R.I.P. Alan Glen (1936 - Dec. 16, 2025)

Legend is an often exaggerated term when labelling the passing of someone and indeed can be, to say the very least, somewhat flattering. 

Not so in the case of pianist, composer, bandleader Alan Glen who peacefully left us yesterday. In the annuls of north east jazz Alan was a legend's legend and probably the most complete musician to grace this neck of the woods. 

Muscular problems effecting both wrists as well as his back curtailed his playing in recent years which must have been very frustrating for a man of his ability.

Stockport Jazz

For the final gig of 2025, Stockport Jazz welcomes the return of the Mike Hall (sax) Quartet featuring Richard Wetherall (piano), Gavin Barras (bass) and Eryl Roberts (drums). 

Sunday 21st December 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). 

Arts Council England - an independent review by Baroness Margaret Hodge.

(Chris Hodgkins' response.)

The independent review of Arts Council England by Baroness Margaret Hodge can be seen here

The organisations who responded can be seen here: Annex 7: Arts Council England (ACE) Review - Contributors to the Review

I could only spot three jazz organisations who responded - individuals are not disclosed. Lets hope there is a better response for the review of the BBC Charter.

The DCMS states that:  "This list is accurate to the best of our knowledge. These organisations were all invited to provide evidence through a variety of means. This, however, does not mean all attended and provided evidence." This is clearly nonsense as the Parliamentary Jazz Group submitted its response through the consultation process and was not invited to give evidence or attend any meeting.

77 Sunset Strip - The Office Caper (Season 3 Ep. 4)

77 Sunset Strip was my favourite show back in the day. Like Peter Gunn, Dragnet, Johnny Staccato and other black and white cop/private eye shows the music was always as hard-hitting as the action.

Sadly, no complete episodes are floating around in cyberspace - maybe one day they'll reappear although I'm not holding my breath.

This clip of a fight scene is something else! Lance

Preview: Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ O2 City Hall - Dec. 21

It's almost here - the BIG ONE! Yes, Sunday night sees SSBB's fifteenth annual Christmas concert taking place, for the first time, at Newcastle's premier concert venue - the City Hall. The same venerable building that in years gone by featured big bands such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton and Woody Herman as well as orchestral behemoths such as the Hallé, the Royal Philharmonic, the Northern Sinfonia and many more.

BOOK TICKETS HERE.

R.I.P. Marilyn Mazur (1955 - Dec. 12, 2025)

When Lance asked me to write a few words to mark the passing of American born Danish percussionist Marilyn Mazur on Dec. 12 aged 70, I had to confess I knew nothing whatsoever about her. When he admitted the same I felt in good company, and jazz is all about exploration.

Born in New York in 1955 to Polish and African-American parents, she moved to Sweden aged six where she would become a much-loved jazz musician, leading a number of bands before playing on Aura, the album that reunited Miles Davis with Gil Evans and she played in both of their bands as well as those of Wayne Shorter, Jan Garbarek and Denmark based Japanese pianist Makiko Hirabayashi.

Press release: Gearbox Records launch £1 token

Last week, our beloved Jazz insurrectionists Knats shared a genre-busting new track, a razor-sharp collaboration with indie band lots of hands..

To celebrate, we're launching a token that unlocks a hi-res digital download of the song for you to own and listen to, plus huge discounts across our entire range of music and clothing. 

Simply follow the link below, purchase the token for a nominal £1, and receive

1. Hi-Res digital download of “Take a Seat on the Settee”

2. 20% off all Vinyl and CDs at our official online store

3. 10% off our brand new clothing range at our official online store 

You can take advantage of the discounts multiple times until expiry on 31st January 2026.

Jazz on the Tyne Christmas Special 2025

On the latest edition of the podcast, presenter Colin Muirhead plays festive music by:

Paul Edis & Friends, Ezra Collective, Harry Connick Jr, James Taylor, Laufey, Louise Dodds, Silje Nergaard, Bugge Wesseltoft, Diana Krall, the Keith Brown Quintet, the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, and the Strictly Smokin’ Big Band.

You can listen to the show anytime HERE.

Plus, you can request tunes for future programmes by emailing Colin at jazz.tyne.hive@gmail.com or heading to www.jazzonthetyne.org.

Presto Music Awards 2025 - Jazz Winners

The annual Presto Music Awards for 2025 have been announced - see graphic. 

For full details go HERE.

Good to see Olivia Cuttill as the winner in the Newcomer in Jazz 2025 category - very well-deserved. Lance

Emma Fisk's Hot Club du Nord @ Hutton Rudby Village Hall - Dec. 14

Emma Fisk (violin); Dr. James Birkett, David Harris (guitars); Bruce Rollo (bass)

Hutton Rudby Village Hall, near Stokesley, has established itself as a nice little music venue, and this was HCdNs 3rd visit here. It was a special event, as Alan, who had originally persuaded the organisers to book HCdN, had unfortunately died earlier in the year, and all the proceeds from the night, including the raffle, were going to the British Heart Foundation, in his memory. 

Jim Collins & John Hulme w. Paul Hartley Trio @ the Moor Club, Stockport - Dec. 14

© Jeff Pritchard

John Hulme (trumpet); Jim Collins (sax); Paul Hartley (guitar); Ken Marley (bass); Andy Bold (drums)

A good night of modern jazz  played by a quintet of local (north west) musicians three of whom Andrew Bold, Jim Collins and John Hulme play in Andy Bold's big band. The band played mostly modern jazz standards plus two lesser known tunes Bernstein's Some Other Time and Vince Guaraldi's Christmas Time is Here. My personal favourites were Lee Morgan's Ceora a feature for John and Benny Golson's Along Came Betty. The frontline was ably supported by Paul Hartley on guitar and Ken Marley on bass with Andrew Bold powering things along on drums.

Sugar; Ladybird; Ceora; Some Other Time; Speak Low; This I Dig Of You; There is no Greater Love; Christmas Time is Here; Old Folks; Along Came Betty; St Thomas Jeff Pritchard

Sunday night @ the Globe: Sean Noonan Trio - Dec. 14

Sean Noonan (drums, percussion, vocals); Matthew Bourne (keyboards); Mick Bardon (double bass).

Aaah! A city in mourning; the first Tyne/Wear league derby since Adam was a lad and it’s the red stripes with the bragging rights and the kids on the streets are saying that Nick Woltemade is a Mackem sleeper agent. There’s a fairground on over the way from the Globe which is a roundabout way of getting to the subject of tonight’s gig.

Firstly, big hats off to Jazz NE for bringing this act up here. Noonan is unique. His drumming is anywhere between furious pile driving and delicate skittish and he adds, as probably the major string to his bow, a vocal turn, which occasionally lapses into singing but is usually more declamatory. I am reminded of Alex Harvey who also mixed melodramatic camp theatricality with this level of physicality. Harvey as a singer, of course, had the benefits of mobility denied to the drummer Noonan.

John Coltrane - A Love Supreme [Full Album] (1965)

As A Love Supreme is also the name of the Sunderland AFC fanzine, today seemed to be exactly the right time to play it... Lance

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

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

Playlist 14/12/25 (repeated Tuesday 16/12/25).   

This is the 300th edition of the programme so I have exercised the privilege of choosing five tracks!

In Memoriam: George Lewis.

Requests from Darlington New Orleans Club: King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band, Midnite Follies Orchestra.

A Jazzy Xmas @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. Dec. 13 (evening)

Paul Edis (MD, piano); Jo Harrop (vocals); Vasilis Xenopoulos (tenor sax, soprano sax); Faye Thompson (alto sax, clarinet); Sue Ferris (flutes, piccolo); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jason Holcomb (trombone); Emma Fisk (violin); Andy Champion (double bass); Matt MacKellar (drums)

Following on from a review of the same band playing the same tunes, even at a different venue, is a two-edged sword. So said BSH Editor-in-Chief, LL. Well, here's a third review in twenty four hours of the same show. 

Familiar as most with Hall Two, in taking a seat your correspondent did the usual: Excuse me, thanks. Excuse me, fellow concert-goers rising from their seats. Squeezing past, glancing at the seat numbers, something wasn't right. The penny dropped. Wrong seat! Wrong row! Cue the Excuse me routine in reverse. Slaloming through the cabaret table layout - the lights were about to go down - the seat was over there, wasn't it? Excuse me, thanks. Excuse me. Nope! Wrong seat! Wrong row! The house lights down, it was too late to go in search of the elusive seat. Let's sit down and bluff it...

A Jazzy Xmas @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. Dec. 13 (afternoon).

© Sylvia

Paul Edis (MD, piano); Jo Harrop (vocals); Vasilis Xenopoulos (tenor sax, soprano sax); Faye Thompson (alto sax, clarinet); Sue Ferris (flutes, piccolo); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jason Holcomb (trombone);Emma Fisk (violin); Andy Champion (double bass); Matt MacKellar (drums)

Following on from a review of the same band playing the same tunes, even at a different venue, is a two-edged sword. Do you agree or contradict? It's difficult but someone has to do it and when it's a show of this quality then who's contradicting?

Unlike Crook, the Glasshouse didn't have a raffle and nor were there  any Cadbury's Roses going free. However, the music more than made up for it - this was Quality Street.

Winter Wonderland: Dressed in a white gown Jo looked every bit the Angel of the North that MD Edis described her as - move over Anthony Gormley. The voice too was angelic but not without the suggestion of  a devil lurking inside. Soloists abounded during the course of the afternoon Graham Hardy's being the first.

“Where everybody knows your name…” A Jazzy Xmas @ St. Cuthbert’s, Crook - Dec. 12

© Chris Whittle

Paul Edis (MD, piano); Jo Harrop (vocals); Vasilis Xenopoulos (tenor sax, soprano sax); Matthew Forster (alto sax, clarinet); Sue Ferris (flutes, piccolo); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jason Holcomb (trombone); Emma Fisk (violin); Andy Champion (double bass); Matt MacKellar (drums).

 A long heading: a short(ish) review. As always, I rely on Russell and/or Lance for more insightful comments when they’ve seen the show. I’d like to start with the venue as my headline suggests.

 Since I started my mid-life jazz education I have been to scores of venues and Crook truly is unique. The tables are never bare – there’s always nibbles (or last night chocolates - Cadbury’s Roses, no less) with big wedges of pizza in the interval (turkey and stuffing buns last night complete with cranberry sauce to add, if required!). The tables are always decorated too, and last night the hall was aglow with candelabra, cribs and Christmas glitter with fairy-lights on the mic stands (where musical stars also shone!). 

James Pearson & Nikki Iles – A Bill Evans Celebration @ Yamaha Piano Rooms, Wardour Street

James Pearson, Nikki Iles (pianos)

There are concerts, and then there are evenings where the room feels like a living archive – a space where stories, memory and music become inseparable. The Bill Evans celebration with James Pearson and Nikki Iles at the Yamaha Piano Rooms on Wardour Street was entirely in that spirit: intimate, intelligent and full of affection for the pianist who transformed the emotional vocabulary of modern jazz.

From the outset, Pearson set a relaxed, humorous tone, welcoming what he called an “exclusive Ronnie Scott’s audience, here to celebrate 50 years since Evans first played Ronnie’s”. Within minutes he was telling stories of Evans’ first visit to Ronnie’s in 1965, gently weaving history into the atmosphere of the night. Instead of a formal tribute, this felt like a salon: musicians, listeners and anecdotes sharing the same breath.

 

Late Night Chicago Radio w. Denny Farrell (Dec. 11- Dec.17)

Dave Brubeck: Take Five.

Art Blakey: Moanin'. (Shout out to Lance and Bebop Spoken Here!)

Miles Davis: All Blues.

Mel Tormé: Moon Song.

Barney Kessel: Just Friends.

Diana Krall: The Look of Love.

Stan Getz/Bill Evans: Night and Day.

Bette Midler: Tenderly.

Andy Brown: It's the Talk of the Town.

Listen 24/7.

Report on the 36th Bude Jazz Festival - 2025

The 36th Bude Jazz Festival was held from August 26 to August 29. It was another successful festival, and the Committee are finalising arrangements for the 37th festival in 2026.

The format was similar to recent years with all the venues in walking distance of each other, two or three gigs at each venue per day, and staggered intervals so that festival goers could move around without encountering breaks. Most of venues were the same as in recent years and included the Falcon Hotel, the Ivor Potter Hall in the Parkhouse Centre, the Methodist Church, the Carriers Inn, and ‘Upstairs Social’. The bar and catering at the Parkhouse centre, by ‘Outside Inn’, were again very well received.

Press release: Ronnie's new 'Upstairs at Ronnie's' to open in February 2026

Following a year-long redevelopment, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club is set to open its new upstairs music venue: Upstairs at Ronnie’s.

The space has been completely transformed as part of a major revamp of the entire building. Rebuilt as a purpose-designed, intimate auditorium, it honours the club’s six-decade legacy while looking firmly to the future. More info HERE.

Full details of upcoming concerts at Upstairs at Ronnie’s can be found HERE.

Gordon Goodwin RIP

Nick Mondello created this image of Gordon Goodwin who passed away at the age of 70 on Monday (Dec. 8).

Thank you Nick a fitting graphic tribute. Lance

Album review: Chris Hodgkins & Lenore Raphael - Pennies from Heaven (Bell CD523)

Chris Hodgkins (trumpet); Lenore Raphael (piano)

The most delightful piano/trumpet duo recording  I've heard since Ruby Braff and Ellis Larkins met up in the Vanguard Studio back in the 1950s.

Pennies From Heaven is Hodgkins and Raphael's second album together. The previous one, Live at Pizza Express (2018), included American guitarist Wayne Wilkinson making it a trio album - I reviewed it HERE.

The sparks flew on that first album, Just as they did for Braff and Larkins back in the day. This time around, even without the safety net of a third player the flame shines brighter than ever. It's in safe hands.

A Festive Late Night at Seaton Delaval Hall with The Vieux Carré Jazzmen. (Saturday Dec. 13 - 5.30 - 8.00pm).

Wrap up warm and enjoy an evening of Christmas magic. See the Hall’s north front beautifully lit, a giant suspended bauble in the entrance hall and Christmas decorations in the Saloon, Stables and West Wing. The VCJ will play popular 1920s' jazz and festive music; family crafts in the stables workshop; warm up with seasonal treats in the Brewhouse. No booking required. Brian B

Bold Big Band @ Cluny 2, Newcastle - Dec. 10

Bold Big Band: Jacob Lightfoot, Max Storey (alto sax); Jamie Toms, Georgia ? (tenor sax); Brian Wicks (baritone sax, MD); Billy Bradshaw, Bill Watson, Josh Skyrme, David ? (trumpets); Alex Utting, Bertie Marks, Thomas McDonald, Simon Hirst (trombones); Jacob Egglestone (guitar); Marcus Dawe (piano); Ifede Osiyemi (bass guitar); Jack Littlewood (drums); Cara Britton (vocals)

The Bold Big Band down in the Ouseburn at this time of year can mean only one thing - Christmas at the Cluny! It's become an annual thing. Brian Wicks' roaring big band in Cluny 2, Christmas crackers, terrible jokes (courtesy of Mr B. Wicks), a beer or three and some cracking charts.

A Latin number for openers, Sammy Nestico's arrangement of Good Swing Wenceslas, It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year featuring bandleader Wicks' baritone sax, the Hip-Bone Big Band's Trombone Institute of Technology, a touch of Disney, Les Brown's Nutcracker Suite, the Bold Big Band knocked 'em out of the park.

Album review: Pharoah Sanders - Love is Here - The Complete Paris 1975 ORTF Recordings (INA/Transcendence Sounds)

Pharoah Sanders (tenor sax, vocals); Danny Mixon (piano, organ); Calvin Hill (double bass); Greg Bandy (drums)

There’s been a lot of new Pharoah Sanders product in the last few years with only his being dead as the greatest obstacle to his being able to commercially exploit his continued release schedule. Since his demise we have had re-issues of a set called simply Pharoah, and of Izipho Zam(My Gifts) and two live albums, one, a 1980 live album from Fabrik in Hamburg and this double album recorded at the ORTF Studios in Paris on 17^th November 1975, (six tracks of which were released as a single LP in 2020). At least all those new fans who came on board with the Floating Pointscollaboration in 2022 have lots to go at. It’s hard to say which has been the best but this newest release has to be up there.

Stockport Jazz

This week Stockport Jazz welcomes saxophonist Jim Collins and trumpeter John Hulme to the Moor Club, with Paul Hartley (guitar), Ken Marley (bass) and Andrew Bold (drums).

Sunday 14th December 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)

Press release: Aberdeen's Blue Lamp to close. (First posted on F/b)

Dear Friends, Patrons and Music-Lovers, It’s with a heavy heart that we will be announcing the closure of The Blue Lamp. After seven decades of being a warm, welcoming home for music, laughter, conversation and community, our last night of opening will be Tuesday 30th December.

Since its founding in 1949, The Blue Lamp has stood as an Aberdeen institution — a place where generations gathered, where friendships were forged, and where the sounds of jazz, blues, folk and countless unforgettable gigs filled the air. Over the years, it has become far more than “just a pub”; it has been a vital part of the city’s cultural soul.

Single taster by Laila Biali -- Rocky Mountain Lullaby (self released)

A single from Laila Biali's new album Wintersongs. I've yet to hear the complete album but on the strength of this one track I can't wait to hear the rest. No wonder she received 858 votes in this year's Downbeat Poll. If I'd have heard it earlier in the year Laila would have had 859.  

"She is an exciting and unique talent, and I admire her greatly." – Sting

There's also some nice flute playing too by one of the orchestral ensemble. Check this Canadian, Grammy nominated, singer/pianist out. Lance

Steven Moore @ Northumbria University - Dec. 9

Steven Moore (marimba)

Last week, James Birkett and Emma Fisk presented their winning 'Joe Venuti-Eddie Lang' set. This week, Northumbria University's term time Tuesday lunchtime concert series reverted to the norm, ie a programme of classical music. This afternoon's concert featured percussionist Steven Moore. If the name sounds familiar, workaholic Steven runs the thriving Yamaha Music Schools in Blyth and North Shields. Today's programme wouldn't be entirely without a jazz connection. 

Two-handed, four mallets, Steven introduced each piece with insights into both composer and composition. JS Bach's sublime Cello Suite No.1, with its familiar Prelude, opened the concert. All six movements - Prelude; Allemande; Courante; Sarabande; Menuets; Gigue - were indeed sublime. 

Gordon Goodwin (1954 - Dec. 8, 2025)

Gordon Goodwin, leader of the Gordon Goodwin Big Phat Band passed away yesterday (Dec. 8) at the age of 70. Regarded by many as the arranger of the age, his charts provided core material for bands of all ages and abilities. I doubt if there is a big band anywhere in the world that doesn't have at least one of his arrangements in the pad.

Although I personally never heard Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band live my fellow scribe Russell, back in 2017, made the trip to Manchester to catch them live.

His glowing review of the concert can be read HERE. 

Gordon Goodwin will be sadly missed by anyone who has ever sat in the section of a big band, as well as those who love the sound of a swinging big band playing well-arranged charts.

REST IN PEACE

Lance

Sue Ferris Quintet @ Blaydon Jazz Club - Dec. 8

© Roly Veitch

Sue Ferris (tenor sax); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Ben Lawrence (keyboards); Andy Champion (double bass); John Bradford (drums)

The Black Bull's Christmas tree and decorations framed the stage. In one corner of the room an interval buffet awaited (thanks to the Black Bull and Blaydon Jazz Club). Blaydon Jazz Club's final concert of the year would feature the Sue Ferris Quintet. At a little before eight, Blaydon's many regulars had taken their seats, joined by a few new faces. Old Speckled Hen the pick, the first set was about to begin.

Sue Ferris is a favourite at Blaydon Jazz Club. This evening our multi-reeds star would restrict herself to playing tenor sax. Opening with Clifford Brown's Sandu, for the next couple of hours or so we would be living in a 'jazz world', the 'outside world' could wait. Sue's cast iron 'Blue Note' tenor sax, frontline partner Graham Hardy's assured trumpet and flugelhorn, the piano player in the corner, Ben Lawrence, and the ace bass and drums pairing of Andy Champion and drummer John Bradford guaranteed an evening of first rate jazz. 

Album review: Max Ionata Special Edition - Tivoli (Mingus Records)

Max Ionata (sax); Martin Sjöstedt (piano); Jesper Bodilsen (double bass); Martin Andersen (drums)

To quote the blurb - Italian lyricism meeting the clarity and eloquence of Scandinavian jazz - it more or less sums up this delightful album. Certainly Ionata has lyricism aplenty and the technique to exploit it to the full. I'm not sure if he's blowing alto or tenor, the beautiful tone and the lightness with which it is deployed brought Stan Getz to mind so I guess it's tenor.

The Scandinavian rhythm section brings back memories of those halcyon days when Swedish musicians were the go-getters of 1950s European modern jazz - This trio too know how to swing.

Grant Russell Quartet @ the Moor Club, Stockport - Dec. 7

Ed Kainyek (tenor/soprano sax); Richard Harrold (piano); Grant Russell (bass); Luke Flowers (drums)

There was a change in the advertised line up with Ed Kainyek stepping in for Kyran Matthews on tenor and soprano sax. The rest of the band featured leader Grant Russell on bass, Manchester stalwart Luke Flowers on drums and classically trained pianist Richard Harrold who with the HLK Trio has recorded and toured with master percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie. 

Sammy Davis Jr. - Birth of the Blues (Live)

Today (Dec. 8) marks the centenary of the birth of one of the all-time great entertainers - Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy was born on this day in Harlem in 1925 and left us on May 16, 1990.

Long gone but not forgotten. Lance

Sarah Spencer's Transatlantic Band @ Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club - Dec. 6

Sarah Spencer (tenor sax, vocals); 'Magic' Mike Henry (cornet); Rob Pearce (trombone); Jesper Capion Larsen (clarinet); Rachel Hayward (banjo, guitar); Jim Swinnerton (string bass); Graham Smith (drums)

Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club's final concert of the year featured Sarah Spencer's Transatlantic Band. Half an hour before the first set, DNOJC's loyal supporters were taking their seats, eagerly looking forward to two sets (2 x 60 mins) of good old New Orleans jazz. Spencer's band comprised the usual suspects plus special guest Jesper Capion Larsen.

Cable Street Rag Band @ Jamboree, King's Cross - Dec. 4

Ewan Bleach (alto sax, tenor sax, clarinet, vocals); Joplin Parnell (piano); John Kelly (guitar); Harry Evans (double bass)

A stone's throw from King's Cross Railway Station, just off Gray's Inn Road, tucked away on St Chad's Place, stands Jamboree. On a Wednesday afternoon you can find TJ Johnson playing a few tunes, often with guests sitting in. All very casual, free admission too (be sure to tip TJ). This Thursday evening (admission in advance or on the door) Ewan Bleach was holding court, as he does every week. 

The Cable Street Rag Band comprises a hardcore of musicians, plus whoever is available on the night. This evening, Bleach was able to call upon guitarist John Kelly, string bassist Harry Evans and the late-arriving Joplin Parnell (piano). All very casual (as with TJ Johnson), this is a dancer's gig. Bleach and his merry band played whatever they liked and the many dancing couples seemed to like it. 

Giacomo Smith Big Band: Ellington's Nutcracker Suite & More @ Ronnie Scott's - Dec. 4

Giacomo Smith (alto sax, clarinet); Rico Tomasso (trumpet, vocals), Tom Walsh, Pete Horsfall, Laura Jurd (trumpets); Zach Sholapurkar (alto sax); Alec Harper (tenor sax); Alex Garnett (tenor sax, clarinet); Jessamy Holder (baritone sax); Dan Higham, Joe Evans, James Wade Sired (trombones); Joe Webb (piano); Honey Boulton (guitar); Anders Fjeldsted (double bass); Snorre Kirk (drums)

Kansas Smitty's lockdown livestreams rapidly became unmissable occasions (jazz fans connecting with old friends, some making new online friends*) and the 2020 Kansas Smitty's Big Band Christmas Day stream recreating Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite has taken its place in the archive. It's a gem.  

Fast forward to December this year (2025). A Thursday evening sold out first house, a sold out second house, Ronnie Scott's was doing good business. Forty eight hours later (Saturday) it would be the same story - two sold out performances. This Thursday evening first house, featuring Giacomo Smith's Big Band (formerly Kansas Smitty's Big Band), signalled the start of the festive season. 

Preview: Sunday night at the Globe: Lindsay Hannon - Tom Waits For No Man

Lindsay Hannon presents her tribute show Tom Waits For No One at the Globe tonight. In the company of Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (bass) and Brendan Murphy on various percussive items it promises to be the hottest ticket in town tonight. 

As an added bonus, the show starts an hour earlier than usual at 7:00pm with a performance by some of the students from a pre-concert master class tutored by Lindsay. If only a small percentage of Lindsay's vocal skills have been absorbed then it will have been well worth it. Lance

TICKETS

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

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

Playlist 07/12/25 (repeated Tuesday 09/12/25).  
Requests: Stan Kenton/Lionel Hampton, Sidney Bechet,
Memories: Dave Brubeck, Frank Sinatra/Count Basie.
Human Rights Day: Martin Luther King, Nina Simone, Louis Armstrong.
Requests: Memphis Slim, Thilo Wolf Big Band, Ruud Breuls & WDR Big Band, Benny Golson.

Late Night Chicago Radio w. Denny Farrell (Dec. 3 - Dec. 9)

Ray Bryant: Love Walked in.

Norah Jones: I 've Got to See You Again.

Paul Desmond/Jim Hall/Chet Baker: You'd be so Nice to Come Home to.

Michael O'Neill Quintet w.Tony Lindsay: The Way You Look Tonight.

Benny Goodman Quartet: Moonglow.

Joe Pass: Li'l Darlin'.

Beegie Adair: Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.

Tony Bennett: Fly me to the Moon.

Stan Getz: Sweet Lorraine.

Dinah Washington: Ain't Misbehavin'.

Sonny Rollins: 'Round Midnight.

Etta James: At Last.

Listen Here (24/7)

Phil Upchurch (1941 - Nov. 23, 2025)

Legendary soul guitarist and session musician Phil Upchurch played on many recordinngs with various rock, pop and jazz/greats over a period of almost 70 years beginning when he was 16. These included Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan, Donny Hathaway, George Benson, Curtis Mayfield and many others including Ramsey Lewis, Quincy Jones, Stan Getz and Dizzy Gillespie. 

He will be sadly missed by the fans of many genres. 

Rest In Peace.

Lance

Organology @ The Exchange 1856, North Shields - Dec. 4

© Ken Drew

Gilad Atzmon (alto sax); Ross Stanley (Hammond); Joel Barford  (drums)

I could sum up this gig in one word - Awesome! or in four words - Gig of the Year, it was that good. However, for those pernickety readers who want more then I'll give you three good reasons for the superlatives.

1. Joel Barford. He could make a lead balloon swing. Amazing technique. A young dog with new tricks.

© Ken Drew

2. Ross Stanley. The undisputed master of the Hammond and Leslie  the perfect foil for what's going on in front.

3. Gilad Atzmon. Gilad ensured there was plenty going on in front. Apart from his incredible technique the thing that grabbed me was his sound. he blows the air down one end and it comes out the other which is what all brass and woodwind players do. In Gilad's case however, the column of air resonates off the body of the instrument resulting in that big fat sound. Bird had it, Konitz dIdn't, Gilad has.

Steve Cropper (1941 - Dec. 3, 2025)

The sad news has been announced of the passing of guitar legend Steve Cropper.

Best known for his work with Booker T and the MGs, Cropper also recorde and co-wrote Otis Reddings' Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay  and Wilson Pickett's In the Midnight Hour.

He appeared with Booker T at Newcastle City Hall in an all-star guitar extravaganza probably in the 1980s/'90s.

Rest In Peace.

Lance

Preview: Organology @ The Exchange 1856, North Shields (8:00pm)

All roads lead to North Shields tonight for some anticipated musical fireworks by Organology at North Shields' premier music venue the Exchange 1856.

With the dynamic Gilad Atzmon blowing alto sax like Bird, Cannonball and  Ornette all rolled into one, Ross Stanley pushing the B3 to its limits and new kid on the block Joel Barford showing the drum legends a  thing or two you have the ingredients for an unforgetable  evening of jazz, funk, soul and who knows what else?

This promises to be an 'I was there' moment don't miss out - your grandkids will never forgive you!

Anthropology, Ornithology, Organology - you can't go wrong when you've got an 'ology'. Lance

P.S.: Check out Organology on F/b for a taste of what's in store.

Album review: Brad Schrader - Late Nights (self released)

Brad Schrader (vocals); Jerry Vezza (piano, M.D.); Alex Claffy (bass); Andrew Van Tassell (tenor/alto sax); Khary Abdul-Shahid (drums)

There is a magic that happens when the music, the mood and the moment are just right. So, sit back - with your dreams and someone special - and let these songs unlock a special connection. Join in for some LateNights.

Stockport Jazz

This Sunday Stockport Jazz welcomes the dynamic Grant Russell Quartet to the Moor Club. The band features Grant Russell (bass), Kyran Matthews (tenor sax), Rich Harrold (piano) and Luke Flowers (drums).

Sunday 7th December 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)