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

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

Playlist 13/07/25 (repeated Tuesday 15/07/25)

Requests from Darlington New Orleans Club: Eubie Blake, Bunk Johnson,

Louis Armstrong, Jimmie Noone's Apex Club Orchestra, Benny Goodman, Big Bill Broonzy, Louis Armstrong, King Oliver & His Dixie Syncopators, Artie Shaw, Lester Young.

Requests: Irene Kral, Nancy Harrow, Dizzy Gillespie, 3 Clarinets: Ken Peplowski - Evan Christopher - Anat Cohen, Gabor Szabo.

What’s on in the NE: Greg Abate.

Memories: Philly Joe Jones/Miles Davis Quintet, Duke Ellington/Paul Gonsalves

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

Late Night Chicago Radio w. Denny Farrell (July 10-July 16)

If you can't sleep due to the current heatwave the answer is to tune in to Late Night Chicago Radio.  The programme's presenter, deejay just doesn't quite cut it, Denny Farrell has the most soporific voice of anyone on air since Willis Conover's VOA broadcasts back in the days of 'The Cold War',

The voice is so laid back that even a track by Maynard Ferguson couldn't keep me out of the arms of Morpheus.

This week's 24/7 offering (July 10-July 16):

Press release: Francis Davis Jazz Critics Mid-Year 2025 Poll

(Please note: The words me, we and our do not refer to myself. I'm just one of the 113 'critics' who submitted their choices to the poll. Lance). 

ArtsFuse has published our poll, with an essay by Jon Garelick and intro and charts by me.

As always, complete ballots and totals are available on the archive website.

We wrapped up with 113 voters naming 441 new jazz albums and 134 rara avis.

Thank you all for your warm support, enthusiasm, and extraordinary efforts in making this possible.

Now, please, go out and spread the word. Tom Hull

Classic Swing @ Cullercosts Crescent Club - July 11

Jim McBriarty (alto/soprano sax, clarinet, vocals); Alan Marshall (tenor sax, clarinet); David Gray (trombone, flugel, vocals); Jeremy McMurray (keys); Alan Rudd (bass); Ian Stocks (drums); Olive Rudd (vocals) + Colin Aitchison (trumpet, vocals).

The Mercury was getting ready to 'pop' (the Met Office reckons that it's going to be even hotter tomorrow!). Iced drinks were the order of the day although some devil-may-care drinkers stuck with pints of the Crescent Club's fine selection of real ales.

Despite the heat, Summertime wasn't on the set list although that may have been an oversight. If so, a jolly good oversight it was too.

As ever, Classic Swing swung a selection of hoary old chestnuts the solos of which we applauded, as directed, irrespective of whether they were well-deserved or not. Fortunately, with this band the solos are invariably 'on the money'. so in truth, the applause needed no prompting.

Edward Burra @ Tate Britain

Before going on to Pizza Express our man Jerry stopped off at Tate Britain  to see an exhibition of works by the English artist Edward Burra (1905-1976). Sadly he, Jerry, did not have nearly enough time to fully appreciate the collection but one thing did surprise him was that Burra (active 1920-1970 approx) was a big fan of 1920s/1930s'  jazz. When, in 1933, he made his first trip to New York his first port of call was Harlem, the epicentre of black culture.

New York 1925 - BBC Radio 4 (July 10)

This morning's Radio 4 programme New York 1925, Winter' (the first of four), is well worth a listen. The Great Gatsby was about to be published, The New Yorker hit the news stands for the first time, the Harlem Renaissance (Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Claude McKay and others) was flourishing and Richard Rodgers was soon to hit the headlines. 

More from the Central Bar

A collage of photos from last night's excellent gig by the Hopper-Watson Quintet at the Central Bar.

Although I compiled the collage the actual photos are © Ken Drew. 

A memorable souvenir of an unforgettable gig. Lance

Hopper-Watson Quintet @ the Central Bar, Gateshead - July 9

© Patti

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

The upstairs room of the Central Bar had pulled a good crowd for a unique event - one which promised much and didn't renegue on that promise.

Lewis Watson has, over the years, become recognised as one of the, if not the, most impressive tenor players around. Since his recent reemergence he has formed a relationship with Messrs Williams, Champion and Bradford - themselves recognised as big hitters - that gelled from the get go.

However, last night there was a relatively unknown factor added to the equation in the form of teenage trumpet player Lara Hopper. Lara is known for holding her own at jam sessions, rehearsal bands and maybe some low key sessions elsewhere but here she was thrown in at the deep end with four of the very finest.

Preview: Stockport Jazz - July 13

This week’s Stockport Jazz gig at the Moor Club features the Helen Pillinger/Carole Williams Counterpoint Quintet playing modern and contemporary jazz. 

The quintet comprises Helen Pillinger (tenor sax); Carole Williams (trombone, piano, voice); Peter Hartley (bass); Miles Pillinger (drums); Paul Hartley (guitar).

Sunday July 13

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 door to the Elizabethan PH)

Preview: Hopper-Watson Quintet (July 9)

This evening (Wednesday July 9) at Central Bar has all the makings of an 'I was there' occasion. Tenor saxophonist Lewis Watson is an established name on the jazz scene and trumpeter Lara Hopper is of the new generation of musicians making a mark locally and soon to be nationally. 

Watson's quartet is that of A-listers - Mark Williams (guitar), Andy Champion (bass) and John Bradford (drums) - and it's an intriguing prospect to see how Lara matches up to these guys. The odds are our Trinity Laban-bound rising star will knock everyone dead! Tickets have been flying out. Before the door slams shut on sales, book now at: www.wegottickets.com. 

The Hopper-Watson Quintet will be on stage at 8:00pm (doors 7:30pm). Expect to hear some Clifford Brown,  Tom Harrell, Joe Henderson and a whole lot more. If you haven't been to Central Bar, it's on Half Moon Lane at the Gateshead end of the High Level Bridge. See you there! Russell    

Preview: Mouth of the Tyne Festival (the Jazz Stage)

This weekend (July 12/13) is the weekend jazz lovers and sun worshippers look forward to - the annual Mouth of the Tyne Festival.

The free alfresco event takes place on a green space adjacent to Tynemouth's historic Priory and features a cross section of local bands.

North east expat, trumpet player, trombonist, vocalist, jug blower, jazz historian and Radio Hong Kong (RTHK3) broadcaster Colin Aitchison, now a longtime resident of Hong Kong, will be making a couple of guest appearances over the weekend (maybe more!)

Album review: Tom Lyne with Dave Milligan – Well Mixed Blue (LisaLeo Records)

 

Dave Milligan (piano); Tom Lyne (bass)

There is something about a bass/piano duet that is special. Nominally part of ‘the rhythm section’ they are usually harnessed to someone galumphing away with bits of wood behind them, but liberated by the absence of the galumpher in chief*, bass and piano can soar, suddenly free to find their own paths through the music, unanchored and liberated. The greatest such duos, IMHO, were those that involved the great Charlie Haden when he matched himself against Kenny Barron and Keith Jarrett on Night and the City and Jasmine respectively, both top ranked recordings that the fates seem to have decided should be played in the evening or early morning when the light and the night strike an uncertain balance. This one follows in that tradition, respecting the size of the boots it has to fill.

The Great, Late, Duke Ellington. The Duke Ellington Songbook: The Echoes of Ellington Band @ Pizza Express, Soho - July 6

Peter Long (MD, clarinet); Sara Oschlag (vocals); Colin Skinner, Alison Cawley (alto saxes); Simon Spillett,  Alex Garnett (tenor saxes); Jay Craig (baritone sax); Ian Bateman, Daniel Higham, Andy Flaxman (trombones); Mark Armstrong, George Hogg, Nathan Gray, Rory Simmons (trumpets); Robin Aspland (piano); Steve Pearce (bass); Matt Skelton (drums)

“Great”, we all know but “late” was news to me. Yes, I know he died in 1974 but I was unaware of his rep for leaving things 'til the last minute (or later)! Pete Long’s patter (worth the admit before a note is played) returned time and again to the story of Billy Strayhorn on his knees in the recording studio frantically finishing off the music even as the first track was being recorded. This because Ellington had arrived announcing, “Well, boys, I’ve got ONE!” (Completed tune, that is!)

The latest addition to the Liddle Art Gallery

He once played on stage at the Royal Albert Hall. He still plays at the Royal Albert Hall only now he does it outside the famous building.

He blames his downfall on too many 'jar on the bar' gigs. Or maybe it was too many jars at the bar...

A sign of the times. Lance

Album review: Jaleel Shaw - Painter of the Invisible (Changu Records)

Jaleel Shaw (alto/soprano sax); Lawrence Fields (piano); Ben Street (bass); Lage Lund (guitar); Joe Dyson (drums); Sasha Berliner (vibes)

Among the notes the Chicago Tribune is quoted as saying: “Alto saxophonist Jaleel Shaw is especially promising, the real thing... a tough personal player.... not a bebop revivalist.” 

The Philadelphia Inquirer throws in its two bits with: “Where jazz is going, folks like alto saxophonist Jaleel Shaw will be steering the way.”

And Bebop Spoken Here couldn't agree more!

In his first album for 13 years, Shaw celebrates individuals - both personally loved ones and figures admired from afar – figures whose extraordinary lives receive Jaleel's deserved gratitude and recognition. 

Swing Manouche @ Central Bar, Gateshead - July 6

Martin Winning (clarinet); Mick Shoulder (guitar); Dave Smith (rhythm guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass)

The Tyne Bridge down to one lane in either direction, traffic flow restrictions in place at the Tyne Tunnel, the Redheugh Bridge closed by the police due to an ongoing incident and a 10K road race affecting traffic in and out of Gateshead and Newcastle. A typical gridlock Sunday here on Tyneside!

Three members of Mick Shoulder's Swing Manouche managed to get to Half Moon Lane ahead of the advertised one o'clock start, a fourth endured a journey of some two hours (a journey usually taking 25 minutes), arriving with little time to spare. Audience members struggled to get to Central Bar, some arriving late, some failing to arrive at all. The decision was taken to delay the start of this afternoon's concert. 

Ken Marley Quartet @ the Moor Club, Stockport - July 6

© Jeff Pritchard

Ken Marley (bass); Liam Byrne (tenor/soprano sax); Paul Hartley (guitars); Gaz Hughes (drums).

This gig turned out to be a tribute to one of the most influential musicians from the swing and early bop era - Benny Carter.

Carter wrote some catchy tunes and Ken managed to play a total of eleven numbers during the two hour time spot which included a twenty minute interval. Liam Byrne sounded great tonight and I'm glad he featured his curved soprano sax on at least three tunes. Paul Hartley did some interesting solos and, after watching US guitarist Randy Johnston playing live at Smalls this weekend, I couldn't help comparing their similar playing styles.

Album review: Edgar van Asselt invites Ack van Rooyen - Song for Lost Friends (self released)

Ack van Rooyen (trumpet, flugel); Edgar van Asselt (piano); Erik Robaard (bass); Wim Kegel (drums)

I first heard the Dutch trumpet/flugelhorn player Ack van Rooyen at the 1983 North Sea Jazz Festival which, back then, was held in Den Haag. He was part of a mammoth eight trumpet, piano, bass & drums line-up billed as Trumpet No End after the Ellington recording of the same name. Alongside van Rooyen were fellow trumpet giants Doc Cheatham, Wild Bill Davison, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Jon Faddis, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry and Warren Vaché Jr.

That he could hold his own in such fast company says plenty about Ack van Rooyen and this latest album, recorded on February 20, 2020 less than two years before his death in November, 2021 at the age of 91, indicates that he was still playing as well as ever.

Sarah Meek with the Dave Cottle Trio: The Louis & Ella Music Show @ Saltburn Community Hall – July 4

Sarah Meek (vocals); Dave Cottle (trumpet, keys, vocals); Keith Peberdy (bass); Abbie Finn (drums)

All the way from South Wales, Dave and Sarah brought their Louis and Ella show to Saltburn Jazz Club, backed by a local rhythm section. A thoroughly entertaining evening, full of great musicianship from all those involved. Although the set list comprised, in the main, of items from the Great American Songbook, there were some nice arrangements and a couple of originals, though Dave admitted some of the sheets were from his big band (Tower of Gower), but this didn't faze the trio.

Just Friends @ Dorman's Jazz Club, Middlesbrough - July 3

Ian Bosworth (guitar); Richie Emmerson (tenor/alto sax); Dave Archbold (keys); Ron Smith (bass); Mark Hawkins (drums)

This established band consisting as it does of well known and respected local jazz musicians gave an appreciative audience a night of well played and entertaining modern jazz.

Mercy Mercy Mercy, as composed by Joe Zawinul for Cannonball Adderley was a great driving number to start the night with, tenor sax, guitar and piano solos with fine bass and drum backing clearly showed we were in for a good night. This was followed by a relaxed version of Satin Doll with Richie blowing alto.

If I had a talking picture ---

This coming week's schedule of vintage screen gems on that nostalgic channel Talking Pictures includes the following:

Tuesday July 8 @ 13.05: Band of Thieves, the band in question being Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazzmen.

Thursday July 10 @ 06.00: Four Hits and a Miss isn't the American vocal group of that name but good old Acker back again for 15 minutes of trad.

New Century Syncopated Seven @ Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club - July 5

Jim McBriarty (alto sax, clarinet); Gavin Lee (tenor sax, clarinet); Dave Hignett (trumpet, cornet); Neville Hartley (trombone); Keith Stephen (banjo); Phil Rutherford (tuba); Nick Ward (drums)

The 'Syncopated Seven' is a seven piece band drawn from the ranks of the New Century Ragtime Orchestra. A new venture (the smaller band made its debut at Prohibition Bar as an even smaller combo - just the six of them), the band's special guest, from Birmingham, 'classic jazz' era percussionist Nick Ward, met up with his County Durham/Northumberland/Tyne and Wear based bandmates on Larchfield Street in good time for a half past twelve start.

The weather set fair, Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club's loyal following once again turned out in force. Teas, coffees and, for some, something a little stronger, the full house was ready and waiting. Right on time, the Syncopated Seven stomped off with Stomp Your Stuff. A blues - Close Fit Blues - hit the spot and it wasn't long before Jim McBriarty sang the first of many numbers, the ever-popular Memories of You.

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

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

Playlist 06/07/25 (repeated Tuesday 08/07/25)

Seasonal: Louis Armstrong/Ella Fitzgerald.

Memories: Hank Mobley/Jazz Messengers, Lee Morgan/Jazz Messengers.

Peace: Chris Barber/Ottilie Patterson, Tim Boniface, Rosetta Tharpe.

Requests: Amy Winehouse, Dulcie May, Kenny Garrett.

Seasonal: Miles Davis.

Requests: Earl Bostic, Roy Eldridge Oscar Peterson, Roy Hargrove.

Vintage Jazz: Lester Young, Lionel Hampton.

What’s on in the NE: Emma Fisk & James Birkett.

Requests: James Brandon Lewis Trio, Stacey Kent.

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

Laurence Harrison & Tom Remon @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle - July 4

Laurence Harrison (guitar); Tom Remon (guitar)

Laurence Harrison and Tom Remon have made many friends at Prohibition Bar. As the Pink Lane venue is to close its doors permanently at the end of the month our guitar wizards took the opportunity to play a duo gig together one last time at the place where it all began.

An attentive front row audience cocked an ear to every nuanced note, at the back of the room the less attentive were oblivious to what was going down. Strange world, eh? Laurence and Tom have their own individual approach to jazz guitar, at once different and complimentary. A set list accessed from a mobile phone or perhaps off the top of their heads, our virtuosi opened with Johnny Green's Out of Nowhere. Theme stated, extended improvisations from both men, scarcely a nod or a glance, it was as if an element of telepathy was in play. 

Album review: Chris Ingham Quintet - Walter-Donald (Downhome Records)

Chris Ingham (vocals, piano); Harry Greene (alto/tenor sax, guitar); Paul Higgs (trumpet, flugelhorn); Geoff Gascoyne (bass); George Double (drums, perc., harmony vocals).

Apart from the jazz content which is immense emanating, as it does from Higgs' laid back trumpet and flugel solos, Harry Greene's probing tenor and sizzling alto, the rock solid duo of Gascoyne and Double laying it down for Ingham's piano and his appealing voice that has the same, but different, magnetism that the originals had which combined with the streetwise lyrics - think Tom Waits or Joni Mitchell - paint an emotional picture of America. Maybe not quite as it is now but certainly as it was then. 

Jazz on the Tyne – What’s On & What’s New, July 2025

In the latest edition of the podcast, presenter Colin Muirhead looks ahead to North East gigs featuring Soweto Kinch, Theo Croker, Joe Webb, Zoë Gilby, Knats, Sloth Racket, Julian Lage, Me Lost Me and Emma Fisk’s Hot Club du Nord.  He also showcases new music by Olivia Moore and Adam Fairhall, and pays tribute to Brian Kellock and Lalo Schifrin.

You can listen to the show anytime HERE.

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

Classic Swing on Cullercoats Bay - July 4

Jim McBriarty (alto sax, soprano sax, clarinet, vocals); Josh Bentham (tenor sax, soprano sax); Neville Hartley (trombone, vocals); Graham Don (piano); Alan Rudd (double bass); Ian Stocks (drums); Olive Rudd (vocals)

American Independence Day. Jazz, America's gift to the world, took centre stage here at Cullercoats Crescent Club without so much as a mention of our transatlantic cousins' 'big day'. A couple of deps in today - Josh Bentham (tenor and alto saxophones) and Graham Don (piano). Otherwise it was the regular Classic Swing outfit.

Happy Birthday Louis - or is it?

For time immemorial July 4 has been celebrated as being Louis Armstrong's birthday (July 4, 1901). However, despite Independence Day having been stated by Satchmo himself as being the day of his birth it now seems as though August 6 was the actual date. Maybe a little poetic licence was being indulged by 'our man' - and why not?

What is undisputed is his death on July 6, 1971. So you can still celebrate his life which ever date (or all three) you choose*. Lance

*Photo from the Louis Armstrong Collection. Louis Armstrong House Museum.

Love's last word is spoken

Sometimes those lyricists who penned the words to many of the GASbook classics had a strange way of paying a compliment. Larry Hart's My Funny Valentine being a prime example with, among other less than flattering observations, 'Your looks are laughable, unphotographical' stands out. In real life that would be 'hello, goodbye' before he/she had time to soften the insult with 'yet you're my favourite work of art'!

Ira Gershwin was another whose compliments were of the backhanded variety. In They Can't Take That Away From me he came up with; 'The way you sing off key' which would surely have resulted in him/her most certainly having 'that' taken away from them. Likewise on I've Got a Crush on You, the line: 'It's not that you're attractive...' would surely have resulted in him/her taking an early bath - alone!

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

Ray Brown Trio: St Louis Blues.

Norah Jones: Summertime.

Stan Getz: The Girl From Ipanema.

Tony Lindsay: Come Rain or Come Shine.

Oscar Peterson Trio: Night Train.

Diane Reeves: Loving You.

Jimmy Smith: See See Rider.

Anita O'Day: Fly me to the Moon.

Fred Hersch Trio: So in Love.

Mel Tormé: 'Round Midnight.

Repeated 24/7 HERE. Lance

Press release: Saltburn Big Band Open Rehearsal

Saltburn Big Band is hosting an 'open rehearsal' at Saltburn House on the 14th July giving music lovers an insight into how a band rehearses for future concerts.

Although the band will technically be rehearsing, with a few stops and starts in order to get things just right, this will be a live concert in reality.

The band will rehearse between 7.00 and 9.00 but guests can arrive earlier and leave later, as the bar will be open all evening.

So please feel free to come along, bring your friends and family, and watch the musicians going through the ropes of learning new big band numbers.

There's no entry fee and all are welcome.

Album review: Mike Thompson - 6th Avenue (Hexproof Records)

Mike Thompson (conductor/producer); Bijon Watson, Jeff Claassen, Sean Lee; Dan Rosenthal (trumpets); Randy Pingrey, Bob Pilkington, Brian Martin, Leslie Havens (trombones); Sarpay Özçağatay (flute); Ian Buss, Kyle Leonard, Mike Caudill, Mark Earley, Melanie Howell-Brooks (reeds); Mark Shilansky (piano); Sal DiFusco (guitar); Greg Loughman (bass); Mark Walker (drums); Charlize Vermaak (voice).

Twenty-six year old Berklee graduate Thompson is rapidly making a name for himself as one of the leading composers, arrangers, producers and entrepreneurs of his generation as this, his debut big band album, proves.

Six standards and four originals that really are original hit the spot on all fronts. Solos, sectionwork, arrangements, you name it. If this band had appeared on the scene before the moneychangers in the Temple (the Cavern) realised that four kids and a Marshall Stack could make more noise than sixteen or more musicians and cost less (at least at first) then the course of popular music would have evolved differently.

It wouldn't of course unless say Tommy Steele  had played the saxophone!

However, enough of my pipedreams.

Jammin' @ Newcastle Arts Centre - July 1

Joe Steels (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass); Mark Robertson (drums) + Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Chris Keegan (trumpet); Kate O'Neill (vocals); Shivan Ruddick (trumpet); Daniel Chandler (piano); Lara Hopper (trumpet); Joseph (guitar); Felix Parkin-Christie (drums); Joel Byrne-McCullough (guitar); Paul Ruddick (alto sax); David Gray (trombone); Abbie Finn (drums); Shayo Oshodi (vocals); Jimi Savage (guitar); Jamie Watkins (double bass); Robert Johnson (alto sax); Toby (vocals); Lisa (vocals); Edgar Bell (trumpet); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet)

A mellow Stablemates opened the show, guitarist Joe Steels leading the way. An exploration of Body and Soul followed by a vibrant Anthropology, the house trio - Steels, MC Paul Grainger and Mark Robertson - could have played all night. However, faces old and new were massing in the wings.

Stockport Jazz gig at the Moor Club: Ken Marley Quartet - July 8

This week’s Stockport Jazz gig at the Moor Club features bass player Ken Marley’s Quartet with Liam Byrne (saxophone); Paul Hartley (guitar) and Gaz Hughes (drums).

Sunday July 8

8:00pm, doors open at 7.30pm

£5 entry on the door, all welcome

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

July 1st, 2025 7pm - Tessa Souter: “Shadows & Silence: The Erik Satie Project - livestream

Start at 00:00 July 2 in UK.

"Jazz is cool" read all about it in The i Paper

Not only does today's edition of The i Paper have an obituary of Lalo Schifrin on page 20 but on page 5 there's a picture of Bird and Miles and an article by one Ben Sutherland that poses the question : Why is jazz so cool?

This snippet is part of a wider appraisal, based upon a worldwide study where 6000 participants were asked to think of someone they thought was cool, not cool, good or not good.

The research team used the data to explore how cool people and uncool people and good people differ. LINK.

Interesting. Lance

Press release: New Century Ragtime Orchestra news.

This is to let you know about a couple of upcoming sessions featuring a "pint-sized" version of the orchestra, which we're calling the New Century Syncopated Seven.

Comprising Dave Hignett on trumpet, Neville Hartley on trombone, Jim McBriarty and Gavin Lee on reeds, Keith Stephen on banjo, myself on tuba and the fabulous Nick Ward on vintage percussion, we'll be performing a mix of ragtime and hot dance music from the 1920s and early 1930s, with many new numbers and revised arrangements by Dave Kerr and Jim McBriarty.

A July preview

July is a busy old month, not least thanks to a huge number of events across County Durham. Yes, it's the return of the Durham Brass Festival! Many of the events (too many to mention) are on-the-street happenings, free admission. For details see: www.brassfestival.co.uk. Elsewhere there are several world class events to enjoy. 

On Tuesday 15th, Julian Lage turns up at the Exchange 1856 in  North Shields! The superstar American guitarist will be bringing with him bassist Jorge Roeder and drummer Joey Barron. Book at: www.theexchange1856.com. 

Album review: Kim Cypher - LIVE and Smiling (self released)

Tks I, 6, 9 (Cheltenham Jazz Festival): Kim Cypher (tenor/alto saxes); Ashley Slater (trombone); Chris Santo Cobbson (guitar); Alex Steele (piano); Rob Rickenberg (bass); Mike Cypher (drums).

Tks 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 (Peggy’s Skylight): Kim Cypher (tenor/alto saxes, vocals); Chris Santo Cobbson (guitar); Richard Hughes (piano); Mike Green (bass); Mike Cypher (drums).

Although Kim Cypher is a Cheltenham girl born and bred, 2025 was the first time she'd appeared on the Main Arena Stage. Indeed it was the first time that prestigious spot had been filled by a home grown artist despite Kim's years of championing jazz in Cheltenham. Needless to say that Kim takes this tide in her fortunes at the flood with a Latin jazz party that exudes love and happiness. Ashley Slater's trombone solos justified his featured billing.

Album review: Strictly Smokin' Big Band - Time After Time

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)

For those who attended last week's concert by SSBB at Gosforth Civic Theatre this is an excellent way to remember the gig. For those who were present at the actual recording session that took place in the Bridge Hotel it becomes a must have - you will be able to hear yourself clapping. If on the other hand you were unable to attend either then it becomes as essential as your daily pint(s), your morning demitasse of  Joe or your cuppa of Earl Grey (delete as appropriate).

Press release: Northern jazz promoters are invited to apply for bursaries up to £1000

Jazz North’s latest support scheme welcomes applications from grassroots and independent promoters working in jazz

The bursaries will support fees and costs for northern emerging artists and support acts  

More details/Applications

Out and About

Anticipating the heatwave the 'experts' had forecast I headed for the seaside and the market held every weekend at Tynemouth Metro Station. Unfortunately I was somewhat premature as the hot weather didn't arrive until a day later - a bit like the, and I use the phrase loosely, Rapid Transit System whose comings and goings, when they did condescend to come and go, were running to a somewhat syncopated timetable. 

Nevertheless, when I did eventually get to join the bargain hunters who were searching for the legendary Maltese Falcon, the black statuette whose value Joel Cairo once told Sam Spade was beyond the dreams of avarice, I hit pay dirt in the form of the two pieces of vinyl pictured above. At £5 in total they were well within the spending power of any avaricious dreamer.

An even bigger incentive for me, nostalgia-wise, was the fact that the Ferguson sleeve had one of J.G. Windows Ltd.'s price sticker in the top right hand corner - £5.29 in 1989!

Book review: Barnett Singer, Jesse A. Read - Artie Shaw Icon of Swing

I'm usually reluctant to describe a book as 'the definitive work' because, before you know it, you can bet your bottom dollar somebody else has been working the same side of the street to even greater effect.

However, in the case of Barnett Singer and Jesse A Read's Artie Shaw Icon of Swing I have no such reservations. Singer, the primary author, has, in an easily readable style, analysed in depth the classic recordings Shaw made from 1938 onwards as well as taking more than a mere perfunctory glance at both his earlier and later work.

Album review: Emi Makabe – Echo (Sunnyside Records)

Emi Makabe (voice, shamisen, flute); Thomas Morgan (double bass, backing vocals); Vitor Gonçalves (piano, accordion, Wurlitzer electric piano); Kenny Wollesen (drums, percussion, vibraphone, electronics) + Meshell Ndegeocello (MC on tks 2 & 9); Jason Moran (piano on tk 2); Bill Frisell (acoustic guitar on tk 1)

How can something be a surprise if you don’t know what to expect in the first place? In any case, this album comes as a surprise. Full of depth, imagination and emotion, it wanders through jazz and several other types of music and the shamisen throws an anchor back into Makabe’s Japanese roots. Most of all, though, it’s just a lovely sound with her voice dominating proceedings whether in Japanese, English or wordless vocalese with superbly sympathetic support from Gonçalves’ piano.

Of course, to confound that observation from the very start the opening melancholic ballad, The Birthday Song, has Makabe’s mellow, Linda Ronstadt-ish vocals surrounded by rolling bass and finely picked guitar (from Bill Frisell, no less). It’s a song of both loss and memory of her father who died during the Covid outbreak summed up in the line, “I'll sing a song with a face half smiling.” 

Two more photos from the Gala.

A couple of superb shots by Malcolm Sinclair to supplement Russell's review of the Lewis Watson Quartet's lunchtime recital at the Gala Theatre, Durham on Friday (June 27).

Caught 'in the moment' are: (l-r) Lewis Watson (tenor sax), Mark Williams (guitar), Andy Champion (bass) and John Bradford (drums).

Both photos are © Malcolm Sinclair.

Thank you Malcolm, excellent as always. Lance

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

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

Playlist 29/06/25 (repeated Tuesday 01/07/25)

 

Seasonal: Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra.

Requests: Pee Wee Hunt, Count Basie, Maynard Ferguson.

New Release: Tim Boniface.

Requests: Kamasi Washington, Bobby Shew, Woody Herman, Doc Severinsen, Freddie Hubbard, Hank Mobley.

Memories: Lena Horne.

New Releases: Hannah Brine, Rebecca Poole.

Request: Gerry Mulligan/Lee Konitz/Art Farmer.

What’s on in the NE: New Century Syncopated Seven.

Seasonal: Stan Getz.

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