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

Playlist 01/02/26 (repeated Tuesday 03/02/26)

RIP: Brian Carrick. 

Birthday Memories: Ray Anthony. 

Requests from the Sue Ferris gig: Mulgrew Miller/Roy Hargrove, Buddy Rich/Art Tatum/Lionel Hampton, Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis, Bob Mintzer, Carmen McRae/Dave Brubeck, Mary Halvorson, Buddy Rich.    

Requests: Ella & Louis, Frank Sinatra/Red Norvo.

Memories: James P. Johnson, Stan Getz w. Bob Brookmeyer Quintet, Sonny Stitt.    

Remaster: Tommy Smith, Edwin Morgan (poetry).

What’s on in the NE: The Big Easy, Gerry Richardson's Big Idea.

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

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

Dan Coulthurst Quintet @ Central Bar, Gateshead - Jan. 30

Dan Coulthurst (trumpet, poetry); Joel Stedman (bass clarinet, flute); Nico Widdowson (piano); Fergus Quill (double bass); Theo Goss (drums)

Dan Coulthurst arrived at Gateshead's Central Bar twenty four hours after a successful gig (100 plus audience) at Cobalt Studios in Newcastle. This evening, on Half Moon Lane, the affable Coulthurst would play to a somewhat smaller audience. 

The Dan Coulthurst Quintet opened with What is to be Done? In possession of a formidable technique, trumpeter Coulthurst touched base with NYC's loft scene of some sixty years ago, similarly Chicago's AACM, through to twenty first century developments, jazz and, fleetingly, improv. Studious, if not earnest, in demeanour, Coulthurst and his bandmates were fully immersed in the music. 

Second Hand Bargain of The Year Already? Mike Westbrook - Glad Days (Enja Records)

Mike Westbrook (piano); Kate Westbrook (voice, tenor horn, piccolo); Phil Minton (voice); Peter Whyman, Alan Wakeman, Chris Biscoe (saxes); Steve Berry (bass); Dave Berry (drums) + Senior Girls Choir of Blackheath Conservatoire of Music and the Arts

Rummaging amongst the shelves of the Cancer Research shop in Morpeth can sometimes reveal hidden gems. A large tranche of CDs by the BBC Concert Orchestra (Plays Bach, Plays Debussy, and, I wouldn’t wonder, Plays Dominoes and Darts), was neighboured by Glad Day: Settings of William Blake by Mike Westbrook. 

Pete Roth Trio @ Gosforth Civic Theatre - Jan. 30

Photos © Neil Todd

Pete Roth (guitar); Mike Pratt (bass guitar); Bill Bruford (drums)

It was a full house at GCT last night, they had travelled far and wide, I overheard one person saying he'd come from Wakefield and, judging by the various accents/dialects that circulated around the auditorium, he wasn't the only one drawn to the event promoted by Independent Venue Week.

Perhaps they, the audience, had been persuaded by Russell's glowing BSH review of the trio's Tuesday night gig at Darlington (HERE) or maybe they wanted to see and hear rock drumming legend Bill Bruford back on the scene after a 15 year hiatus - who knows?

The Traveling Janes @ Spice of Life, London - Jan. 26

Ali Affleck (vocals); Rico Tomasso (trumpet); Lauryn Gould (reeds); Amanda Lee (piano); Katie Cavera (banjo, guitar); Danielle Price (tuba); Richard Pite (drums)

Ali Affleck fronts a variety of ensembles. This afternoon at Cambridge Circus we would be listening to the multinational Traveling Janes. Scottish-American bandleader Affleck, Lauryn Gould (Texas), Amanda Lee (Singapore), Katie Cavera (California) and Danielle Price (dividing her time between Scotland and Norway) were to be joined by two notable names - Rico Tomasso, of the parish of Chiswick, and Spice of Life promoter, Londoner Richard Pite.

Album review: Singapore Symphony Orchestra - Symbiosis A Tribute to Bill Evans

Singapore Symphony Orchestra: Jean Thorel (conductor); Mattieu Arama (concertmaster); Samuel Phua, Michellina Chan (alto sax); Luo  Tianze (alto/tenor sax); Jeffrey Gao (alto/baritone sax)

Thomas Clausen Trio: Thomas Clausen (piano); Thomas Fonnesbæck (bass); Karsten Bagge (drums) + Anders Nalta (trumpet on tks 4 & 7); Evgueni Brokmiller (flute tk 7).

An ambitious and ultimately very satisfying album by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and the Thomas Clausen Trio who combine to pay tribute to the late, and much loved, Bill Evans.

Opening with Palle Mikkelborg's 1969 Bill Evans Suite which comprises six of Evans' most beautiful compositions: "Interlude" to Waltz For Debby; Time Remembered; My Bells; Interlude (Treasures); Waltz For Debby (reprise) and Walkin' Up trio and orchestra gel enhancing rather than detracting their contributions. It also rubber-stamps my opinion that Waltz For  Debby is the best ever jazz composition in 3/4 time.

The Lamb & Flag Band @ The Lamb & Flag, Covent Garden, London - Jan 25

Rico Tomasso (trumpet, vocals); Ewan Bleach (tenor sax, baritone sax, clarinet, vocals); Malcolm Earle Smith (trombone, vocals); Simon Picton (guitar); Peter Hughes (double bass)  

A first, short-notice visit to a Grade II listed pub in Covent Garden. The Lamb and Flag, tucked away on Rose Street, has been host to a jazz session for the best part of fifty years. Last Sunday in the month the Lamb and Flag Band holds court in what has to be one of the smallest jazz rooms anywhere in the country. If the pub has a resident cat, there isn't room to swing it - not that one would, of course. 

Benny Goodman at Carnegie Hall 1938 @ Cadogan Hall, London - Jan. 25

Pete Long and His Good Men: Pete Long (MD, clarinet); Michael McQuaid, Alyson Cawley, Karen Sharp, Ewan Bleach (reeds); Chris Snead, James Davison, Nathan  Bray (trumpets); Andy Flaxman, Ian Bateman (trombones); Anthony Kerr (vibes); Colin Good (piano); Martin Wheatley (guitar); Tom Mason (double bass); Richard Pite (drums); Louise Cookman (vocals) 

The Jazz Repertory Company specialises in presenting set piece occasions at Cadogan Hall. The Sloane Square venue can accommodate just shy of one thousand people and as the lights went down the vast majority of the seats in the Grade II listed building were occupied. As occasions go, it doesn't come much bigger than Benny Goodman at Carnegie Hall 1938. 

Pete Long and His Good Men opened with Don't Be That Way, Sometimes I'm Happy and One O'Clock Jump. It was Jan. 16th 1938 all over again. Clarinet maestro Long was to play the part of BG to perfection. A gaggle of front row latecomers were about to incur the wrath of bandleader Long. Clarinet in hand, our MD scolded the unfortunate ticket holders. Belatedly taking their seats, Long hit upon the idea of reprising the first three numbers. His Good Men shuffled their charts, Long counted them in, Don't Be That Way, four bars. The all-star ensemble obliged. Seconds later, Sometimes I'm Happy, four bars. And on it went. Your correspondent was more than happy to be up in the balcony!

The Fletcher Henderson Project @ Jamboree, London - Jan. 25

Malcolm Earle Smith (MD, trombone, vocals); Tom Gaddes, George Towle, Diggory Keyse (trumpets); Charlie Mellon, Dillon Pinder (trombones); Will Levett, Maisie Riley, Louis Allan-Sinclair, Theo Warren (reeds); Dan Tainty (guitar); Oscar Brady (piano); Adam Steele (double bass); Louis Chapman (drums); Kora Williams (vocals)

Take a professor of jazz and fourteen supremely talented young musicians, what have you got? The Fletcher Henderson Project, that's what! Professor Malcolm Earle Smith coaches a group of Trinity Laban music students and they've got themselves a regular gig at Jamboree, King's Cross, London. Our MD observed that his young charges are, understandably, into modern jazz. The music of Fletcher Henderson and his contemporaries - Ellington, Mary Lou et al - was new to most of them. How would they fare? 

Late Night Chicago Radio w. Denny Farrell (Jan. 29 - Feb. 3)

André Previn: I Know Why.

Billie Holiday: Sophisticated Lady.

Joe Pass: The Song is You.

Bob Brookmeyer: I Can't Get it Started.

Lee Wiley: Manhattan.

Dizzy Gillespie/Stan Getz: Lover Come Back to me.

June Christy: Something Cool.

Nat 'King' Cole: Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You.

Art Pepper: Deep Purple.

Jimmy Roselli: ?.

Joey DeFrancesco: Fly me to the Moon.

Jazz Crusaders: ?

LISTEN 24/7

Pete Roth Trio @ The Forum Music Centre, Darlington - Jan. 27

Pete Roth (guitar); Mike Pratt (bass); Bill Bruford (drums) 

A full house on Borough Road. The attraction? Guitarist Pete Roth. The attraction, take two? Drummer Bill Bruford. The latter was the 'name'. From King Crimson to Yes to Bruford to Earthworks and more, it's likely drummer Bruford attracted an audience of 'prog rock' fans. Looking around the capacity auditorium, familiar 'jazz faces' were all but absent.

At eight thirty on the dot, Pete Roth, Mike Pratt and Bill Bruford strolled out onto the stage. Across the course of two sets (2 x 45 mins) plus not one, but two encores, Roth would address his audience after playing two numbers, then another two numbers (this would be the pattern throughout the evening). An engaging character, Roth didn't set about dominating the stage, far from it, his bandmates, bassist Mike Pratt, and the aforementioned Bruford, were very much partners in a trio performance. 

Press release: Jazz FM, One Jazz and Tomorrow’s Warriors announce second series of I AM WARRIOR. A six-part radio series from 31 January 2026 spotlighting emerging UK jazz talent

Jazz FM and One Jazz, leading broadcasters in the world of jazz radio, return with a second series of I AM WARRIOR, a co-production with the world-renowned talent development organisation and charity,  Tomorrow’sWarriors. 

The series introduces listeners to three of today’s most exciting emerging artists from the Tomorrow’s Warriors programme, reaffirming the broadcasters’ shared commitment to championing the next generation of UK jazz talent and providing them with a national broadcast platform.

Over six episodes, I AM WARRIOR introduces three artists; pianist and composer Emily Tran, singer-songwriter Kianja and trombonist-composer Christ-Stéphane Boizi.

Each episode sees one of the three rising stars weave personal storytelling with music from classic artists who’ve inspired and shaped their sound - alongside their own tracks and selections from Tomorrow’s Warriors alumni and fellow contemporaries across the current UK jazz scene.

Mama Terra @ Pilgrim - Jan. 28

Marco Cafolla (piano); Rachel Lightbody (voice); Konrad Wiszniewski (tenor/soprano sax);  Mikey Owers (trombone); Ross Saunders (double bass); Doug Hough (drums)

I knew this was going to be good but I never dreamed that it would be this good! Even the clips on YouTube only hinted at what to expect. Those expectations were surpassed after only a few of the opening bars.

With your average band, 90 minutes without an intermission can be a testing time. Not so last night at Pilgrim, the time just flew by. We were in awe of the sheets of sound that were enveloping us.

The material, mainly original, came from the band's albums - past, present and future.

Vintage Explosion @ Scala, London - Jan. 24

William Hitchell (vocals, guitar); Conor Smith (guitar); Dan Brown (piano); Jimmy Steele (tenor sax); Barry Steele (baritone sax); Richard Anderson (double bass); Douglas Macfarlane (drums)

A first visit to Scala, King's Cross. Occupying a corner site on Pentonville Road, the former 1000 capacity cinema has undergone many changes during its one hundred plus years - King's Cross Cinema, Gaumont Cinema, Odeon, La Scala Cinema. Now simply 'Scala', its principal function is that of a gig venue. 

The reason for a first visit? Vintage Explosion! Mr William Hitchell, Glasgow's viral sensation is, as near as damn it, the 'real deal' soulful voice. Hitchell's suited and booted, six piece band hit the ground running. For something like two and half hours, including two encores, Vintage Explosion kept a capacity audience on its dancing feet. 

D.O.A. | 1949 | Film Noir | Edmond O'Brien, Pamela Britton | Full Movie ...

I love vintage black and white noir movies and this is 1949 epic is one of the best. There's a rockin' club scene about 19 minutes in with a jump/jive band tearing it up. On screen the trumpet player is Teddy Buckner but, in true Hollywood fashion he's 'ghosted' by Ernie Royal.

Stockport Jazz

This week Stockport Jazz welcomes Simon Spillett, multi-award-winning tenor saxophonist (BBC Jazz Awards, British Jazz Awards, Jazz Journal's Album of the Year) with Andrzej Baranek (piano), Ken Marley (bass) and Eryl Roberts (drums).

Sunday February 1st

Every Sunday 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)

Preview: Mama Terra @ Pilgrim tonight (Jan. 28)

Marco Cafolla (piano, vocoder); Konrad Wiszniewski (tenor sax); Rachel Lightbody (vocals); Doug Hough (drums); Brodie Javier (double bass) + Mikey Owers (trombone); Cameron Jay (flugelhorn, trumpet)

Glasgow based band Mama Terra, heard above at jazzahead! 2024, are playing in Newcastle tonight (Jan. 28) at Pilgrim (formerly Hoochie Coochie) and, going by the video, it is going to be an incredible evening.

Wiszniewski I've heard many times over the years with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and I also recall hearing Cafolla with American saxman Pee Wee Ellis and The Federation of the Disco Pimp. I was impressed back then and already I'm chomping at the bit to see them again tonight in this totally different, but no less exciting, line-up. Lance

TICKETS

R.I.P. Richie Beirach (1947 - Jan. 26, 2026)

I never had the opportunity of hearing pianist Richie Beirach live - one of the downsides of living 300 miles from London. I'm sure he must have played at some points north of the capital over the course of his 78 years but not Newcastle (correct me if I'm wrong). However, I did get to review a triple album he made with John Abercrombie which can be read HERE.

As many tributes have appeared online since his passing two days ago, rather than attempt to duplicate them I'll refer you to a DOWNBEAT OBIT by Michael J. West that captures the essence of Richie Beirach as both a man and a musician. Lance

Neil Yates Quintet @ Llandudno Jazz Club - January 26

Mike Hope  (tenor sax,  flute);  Neil Yates (trumpet);  Ric Weedon (drums);  Andrzej Baranek (keyboards); Joshua Cavanagh Brierley (double bass)

A wonderful evening of jazz in Llandudno, North Wales, by a stellar quintet led by host Neil Yates who is one of the top jazz trumpet players in the UK. 

Making his debut at the club was Manchester based drummer Ric Weedon. It was also the birthday of Andrzej Baranek who has been an integral part of the UK jazz scene for many years. I had not seen Mike Hope before but was impressed by the rich sound of his vintage Selmer tenor saxophone. I regularly see Joshua play in the north west of England and in North Wales. He is an immense talent who gets around.

Album review: Julian Argüelles: Echo Fields (Escapade Records)

Julian Argüelles (soprano/tenor sax); Larry Grenadier (double bass); Jorge Rossy (drums)

With the exception of Sonny Rollins and a small number of others, chordless trios can be a pointless indulgence for the players and boredom for the listener. Not so with Echo Fields. With Echo Fields Julian Argüelles can be added to the elite list headed by Sonny Rollins. Whether on soprano or tenor but, particularly on the former, his purity of sound floats in the most mesmeric way over the empathy shown by Grenadier and Rossy both of whom bring their own strengths of creativity to the session.

Durham University Big Band @ Pizza Express, Soho, London - Jan. 24

Tom Hardy (MD, trumpet, flugelhorn); Freya Lockeretz, Oliver Tranter,  Andrew Yu, Will Stevenson, Beth Cooley (reeds); Sam Armstrong, Leo Vernaglione, Sammy Cormack-Repath, Euan O’Connell (trumpet); Lillian Sparks, Owen Romhany, Chris Goede (trombone), Robert Halliday (bass trombone, sousaphone); Tom Paterson (piano); Izzy Willis (bass); Ed Jobburn (drums); Francesca Fitton (vocals)

For two decades and more Durham University Big Band has made an annual pilgrimage to play a prestigious concert in the capital city. On its way to/from London, the plan was for DUBB, as the band is known, to link up with two other universities to take part in a couple of big band sessions either side of the capital date. First, a 'Varsity jazz-off' with Oxford University Jazz Orchestra, followed by a similar shindig with Imperial College London Big Band.

Press release: North Sea Jazz Festival To Celebrate Historic 50th Anniversary With Star-Studded Line-Up

The NN North Sea Jazz Festival, the world’s largest indoor music festival, returns to Rotterdam’s Ahoy Centre from July 10 – 12, 2026 to celebrate its 50th anniversary with a landmark edition featuring legendary jazz icons, boundary-pushing innovators, and the brightest emerging talent.

Fifty years ago, on July 16 1976, the very first North Sea Jazz Festival opened its doors with six venues, 300 musicians, and around 9000 visitors, and featuring luminaries including Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, and Stan Getz. Since then, the festival has become a cornerstone of international music culture, presenting around 1300 artists across 17 stages to an audience of up to 90,000 each year.

 

Album review: Charlie Wood - Your Love is my Home (Stunt Records)

Charlie Wood (vocal, piano, organ); Robin Aspland (piano); Daniel Franck (bass); Laurence Cottle (bass); Ian Thomas (drums); Cornelia Nilsson (drums); Áyoe Angelica & Sophie Ziedoy (choir); Villads Littauer Bendixen (violins); Lara Biancalana (cello); James McMillan (trumpet)

Born in Memphis in 1967, Charlie Wood later moved to New Orleans hooking up with Albert King and touring Europe as organist with the legendary blues guitarist before returning to Memphis where his name and music are much revered. The city  has an annual Charlie Wood Day and he was given the Freedom of the City as well as a Brass Note on Beale St. - Memphis' equivalent of the Hollywood Hall of Fame.

Sunday night @ the Globe: The Alexia Gardner Trio - Jan. 25

© Sylvia

Alexia Gardner (vocals); Alan Law (keys); Jude Murphy (bass, flute, backing vocals)

There was a buzz about the Globe last night. It didn't matter that it was cold, wet and windy outside, nor that NUFC had been taken to the cleaners by Villa. It was warm inside and the heat generated didn't just come from the radiators it also came from the convection transferred by the performers to the audience and back again. 

Since she relocated back to the north east Alexia has built up a devoted fan base and they were out in force. Football? What football? Weather? What weather? Jazz? Now you're talking...

No drums, no horns, just the bare necessities, who could ask for anything more?

Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club present: The Ronnie Scott's Soho Songbook @ The Fire Station, Sunderland – Jan. 22

Ronnie Scott All Stars:

© Colin Muirhead

James Pearson (piano); Natalie Williams (vocals); Alex Garnett (tenor sax); Sam Burgess (double bass); Chris Higginbottom (drums)

A full house at the Fire Station!  Ahead of the main event, there was a relaxed atmosphere in the Engine Room next door, as people enjoyed a good selection of food and drinks in this vibrant eatery.  It’s an excellent venue for the monthly Jazz Sundays gigs by the Michael Young Trio (the next one is on February 15 with guest Jason Holcomb).  Meanwhile, in the Fire Station foyer, concertgoers we treated to music by pianist Daniel Chandler and his trio.  Daniel has previously been recognised by BSH as one to watch and he was given a generous shout-out later on by the headline performers.

Album review: Red Norvo - The Secret Session (Dot Time Records)

Red Norvo (xylophone, vocal); Shorty Rogers (trumpet); Eddie Bert (trombone); Aaron Sachs (clarinet, alto sax); Hank Kahout (piano); Clyde Lombardi (bass); Specs Powell (drums)

In 1942 musicians were being drafted and the A.F.M. had closed the recording studios. Red Norvo, a musician not one to to let the union's actions stand in his way, bribed a studio engineer to give him access to his studio and, in the dead of night in late 1942 these tracks were recorded, hence the title of The Secret Session. 

A small group, reminiscent of those jazz chamber music combos such as Raymond Scott, John Kirby and the Benny Goodman Sextet it sits comfortably in that musical twilight zone between swing and bop. By today's standards the rhythm is a bit rumpty-tumpty and although Rogers and Bert later made their name with Stan Kenton it had yet to rub off on them. Both solo well although Bert's tone is a bit bombastic with his solos not as cool as Rogers. Sachs' clarinet slots in nicely although his alto tends to sound a bit leaden.

Preview: Sunday night @ the Globe w. Alexia Gardner Trio - Tonight!

A joyous jazz gig to kick off Independent Venue week with the internationally acclaimed vocalist Alexia Gardner plus Jude Murphy on bass and Alan Law on piano. 

If you've heard Alexia before you'll want to hear her again. If you haven't then you have a treat in store.

8:00pm start. Lance

Album review: Ellas Kapell - Ember (Naxos Prophone)

Lovisa Jennervall (vocals); Manne Skafvenstedt (piano, synthesizers); August Eriksson (double bass, electric bass, violin); Edvin Glänte (drums, percussion) + Johan Christoffersson (alto sax tk 2); Tobias Wiklund (cornet tk 6); Gustav Alte (pedal steel)

Eight classic standards composed by GASbook A-Listers such as Bill Evans, Rogers & Hart, Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, Oscar Hammerstein ll, Cahn & Styne, Ray Noble, Johnny Green and made famous by Sinatra, Ella, Billie and many other great singers, brought a well-known phrase to mind: If it ain't broke don't fix it!

Jazz Time Aycliffe Radio - Sundays 6.30-8:00pm. (repeated Tuesdays 8.00-9.30pm).

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

Playlist 25/01/2026 (repeated Tuesday 27/01/2026)

Requests from Opus 4: Dudley Moore Trio, Duke Ellington, Quincy Jones, Sammy Nestico Orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald, Gracie & Clyde Lawrence, Ronnie Ross Quartet/Bill Le Sage.

Request: Bill Evans.

Memories: Django Reinhardt/Stéphane Grappelli, Acker Bilk, Benny Golson, Gary Burton/Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Ronnie Scott, Etta James.

Request: Clifford Brown.

What's on in the NE: Pete Roth Trio, Dan Coulthurst.

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

Preview: Durham Jazz Festival - October 23-25

Planning is well underway for the Durham Jazz Festival. Yes, that's right, the Durham Jazz Festival! The date(s) for your diary are the long weekend of Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th October. The Gala, Redhills, Durham University and other venues will make it a city-wide affair. The one confirmed name is...Ronnie Scott's Soho Songbook! Yes, the world famous Ronnie Scott's house trio - James Pearson, Sam Burgess and Chris Higginbottom - will be appearing in the Land of the Prince Bishops. And the trio's special guest will be star vocalist Polly Gibbons! 

In due course full details will be available at: durhamjazzfestival.co.uk. Russell

Album review: Betty Bryant - Nothin' Better to do (bry-mar music)

Betty Bryant (piano, vocals); Robert Kyle (tenor/soprano sax, flute, guiro); Robert Simon (bass except tks 4 & 5); Hussain Jiffry (bass tks 4 & 5); Kevin Winard (drums except tks 5 & 7); Aaron Serfaty (drums tks 5 & 7); Tony Guerrero (trumpet tk 8); Kleber Jorge (guitar tk 4); Luanne Homzy (violin, viola tks 4 & 9); Niall Taro (cello tks 4 & 9)

Betty Bryant now has 15 albums under her belt and BSH has to hold its head in shame as this is only the third one we've covered. However, as Betty is now 96 years old chances are that some of our reviewers weren't born when her recording career kicked off.

  

The late Ann Alex set the ball rolling with an enthusiastic review of Betty's 2019 album PROJECT 88  and I included 2024's LOTTA LIVIN' in my top ten vocal albums of that year. Nothin' Better to do is also a cert to be up there where the air is rarified.

Sue Ferris Quintet @ The Gala Durham - Jan. 23

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

Jazz at the Gala packed 'em in last year and this first lunchtime concert of the year continued the trend. The Sue Ferris Quintet is a 24 carat outfit, one you can hang your hat on and Sue and the boys weren't about to disappoint. As the SFQ opened with Sandu still they came in, 100 seated with, perhaps, one or two standing at the back of the room. 

Clifford Brown's much-loved number done and dusted (excellent solos all), the quintet would revisit other much-loved numbers. Trane's Moment's Notice was a late addition to the published programme, Ferris saying she gave trumpeter Graham Hardy, pianist Ben Lawrence, bassist Andy Champion and drummer John Bradford little more than a moment's notice. Amazingly, they rose to the challenge - this is quite some band! 

Press release: Scarborough Jazz Festival 2026 -

 Single day, session and weekend tickets now available

When: Friday 25th September - Sunday 27th September 2026 Where: Scarborough Spa, Full Venue Take a look at who has already been announced for the festival:

Single review: Sarah McKenzie (Normandy Lane Music)

Sarah McKenzie (piano, vocal); John Clayton (bass); Jeff Hamilton (drums); Warren Wolf (vibes); Rickey Woodard (tenor sax); Keith Fiddmont (alto sax); Gilbert Castellanos (trumpet); Randy Napoleon (guitar)

City by the Bay is Sarah McKenzie’s love letter to San Francisco. The song was originally written as part of a composition commission that McKenzie had received from the Diablo Regional Arts Association in 2018 and was premiered live during a concert with the title San Francisco - Paris of the West at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek, CA in the same year. Right afterwards McKenzie and her musicians recorded the entire programme at legendary Capitol Studios in Hollywood. ‘I had already recorded other albums that were scheduled for release, which is why this recording was shelved at the time and I always thought it needed a special occasion for me to release it. That moment is now.’

RADIOPHONICX - Only connect

Only connect - resistance and surveillance 

2-4pm 31st of January at Cobalt Studios, 10-16 Boyd Street, Newcastle NE2 1AP

Together we will listen to two fantastic audio pieces from Rumania and the UK. Both works explore how technology, radio or simply sound waves travelling through the air, can connect or disconnect us. What are the potentials and dangers attached to new and old communication technologies? I am sure this two very different radio pieces will inspire some interesting thoughts and discussion.

For more information: https://cobaltstudios.co.uk/events/radiophonicx-presents-only-connect/

Melissa Aldana "La Sentencia" (Official Video)

Melissa Aldana (tenor sax); Gonzalo Rubalcaba (piano); Peter Washington (bass); Kush Abadey (drums) + Cécile McLorin Salvant (vocal on 2 tks)

La Sentencia is the first single to be released from Aldana's forthcoming Blue Note album Filin which is Cuban/Spanish for feeling of which there's plenty of here. 

The Chilean saxophonist has one of the most beautiful tenor tones on the contemporary scene and it's no coincidence that Rollins, Lester and Don Byas are just some of the past icons whose sound have become embedded in her musical DNA.

Late Night Chicago Radio w. Denny Farrell (Jan. 22 - Jan. 28)

Zoot Sims: ? .

Sarah Vaughan: I'll String Along With You.

Terry Gibbs: The Summer Blues.

Benny Carter: ? .

Julie London: I'm in the Mood for Love.

Ruby Braff: I'll be Around.

Sam Cooke: I'm Lost.

Beegee Adair: How High the Moon?.

Johnny Hodges: Blue Moon/Perdido.

Flip Phillips: A Smooth One.

LISTEN 24/7.

R.I.P. Ralph Towner (1940 - Jan. 19, 2026)

© Ken Drew

The passing of guitarist Ralph Towner sent echoes of sadness across a music world of which jazz was only one of the many segments enhanced by his musicality.

Although an ECM recording artist for over 50 years he was equally comfortable playing classical guitar, straight ahead jazz, folk and blues often reverting to a 12 string guitar for the latter format.

In that memorable year 2018, BSH reviewed an outstanding concert by Towner and Norma Winstone (photo above) at the late lamented Gateshead International Jazz Festival - HERE.

A year earlier, I reviewed a solo guitar album by Ralph Towner - My Foolish Heart which contained a beautiful version of the title track. Played on classical guitar, it  will be a memory that will stay with me forever. Lance

Jazz on the Tyne Welcomes David Becker, Paul Wertico & ‘Tuxedo Man’

In this special edition of the podcast, presenter Colin Muirhead talks with Grammy and Emmy nominated guitarist David Becker and multiple Grammy Award winning drummer Paul Wertico.  David and Paul discuss their new album ‘Tuxedo Man’, as well as their own projects and Paul’s time playing in the Pat Metheny Group.  Together with tracks from ‘Tuxedo Man’, you’ll hear music by David Becker, the Pat Metheny Group, Bill Bruford with Ralph Towner and Eddie Gomez, plus the new single by Joe Steels.

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.

Stockport Jazz

This week Stockport Jazz welcomes the Munch Manship Quartet featuring Richard Wetherall (piano), Dave Lynane (bass) and Dave Hassell (drums).

Sunday January 25th

Every Sunday 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)

Album (EP) review: Oná Ensemble - Traces of Brazil, Voices of Toronto

Olivia Esther, Victor Prado (French horn); Sheba Thibideau (bassoon); Colleen Allen (reeds); André Valério (guitar, composer, arranger): Rich Brown (bass); Alan Hetherington (drums).

The instrumentation immediately drew my attention. I mean to say, 2 x French horns; 1 x bassoon; 3 x reeds (soprano sax, flute, clarinet) + guitar, bass, drums! Not the average line-up down at your local hot club.

Unless, that is, you live in Toronto where the Oná Ensemble are based. It's an ambitious and, ultimately, successful experiment. The voicings are harmonically pleasing teaming jazz and classical music over Latin rhythms into a musical rainbow. It's the sort of fusion first envisaged by forward thinkers such as Gil Evans, Claude Thornhill, Gunther Schuller, Miles Davis and Dave Brubeck. 

Ray Anthony - Randle's Island

Ray Anthony celebrates his 104th birthday today. The last living survivor of Glenn Miller's civilian band, the trumpet player later led his own band and appeared in several movies in the 1950s as well as having a big hit with his recording of the theme tune from the cop show Dragnet.

The above disc was supposedly a play on New York's Randall's Island although I seem to recall it referring to a New York disc jockey by the name of Randle. Whatever, it's a masterpiece of dance band arranging.

The  flip side, Marilyn, is a token of love to Ms. Monroe. As Anthony was married to another Hollywood blonde bombshell, Mamie Van Doren, it may have led to some domestic discontent!

Many happy returns. Lance