TJ Johnson @ Cafe Boheme, Soho, London - June 22

TJ Johnson (piano, vocals)

A short walk from the Spice of Life, under a sweltering sun Old Compton Street's Cafe Boheme came into its own. The corner site location, with its French windows open on both sides encouraged passers-by to pause and listen awhile to Monday afternoon's jazz session billowing out onto Soho's bustling streets. This Monday afternoon we were listening to TJ Johnson.  

Jack Honeyborne's 98th Birthday Party @ Spice of Life, London - June 22

Jack Honeyborne (piano); Bruce Adams (trumpet); Art Themen (tenor sax); Nils Solberg (guitar, vocals); Sandy Burnett (double bass); Matt Home (drums) 

On a sweltering summer's day it was a cert the Spice of Life would be busy. Sure enough, fully one hour before the down beat, they were queueing on the stairs at the Moor Street venue. The occasion? A 98th birthday party for Mr Jack Honeyborne. A fixture on the London jazz scene, pianist Honeyborne is no stranger to the Cambridge Circus pub. 

On paying a tenner at the door, seats were at a premium. Grabbing three partially obscured-view seats, the order at the bar was two teas and a pint of Guinness 0:0. Looking around the room, the house upright was festooned in 'Happy Birthday' bunting. A notable absentee was the ailing Richard Pite. At short notice, Matt Home stepped into the breach, joining bassist Sandy Burnett, guitarist Nils Solberg and the frontline pairing of Bruce Adams and Art Themen.

Press release: Shradhanjali – a homage to Zakir Hussain Saturday 4 July, Queen Elizabeth Hall

Talvin Singh presents an extraordinary evening of rhythm, improvisation, and global musical dialogue.

Shradhanjali honours the enduring legacy of the legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain - the pioneering force who, since the 1990s, brought together the world’s finest percussionists in a spirit of collaboration, virtuosity, and innovation, under the title Masters of Percussion.

Suzanne Fonseca Quartet @ the Moor Club, Stockport - June 21©

© Jeff Pritchard

Suzanne Fonseca (trombone); Mike Hope (tenor sax, flute); Robin Dewhurst (keyboards); Gavin Barras (bass); Danny Ward (drums)

There were some great tunes played tonight, twelve in all and the composers included Sonny Rollins, Jerome Kern, Bernie Miller, Carlos Jobim, and Fats Waller I can't recall the last time I saw Suzanne with Mike Hope but it seems to be a winning combination. Suzanne has a relaxed playing style that makes a good contrast to Mike who has an energetic multi-note approach. I thought his tone on tenor tonight had a harder edge than usual. I noticed there were no Parker numbers featured but there was a great version of The Night Has a Thousand Eyes which Mike did with the trio minus trombone. This tune seems to be making a comeback in jazz circles. I checked my notes on Rod Mason's gig here last Sunday and his opening  number was this very same tune.   

New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Trinity Church, Gosforth, Newcastle - June 20

Caroline Irwin (MC, vocals); Jim McBriarty (MC, reeds, vocals); Josh Bentham (reeds); Gavin Lee (reeds); Alastair Lord (trumpet); Ben Chinery (trumpet); Neville Hartley (trombone); Emma Fisk (violin); Dean Stockdale (piano); Keith Stephen (banjo, guitar); Phil Rutherford (tuba); Nick Ward (drums)

On a beautiful summer's evening Trinity Church in Gosforth attracted a fair few of the New Century Ragtime Orchestra's long standing supporters. In the absence of Steve Andrews, MC duties would be shared between Caroline Irwin and Jim McBriarty. A couple of more than capable deps stepped in to replace the indisposed Martin Litton and Dave Hignett, namely Dean Stockdale and Ben Chinery.

Nick Ramm Ensemble @ Vortex Jazz Club, Dalston - June 19

Nick Ramm (piano); Pete Wareham (tenor sax, flute); Byron Wallen (trumpet); Tom Herbert  (double bass); Corrie Dick (drums)

An extraordinarily talented quintet of heavyweights of the UK jazz scene performed a set list of Nick Ramm composed tunes at Dalston’s premier Jazz Club on 19 June to provide a rich evening of entertainment on a sultry Friday evening. It was the first time I had seen Nick Ramm play live. Nick has been playing with Pete and Byron since the 1990’s and with Tom and Corrie more recently. I saw Corrie leading his own band at the Vortex last year and I have also seen him play with others such as Laura Jurd in the band Dinosaur. I have recently been enjoying the 2023 double album London Brew which celebrates the 50^th anniversary of Miles Davis’ record Bitches Brew which features amongst others Nick Ramm and Tom Herbert so I was expecting a very special show and I was not disappointed.

Sunday night @ the Globe: the Magpies of Swing - June 21

© Sylvia

Neil Hopper (valve trombone, drums); Elise Hopper (vocals, drums); Lachlan Fotheringham (soprano sax, clarinet); Paul ?, Rachel Richman (alto sax); Fiona Finden (tenor sax, vocals); Stu Finden (baritone sax); ?, Polly Corbishley   (trumpets); Nigel Robson, David Gray (trombone); Alan Law (piano); Alex J. Gamble (guitar, vocals); Owen Jones, ? (bass); Kate Stebbing, Liv Worrell (vocals - pictured above)

When I first got into jazz it was like stepping through the looking glass into a wonderland of new (to me) sounds. It was fun, the music provided danceable rhythms, couples caressed and caroused. Come the morrow I'd have to explain the absence of my homework, but for now ...

Last night at the Globe was a bit like that - how could it not be with the Magpies of Swing or their parent group the House of the Black Gardenia?

Knats - as heard by Scott Yanow

When your album is reviewed in DownBeat  you can  say that you've made it. Even more so when that reviewer is Scott Yanow, arguably America's number one, and most knowledgeable, jazz critic.

It is very much to Knats' credit that in the June issue of DownBeat their latest album, A Great Day in Newcastle is allocated to Yanow.

Album review: Bria Skonberg - Indigo (Cellar Music)

Bria Skonberg (trumpet, vocals); Gil Goldstein (piano, accordion, arranger); Eric Wheeler (bass); Darrian Douglas (drums, perc.) + Antoine Silverman, Enthcho Todorov (violins); Yuko Naito-Gotay (viola); Emily Brausa (cello); Kathleen Nester (alto flute); Charlows Pillow (bass clarinet)

Bria Skonberg, a singer who plays trumpet (or is she a trumpet player who sings?), Who cares? She does them both well as this, her latest album goes to show.

Watch What Happens: The Legrand tune lopes along nicely. the voice grabs you from the first note. A scat chorus and some muted trumpet sets the scene for a good start.

I'm Glad There is You: The Jimmy Dorsey tune has been a long time favourite of mine but this the first time I can recall hearing the verse. The string quartet sawing away provide a cushion for some mellow trumpet.

Emma Rawicz: Chroma – Upstairs at Ronnie’s – June 18

Emma Rawicz (tenor/soprano saxes); Scottie Thompson (piano); Freddie Jensen (bass); Marc Michel (drums)

There are few places quite like Soho on a warm summer evening. As the working day fades and the weekend edges into view, the streets take on a life of their own. Office workers spill from pubs onto crowded pavements, restaurant terraces fill with conversation and laughter, and every corner seems alive with possibility.

 

Emerging from Leicester Square Underground station and heading towards Chinatown, Soho was enjoying one of those glorious summer evenings that seem uniquely London. The late sunshine lingered between the buildings, casting a warm glow across the streets as people gathered for a drink before making their way home for the weekend. Passing beneath the red lanterns of Chinatown and cutting through the heart of Soho towards Frith Street, the unmistakable buzz of the neighbourhood surrounded us. Outside Café Boheme on Old Compton Street, diners spilled onto the pavement, glasses clinked and conversation drifted effortlessly into the warm evening air. It felt as though the whole of Soho had decided to stay out just a little longer before surrendering to the night.