Press release: Recipients Announced For 2024 Parliamentary Jazz Awards

The recipients of the 2024 Parliamentary Jazz Awards were announced on Tuesday 29^th October 2024 at 8pm.

Jazz Vocalist of the Year: Emma Smith​

Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year: Emma Rawicz

Jazz Album of the Year: Zoe Rahman “The Colour Of Sound”

Jazz Ensemble of the Year: Alina Bzhezhinska’s HipHarpCollective

Jazz Newcomer of the Year: Ife Ogunjobi

Jazz Venue of the Year: The Verdict Brighton

Jazz Media Award: Gilles Peterson MBE

Jazz Education Award: Nikki Yeoh

Services to Jazz Award: George Nelson – Moment’s Notice

Special APPJG Awards: Anita Wardell 

Special APPJG Awards: Paula Gardiner

The Clare Teal Five @ Gala Theatre, Durham - Oct. 25

© Patti

Clare Teal (vocals); Jason Rebello (piano); Dave Archer (guitar); Simon Little (bass, vocals); Eric Ford (drums)

A Clare Teal gig is always something special. A guaranteed evening of fun, jazz singing of the highest standard, an A-list band and an ever-changing repertoire. Last night was no exception with all the boxes ticked and, of course, that essential ingredient to any jazz gig - the sound of surprise.

We got that last one in abundance.

The material, whilst still containing the bricks and mortar of those Gasbook classics that we love and cherish, has been updated to include a few of the better pop and rock songs albeit in a jazzy/bluesy vein - shades of Postmodern Jukebox.

The feature, Trailblazers was a good addition with its tribute to Annie Ross on Wardell Gray's Twisted and to Peggy Lee with A Good Day. When Clare mentioned Peggy Lee I cringed and thought 'not another version of Fever or Black Coffee!' Fortunately I was wrong and A Good Day made for a very good day indeed.

Press release: Clare Teal Five @ Gala Theatre, Durham - Oct. 25

She’s back! Expect exhilarating swing from award winning jazz vocalist and long time Radio 2 & Jazz FM broadcaster Clare Teal and her marvellous band who return with a fabulous new show as ever celebrating the hits and hidden gems of the Great American and British Songbooks, plus contemporary covers and originals. The concert will also include favourites from her acclaimed DVD The Fireside Sessions.

Album review: Paul Mottram - Seven Ages of Man

Tim Garland (tenor/soprano sax, bass clarinet); Jason Rebello (piano); Jonny Mansfield (vibes); Misha Mullov-Abaddo (bass); Ralph Salmins (drums) + the London Studio Orchestra - John Mills (leader); Paul Mottram (composer).

Inspired by Jacques' soliloquy  in Shakespeare's As You Like it and, despite my fears, the seven movement suite plus two introductory pieces turns out to be rather beautiful. The tranquillity of the orchestral settings brought the Forest of Arden to life maybe even more so than the words of the immortal bard himself. Strong words I know but, back then, Bill didn't have Tim and Jason to hand.

Preview: Garland & Rebello In Tune (Friday 20 Jan.)

Saxophonist Tim Garland and pianist Jason Rebello have worked together for many years. On Friday (Jan. 20) they will be together in the In Tune studio to talk about and play some of the music from their soon-to-be-released new album, Life to Life. The following day, if you happen to be in and around Trafalgar Square, our duo will be in concert at St Martin-in-the-Fields. First, Friday, tune to BBC Radio 3 at five o'clock. Russell. 

(Editor) See previous post.

Album review: Tim Garland & Jason Rebello - Life to Life.

Tim Garland (tenor, soprano, sax/bass clarinet); Jason Rebello (piano).

The duo format in jazz, indeed in all forms of music, has always been a challenge for the participants. It can be a mismatch, a contrast of egos or, in this case, two like minded souls who draw inspiration from each other.

Garland spent several years locally as a Professor at Newcastle Uni whilst living down the coast in a lighthouse (as one does!)

During this period he played many prestigious concerts at Sage Gateshead as well as gigs at the Bridge.

British Jazz Vocalist and Songwriter Jo Harrop Releases New Album on Vinyl and Cd for U.S. Audience

The Heart Wants - release date April 25, 2022 on Lateralize Records

(Press release) 

JO HARROP is a British singer and songwriter who has been garnering a lot of attention for her smoky, intimate voice and heartfelt, intelligent lyrics. She released her second album, THE HEART WANTS, last year in Europe to rave reviews, and is now releasing the CD for the US audience on April 25, 2022, accompanied by a vinyl release in both Europe and the US. Jazz in Europe says, “THE HEART WANTS is a classic example of pure creativity, singularity, perfect vocals and least, but not last, a very important collaborative album.” 

(BSH review).

Tim Garland @ the 606 Club - August 28

Tim Garland (tenor/soprano sax/bass clarinet); Jason Rebello (piano); Ant Law (guitar); Conor Chaplin (bass); Rod Youngs (drums)

Another sizzler from the 606. Relaxed social distancing meant a truly full full house and the band responded accordingly. Tim Garland is well-remembered in the north east from his ten year tenure as a Professor of Composition at Newcastle University during which time he made various appearances across the river at Sage Gateshead where, brilliant as they were, often leaned towards the pretentious.

No such leanings tonight at least not in the first set which I enjoyed via livestream. Straight down the middle, no holds barred modern/contemporary jazz.

Jo Harrop - Mary Janes and a Brand New Hat

(Press release)

Jazz vocalist and songwriter Jo Harrop has proudly revealed her new single ‘Red Mary Janes And A Brand New Hat’, the second track from her much-anticipated new studio album, The Heart Wants, due for release October 2021 on Lateralize Records.

Recorded in London and produced by Hannah V (who has worked with everyone from JP Cooper to Stormzy), ‘Red Mary Janes And A Brand New Hat’ was written by Harrop, Hannah V and Natalie Williams and features Jason Rebello (piano), Troy Miller (drums), Jihad Darwish (bass) and Jamie McCredie (guitar).

Radio Cheltenham and more

Saturday (May 1)

Ahead of this evening's Kansas Smitty's live stream session, Julian Bliss discusses all things clarinet on Radio 3's Inside Music (1:00pm). Classical clarinetist Bliss has been invited to sit-in on tonight's Big Four session, it should be interesting (8:00pm on Kansas Smitty's YouTube channel)! This year's Cheltenham Jazz Festival is of the virtual variety and BBC Radio has scheduled several programmes across the May Day weekend to celebrate it. Julian Joseph presents this afternoon's J to Z (Radio 3, 5:00pm) which includes a set featuring Tim Garland, Jason Rebello and Gary Husband paying tribute to Chick Corea. 

Clare bids farewell to the Beeb

Tonight's edition of The Swing and Big Band Show with Clare Teal on Radio 2 is the presenter's final show ending an association with the BBC which began something like sixteen years ago. Over the years the programme has morphed and merged with Big Band Special to become a popular late night, weekend listening experience for many loyal fans. 

Preview: Clare Teal Trio @ Petworth Festival - October 29

Clare Teal (vocals); Jason Rebello (piano); Simon Little (bass); Ben Reynolds (drums).

£4.99 - the sale of the century! However, don't jump on the bus and ask for a return to Petworth - chances are the driver won't know where it is either! Fortunately, the combination of modern technology and Cov means you don't even have to step out of your front door to enjoy the vocal mastery of Ms. Teal.

More from Ronnie's.

A collage of shots taken by Ken Drew watching the Jason Rebello Trio's live stream from Ronnie Scott's last Thursday (Oct. 8).

Jason Rebello (piano); Tim Thornton (bass); Jeremy Stacey (drums).

Nice one Ken.

Lance

Jason Rebello Trio - Live Stream @ Ronnie's - Oct. 8

Jason Rebello (piano); Tim Thornton (bass); Jeremy Stacey (drums).

There may be better ways to spend a Thursday evening indoors although, these days, I can't think of any. No, a live stream from Ronnie's is just about as good as it gets particularly when the Jason Rebello Trio are taking centre stage.

I was, initially, a little hesitant when he announced the second number with those dreaded words "this is another composition of mine ..."

Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club to finally reopen on 19 September 2020

(Press release)

 On August 1st  the world-famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club was to throw open its doors for the first time in 137 days having been closed due the global Corona Virus pandemic.  The government had announced that indoor live music venues could re-open, but then, just a day before the first act was to take to the stage, it was to postpone its decision and the club remained closed.

Clare Teal @ the Gala Theatre, Durham - Feb. 14

Clare Teal (vocal); Jason Rebello (piano); Tim Thornton (bass); Ben Reynolds (drums).

(Review by Lance)

After the final do-wa-do-wa-do-wa brought the classic Ellington number - and the show -  to a close the capacity audience at Durham's Gala Theatre stood up as one and ovated in appreciation. Deservedly so, Clare Teal had just wowed them as she invariably does with her warm and, often funny, show.

I use the word funny as, should she - God forbid - ever give up music a  career in stand-up would pay the bills. Not that that is likely, after last night's performance. Her jazz chops are still the tops even though Barnsley's First Lady appears to be dipping her toes into more contemporary material.

Good on her! However, whatever she touches the jazz element is never far away.

Preview: Clare Teal @ Gala Theatre, Durham - Feb. 14

(Preview by Lance/Photo  from Manilla PR)

Few things in life are certain and never more so than in jazz. However, one thing that is certain is that you will come away from a Clare Teal concert feeling happy. Whether she is fronting a big band, a symphony orchestra or a trio you can look forward to an evening where satisfaction is guaranteed whilst still retaining that essential jazz element - the sound of surprise.

Her distinctive vocal style makes her not just a great British jazz singer but one of world class as the audience at the Gala Theatre, Durham, will find out (as if they didn't already know!) on Friday, February 14 (7:30pm).

BBC Radio 3: Jazz All Night

(Report by Hugh C).

I seem to be permanently in arrears, listening arrears that is, these days.  I have just been catching up with Jazz AllNight, broadcast overnight (funnily enough!) during the early morning of 16th November, at the start of the EFG London Jazz Festival.

Luckily for me, BBC Sounds has offered me a short-term loan (the same offer is available to everyone) originally available for 30 days, but still available for just over two weeks.  

Ambleside Days Festival 2019: Tim Garland Weather Walker Trio & Gwilym Simcock, Mike Walker and Friends @ Zeffirellis – August 31

(Review by Hugh C)

As in the manner of the so-called “Beautiful Game”, this event was again in two halves.  The stage was set for two gigs with the Steinway grand to the left, double bass and guitars centre stage, two drum kits and percussion on the right.

Tim Garland Weather Walker Trio

Tim Garland (saxophones, electronics); Jason Rebello (piano); Yuri Goloubev (bass). 

Despite the name of the trio, much of the set, although Garland’s material, was not from the Weather Walker CD.  Bright New Year, from Garland’s album One, featured soprano saxophone.  Rebello on piano and Goloubev on bass took alternate solos, the other subtly underpinning the soloist on their own instrument.  Ensemble passages were the focus for saxophone. 

One token standard followed (Garland emphasised the importance of playing the standards in his early days as part of Ronnie Scott’s house band):  Irving Berlin’s How Deep Is the Ocean? – or as Garland jested (“doing his bit for climate change”) “How deep is the ocean now?”  Goloubev’s solo bass introduced the rhythm with subtle references to the melody, then added to by Rebello on piano and finally the full tune with Garland on tenor. 

2019 APPJAG Nominations

Last year, Bebop Spoken Here won the APPJAG* Jazz Media Award and, although not nominated this year, we're pleased to announce that the northeast is once again represented with Zoë Gilby (photo courtesy of Ken Drew) being nominated in the Jazz Vocalist of the Year category - we wish her well.

All nominations:

Jazz Vocalist of the Year

Claire Martin

Georgia Mancio

Cherise Adams-Burnett

Zoë Gilby