Back in the 1950s/1960s there seemed to be a wealth of organ trios - Jimmy Smith, Brother Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, Billy Preston and a million more. In America you got the impression that every corner bar and juke joint had one. In the UK it began with a trickle, the late Mike Carr, Brian Auger Trinity, Alan Haven and today, in Newcastle, Gerry Richardson.
Over the border in Scotland, PRIME, led by guitarist Kevin MacKenzie, continue the tradition doing what it says on the tin and playing standards. Unlike their forebears the emphasis is on the standards. More melodic and less blues/funk/soul orientated although none of those elements are totally missing - how could they be with a tried and trusty Hammond B3 in the mix?
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| © Richard Morris |
My first visit
to the Swan and Chequers, Sandbach a modern, recently refurbished bar in the
historic market town of Sandbach, Cheshire. Housed in a late nineteenth century
corn exchange, it features an open plan interior, a large outdoor courtyard
beer garden with a dog friendly policy. It hosts regular events such as live
music including jazz and community gatherings.
This free concert featured five of the UK’s very best jazz musicians. Led by stellar sax player and composer Kyran Matthews who I have seen play on previous occasions as indeed I had with all the other musicians save for David Austin Grey the renowned pianist from Birmingham who I was seeing for the first time. I have seen Jamie play in various ensembles to include with Dean Stockdale and Trio JDM. Luke Flowers is a longstanding member of the Cinematic Orchestra since 2000 and has worked with artists such as Corinne Bailey Rae, Roots Manuva and Matthew Halsall. I rarely go more than a few weeks without seeing Josh Cavanagh-Brierley so busy is he mainly on the North West Jazz scene and elsewhere. He is a composer too with a new album out on August 7 titled The Mild Mannered and the Mortal.
Recorded live at Dizzy's Club in NYC Renovation poses the question as to why Benny Green's name wasn't in the shuffle for a mention in this year's Annual DownBeat Critics Poll? On the strength of this solo piano album he could lock Steinways with any of those who did.
Green's playing can be bluesy, funky, soulful, balladic or none of those things. Like Paul Edis last night he can slot in a stride chorus at the drop of a hat and make it feel so right.
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| © Sylvia |
On www.purejazzradio.com (from NYC) on Mondays at 12PM, Fridays at 6AM and Saturdays at 7AM- NYC time. (5 hours later in the UK)
My next show will be broadcast starting Monday, 3 August. New releases from the likes of Alan Skidmore and Paul Dunmall, Zoë Gilby, Per Ekdahl, Chris Lee/Eleonora Kouneni, James Chadwick and Dave and Judith O'Higgins.
None of the above shows are available on a catchup option.
There is something quietly refreshing about Dreaming in Blue. At a time when many vocalists feel compelled to reinvent the Great American Songbook, Carrie Hamilton instead places her trust in the songs themselves, approaching them with warmth, honesty and a clear respect for the tradition. The result is an EP that feels intimate, elegantly produced and rooted in genuine musicianship.
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| © Russell |
