Rockin' @ the Coast

Sounds like a  good way to spend a Sunday afternoon down by the riverside at the Seahorse pub, Hillheads, Whitley Bay, North Tyneside NE25 8HP at 4:00pm on March 8.

More info when known. Lance

Late Night Chicago Radio w. Denny Farrell (Feb. 26 - March 4)

Dexter Gordon: Darn That Dream.

Tony Bennett: For Once in my Life.

Gene Harris: Girl Talk.

Scott Hamilton: 'Round Midnight.

Sarah Vaughan: Black Coffee.

Paul Desmond: Time After Tine,

Blossom Dearie: Manhattan.

Buck Clayton: After Hours.*

Beegee Adair: Sweet and Lovely.

* Dedicated to Lance and Bebop Spoken Here!

LISTEN 24/7

Strictly Smokin' Big Band featuring Giacomo Smith @ the Glasshouse - Feb. 27

© Russell

Michael Lamb (trumpet, MD); Giacomo Smith (clarinet); Keith Robinson, Steve Summers, Jamie Toms, Matt Forster, Sue  Ferris (reeds); Dick Stacey, Billy Bradshaw, Tom Ruston (trumpets); John Flood, Mark Ferris, Kieran Parnaby, Chris Kurgi-Smith (trombones); Dean Stockdale (piano); Michael Whent (bass guitar); Pawel Jedzejewski (guitar); Dave McKeague (drums); Alice Grace (vocals)  

© Sylvia

Over the years I have been fortunate to see and hear live many of the world's greatest jazz clarinettists including: George Lewis, Edmund Hall, Peanuts Hucko, Buddy DeFranco, Bob Wilber, Kenny Davern, Jimmy Hamilton, Vic Ash, Sandy Brown, Adrian  Cox and Alan Barnes.

I think you'll agree that that is quite an impressive list so that when I say that Giacomo Smith is now a worthy addition to that collection of big hitters you'll realise the greatness we had in our midst last night.

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

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

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

Requests: Jeff Barnhart, John Hallam, Blossom Dearie 

Rachel Sutton introduces her new album   

Nat King Cole  

Tim Garland and Geoffrey Keezer @ Capstone Theatre - February 26

Tim Garland (saxophones);  Geoffrey Keezer (piano}

This concert opened Liverpool International Jazz Festival (LIJF) 2026 hosted by the Capstone Theatre although there is a LIJF Fringe running concurrently featuring primarily local jazz musicians at different venues. Both musicians needed little introduction. Tim Garland has been one of the UK’s finest sax players for many decades and a renowned composer. Geoffrey Keezer born in Wisconsin, a Grammy winner and world class pianist, composer and bandleader. This concert was the second of three in three days the first at King's Place in London on 25 February to launch the album Mezzo. The duo played all tracks from the album which has a splendid front cover designed by Tim’s partner.

More from the Gala

Some extra photos  by Malcolm Sinclair from yesterdays  lunchtime gig @ the Gala Durham by the Joe Steels Group to add to Russell's review.

PHOTOS (scroll to end of photos).

REVIEW.

Joe Steels Group @ The Gala, Durham - Feb. 27

© Russell

Joe Steels (guitar); Ben Lawrence (keys); Andy Champion (double bass); John Hirst (drums)

A Blue Patch is Joe Steels' new album. The Joe Steels Group is touring it (the album) and Durham's Gala Theatre was on the itinerary. Greeted by an attentive full house, guitarist Steels, who composed all of the material we would hear across the allotted sixty minutes, fronted a stellar quartet, comprising rising star Ben Lawrence (keyboards), the incomparable Andy Champion (bass) and drummer extraordinaire, John Hirst.

Steels himself says his music has an optimistic streak running through it. It certainly has and it is refreshingly melody-laden. A Blue Patch was in the set list, of course it was. Two contrasting numbers - Between the Stars (a majestic, sprawling sweep of the night sky) and Witching Hour* (a searing, bop-inspired workout) were knockout highlights of the afternoon, in an afternoon of highlights.

Things are swingin'

Like the girl in the song and the film I can't help it. Can't help passing a charity shop that is, particularly when it's a Cats Protection outlet so this cat went in.

It's a small unit opposite Jarrow Town Hall in fact there's hardly room to swing a cat, as the saying goes.

However things were swingin' for this cat as the graphic shows and I came away not much lighter than when I'd gone in. I also bought a Paul Desmond album which wasn't swingin' at least not on the cover. Inside I'm sure will be different as he has Jim Hall, Gerry Mulligan and no Dave Brubeck alongside him.

I left behind a few Sarah Vaughans, Sinatras and Ellington's 70th Birthday double album which I thought I had but got home and found I hadn't! Maybe another trip down tomorrow...Lance

P.S. The previous owner of the Jonah Jones album signed his name on the back cover - G. Robinson. Could this have been the late George Robinson?

Album review: Dave Slonaker Big Band - Shifty Paradigms (Origin Records)

Dave Slonaker (MD, composer, arranger); Bob Sheppard (alto/soprano sax); Brian Scanlon (alto/soprano sax, flute); Rob Lockart, Tom Luer (tenor sax, clarinet); Adam Schroeder (baritone sax, bass clarinet, flute); Alex Iles, Charlie Morillas, Ido Meshulam (trombone); Bill Reichenbach (bass trombone, bass trumpet); Wayne Bergeron, Dan Fornero, Clay Jenkins, Ron Stout (trumpet); Ed Czach (piano); Andy Waddell (guitar); Edwin Livingston (bass); Peter Erskine (drums); Brian Kilgore (perc. tks 4 , 5, 8)

The third big band album from Hollywood based composer and arranger Slonaker assembles a collection of first call studio musicians for a recording that swings for today without paying too much attention to the past.

Every track stands out - not just for the arrangement which we take for granted will be of the highest order - but for the soloists who deliver the goods that the charts demand.

Jazz FM Awards 2026

The nominees for this year’s Jazz FM Awards, presented in collaboration with PPL and PRS for Music, have been announced today, once again spotlighting a vibrant cross-section of artists shaping the sound of jazz, soul and blues across the globe. 

Returning to KOKO in London on Thursday April 16^th, the Awards will celebrate exceptional creativity from emerging voices and internationally acclaimed performers alike.

Nominees:

Geordie Jazz Jam @ Pilgrim - Feb. 25

© Sylvia T

There was a good feelimg inside Pilgrim last night. The room was full of students determined to have fun. Some of them had instrument cases waiting to be opened by their owners who were all up for it.

The evening was organised by Jason Holcomb, the affable American Geordie trombonist who is currently the Head of Brass Studies at Newcastle University as well as being the Director of the Newcastle University Music Department Ensemble Programme.

Neil Yates Quintet @ Llandudno Jazz Club - Febr. 23

Dean Masser (tenor sax);  Neil Yates (trumpet};  Ric Weedon (drums);  Rich Harrold (keyboards); Joshua Cavanagh Brierley (double bass)

This concert saw the return to Llandudno of Dean Masser one of the UK’s top saxophone players and tutor to many of the younger generation of sax players such as Alex Clarke. Dean and Neil Yates have played together over several decades and their interplay on several tunes  was particularly rewarding to the audience

All the musicians are well known in Llandudno and further afield. From the Duke Ellington ballad In a Sentimental Mood to the upbeat Triste by one of the fathers of bossa nova Antonio Carlos Jobim the band showed they were comfortable with a wide range of tempos. I had seen Rick Weedon play in Liverpool the previous week in the Latin jazz group Katonga. Joshua is a regular at Llandudno and plays multiple times a week primarily in the north west. Rich is an in demand piano player and teacher based in Knutsford and I have seen him play numerous times in Liverpool and Llandudno.

Maja Bugge & Dave Evans - Live @ Union Lane, Brampton, Cumbria - Jan 24

Maja Bugge (cello); Dave Evans (piano)

The music created by Maja Bugge and Dave Evans enables the listener to immerse themselves fully in the subject matter of their carefully crafted compositions.

As well as their own compositions Maya adapts old folk songs from her native Norway into what is an utterly enchanting performance.

The almost minimalist approach to their playing leaves the space between the notes as an integral part in creating an evocative impression of the Norwegian landscape.

Evans’ lyrical piano perfectly complements Bugge’s imaginative cello and, although not an instrument you’d associate with jazz, in her hands it can go from delicate orchestral to a fat sounding funk and all ranges in between.

Wonderfully entertaining music from two masters of their craft – you’ll see, and hear, nothing quite like it. David Gosling 

Tina Carr - "Live @ the Mildmay" - Feb. 18

Tina Carr (vocal); Matt Robinson (piano, MD); Max Luthert (bass); Rod Oughton (drums); Tom Ollendorff (guitar); Kieran McLeod (trombone); Sam Newbould (alto sax); Mike Soper (trumpet); Àánú Sodipe (violin)

There are few album launches where an artist’s life, location and music fold so neatly into one another, but Tina Carr’s unveiling of Moon Over Mildmay at the Mildmay Club felt like exactly that kind of convergence.

A wet Wednesday night in Islington, a crowded Victorian hall glowing with anticipation, and a singer who has - remarkably - only been making music for seven to eight years..

Carr spoke to the audience between songs, a narrative that gave her music context and cut straight to the marrow of her musical journey.

Jazz on the Tyne heads towards Spring 2026

In the latest edition of the podcast, presenter Colin Muirhead previews upcoming gigs in the North East and showcases new music, with tracks by House of the Black Gardenia, Giacomo Smith, the Strictly Smokin’ Big Band, Matt Carmichael with Fergus McCreadie, the Brian Molley Quartet, Harben Kay, Trish Clowes, OUTRI, Nishla Smith, the Arnold Ludvig Quintet, and Knats.

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.

Preview: Tonight @ Pilgrim - Geordie Jazz Jam

Geordie Jazz Jam

Open mic jazz jam, hosted by the jazz performance students at Newcastle Uni. ALL jazzheads and musicians welcome!

Wednesday 25th February

Doors 7:30pm

Minimum age: 18

Tickets: Free Entry

Stockport Jazz

This Sunday Stockport Jazz welcomes the Max Rosen Trio and Maria Sanderson to the Moor Club. The trio features Max on piano with Peter Hartley (bass) and George Bingham (drums), and they will be joined by trumpeter Maria Sanderson. 

The concert is being co-promoted with Jazz North’s New Northern scheme to support the development of new emerging jazz talent across the region. 

Max Rosen is an exciting young pianist based in Manchester. Graduating with a first-class honours degree in Music from the University of Manchester, Max can be found across the North’s jazz scene, performing  at venues such as Matt and Phred’s, Band On The Wall, Co-op Live and The Cavern Club. His festival credits include We Out Here Fest, London, Manchester and Cheltenham Jazz festivals and has performed with artists such as Nikki Yeoh, Mark Armstrong, Max Beasley and Rachel Burnett from The Voice UK.

Album review: Ricky Alexander - Ragology (Turtle Bay Records)

Ricky Alexander (clarinet); Jerron Paxton (banjo, vocals); Conal Fowkes (piano); Bob Adkins (bass); Kevin Dorn (drums)

It does what it says on the tin and if it's not on the tin then it's in Colin Hancock's album notes. Hancock, is well known to those denizens of the Village Hotel down North Tyneside way and he provides useful information on the musicians and the tunes.

Alexander is dexterous and fluent on clarinet - a worthy successor to the late Ken Peplowski on that instrument? Maybe. Whatever, he can certainly dance around the instrument delivering a master class on a set of early 20th century rags and jazz  classics including some from Sidney Bechet and Jelly Roll Morton. 

In Tune with Garland & Keezer (Tuesday 24)

At five o'clock this afternoon Tim Garland and Geoffrey Keezer will be performing live in the In Tune studio. Mezzo, the duo's new album, to be released on Friday (Feb. 27), is bound to feature in their performance. Tune to In Tune, BBC Radio 3. Russell  

Album review: Aleph Aguiar - Sugar on my Blackbeans (Aleph Aguiar Records)

.

Aleph Aguiar (guitar); Quentin Collins (trumpet); Liam Dunachie (Hammond); Shane Forbes (drums); Will Fry (percussion)

Venezuelan born, UK based, guitarist Aguiar's third album is a nostalgic look at the Latin jazz that was emerging back in the 1960/70s by bands such as Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri.

Nine originals by Aguiar merge those Cuban influences with his Venezuelan heritage into a concept all his own and the perfect setting for his Montgomery/Martino inspired solos. Collins provides the perfect front-line partner with Aguiar pointing out how suited the trumpet is to Latin music and how well they complement each other. Equally important is Dunachie on the B3. Apart from his soulful solos he fills out the rhythm with juicy chords and accurate bass-lines. Forbes and Fry lay down the complex Latin grooves as if they'd been born and bred in Caracas.

Sunday night @ the Globe: Harben Kay Quartet - Feb. 22

© Russell

Harben Kay (tenor sax, alto flute); Peter Johnstone (piano); Ali Watson (double bass); Alyn Cosker (drums)

The Globe was at capacity. Seats were at a premium and on a person per square yard ratio probably had the edge on the Michael Jackson tribute concert at the nearby Utilita Arena.

The attraction? Scottish Young Jazz Musician of the Year Harben Kay touring their soon to be released EP Firn.

The material, all composed by Kay, in the main came from the new disc and the third of their three albums, The World I Live in. Indeed it was the title track of that last album with which they opened the first set.

Preview: Sunday night @ the Globe - Harben Kay Quartet.

Harben Kay (tenor sax, flute); Peter Johnstone (piano); Ali Watson (double bass); Alyn Cosker (drums)

Harben Kay is touring their new Firn EP stopping off at the Globe tonight - Feb. 22. With four of Scotland's finest on stage it promises to be an interesting and exciting concert of original material. Lance

TICKETS/INFO.

Soulful sax and a coffee to go @ Awesome Frank's, West Jesmond Metro Station, Newcastle - Feb. 21

At lunchtime yesterday, the recently opened Awesome Frank's cafe/coffee shop at West Jesmond Metro Station opened its doors (literally) to enable the soulful sounds of a saxophonist to greet/surprise arriving and departing commuters. Standing in the doorway, our saxophonist, working with backing tapes, was playing for fun and anyone taking the time to stop by for a few minutes. Russell   

Preview: Groove Crusade (The Cluny, March 20)

The Jazz Crusaders formed in the early sixties, later morphing into The Crusaders. The word 'Jazz' was dropped in the hope of winning a broader following. To a great extent it was a good move. Some fifteen years later, touring the world, the band rocked up at Newcastle City Hall. 

Playing to a full house that night, Wilton Felder (tenor sax), Wayne Henderson (trombone), Joe Sample (keyboards), drummer Stix Hooper were there, as was the band's new recruit, guitarist Larry Carlton. Perhaps at the height of their fame, Put It Where You Want It was, possibly, the jazz-funk masters' signature number.

Alex Clarke with the Dean Stockdale Trio @ Sunderland Minster - Feb. 20

© Ken Drew

Alex Clarke (alto sax); Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums) + Harry Keeble (tenor sax)

Earlier in the day, Alex Clarke was up the road in Newcastle and it made sense for all concerned that our alto saxophonist make the short trip to Sunderland to play a second gig of the day. The Old Black Cat Jazz Club was celebrating its second anniversary with a special concert presentation. The booking of one of the UK's busiest musicians, with the support of Sunderland Music City, would pay off in spades.     

Sunderland Minster is one of the region's bigger buildings and it was gratifying to see a large turn out for the award-winning Ms Clarke's first appearance on Wearside. A dj spinning jazz vinyl isn't what you might expect at a place like the Minster but that's exactly what we got. Volunteer run, as so many similar events are, the friendly 'congregation' (audience, photographers, videographers) generated a sense of community.

Late Night Chicago Radio with Denny Farrell (Feb. 19 - Feb. 25)

Diana Krall: Bésame Mucho.

Donald Byrd: Someone to Watch Over me.

André Previn: I Only Have Eyes For You.

Edward Hart: ? .

Ella Fitzgerald: In My Solitude,

Nat 'King' Cole: Sweet Lorraine.

? : At Last.

Django Reinhardt/Stéphane Grappelli: St Louis Blues.

Frank Sinatra: The Summer Wind.

? : Stairway to the Stars.

Norah Jones: I Can't Help Myself.

LISTEN 24/7

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

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

Playlist 22/02/26 (repeated Tuesday 24/02/26)

Mardi Gras: Wynton Marsalis Quintet, Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Harry Connick Jr.
Black History Month (USA) Billy Strayhorn, Nina Simone.

Memories: Count Basie Alumni Band, Buddy Tate.

New Releases: Brian Molley Quartet, Five-Way Split.

Seasonal: Jo Harrop/Paul Edis.

What’s On in the NE: Alan Barnes.

Requests: Keith Jarrett, Kenichi Tsunoda Big Band, Lizz Wright.

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

Single review: Jo Harrop If Ever I Would Leave You – Live in London (Wolf Star Records)

Jo Harrop (vocal); Paul Edis (piano); Jamie McCredie (producer)

There are moments in an artist’s life when a song, long associated with another era or another voice, becomes entirely reborn—claimed, reshaped, and inhabited so completely that it feels as though it always belonged to them. Jo Harrop’s new live single, If Ever I Would Leave You (from the musical Camelot), is one of those rare, alchemical transformations.

Harrop has made a career of taking well-worn material and revealing the emotional architecture beneath it—her critics have praised her “late-night hush,” “smoky intensity,” and “Ella-meets-Peggy Lee phrasing”—but nothing quite prepares you for the sheer depth she brings to this Robert Goulet classic. Recorded live in London, the performance captures what she does best: bending time, caressing lyrics until they glow, and honouring the song while gently rewriting its emotional grammar.

Knats to release A Great Day in Newcastle on Gearbox Records

Stanley Elvis Woodward (writer, arranger, bass guitar, synth bass, words & lyrics); King David Ike-Elechi (drums, percussion, arranger); Ferg Kilsby (trumpet, flugelhorn, co-writer, arranger); Cooper Robson (poetry reading); George Johnson (tenor sax); Sandro Shar (keys); Geordie Greep (producer) + assorted horns and strings)

This is way beyond my perception of jazz but, that is no criticism of Knats, it's more a criticism of my own inability to move with the times - I still play original vinyl, have a petrol driven car and watch black and white movies. I even read books! 

Knats has been given coverage in influential magazines such as DownBeat, Jazzwise, Jazz Journal and the Guardian among others which isn't bestowed upon just any group so whatever they're doing they're doing it right.

JATLP: Alex Clarke with the Dean Stockdale Trio - Feb. 20

© Sylvia

Alex Clarke (alto sax); Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (bass); Abbie Finn (drums)

The stars didn't change in their courses and the planets continued to orbit around the rarely seen Sun. The audience at the Lit and Phil's monthly lunchtime session wouldn't want it any other way. Even the Sun shone as if to say "I'm not going to spoil this one". Other than a busted reed, nothing could.

Opening with How Deep is the Ocean? Clarke's warm sound, rich toned deep vibrato  filled the body of the saxophone before emerging to reach every corner of the room. 

Body and Soul, surprisingly, was played over a bossa nova rhythm that didn't do any harm whatsoever.

Single review: Tony Adamo and the New York Crew - General T (from Tony Adamo in New York) (SanJaz Records)

Tony Adamo (voice/spoken-word); Tim Ouimette (trumpet); Donald Harrison (alto sax); Michael Wollf (piano); Richie Goods (bass). Mike Clark (drums)

One of the words ad hucksters frequently use, probably from their in-house shrinky-dinks - is “experience.” Examples are many: “Experience the luxury of fine leather,“ or “Experience that feeling of owning the road.” The suits have turned the word bland. Now when this reviewer tells you that listening to vocalist/spoken-word artist, Tony Adamo is an experience, I’m telling you that what you will hear covers a spectrum that will surprise, startle, and paint pictures, and in doing so, creates vivid experience.

Album review: Julie Benko - Euphonic Gumbo (Club44 Records)

Julie Benko (vocals); Jason Yeager (piano, B3 tks 1, 2, celeste tk 6, arranger); Andy Warren (trunpet, flugelhorn); Ron Wilkins (trombone); Linus Wyrsch (clarinet, tenor sax); Michael O'Brien (basses); Jay Sawyer (drums) + John Manzari (vocals tk 8, tap dance tks 4, 8); Evan Arntzen (tenor sax tk 10); Sasha Papernik (accordion tks 5, 9); Justin Poindexter (guitar, banjo tk 9); Gabe Terracciano (violin tk 9); Jim Caruso (announcer)

Benko, a renowned Broadway star and enthusiast of things New Orleans, leads an exuberant ensemble through a variety of genres making for an enjoyable 38 minutes.

Down in New Orleans Medley takes us on a Tuba Skinny style romp incorporating Bourbon Street Parade; Go to the Mardi Gras; and Basin Street Blues. Benko is au fait with the idiom and the band sound authentic.

Stockport Jazz

This week Stockport Jazz welcomes the Carole Williams/Helen Pillinger Counterpoint Quintet. The band comprises Helen Pillinger (tenor saxophone), Carole Williams (trombone/piano), Paul Hartley (guitar), Peter Hartley (bass) and Tim Franks (drums).

Sunday February 22nd 8-10pm, doors open at 7.30pm

£5 entry on the door, all welcome

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

R.I.P. Gordon Herrick (1940 - Feb. 18, 2026)

Just received the sad news that drummer Gordon Herrick passed away last night after a severe heart attack.

Gordon, who was a well known and much respected drummer on the thriving north east trad scene of the 1960s, played with the Clem Avery Band and later with the River City Jazzmen and the Phoenix Jazzmen. 

Preview: Ruth Lambert @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields - Sunday March 1

Ruth Lambert (vocals); Giles Strong (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass)

The event was initially programmed for this coming Sunday (Feb. 22) however, it will now take place one week later (March 1),

Ruth Lambert is a talented and versatile jazz singer based in the North east who has established herself in recent years as one of the UK's most classy and distinctive jazz vocalists. Ruth brings her trio to the Juke Shed for an afternoon of jazz and Great American Songbook: 3:00pm - 5:00pm. Free.

"Attending a Ruth Lambert vocal masterclass is to hear the GASbook impeccably sung." - Bebop Spoken Here

Jazz @ the Chapel - Feb. 1

Another great afternoon at The Chapel (TS5 4BY) this time with two brilliant guests, Donna Hewett on sax and Bill Watson on trumpet: WATCH/LISTEN!

These jazz concerts take place on the 1st Sunday of every month and are attracting a regular audience of jazz lovers from all over the North East.

 

It's a great atmosphere, real ale is available along with hot food and it's nowt, for those not from these parts that's 'nothing', to get in to see some of the best live music in the North East.

 

Next concert is on Sunday the 1st of March, 1.00 - 3.00, and the guest player is the renowned saxophonist Dan Johnson. KEEP MUSIC LIVE. Adrian Beadnell

John Pope & John Garner @ Northumbria University - Feb. 17

John Pope (double bass); John Garner (violin)

Northumbria University's Sutherland Building is home to a weekly, term time Tuesday lunchtime concert series. This afternoon two of Tyneside's premier improvisers would present half a dozen pieces to a select, but attentive, audience. Composers and compositions would be familiar to most, if not all, present. 

Without fanfare, John Pope (double bass) and John Garner (violin) began their half hour performance by taking another look at Carla Bley's Egyptian. The composition is often heard in a large ensemble setting. The two Johns have form in this regard, they were up for the challenge of making something of it as a duo. And make something of it they did! Anthony Braxton is a touchstone. Our intrepid duo opted to play the octogenarian's Composition 40-F, their near-constant eye contact a noticeable feature of the performance. Afterwards, Garner made reference to the Batman theme, a reference noted by your correspondent during the performance of the piece.     

Album review: Louis Stewart - Joyce Notes (Livia Records)

Louis Stewart (guitar, composer); Eamon Morrissey (narration); Jim Doherty (piano); Brian Dunning (flute); Len McCarthy (alto sax); Richie Buckley (tenor sax); Steve LaSpina (bass); Bobby Rosengarden (drums); Peter Ainscough (percussion)

When a CD sized package with an Irish postmark drops through my letterbox I don't need to call in Sherlock O'Holmes to deduce that it's from Livia Records and that it may well contain previously unreleased or rediscovered recordings by guitar legend the late Louis Stewart, pianist Jim Doherty, flautist Brian Dunning and one or other or both of the brothers Buckley.

Although the album has only one Buckley (Richie) the others and more were present when it was recorded live at the Cork Jazz Festival in October 1982.

Album review: Chris Laurence - Ken Wheeler: Some Gnu Ones (Jazz in Britain)

Chris Laurence (bass) + Frank Ricotti (vibes tks 1, 2); Martin France (drums tks 1, 2); Rita Manning (violin), Bill Hawkes,Katie Wilkinson (violas), Nick Cooper, Ian Burdge (cellos), (strings tk 1); John Parricelli (guitar tks 2,3); Tom Walsh (flugelhorn tk 3)

Bassist, Chris Laurence (and long time collaborator of Kenny Wheeler) recorded three Wheeler compositions in 2020 six years after Wheeler’s death in 2014. Some Gnu Ones was released in 2021 by the newly formed Jazz In Britain label and is available on CD, digital and vinyl.

Opening night upstairs @ Ronnie's - A New Room, a New Chapter - Feb. 6

© Kate Wright

Dana Masters (vocals); Cian Boylan (piano); Freddie Gavita (trumpet)

After over 18 months hidden behind scaffolding with the door policy changed to No hard hat, no entry. Upstairs at Ronnie’s emerged not with a whisper, but with a knowing smile. The roof has been raised, the sight-lines sharpened, the acoustics honed. Where once there was the charm of faded Bohemia, there is now a refined intimacy - warm lighting, crisp sound, and the feeling that every note lands directly in your lap.

 

The opening night carried that delicious tension of something reborn. Staff quietly proud. Audience curious. Musicians ready to christen the space properly.

 

Enter Dana Masters, her performance – Intimate, Fearless, Joyfully Human.

 

Joe Steels Group @ Blaydon Jazz Club - Feb. 16

Joe Steels (guitar); Ben Lawrence (keyboards); Andy Champion (double bass); John Hirst (drums)

Joe Steels is touring his new album. A Blue Patch, currently available as a download with vinyl to follow, would be given an airing here Blaydon Jazz Club. On a dry, but cold evening, a good number of folk made the effort. Joe, Ben Lawrence, Andy Champion and John Hirst arrived on Bridge Street well ahead of the punters to set up and run through one or two numbers.

Round the Block for starters, appropriately the first track on the new album, found Joe in typically melodic, flowing form. The Black Bull's audience would hear more than new material and, for the remainder of the first set, Joe revisited his back catalogue: The Wait with its swing section and Andy Champion laying down a first rate bass solo, Fingal's Cave, a drum feature for John Hirst, Dew Drops and The Wandering Herd (a tune about, or inspired by, cows!) with superlative extended guitar playing by bandleader Joe.

Neil Yates Quartet @ the Moor Club, Stockport - Feb. 15

Neil Yates (trumpet, tenor sax; vocals); Andrzej Baranek (keyboards); Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley (bass); Rick Weedon (drums).

Neil Yates was actually born in Stockport and now resides in North Wales where he  can be regularly heard at a small pub near Llandudno - the Penryn Arms on Monday nights. I intend to visit this venue at the earliest opportunity.  For tonight's gig Neil was backed by a superb trio including a drummer new to me, Rick Weedon, who did some tasty brushwork on the Louis Armstrong tune  Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?. I used to own an EP of Louis doing this number with Jack Teagarden which I liked a lot. 

Sunday night @ the Globe: Yorkshire Gypsy Swing Collective - Feb. 15

Lewis Kilvington, Martin Chung (guitars); James Munroe (double bass); Derek Magee (violin); Christine Pinkard (clarinet) 

The Yorkshire Gypsy Swing Collective come from across Yorkshire, but had not played north of the Tees previously, although hopefully they'll be back. They do exactly what it says on the tin! Gypsy jazz bands tend to call themselves Hot Club de Somewhere, and although this band bucked that trend, they were certainly hot last night, swinging like crazy from the first note.