Album review: Louis Stewart - Joyce Notes (Livia Records)

Louis Stewart (guitar, composer); Eamon Morrissey (narration); Jim Doherty (piano); Brian Dunning (flute); Len McCarthy (alto sax); Richie Buckley (tenor sax); Steve LaSpina (bass); Bobby Rosengarden (drums); Peter Ainscough (percussion)

When a CD sized package with an Irish postmark drops through my letterbox I don't need to call in Sherlock O'Holmes to deduce that it's from Livia Records and that it may well contain previously unreleased or rediscovered recordings by guitar legend the late Louis Stewart, pianist Jim Doherty, flautist Brian Dunning and one or other or both of the brothers Buckley.

Although the album has only one Buckley (Richie) the others and more were present when it was recorded live at the Cork Jazz Festival in October 1982.

R.I.P. Sheila Jordan (1928 - August 11, 2025)

The jazz world has lost one of its greatest icons, the legendary Sheila Jordan who passed away yesterday at the age of 96. Her highly individual style was purely a jazz voice and a modern jazz voice at that. 

Sheila wasn't a night club chanteuse who played at being a jazz singer. Like Mark Murphy and Jon Hendricks it was all or nothing with her.

I was fortunate to hear that unique voice live on three occasions. The first time was at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the early 1980s (1983) where she was featured with the jazz orchestra of George Gruntz and, although the ensemble included Charlie Mariano on alto and soprano, Tom Harrell on trumpet and Julian Priester on trombone it was hearing Sheila that made the trip to Den Haag worthwhile. 

Prohibition - the end of an era (July 31)

Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Mark Robertson (drums) + all comers (almost certainly not in order of appearance): Pete Tanton (trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals); Neil Hopper (double bass, bass guitar); Jude Murphy (double bass, vocals); Fiona Finden (curved soprano sax); Stu Finden (tenor sax); Patrick Cromb (vocals); Debra Milne (vocals); David Gray (trombone, flugelhorn); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet); Carmen Silk (vocals); Jenni Winter (piano); Julija Jacenaite (vocals); Shayo Oshodi (vocals); Becky Tuck (vocals); Kit Haigh (guitar); Steve Glendinning (guitar) + numerous others (names escaped, names unknown) 

It was December 5, 1933. Prohibition was at an end. Wait a minute! It was July 31, 2025. Prohibition would soon be at an end. Mitch Mitchell's joint down on Pink Lane was soon to close its doors one last time. Mitch kindly invited BSH to attend an invitation-only farewell party, an invitation graciously accepted.

Cheltenham Musings 3 - Sunday May 4

Thinking back to visits to the Jazz Arena in previous years I remembered the malicious horror of the least comfortable seating I had ever encountered in all my years of gig going. Perhaps there was a way that, like in an unwritten episode of Black Mirror, I could have my body replaced with Meccano with enough hinges to allow for it to fold in such a way that I could fit between the rows. I also remember the wafer thin layers of foam on the seats, a lack of comfort that I would not encounter again until the next day’s trip home on Cross Country.

Jazz on the Tyne Previews the Northumberland Jazz Festival 2025 & More

In the latest edition of the podcast, presenter Colin Muirhead looks ahead to the Northumberland Jazz festival, with tracks by Sara Oschlag, Norma Winstone, Catriona Bourne, and the Dean Stockdale Quartet.  He also previews gigs by Matt Carmichael and Fergus McCreadie, Xhosa Cole, Matt Owens, and House of the Black Gardenia; showcases new releases by Phil Bancroft and Louis Stewart; and plays a request for music by Mark Murphy.

You can listen to the show anytime HERE.

Plus, you can request music for future programmes, or pass on news or feedback by emailing Colin at jazz.tyne.hive@gmail.com or by heading to www.jazzonthetyne.org.

Album review: Hyeonseon Baek - Longing (You & Me Music)

Hyeonseon Baek (vocals); Kevin Hays (piano); Linda May Han Oh (bass); Joechen Rueckert (drums) + Lucas Pino (tenor sax tks 1,4,6,10)

Korean singer Hyeonseon Baek arrived in NYC via Maastricht University, in The Netherlands and the New England Conservatory in Boston, Mass.

Upon first listening I was somewhat gender-confused, the name (pronounced Hen-son Bek) gave no clues and nor did the voice which initially had me thinking mezzo-contralto or maybe a tenor with a wide range. As Caravan rolled along I began to lean towards the latter and I was right although his wide range made my earlier hesitation understandable.

The Saltburn Big Band @ Dorman’s Jazz Club, Middlesbrough - March 14

Dave Brock, Dan Chirniside, Tony Turne, Django Zazou (trombones); Kevin Eland, Adrian Beadnell, Colin Moore, Karen Jones (trumpets); Mark Toomey, Ellice Jones, Donna Hewitt, Andy Devine, Simon Jones (saxes); Paul Donnelly (guitar); Dave Archbold (keys); John Daniels (bass); Chris Murphy (drums); Darren Moore (congas); Bridget Metcalfe (vocals).

The 19 piece band, formed less than a year ago with Kevin Eland as MD, were making their second appearance at Dorman’s and are now firmly established and acknowledged as a first class big band.

Opening the night with their signature tune, Louis Ferras's composition Domino, the full big band sound and a fine tenor sax solo from Donna Hewitt, started the night in great style. A more relaxed Nice 'n' Easy with lovely trumpet from Kevin Eland was then followed by Bridget Metcalfe taking centre stage to show what a class singer she is with a fast swinging version of Lerner and Lowe's Almost Like Being in Love. In complete contrast Bridget then sang I Can't Get Started and Mark Toomey showed his alto sax skills with his solo and his subtle finish.

Album review: Lauren White - Making it up as we go Along

Lauren White (vocals); Quinn Johnson (piano, Rhodes); Larry Koonse (guitar on 3 tks);  Kevin Axt (bass); Trey Henry  (bass on 1 tk); Brian Swartz   (trumpet on 4 tks); Katisse Buckingham (sax, flute on 4 tks); Chris Wabich (drums on 4 tks); Dan Schnelle (drums on 4 tks); Ray Brinker (drums on 1 tk); Paul Jost (vocal on 1 tk)

White's fifth album and the fourth to have been reviewed on BSH lives up to the high stand of the other three. Described as 'songs of love's complexities' the lyrics, in the main, meet that criteria.

The smoky voice, the kind of voice you used to hear in a night club scene in an old black and white movie, usually just before somebody got shot, is tailor-made for the material. As it happens, one of the earlier albums, Out of the Past, did indeed feature songs from noir films.

Book review: Peter Jones' Nightfly: The Life of Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen

Jazz singer and acclaimed author of bios on Mark Murphy and Jon Hendricks, Peter Jones has scored a hat trick with Nightfly: The Life of Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen. Despite lacking the assistance of his subject, Jones’ 368 page tome is insightful, heavily researched and spares no detail. It picks up the Steely Dan tale post 1994 when Brian Sweeting’s Reelin' in the Years was published. This includes new and valuable coverage of Fagen's solo albums Morph the Cat (2006) and Sunken Condos (2012) which are welcome and important additions to Fagen’s oeuvre.

The return of the Black Swan jam session - Oct. 17

Due to circumstance there hadn't been a Black Swan jam session for a month. Arriving in good time for 'doors at seven' it came as surprise to find the doors already open and a good number of folk taking their seats. What's going on?

Descending the stairs into Newcastle Arts Centre's Black Swan bar/performance space it quickly became clear some were keen as mustard. Within twenty minutes the place had rapidly filled up - what's going on? All the indications were it was going to be one busy old night. By the seven thirty down beat all seats were taken - what's going on? 

Dave Weisser Memorial Fundraiser @ the Globe - Oct. 11

(© Sheila Herrick)

Alan Glen Trio: Alan Glen (piano); Andy Champion (bass); Sid White   (drums)

The trio were flying with Alan proving that age is no handicap. If you've got it you've got it and boy has he got it! A swinging Four was followed by a contemplative How Deep is the Ocean? with a fast Cherokee completing their all too short set. Andy Champion was, as always, a tower of strength with Sid White driving things along. The bench mark had been set - follow that if you can!

R.I.P. Dave Weisser (Oct. 11, 1939 - July 16, 2023)

Sad to receive the news that Dave Weisser passed peacefully away this morning (July 16) after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. 

My memories of Dave go back to when he arrived in England from the USA and worked part time alongside me in J.G.Windows Ltd, Newcastle's premier music shop.

That was just the beginning of the massive influence he had and, indeed, still had until relatively recently on the northeast music scene.

Jazz @ J's & B's 2023 programme

May 14: The Chet Set. A tribute to Chet Baker by Pete Tanton  (trumpet, vocals), Alan Law (keys), Mick Shoulder (bass), John Bradford (drums).

June 18: Dean Stockdale Trio - Dean Stockdale (keys), Mick Shoulder (bass),  Tim Johnston (drums).

July  16: General Mojo - John Wilson (guitar), Kenny Kirsopp (sax, flute, vocals).   Steve Chambers (keys). Mark Taylor (drums), Jude Murphy (bass, vocals).

August 13: Jan Spencelayh - Jan Spencelayh (vocals), Alan Law (keys), Paul Grainger (bass), Abbie Finn (drums).

September 3: Hand to Mouth - Lindsay Hannon (vocals), Bradley Johnston (guitar).

Album review: Pierre L. Chambers - Shining Moments

Pierre L. Chambers (vocals); Karen Hammack (piano); Henry Franklin (bass); Clayton Cameron (drums) + Jeff Kaye (flugel); Dori Amarillo (guitar); Cathy Segal-Garcia (backgrounds).

Yet another example of a musical talent that rarely, if ever, crosses the Atlantic. Chambers has been singing for around 40 years in Detroit, NYC and, for the last 25 years, in LA and yet this is his first album.

It's quite special, not just because he's dedicated it to his parents, one of whom was the legendary bassist Paul Chambers, as important as this is, but because it reveals a singer who, had he hit the recording scene earlier, may well have been spoken of in the same breath as Mark Murphy and Jon Hendricks.

Album review: Darmon Meader - Losing my Mind

Darmon Meader (vocal, saxes, arranger); Andy Ezrin (piano);  Jay Anderson/Ike Sturm (bass); Marcello Pellitori/Ben Wittman (drums) + various horns & strings.

Meader, perhaps better known as a founding member of the New York Voices, releases this, his second solo project, and it's well worth a punt.

The voice has overtones of Mel Tormé's recordings with Marty Paich plus a suggestion of Jon Hendricks and Mark Murphy - the perfect ingredients for a jazz vocal album.

Tonight @ the Globe: Ray Johnson/Richard Herdman Quintet.

(Press release). Ray Johnson trumpet, flugelhorn and vocals. Ray, based in Morpeth, has played in bands throughout the area for thirty years developing a strong, lyrical style on both trumpet and flugelhorn with a sideline of smooth vocals.

Richard Herdman, a guitarist based in north Durham, has worked for many years as a guitarist and teacher in London returning recently to the area to take on the family farm. His impeccable jazz credentials are second to none.

Featuring Steve Chambers on keyboard, Jude Murphy on bass and Mark Taylor on drums. An eclectic mix of songs and tunes from bop to pop.

Album review: Paul Marinaro - Not Quite Yet

Paul Marinaro (vocals); Collective: Mike Allemana (guitar); Tom Vaitsas (piano); John Tate (bass); George Fludas (drums); Marques Carroll (trumpet); Raphael Crawford (trombone); Chris Madsen (tenor sax); Greg Ward (alto sax); Rajiv Halim (clarinet); Jim Gailloreto (flute) + KAIA String Quartet: Victoria Moreira, Naomi Culp (violins); Amanda Grimm (viola); Hope Decelle (cello).

With the passing of Frank, Mel, Nat, Buddy Greco, Chet, Jon Hendricks, Mark Murphy and the retirement of Tony B, apart from Elling, Porter, Bublé and Harry C Jr.,  there have been relatively few contemporary singers who can hold their head high in the above company (past and present) - until now that is !

Chicago based Marinaro has incorporated many of the qualities of the aforementioned masters and has succeeded in moulding them into his vocal DNA without loss of individuality and ultimately emerging as a singer to be reckoned with at the highest level.

Newcastle Jazz Festival (day two): Northern Monkey Brass Band and Harry Keeble/Mark Williams Duo - August 19

(© Malcolm Sinclair)

Graham Hardy, Alastair Lord (trumpets); Jamie Toms (tenor sax); Mark Ferris, Keiran Parnaby (trombones); Phil Rosier (tuba); Adam Sinclair (snare drum); Brendan Murphy (bass drum)

After Thursday night's session at the Bridge the action, and some of the musicians, moved to the Black Swan for a night of contrasting music with the NMBB rocking the joint with their take on contemporary New Orleans' marching bands.

And march they did! Making their usual grand entrance from various corners of the room they eventually reached the stage amid a cacophonous, but not unpleasant, wall of sound.

Preview: Newcastle Jazz Festival (Day 2) Friday Aug. 19

This time next week the Newcastle Jazz Festival will be into its second day. Newcastle Arts Centre is kindly sponsoring the event in the Black Swan basement performance space. It's a contrasting double bill featuring a new duo and an established brass outfit. Tenor saxophonist Harry Keeble teams up with guitarist extraordinaire Mark Williams. Expect to hear their take on standards and perhaps one or two original compositions.

Whitley Bay Carnival - May 28

It's back! First lockdown postponement, then curtailment, the Whitley Bay Carnival returned in style, basking in bright and breezy conditions on Whitley Bay seafront. Hundreds, make that thousands, of happy folk enjoyed the free - yes, free! -entertainment on offer. Music, street theatre, fairground rides, food, drink, sunshine, yep, a canny day was had by all. Top of the bill, as far as this reviewer was concerned, the Northern Monkey Brass Band!

Northern Monkey Brass Band: Michael Lamb (trumpet); Alastair Lord (trumpet); David Gray (trombone); Mark Ferris (trombone); Jamie Toms (tenor sax); Phil Rosier (tuba); Adam Sinclair (snare drum); Brendan Murphy (bass drum)