bringing people together to celebrate Canon Paul’s birthday (the Cathedral Dean), remember the late David Boyes (a much-loved local musician) and raise funds for two vital services at James Cook University Hospital that are especially close to the Cathedral community:

Stockport Jazz News

This week’s Stockport Jazz gig at the Moor Club features the West Coast Jazz Octet playing classic 1950s arrangements from Shorty Rogers, Marty Paich, Andre Previn, John Williams, Bob Florence and many others. 

The Octet comprises Gair Carson (tenor sax), Neil Kershaw (flugelhorn), Duncan Winfield (trombone), Simon Reynolds (baritone sax), Eileen Guppy (piano), Paul Hartley (guitar), Ben Wiltshire (bass) and Andrew Bold (drums).

Sunday 28th September 2025

8-10pm, doors open at 7.30pm

£5 entry on the door, all welcome

The Moor Club, 35 Heaton Moor Road, Stockport SK4 4PB  (next to the Elizabethan PH)

Chris Gumbley Quintet plays the music of Cannonball Adderley @ Llandudno Jazz Club - Sept. 22

Chris Gumbley (alto sax);  Neil Yates (trumpet, flugelhorn);  Huw Warren (keys); Eryl Roberts (drums); Grant Russell (double bass)

Once again Neil Yates brought together a great quintet of musicians to celebrate the music of Cannonball Adderley at Llandudno Jazz Club where for the last few years jazz music of the highest quality has been brought to a North Wales audience every Monday evening. The star guest from Stafford was Chris Gumbley on alto sax and he also provided arrangements for the band for this concert.

Huw Warren was brought in as a dep for Richard Harrold on keyboards. One could not think of anyone better given Huw’s international reputation. Chris commented it was the first time he'd had the privilege of playing with Huw.

James Borland Quartet @ Queen's Hall, Hexham - Sept. 21

James Borland (trumpet); Nick Manz (keyboards); Ben Love (double bass); Kai Chareunsy (drums) + Joe Steels (guitar)

Sunday Jazz at Queen's Hall is going great guns. Audience numbers are holding up, if not increasing, the concerts a mix of musicians based in the region or drawn from further afield, with this afternoon's guests sharing one thing in common - the 'Birmingham Connection'. 

All four musicians, make that five with the inclusion of Sunday Jazz promoter Joe Steels, studied - and in some cases met - at Birmingham Conservatoire. Three of the quartet are currently based in London, drummer Kai Chareunsy opting to remain in 'Brum'. Across the course of two sets the audience listened to several of bandleader James Borland's compositions alongside a couple of standards. 

Jazz on the Tyne Previews the Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2025

In the latest edition of the podcast, presenter Colin Muirhead previews the Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music, in company with the festival’s producer and artistic director, Wesley Stephenson.  You’ll hear tracks by festival acts Olivia Moore and Adam Fairhall, Archipelago, Hannah Marshall, Paul Taylor, Xhosa Cole, Neil Charles, George Burt, Alister Spence and Tony Buck, Zoë Gilby, and the John Pope Quintet.

Album review: Jim Witzel Quartet - Very Early Remembering Bill Evans (eBay)

Jim Witzel (guitar); Phil Aaron (piano); Dan Feiszli (bass); Jason Lewis (drums)

San Francisco born and bred Witzel pays tribute to pianist Bill Evans with this, his fourth album. Unlike most Evans' related albums the focus is, in the main, on the guitar although there are telling contributions from pianist Aaron to complement Witzel's lead.

Evans' music, being the introvert that he was, is very adaptable to being played by guitar. Cool (but not cold) and laid back. Advanced harmonies as modern today as they were then and as essential to today's aspiring pianists, guitarists or any player of a polyphonic instrument.

Late night Chicago Radio w. Denny Farrell (Sept. 18 - Sept. 24)

Dizzy Gillespie: It's the Talk of the Town.

Ella Fitzgerald: That Old Feeling.

Scott Hamilton/Dave McKenna: This is All I Ask.

Stan Getz: Here's That Rainy Day.

Billy Eckstine: Taking a Chance on Love.

Milt Jackson: Parking Lot Blues.

Louis Armstrong/Velma Middleton: Baby it's Cold Outside.

Terry Gibbs: You Make me Feel so Young.

Frank Sinatra: The Summer Wind.

Andy Brown: You're my Everything.

Billie Holiday: We'll be Together Again.

Erroll Garner: Misty.

Listen 24/7 HERE.

Newcastle Jazz Festival 2025 @ Live Theatre - Sept. 20

© Russell

After a year's absence Newcastle Jazz Festival returned, albeit in a truncated form but at a much more convivial venue - Live Theatre. Situated down on Newcastle's Quayside the multi award-winning venue has hosted a wide spectrum of  artistic events. Theatre, naturally, exhibitions and music including jazz and blues. Involved in many past activities at Live Theatre was the late Dave Clarke whose funeral had taken place the day before. Dave was very much in our thoughts as we entered the building. Rest In Peace.

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

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

Playlist 21/09/25 (repeated Tuesday 23/09/25)

Bishop Auckland gig picks: Graham Hardy, Gerry Mulligan Quartet, Chet Baker/Gerry Mulligan, Jeff Hamilton, Sidney Bechet, Count Basie, Herbie Hancock, Adrien Moignard.

Lance Liddle picks: Louis Stewart, Michael Buckley.

Requests: Bridget Metcalfe, Miles Davis.

Memories/Seasonal: Ray Charles, Barbra Streisand, Chet Baker-Paul Desmond.

What’s on in the NE: Alligator Gumbo.

Joe Henderson, Stan Kenton. Theme For Autumn.

Aycliffe Radio is now available on DAB in County Durham & the Darlington area or via your smart speaker.

Emily Masser w. the Dean Stockdale Trio @ Opus 4 Jazz Club, Darlington - Sept. 19

Emily Masser (vocals); Dean Stockdale (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums)

A second gig of the day for Emily Masser. Earlier, a full house up the road at Newcastle's Lit & Phil enjoyed an hour of top class vocal jazz from Ms Masser supported by a stellar trio comprising Dean Stockdale (piano), Andy Champion (bass) and drummer Russ Morgan.

Masser and the very same trio made the short trip down to Darlington to play two sets, some of the numbers had been played a few hours earlier, some were getting a first outing of the day (evening). Old Devil Moon (excellent), Dat Dere (excellent), the tunes just kept on coming. Masser, generous to a tee, afforded many solo opportunities to Messrs Stockdale, Champion and Morgan. As Masser stood to one side, the thought occurred that the trio could/should play gigs here, there and everywhere - these guys are that good (see photo). 

Album review: Nigel Price Organ Trio - It's On! (Nervy)

Nigel Price (guitar); Ross Stanley (Hammond C3); Joel Barford (drums)

Six Price originals, a standard and two modern jazz classics, exquisitely played, make this the cat's pyjamas - it certainly had me purring.

Jule Styne, Adolph Green combined to write Make Someone Happy. Kenny Burrell recorded it, inspiring Price to put his own take on it and history was re-written. Beginning soft and gentle, gradually building up to Stanley's entry and, culminating with the irrepressible Barford's break, the die was cast.

JATLP: Emily Masser w. the Dean Stockdale Trio - Sept. 19

© Patti D

Emily Masser (vocals); Dean Stockdale (piano); Andy Champion (bass); Russ Morgan (drums)

Jazz is, as the old adage goes 'the sound of surprise'.  This proved to be the case this lunchtime when Emily Masser opted for only one of the ten tunes listed in the optimistically printed programme. This was Old Devil Moon which unfortunately was undermiked so we didn't get the listening pleasure that was to follow.

Almost Like Being in Love, now that the volume was raised, was more like being in love. A brief scat chorus and solos from piano, bass and drums - this was the real deal.

A swinger of a blast on Gershwin's A Foggy Day had all four going for broke. The only let down for me was the absence of the verse.

Single Review: Tony Adamo - Billie and Trane (Saint Jaz Records)

Tony Adamo; (vocals, sing-speak, programming); Chris Pemental (guitar); Barry Schiffman (recording engineer. Northern Lights Studio. Sanata Rosa, CA)

The great Gil Scott-Heron recorded and released this selection as Lady Day and John Coltrane on what was later to became a critically acclaimed album, Pieces of a Man (Flying Dutchman, 1971). With it, Scott-Heron had moved away from his poetry and spoken word offerings and sang backed by a group of New York’s best. That album has been characterized as a progeniture of rap and hip-hop. Since that time the selection has been recorded numerous times. Most recently by vocalese master, Giacomo Gates (The Revolution Will Be Jazz: The Music of Gil Scott-Heron, Savant 2011).

Press release: Beautiful Storm blows into Ambleside and London

© Douglas Robertson

Scottish saxophonist Phil Bancroft’s The Beautiful Storm trio plays concerts in the UK from Friday 19th September to Monday 29th September.

The dates mark the second instalment of the tour which launched the group’s debut album, Finding Hope (When All Seems Lost), in March and include an appearance at Zeffirellis in Ambleside on Sunday 28 and the Cockpit Theatre in London on Monday 29.

Featuring guitarist Graeme Stephen, of Edinburgh’s Playtime cooperative, and Delhi-based Indian percussionist Gyan Singh alongside Bancroft, The Beautiful Storm formed in 2022. They released Finding Hope (When All Seems Lost) on Bancroft’s Myriad Streams platform in late 2024.

Press release: Ronnie Scott’s To Open New Live Music Venue In Soho

Launching in February 2026 after a major transformation, the newly designed Upstairs at Ronnie’s ushers in a new era at the UK’s most popular independent music venue

London, September 18, 2025. Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club today announces the February 2026 opening of Upstairs at Ronnie’s, a newly reimagined 140-capacity music venue on the first floor of the world-famous Soho institution.

The upstairs space, which for many years hosted a vibrant live programme before closing for refurbishment in 2024, has undergone a complete transformation as part of a major revamp of the entire building. Now rebuilt as a purpose-designed, intimate auditorium, it pays homage to the club’s six-decade legacy while looking firmly to the future, and incorporates a striking new interior, enhanced acoustics, high-spec Yamaha and D&B Audio sound and lighting systems, an upgraded stage, a Yamaha S3X Grand Piano, and a brand-new state-of-the-art kitchen. Newly appointed executive chef Steven Connolly will deliver a culinary offering to match the club’s world-class musical reputation.

Album review: Birdland Big Band - Storybook (Birdland Records)

Nathan Childers (alto/soprano sax); David DeJesus (MD, alto/soprano sax, flute); Troy Roberts, Sam Dillon (tenor sax, flute); Jason Marshall (baritone sax);  Raul Agraz, John Walsh, Brandon Lee, Glenn Drewes, Max Darché (trumpets); Mark Miller, James Burton III, Ron Wilkins, Sara Jacovino, James Borowski (trombones); Kenny Ascher, Adam Birnbaum (piano); Noriko Ueda (bass); Chris Smith (drums) + Nicole Zuraitis (vocals tks 3, 7, 11)

An excellent big band for today. Think Jones/Lewis or Clarke/Boland and you're in the ballpark. Add the spirit of the later Basie bands and contemporary outfits such as the WDR Big Band, Mike Gibbs or the Simon Spillett Big Band and you're getting close.

All the arrangements are by Mark Miller and he also wrote several of the compositions. The band has an abundance of top class soloists who deliver the goods to perfection.

Stockport Jazz celebrate first anniversary @ the Moor Club

Thanks to everyone who has supported Stockport Jazz at the Moor Club over the last 12 months.

Join us for our first anniversary celebration with multi-award winning UK sax and clarinet player Alan Barnes, with Paul Hartley (guitar), Ken Marley (bass) and Eryl Roberts (drums)

Sunday 21st September 2025

8-10pm, doors open at 7.30pm

£5 entry on the door, all welcome

The Moor Club, 35 Heaton Moor Road, Stockport SK4 4PB (next to the Elizabethan PH)

James Birkett & Bradley Johnston @ Blaydon Jazz Club - Mon. 15 Sept.

© Roly Veitch

James Birkett (guitar); Bradley Johnston (guitar)

Two of Blaydon Jazz Club's many friends took centre stage this evening - guitarists James Birkett and Bradley Johnston. The former a friend of several decades, the latter, of a younger generation, a friend of some fifteen years or so. The former is a regular performer here on Bridge Street, the latter a less frequent visitor due to his current home being across the Irish Sea, Dublin or thereabouts. 

It was heartening to see the room fill up, then fill up some more before the eight o'clock start. A key element of the evening would be James and Bradley choosing to play two sets of tunes they rarely, if ever, play together. James did the talking, James and Bradley did the playing. 

Album review: The High Society New Orleans Jazz Band - Live At Birdland (Turtle Bay Records)

Conal Fowkes (piano, vocals); Simon Wettenhall (trumpet, vocals); Harvey Tibbs (trombone); Tom Abbott (clarinet); Josh Dunn (guitar, banjo); Brian Nalepka (bass, vocals); Kevin Dorn (drums)

Famed American jazz historian and former New York Post writer, Chip Deffaa, described the High Society New Orleans Jazz Band as "essentially Woody Allen's band, without Woody Allen" and indeed Zambian born, Mexico and England raised Grammy winning pianist Conal Fowkes and Australian trumpet player Wettenhall were part of the band that the clarinet playing actor also played in at  Café Carlyle from 1997 to 2020.

Hermeto Pascoal (1936 - Sept. 13, 2025)

Brazilian percussionist, composer, multi instrumentalist and contemporary legend Hermeto Pascoal passed away on Saturday Sept. 13 aged 89.

Although seen and heard in many settings Pascoal is perhaps best remembered for being on Miles Davis' recording Live - Evil. Two of Pascoal's compositions are on the album but were not credited to the composer - one of Miles' less lovable traits. It's also reported that Miles and Hermeto had a sparring session in a boxing ring presumably this was before the album was released!

Album review: Jason Forsythe - It's About Time (Hollistic Music Works)

Jason Forsythe (arranger, composer, trombone tk 9); Brian Lynch (trumpet, flugel); Steve Davis (trombone); Walt Weiskopf (tenor sax); Michael Weiss (piano); Ugonna Okegwo (bass); Andy Watson (drums) + Kenny Rampton (trumpet tk 9); Donny McCaslin (tenor sax tk 9)

A heavyweight band of big hitters all with impressive CVs. Led by composer, arranger, trombonist Forsythe they hit the deck running on Fourth Rights. Explosive tenor solo by Weiskopf and slightly more subdued solos from the other two horns.

Simple Samba has Lynch on flugel, Davis trombone both gentle and relaxed. Weiss adds some nice piano touches over a blissful samba rhythm. Not a frantic carnival samba more a wistful almost smoochy one although smooching to a samba, however blissful it is, might prove difficult.

Suzanne Fonseca & Carole Williams Play Jay & Kai @ the Moor Club, Stockport - Sept. 14

© Jeff Pritchard

Suzanne Fonseca, Carole Williams (trombones); Robin Dewhurst (keys); Gavin Barras (bass); Gaz Hughes (drums).

In spite of spending a lot of time listening to the many legends of jazz I somehow never got to hear Jay Jay Johnson in a live situation, much to my regret. However, I did see live on many memorable occasions the great Kai Winding and although I still rate Johnson as No 1, Winding was my second choice. I recall seeing Kai alongside Curtis Fuller in a hotel in the Hague, doing a Kai and Jay tribute and I thought it was very impressive.  

This version that Suzanne and Carole probably assembled at relatively short notice and  without much rehearsal or perhaps only a pre-show run through was a worthy effort. The sheer number of tunes that were played during the two hour spot including a 20 minute interval was a feat in itself. 

Secret to Success Found in the North East

(Not jazz but of local interest - Lance)

A leading foreign affairs advisor to a series of US Presidents, the UK government, and US National Security Council, has cracked the secret to success.

Dr Fiona Hill, the daughter of a coal miner and midwife, is no stranger to success herself - the former White House aide and Senior Fellow at Washington DC’s Brookings Institution is considered one of the world’s top experts on Russia and Putin.

 

But success, she says, lies closer to home: the North East to be exact.

 

Born in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, Hill launches her new short podcast series, Forged in the North, at this year’s Durham Book Festival in October.

 

Sunday night @ the Globe: Sue Ferris Quintet - Sept. 14

© Ken Drew

Sue Ferris (tenor sax); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugel); Ben Lawrence (keys); Andy Champion (bass); John Bradford (drums)

Having said Vaya Con Dios to North Shields Sue Ferris made her way up river to the Globe where JNE featured her quintet in a well-attended hard-bop blowing session. Just as the trad fans savour a trumpet, trombone, clarinet, traps, tuba and banjo line-up, I experience a similar feeling when presented with a tenor, trumpet, piano, bass, drums and no banjo ensemble.

SFQ didn't disappoint, putting the boot in from the off with Clifford Brown's Sandu. A great start that got even better as the instruments (and the players) warmed to the task. Paul Edis' cleverly titled McCoin a Phrase followed with solos all round which was the general format for the gig.

Mel Tormé 100 with Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Exchange 1856, North Shields - Sept. 14

© Russell

Michael Lamb (MD/trumpet); Dick Stacey, Billy Bradshaw, Tom Rushton (trumpets); Mark Ferris, Kieran Parnaby, Chris Kurgi-Smith, John Flood (trombones); Steve Summers, Keith Robinson, Jamie Toms, Matthew Forster, Sue Ferris (reeds); Graham Don (piano); Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar, banjo); Michael Whent (bass guitar); David McKeague (drums); Alice Grace (vocals); Steve Malcolm (tuba); Mark Edwards (marimba)

I love Mel Tormé, I love SSBB, I love Alice Grace, I love Latin music.  The question was: would the combination of all four work? The answer - a qualified yes.

Based around one of Tormé's lesser known albums, Olé Tormé!, which consisted of twelve Billy May arrangements - meticulously and accurately transcribed by Stuart Fowler - of Latin based numbers, some of which were familiar and some less so. The band performed them to perfection the section work a tribute to May's arranging skills and the band's faultless execution. To ensure the authenticity of the project, marimba and tuba were added to the line-up and, in the reed section, at various times, I spotted five saxes, five flutes, a couple of bass clarinets, three piccolos and three or four B♭ clarinets.