Album review: Sam Barsh, Mark Guiliana, Keyon Harrold - Straight08 (La Reserve)

Sam Barsh (keys/synths); Keyon Harrold (trumpet); Mark Guilliana (drums)

Another overlooked gem. This time by a trio of like-minded souls who between them composed all but three of the eleven tracks. Freddie Hubbard's Little Sunflower and two versions of Monk's Green Chimneys being the others.

With the three musicians joined at the hip I'm hesitant to pass individual judgement but, to my ears, Harrold's trumpet playing is what stands out, what makes the album special. His tone and technique hints at tomorrow whilst his yesterday moments hit just the right balance.

Initially I was a tad less enthusiastic about the sounds emerging from Barsh's keyboards. However, the more I listened the more musical those 'noises' become. With Harrold it was love at first blast with Barsh it's a love that gradually matured. Guiliana's intricate drum patterns are like a cyclist's heartbeat in Le Tour at the top of Alpe d'Huez. Throughout he links the other two turning three individual voices into one.

Jazz Score 2026

Listening to the archival Jazz Score on BBC Sounds got me to thinking (always a dangerous exercise) who would be the panelists if it were broadcast live today?

As Digby Fairweather is, to the best of my knowledge, the only survivor from the original participants he would be chosen by rite of passage. Alan Barnes, Pete Long, Nigel Price and Simon Spillett would also be good to provide stories and memories with Andy Hudson curating the affair. Any other obvious choices? Lance

The Tannery Jam Session @ Tannery, Hexham - August 12

© Russell

Living in Northumberland means that it is not as easy as it used to be to pop out from Newcastle to local jazz gigs, but this is more than compensated by the beautiful Northumberland countryside and coast, particularly during a summer like this one.

However, jazz fans exist in all parts of the country so I have found jazz gigs in Rothbury, Warkworth and Hexham and others I couldn't get to in Amble, Alnmouth, Berwick and Blyth.

Having heard a lot about Joe Steels and been to a few of the jazz gigs he has curated at the Queen's Hall in Hexham, the jam session he organises in the Tannery pub seemed like a good opportunity to find out more about jazz in Hexham.

Sunday night @ the Globe: Tango Jazz Quartet - August 30

© Sheila

Having seen the band on several of their previous visits I was primed for an enjoyable evening of tango jazz - a combination of genres that works well. Then the rumble of thunder became a roar and lightning crackled across the sky so I decided to take a 'raincheck' and instead tuned into djazz and watched live concerts by Jamie Cullum and Jazzmeia Horn - I should have braved the weather!*

Press release: Tonight @ the Globe - Tango Jazz Quartet

The Globe proudly presents Tango Jazz Quartet a wonderful and creative collision of Argentinian Tango and Jazz roots.

With 10 albums released 31 international tours made, including 7 consecutive years in UK, the band performed in the most prestigious jazz clubs and festivals in Europe, USA, China, Russia, South America and Africa.

TJQ is distinguished by its innovative approach to interpreting Argentine Popular Music and by its constant activity and innovation in its musical offerings. The music of Tango Jazz Quartet ranges from traditional tango to the music of Astor Piazzolla, without ever leaving the realm of jazz.

Frank Griffith Radio Show- THE JAZZ CAVERN

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)

None of the above shows are available on a catch up option.

This Monday (August 31) Frank features previously unissued tracks by Tubby Hayes.

Jazz Score

Remember the BBC radio programme Jazz Score? It's long gone and sadly missed by those of us who remember it.

Fortunately for those who didn't there's an example on BBC Sounds where Benny Green hosts Humph, Ronnie, Digby and Bob Wilber who have a host of funny stories to tell. 

Paul Grainger sent me The link which can be opened HERE. Thanks Paul.

Also, you might also check out The Best of Jazz Score compiled by Roy Pellett. Lance

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

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

Playlist 30/08/26 (repeated Tuesday 01/09/26)

Memories: Charlie Parker with Miles Davis.

Requests: Louis Armstrong, Branford Marsalis Quartet & Dianne Reeves, Ben Webster/Johnny Hodges, Havana Swing, Gato Barbieri, Art Pepper Quartet.

Memories: Dinah Washington, Kenny Dorham. 

Peace: Horace Silver.

What’s on in the NE: Alligator Gumbo.

Memories: Lester Young.

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

Graham Hardy Eclectic Quartet @ Gala, Durham - Aug. 28

© Malcolm Sinclair

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

A bank holiday weekend of competing attractions didn't deter the Jazz at the Gala faithful. A programme of Graham Hardy compositions, plus Clifford Brown's Daahoud and Romberg and Hammerstein's When I Grow Too Old to Dream, attracted a good crowd to the Gala Theatre's top floor studio space. 

John Bradford's N'Awlins drum pattern set up the opening number, Gumbo Time. The tune could be described as 'trade mark Hardy'. Indeed the Northern Monkeys would have some fun with this one. Step Five referenced the five note pentatonic scale. The musicians in the audience were hip to it, the rest of us took Hardy's word for it. 

Press release: From the Royal Albert Hall to Riding Mill: International musician brings unique sound journeys to the North East

A North East musician whose remarkable career has taken him from Gosforth to some of the world’s most famous concert halls is returning to his roots with a mission to use music to promote relaxation and wellbeing.

Nick Able, originally from Gosforth and now living in rural County Durham, has spent more than two decades performing alongside legendary Indian sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar and his daughter, internationally acclaimed musician Anoushka Shankar. Having played in venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall in New York and the Sydney Opera House, Nick is now bringing his unique wellness-inspired performances to audiences across the North East.

His latest venture will see him performing immersive “sound journeys” at prestigious venues throughout the region, including Wentworth Grange, a luxury residential and nursing hotel for the elderly in Riding Mill, where guests, including members of the aristocracy and those with distinguished backgrounds will experience a relaxing blend of music, meditation and storytelling.

Album review: Rachael Calladine – Soho Elegy (Kickspin Records)

Rachael Calladine (vocals); Adrian York (piano, keyboards); Pat McCarthy (guitar); Andy Tytherleigh (bass); Si Potts (drums); James McMillan (trumpet) 

There is something wonderfully appropriate about Rachael Calladine launching an album called Soho Elegy at Crazy Coqs, buried beneath the bustle of London’s West End and only a short walk from the clubs and rooms that helped shape her musical life.

Because this is more than an album with Soho in its title. Soho Elegy feels like a record about memory: about places, people, late nights, mistakes, relationships and that peculiar mixture of glamour and loneliness that has always existed around the edges of Soho after dark.

Calladine knows that world.

Remembering Bill Shaw ten years on.

It's hard to get my head around the fact that it was ten years today that my dear friend, second cousin, artist, cartoonist, drummer and seeker of wisdom and truth, Bill Shaw left us.

Bill was no follower of fashion, it was fashion that followed him. He lived for the moment, didn't suffer fools gladly and often showed them the error of their ways.

As a drummer he was sympathetic to his surroundings irrespective of the genre.

He was a unique person who, once you'd met him, you knew you'd been met and you never forgot it.

Silver Lakes @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead - Aug. 27

Priya-Rose Tember (piano, vocals); Isaac Jae Hornby (guitar, vocals)

A fleeting visit to the Glasshouse to purchase concert tickets coincided with a Live at Lunch session. The concourse cafe was doing brisk business as a fair few folk were there to listen to Silver Lakes. Priya-Rose Tember and Isaac Jae Hornby, graduates of Newcastle University, are Silver Lakes. Our duo have been working together for a while, playing a variety of gigs: corporate, function and this Gateshead Quays lunchtime engagement.

Oliver Jones @ Newcastle Jazz Festival 1992

The recent passing of pianist Oliver Jones prompted Peter Bevan to send me his review of Jones' concert at the 1992 Newcastle Jazz Festival which was published in his weekly column in the Northern Echo.

It seems as though there were quite a few obstacles to overcome before the concert actually got underway.

I guess the end result was worth it.

Thank you Peter for this memory of the past. Lance

Late Night Chicago Radio with Denny Farrell (Aug. 27 - Sept. 3)

Miles Davis/John Coltrane: 'Round Midnight.

Chet Baker: Little Man You've Had a Busy Day.

Buck Clayton Jam Session: Blue Lou.

Dinah Washington: Since I Fell For You.

Harry James: Moten Swing.

Buck Clayton Jam Session: After Hours.

Count Basie/Joe Williams: In the Evening.

Marian McPartland: How Deep is the Ocean?.

Joe Pass: Sophisticated Lady.

Rosemary Clooney: Pennies From Heaven.

LISTEN 24/7

Dolly Parton (1946-August 25, 2026)

Dolly Parton may not have been a jazz singer but she was unsurpassable in her own field (country music). Her songs were well written, the lyrics meaningful and the voice one to have you sashaying down to your nearest barn dance.

Her career was astronomical. World tours including Newcastle in 2014. Upon the announcement of her death Dolly's charitable work was acknowledged on our local tv station. Thousands of songs, covered by many but never eclipsed nor, God forbid, reimagined.

Even at 80 I felt she'd eventually get her man back from that Jolene.

Rest In Peace.

Lance

Press release: Durham Jazz Festival sees strong ticket demand ahead of inaugural event

© John Lyons Photography

Durham Jazz Festival is seeing strong demand ahead of its inaugural event this October, with its first show now sold out and several more performances approaching capacity.

Newcastle jazz band Knats became the first act to sell out following the announcement of their 2026 Mercury Prize nomination, adding to growing excitement around the three-day festival, which takes place across Durham City from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October.

Knats are among 12 artists shortlisted for the prestigious award, with their album A Great Day In Newcastle competing alongside releases from major names including Olivia Dean, Paul McCartney and RAYE.

Following widespread coverage of the nomination, tickets for the band's Durham Jazz Festival appearance at Fabio's Bar on Saturday 24 October sold out. The performance comes just two days after the Mercury Prize winner is announced at Newcastle's Utilita Arena.

Recording wanted

Hi Lance, cast your mind back to 1988 and the Newcastle Jazz Festival. I'm sure you probably attended it. One of the shows was a concert called Woody's Winners with Ray Chester's big band. We played a full programme of Woody Herman arrangements. Here are a couple of links with more details. https://jimsgarage007.weebly.com/newcastle-jazz-fest.html

jimsgarage007.weebly.com

I would love to hear the recording. I remember the saxophone section was Matty Hutchinson (lead alto/clarinet)/ Bill Smith (tenor/alto); Syd Warren (1st tenor); Mark Toomey (tenor); Stan Coates (baritone). I, Mark Toomey, am the only surviving member of the section! 

Album review: Fuller Sound - Dynasty vol. 2 (Cellar Music Group)

Tia Fuller (alto sax, vocals); Shamie Fuller-Royston (piano)

A delightful duo album by two sisters that, to my eternal shame, has lain unplayed in my in-tray for too long.  But that's way it goes when you're targeted by the unrelenting army of P.R. hustlers out there.

Still class will out and justice finally prevailed.

Dynasty is very much Fuller family related. Whether it be an original by themselves or pieces by Sam Rivers, Freddie Hubbard or Horace Silver all are inspired by family members past and present.

Washington D.C. Newsflash

Drummer Chuck Redd didn't like it when the Kennedy Center added President Donald Trump's name to the building.

He registered his disapproval by cancelling his band's annual Christmas Eve concert at the Kennedy Center - a gig he has played and hosted for the past two decades. The center took legal action against Redd but the Judge dismissed the case awarding Redd legal costs of over $250,000.

The center is appealing the decision. Trump's name has since been removed.

Michael Young Trio CANCELLED!

This evening's Michael Young Trio concert at Newcastle Arts Centre's Black Swan has been cancelled. Keep your eyes peeled for a rescheduled date. In the meantime, you can catch Michael's trio at Sunderland's Engine Room (that's the pub adjoining the impressive Fire Station venue) on Sunday 20th September. 2:30pm start, free admission. Russell   

More from the Big Phat Pod

Thanks to Nick Mondello for this Big Phat Pod episode (14)

Album review: Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves - Dedicated to You (Blue Note)

Dianne Reeves (vocal); Branford Marsalis (tenor/soprano sax); Joey Calderazzo (piano); Eric Revis (bass); Justin Faulkner (drums).

Given that this is John Coltrane's centenary year it's not surprising that tributes are being paid both in concert and on record. One of the albums that has provided fertile fodder for the tributes is the 1963 Impulse recording Trane made with Johnny Hartman.

The original is one of the all-time great vocal albums. It can sit proudly alongside the Sinatras, Bennetts, Lady Days or any other recording artists that you care to mention. The question posed here is who takes the Hartman role? Whose voice is low enough and rich enough to carry it off?

Press release: Copasetic Foundation Programme

This amazing summer isn’t over yet, and there are plenty of Copasetic events coming as we head into September: see below for details.

Monday 31st August (afternoon)

Battersea Park In Concert, Battersea Park London SW11 4NJ: Ineza & Women’s Words, Sisters’ Stories.  Supporting the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra, the dynamic Rwandan-Belgian vocalist leads a band dedicated to female-written jazz repertoire, including works by Norma Winstone, Billie Holiday,  Jazzmeia Horn, Betty Carter and many others.  With Alex Webb (piano), Charlie Pyne (bass), Sophie Alloway (drums) and Noushy (trombone).  For tickets & info:  Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra — Battersea Park in Concert

 

Press release: Rare live outing for guitar legend Louis Stewart’s Joyce Notes

First performance in over thirty years.

Dublin-based Livia Records celebrates the release of legendary guitarist Louis Stewart’s Joyce Notes with a live performance of the album featuring leading Irish drummer Conor Guilfoyle’s septet and actor Barry McGovern at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin on Thursday  September 3.

Commissioned for Cork Jazz Festival in 1982, Joyce Notes is a six-part suite based on scenes from James Joyce’s groundbreaking novel, Ulysses. It was premiered by Stewart, with an all-star Irish-American octet and narration by Irish character actor Eamon Morrissey, but was only performed twice more, once in Oslo with a local band and Norwegian text, and once in Dublin in 1993.

R.I.P. Mike Waller

Just received the sad news of the passing of Mike Waller. Mike, an all-round pianist, composer and educator, was well known as a lounge pianist at the Grand Hotel in Tynemouth circa 2015. He was a regular member of various rock and blues bands, taught music in several schools on North Tyneside and occasionally dropped in at local jam sessions. 

The above photo was taken on just such an occasion at the old Jazz Café on Pink Lane (Nov. 15, 2016). 

There was so much more.

There's quite a few clips on YouTube that give an idea of his talent. LINK.

Mike was, I think, 72 when he left us on August 22 (?).

A nice guy who will be sadly missed.

Lance

Durham Alumni Big Band & more @ Darlington Market Square - Aug. 22

Durham Alumni Big Band: Shaune Eland (MD), Ian Robinson, Jonny Dunn, Kevin Eland, Andrew Meadowcroft (trumpets); Andrew Kirtley, Terry O'Hern, Alastair White, Paul Gilson (trombones); Dan Johnson (tenor sax); Jo ? (tenor sax); Steve McGarvie (alto sax, soprano sax); Kirsty Dunn (alto sax); Danielle Drew (baritone sax); Paul Donnelly (guitar); Dave Archbold (piano); Amy Baker (bass); Stephen Fletcher (drums)

The clouds parted, the sun shone, just what Dr Jazz ordered. In a rare outing for the award-winning Durham Alumni Big Band, MD Shaune Eland fielded a near full strength line-up at Darlington Market Square. Tables and chairs set out for the punters (lots of 'em - tables, chairs and punters), beers, coffees, teas and nibbles a-plenty, the scene was set fair.

I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' (from Gershwin's stately Porgy and Bess), Bernie's Tune (from the pad of the late Al Wood), a distinctive arrangement of Sophisticated Lady (Steve McGarvie, alto sax, soloing), we were treated to a rather eclectic set list.

David Gray Flextet @ Sunderland Minster - Aug. 21

David Gray (trombone, vocals); Pete Tanton (trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals); Alan Law (keyboards); Paul Grainger (double bass); Michael Mather (drums)

The irrepressible David Gray rocked up at Sunderland Minster with his Flextet. This evening's Flextet would comprise trumpeter Pete Tanton, pianist Alan Law, opting to play a keyboard (the venue's acoustic piano given the night off), bassist Paul Grainger and drummer Michael Mather. The venue, the promoter and the musicians were delighted to see a good turn out. 

From Walker With Love - Ralph Hutchinson

Researching for more information on Walker-born trombonist Ralph Hutchinson I came across this Storyville album on BANDCAMP of 1953/4 radio broadcasts from the Club Hangover in San Francisco by Muggsy Spanier with Ralph on trombone.

Ralph holds his own with the illustrious names surrounding him and has an extended feature on Basin St. Blues.

Album review: Sullivan Fortner - Leave That in There (Artwork)

Sullivan Fortner (Steinway D piano, synths, B3, vocals); Kayvon Gordon (drums, perc.); Tyron Allen ll (double bass, Moog Sub 37); Jack DeBoe (perc., background vocals)

Difficult for me to equate with what's going on here with all these synths and things making sounds that are barely music let alone jazz. Then, like a break in the clouds, the Fortner that I know and love from his previous album the Grammy-winning Southern Nights, bursts through and normal service is, more or less, resumed. Of course these are fragmentary moments and the electronic effects are never too far away.

Album review: Paula Jeanine Bennett & Richard X Bennett - Amaryllis 2 (Ropeadope Records)

Paula Jeanine Bennett (lyrics, vocals, perc.); Richard X Bennett (music, piano, melodica, production)

The Brooklyn-based couple, Paula Jeanine and Richard X Bennett, composed the eleven new art songs on Amaryllis 2 which are primarily about love, pain and the natural world although you don't need me to tell you. One listen or even just reading the track titles will suffice.

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

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

Playlist 23/08/26 (repeated Tuesday 25/08/26)

Seasonal: Andy Schumm & the Fat Babies.

Requests from the John Settle gig: Milt Jackson, Lionel Hampton/Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins, Count Basie, Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, Ninine Garcia, Enrico Pieranunzi Trio, Quincy Jones.

Memories: Jack Teagarden, Miles Davis, Art Farmer.

New Release: Tara Minton.

Memory: Jimmy Rushing.

What’s on in the NE: Brian Jackson.

Peace: Tim Boniface. 

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

Happy Birthday Kim

Today (August 22) is Kim Parker's 80th birthday. Kim, stepdaughter of both Charlie Parker and Phil Woods, inspired 'Bird' to pen this tune for her.

Thank you Nick Mondello for drawing this to my attention.

We wish her the very best. Lance

Jazz @ the Lit & Phil: Andrzej Baranek Trio - August 21

© Patti

Andrzej Baranek (piano); Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley (bass); Dave Walsh (drums)

Two days, two gigs, two trios. Last night a young band on a voyage of discovery. This lunchtime a trio of seasoned campaigners on the same journey but someway further along the line. Both did what they do do well so to make comparisions would be pointless.

Once again the Lit and Phil was sold out and justifiably so. Baranek doesn't make too many trips across the Pennines so that when he does it's a gig not to be missed.

The emphasis was on highlighting compositions by some of jazz's greatest piano masters with a particular leaning towards bebop and its offspring kicking off with Tadd Dameron's Our Delight which couldn't have been more appropriately named judging by the audience reaction - they liked it! Lullaby of Birdland is always a crowd pleaser and today was no exception. I particularly liked the fact that, rather than clone Shearing, Baranek was very much his own man.

Promenading for Miles - tonight (Friday 21st)

If you listened last night (BBC Radio3), you'll want to watch it tonight. If you didn't listen last night, you'll want to watch it tonight. What's that? You ask. BBC Proms...a tribute to Miles Davis is BBC Four's screening of last night's Prom featuring American trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire in a salute to Miles Dewey Davis (marking the centenary of the trumpeter's birth, b. 25. 5. 1926). Tune to BBC Four at 8:00pm. If you're so inclined, you could watch a repeat at half past two in the morning (Saturday morning). Russell

Edson Angus Trio @ the Black Swan, Newcastle - August 20

© Patti

Jascha Bingham (keys); Jamie Watkins (double bass); Edson Angus (drums, leader, composer)

The gig was billed as by the Edson Angus Quartet but I only counted three players so it begun as a trio and finished as a trio. When David Gray turned up during the interval I thought he might be the missing link but no, he was just passing through. Still it was a stellar performance by the trio, with all hands to the pump to contain the fire being ignited in the performance area.

I'd heard Bingham and Watkins in various settings but Angus was a new name to me - a one to remember. Watkins I only remembered as an electric bassist but he proved equally adept and agile on the larger instrument. He soloed at great length sometimes at too great a length. However, what he was putting down was always interesting and relevant.

Late Night Chicago Radio with Denny Farrell (Aug. 20 -Aug. 26)

John Coltrane: The Wise One.

Norah Jones: Come Away With me.

Blossom Dearie: If You Don't Like my Peaches.

Johnny Hodges: Things Ain't What They Used to be.

Modern Jazz Quartet: Django.

Lee Wiley: I've Got a Crush on You.

Gerry Mulligan: Moondreams.

Roy Eldridge. Black and Blue.

Billie Holiday: St. Louis Blues.

Stan Getz: Desafinado.

Lou Rawles: 'Tain't Nobody's Business if I do.

Eddie Harris: ? .

LISTEN 24/7.

Preview: Ambrose plays Miles - tonite, Radio 3

In the centenary year of the birth of Miles Davis, the 2026 BBC Proms couldn't pass up the opportunity to mark the occasion. This evening, live from the Albert Hall, American trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire and an all-star jazz band joins conductor Miho Hazama and the BBC Concert Orchestra in a programme of Gershwin, Falla, Rodrigo, Weill and more (including several of Gil Evans' arrangements). Tune to Radio 3 at seven o'clock. Russell

Valery Ponomarev @ The Jazz Bar, Edinburgh - Aug. 19

Valery Ponomarev (trumpet); Tim Armacost (tenor sax); Paul Kirby (piano); Brian Shiels (double bass); Max Popp (drums)

Leaving the former Soviet Union for America in the 70s, Valery Ponomarev first emerged on the international scene as Art Blakey's favoured candidate to occupy the coveted Jazz Messenger trumpet chair. Predecessors included storied names: Dorham, Morgan, Hubbard et al. Successors would include Wynton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, starry names indeed. After a stint of some four years, Ponomarev quit the Messengers to embark upon a career as an international touring artist.

For the last thirty three years Valery Ponomarev has made an annual appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe. Thirty three years! Clearly the Fringe likes Ponomarev and on the evidence of the first night in a run of five at this year's gathering, Ponomarev likes the Fringe, the Jazz Bar in particular.  

Album review: ONMO - In Time and Spirit

Jean de Talhouët (guitar); Jonathan Chung (tenor); Mike Soper (trumpet); Rupert Cox (piano/keys); Huw V. Williams (bass); Joost Hendrickx (drums)

Lapse begins gently although you sense there's something lurking beneath the surface ready to spring. Nice comfortable guitar solo belies the feeling - but not for long. Soper's trumpet solo increases the tension with Chung upping the ante further and, almost imperceptibly the cauldron's on the boil the two horns spicing it up.

Inner Games begins rich in harmonies. Soper's solo has more than a suggestion of Miles about it. Guitar and piano are quite mellow when it's their turn whilst Chung stays out of the action - his day will come. Available on DL or LP - that would have been the end of the A-side in the latter format.

Coltrane @ the City Hall

Unsurprisingly the September issue of Jazzwise is, in the main, dedicated to John Coltrane. It being his centenary year there is a nine-page tribute to the great man. What is surprising is that, amongst those nine pages, there is a two page article by pianist, critic, author Brian Priestley writing about Coltrane's concert at Newcastle City Hall  on November 14, 1961.

I too was there and I hated it! At that stage of my lifetime journey into jazz Bird and Dizzy were about as far as I'd got. Fortunately the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet were top of the bill so at least I left without demanding my money back!

Previw: Jazz @ the Chapel - Sept. 6

Well, there's another fantastic afternoon of jazz taking place on Sunday 6th of September between 1.00 and 3.00 at The Chapel in Middlesbrough (TS5 4BY).* Our guest, and back by popular demand, is the superlative saxophonist, and Musicians Unlimited Musical Director, Mick Donnelly. Mick has backed many a superstar in the world of music but equally loves playing a gig, with his mates, in local surroundings. As is now the norm, free entry but with the option of purchasing a range of high quality real ales and enjoying a sumptuous Sunday lunch (good idea to book this in advance). Keep Music Live! 

The video comes from a Musicians Unlimited gig at the Arc on 23rd April this year and was taken by my wife Margaret. Ade

 

It's Jeremy McMurray on Piano, Adrian Beadnell (me!) on bass, John Bradford on drums and, of course, Mick providing the sax solo around Nature Boy. Adrian

*See poster in right hand column supplied earlier by Ian Bosworth - Lance

Andor Jensen Quintet @ Llandudno Jazz Club - August 10

© Richard Morris

Andor Jensen (saxes); Neil Yates (trumpet); Tom Remon (guitar); Gavin Barras (double bass); Will Blackstone (drums)

A high calibre quintet assembled for the usual quality jazz at Llandudno Jazz Club. Led by saxophone player Andor Jensen, a scouser, now based on the Wirral and Licentiate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Now into his seventh decade (just) he is a highly skilled musician and teacher and well established on the north west jazz scene. Tom Remon is based in London, an alumnus of Tomorrow’s Warriors. His solo style tends towards the spacious and melodic. Gavin and Will both travelled from Glossop. Gavin performs regularly throughout the UK and abroad and has performed as part of Matthew Halsall’s band for over 15 years. Will is an accomplished drummer who I have seen play at Llandudno on several occasions. Neil curates the jazz each Monday and is one of the UK’s top jazz trumpet players.

Nick Mondello Interviews Denise Mangiarti

Joe Sullivan meets Lennon and McCartney

Listening to a very pleasant Joe Sullivan CD. It's part of the Chronological Classics series and is, in the main, Joe Sullivan piano solos recorded in 1944 and 1945. However, there are four quintet tracks by Sullivan with Archie Rosatie (clarinet); Ulysses Livingston (guitar); Artie Shapiro (bass) and Zutty Singleton (drums).

One of the tracks is Night and Day and Rosatie plays a clarinet intro the opening phrase of which sounds not unlike the Beatles With a Little Help From my Friends, Probably it's coincidence as I doubt if, 20 years on, John and Paul were listening to Joe Sullivan  but, one never knows does one? Lance

Album review: Rich DeRosa - Wisdom: The Music of Rich Derosa at North Texas (Juno Records)

Rich DeRosa (composer, arranger, MD); UNT Lab Band. Soloists include: Gregory Newman (trumpet); Nathan Davis (trombone); Will Nathman (tenor sax); Georgia Barge (vocal); Joel White (guitar); Abbi Berry (vocal)

American drummer and composer, Rich DeRosa has been resident at the University of North Texas since 2010 as a tenured professor of Jazz Composition and Arranging. His 2026 CD, Wisdom, compiles a decade of his music, which is negotiated magnificently by various  “lab bands” at UNT. An innovative institution that provided tuition in jazz studies and awarding it degree status. Led by educator Leon Breeden, in the early 1950s this  was considered quite a bold and controversial move at a time when jazz in higher education circles did not have the credibility of being recognised academically.

Harry's first backyard ultra

Harry is doing his first backyard ultra to raise money for the amazing charity Help Musicians. They've helped us out loads in the past, and so many other musicians we know. Here's the link - https://www.justgiving.com/page/harry-keeble-4 Abbie

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

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

Playlist 16/08/26 (repeated Tuesday 18/08/26)

Seasonal: Joe Pass, Mahalia Jackson, Nina Simone.

RIP: Abdullah Ibrahim.

Memories: George Shearing, Stuff Smith, George Melly, Tommy Smith, Bill Evans.

Requests: Billy Hart Quartet. 

What’s on in the NE: Andrzej Baranek.

Seasonal: MJQ + Branford Marsalis.

PEACE: Tim Boniface - Peace on Their Lips, Malice in Their Hearts. 

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

Bold Big Band @ Pilgrim, Newcastle - Aug. 14

© Sylvia

Jacob Lightfoot, Max Storey, Georgia Corrin, Molly Clibbett, Brian Wicks (MD) (saxes); Billy Bradshaw, Josh Skyrme, David O'Farrell, Asim Iqbal (trumpets); Alex Utting, Bertie Marks, Thomas McDonald, Ciáran Skipper (trombones); Marcus Dawe (keys); Anya Daley (guitar); Ifede Osiyemi (bass); Josh Weir (drums); Cara Britton (vocals); Chiara Todisco, Lulu Perren, Joel Lai (backing vocals) + Ross Cantrell, Olly Styles (guests); Ed Moore (support)

The main event hit the stage fashionably (unfashionably for Pilgrim) late. The queue was already forming when we arrived in, or so we thought, good time. Truth is the queue was ever-increasing so, rather than disappoint anyone, the happenings didn't happen until everyone was watered and primed for what was to follow which was a short set by singer/guitarist Ed Moore whose pleasing, Nashville orientated, voice possibly wasn't heard to its best advantage. 

© Sylvia/Lance (collage)

The BBB kicked off their first set with Buddy Rich's iconic West Side Story Medley. It's a demanding arrangement and would probably been better to have placed it later in the set when the horns were warmed up and the lips were in. Corrin, Utting and, of course Josh Weir took the solos. Brahm's Hungarian Dance no. 5 was an unusual choice but the BBB made it swing as if Brahms had combined with Liszt.

Gerry Gibbs and His Dream Band @ Birdland, New York - July 22

Gerry Gibbs (drums); Randy Brecker (trumpet); Gary Bartz (alto sax); Cyrus Chestnut (piano); Buster Williams (bass)

There are jazz clubs you visit to hear music, and there are jazz clubs you visit because somehow you feel you ought to have been there at least once in your life.

Birdland is most definitely the latter.

It had already been following me around New York. Weather Report’s Birdland was on the playlist I had put together before the trip, and the club’s name had appeared countless times on albums and in the stories of musicians I had listened to for years.

Then suddenly there I was, Brooklyn beer in hand, surrounded by photographs of the people who had helped create the music in the first place.

There was an immediate familiarity about it. For anyone who spends as much time at Ronnie Scott’s as I do, Birdland feels like a New York relative. Different city, different history, but very much the same spirit. Tables gathered around a small stage, subdued lighting, conversations dropping away as the musicians prepare to play and those wonderful photographs on the walls reminding you that plenty of remarkable people have occupied these rooms before you.

And Birdland certainly has history.

Nigel Price Kickstarter

There are 17 days until this Kickstarter finishes, and there is still a fair way to go. Surely there must be a couple of hundred people in the UK who want to be a part of this???

This is basically just a ‘pre-order’ and it will ultimately be cheaper for you to get hold of the album this way.

Lorne Lofsky/Nigel Price Quartet ‘Live at The Globe’.

£10 - Download.

£12 - CD + Download (inc UK P&P)

£15 - Signed CD & Download

£25 - Pair of tickets to a UK show & CD & Download.

https://www.kickstarter.com/.../live-at-the-globe-lorne...

**N.B. This is ‘all or nothing’. If it doesn’t hit the target by August 26 at midnight then no pledges are taken, and I just revert to raising the funds myself**