Bradley Johnston Quartet @ The Lit & Phil – July 12.

Keith Robinson (reeds); Bradley Johnston (guitar); Paul Grainger (bass); Russ Morgan (drums),

(Review/photos courtesy of Brian Ebbatson)

Publicity for this gig from guitarist Bradley Johnston promised “a musical journey that explores guitar playing over the last 100 years”, but it was a much more personal selection of pieces, mainly by Bradley himself – four out of six of the tunes featured were from his pen – although there was certainly a strong element of paying tribute to his influences.

Bradley opened solo with his arrangement of John Lennon’s In My Life, a dreamy interpretation very reminiscent of Bill Frisell – indeed it features on Frisell’s 2011 album All We Are Saying. Bradley wove his way with synth-like chords through and around the George Harrison intro and the Lennon melody. Maybe it was a 70’s Beatles number but this was definitely a second-decade C21 interpretation.

(Preview): Marie Curie Fundraiser - A Concert For Margaret Barnes

(Info supplied by JNE)

Saturday 20th July @ The Literary and Philosophical Society, 23 Westgate Road,
Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 1SE
£10 Afternoon or Evening Session Ticket / £12 Full Day Ticket

Afternoon Session (Doors: 1.00pm)

1.30pm: Debra Milne and Steve Glendinning
2.20pm: Paul Edis with Graham Hardy
3.25pm: Hand To Mouth
4.15pm: Thomas Dixon Band

Evening Session (Doors: 5.45pm)

6.00pm: Paul Taylor + The Long Lonesome Go
7.05pm: Bradley Johnston Trio trio with Roly Veitch
8.10pm: Duo FCT
9.00pm: Zoe Gilby Quartet

Looking Back to the Future - River City Jazzmen @ Carlisle Jazz Club

Some of the more mature of us may remember the original River City Jazzmen when it first started in the 1950s. Unlike other bands, the River City featured a tuba which gave it a distinctive sound. 

Fast forward to 2019 and, as trad fans probably know, the band has re-formed after a gap of eleven years and now features a sousaphone played by the redoubtable Phil Rutherford. The band recently played at Carlisle Jazz Club and in the audience was someone who used to follow the original River City in those early days at venues such as the New Orleans Club and the Downbeat Club.

Apparently he was transported back in time and swears the sound of the present band is identical to the original. He kindly recorded the band playing Royal Garden Blues and has sent this link.

Back to the future!

Gordon Solomon.

Bob Wade (trumpet/clarinet); Gordon Solomon (trombone); Steve Andrews (clarinet/baritone sax?); Keith Stephen (banjo); Phil Rutherford (sousa); Tommy Graham (drums).

Shappiness is just a thing called Daryl

‘Shappiness’ is frequently defined as - a good shit, a  good shag, a clean shave, a shampoo, or an expensive sherry. However, if you happen to be at Pizza Express' The Pheasantry in London tomorrow and Wednesday (15/16) then you most surely will add the name of Sherman to those ‘Shapps’.

Daryl Sherman is, undoubtedly, an outstanding purveyor of the GASbook. We've heard her at festivals, in concert halls, - even at a low profile jam session in Jesmond (see photo) - and the girl always delivers both vocally and pianistically! Sadly, I won't be able to get down to The Pheasantry - my gossamer wings are in the repair shop - but, nevertheless, it promises to be a couple of memorable evenings with Daryl paying tribute to the vocal style of no less an icon than Satchmo himself and, in the company of some of our finest jazzmen.

Sir Lancelot 

(Warning!: Only Daryl is allowed to call me that!)

Details.

Vieux Carré Hot 4 using their loaf

David Binney: "In this age, we musicians need to do anything we can to make a living, and ninety-nine percent of us will have to do a wide variety of things." - (Jazz Times May 2019). True words from David Binney.

 

This ‘gig’ was a ‘promotional video/publicity shoot for the new Greggs outlet on Sandy Lane, Newcastle, which required an early 7.00am start when it’s comparatively quiet ahead of the rush hour. It was a good gig, tho! 
Pete Wright, trumpet; Jim McBriarty, soprano sax; Brian Bennett, banjo; Phil Rutherford, sousaphone.
Brian Bennett.

(Editor): This must have been one of your 'higher profile' gigs judging by the bandwagon - love the car registration!

Jambone & Young Sinfonia @ Sage Gateshead – July 13

(Review by Chris)

A rare outing for the combined forces of the Sage Young Musicians Programme jazz orchestra Jambone, and conventional orchestra, Young Sinfonia, filling the stage of Sage One.  This was part of the culmination of the YMP year – their summer festival - and marked the latest milestone in the remarkable development of Jambone’s director, the composer and arranger extraordinaire, Paul Edis.   With two orchestras (12 strong Jambone, 27 for Sinfonia) packed with talent at his disposal,  Admiral Edis had written or arranged three contrasting pieces to send the fleet on manouevres for an hour or so. Was this to be jazz deluxe, or was it modern orchestral repertoire spiced with “improvisatory” elements, as the Sinfonia’s distinguished conductor, Karin Hendrickson warned the audience?  

Denmark Street Big Band with Jo Harrop @ The Dean Street Pizza Express, Soho, London - July 13

(Review by Russell)

This was something of a treat. A day trip to London to hear Paul Burch's cracking big band working with star vocalist Jo Harrop. The Gene Krupa Story is the Denmark Street Big Band's latest project and on a warm summer's day the orchestra assembled for a lunchtime engagement at the Dean Street Pizza Express.

Soho bustled as it always does; traders, tourists, locals, some looking cool, some trying to look cool, others not so cool. The Pizza Express' basement venue offered some relief from the on-street rising mercury. Members of the orchestra arrived in ones and twos as Ms Harrop sound-checked alongside pianist Ben Croft.  

Burton Agnes Jazz and Blues Festival - July 13 (afternoon)

(Review by Sheila Herrick/photos to follow)

Saturday brought The Mark Williams Trio to the stage at 12.30pm a lovely start to the day and the audience appreciated the fine playing and skilled musicianship of Mark on guitar, Andy Champion on bass guitar and Russ Morgan on drums. (Paul Susans unable to make this gig). The set had a well-balanced range from the clear and bell-like, Weird Waltz, to the meditative Good Answer and on to Near Enough,  revved up by Russ and taken on by the flying fingers of Mark and the power of Andy's bass. "The set went well, Andy played a blinder and there was something for everyone", said Mark. 

CD Review: Rich Willey's Boptism Big Band - Down & Dirty

(Review by Lance).

I know I never stop moaning (or should that be Moanin'?) about the number of CDs I'm presented with for review. When I first started BSH I'd eagerly await the postman in anticipation of what goodies he may have in store for me - I was a kid in a sweetie factory! However, with the passage of time, it became reminiscent of the old joke about the musician who goes to Hell and finds himself playing in the Basie Band. 

Burton Agnes Jazz and Blues Festival - July 12

(Review/photo courtesy of Sheila Herrick)

First on the main stage was the Manchester Jazz Collective - 3 saxes, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, keyboard, double bass and drums. A 10 strong ensemble of northern musicians and composers who created a full and wide-ranging sound. From brassy big band and South American flavoured numbers to lyrical pieces on sax and with welcome attention to dynamics which enhanced the set and the audience appreciation. Great playing and well-written pieces clearly enjoyed by players and audience alike.