Came across this gem in a South Shields charity shop.
Lance.
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Further Thoughts on Chris Connor
I make no apologies for once again mentioning Chris Connor, not least because of the number of friends who say to me "Never heard of her". Then again, Chris never made any impact on the charts or had a very high profile outside of the cognescenti yet those I know who have only just discovered her all remark on the quality of her singing. Quality was what epitomised Chris Connor and, sadly, quality doesn't always mean popular success.Also, in the Kenton hierarchy, she followed Anita O' Day and June Christy - two very hard acts to follow! Yet to my ears she lost nothing by comparision.
On the one occasion when I heard her live - at the 1983 North Sea Jazz Festival, accompanied by a trio, she was brilliant. The following year, at the same festival, June Christy, fronting a west coast line-up of Shorty, Perkins, Coop, Shank and the rest of the gang, was but a shadow of her former self. Even as late as the 1990s Chris was still performing close to her peak.
Looking at the program for that 1983 festival at Den Haag I note the line-up is given as CC (vcl), her longtime partner Lorraine Muscarelle (vcl), Russell Kassoff (pno), Richard Sarpola (bs), Anthony Tedesco (dms). I cannot recall there being another vocalist and, for some reason I didn't photograph her or the rhythm section - only Chris. Perhaps I only had eyes for Chris!
Listening to her Gershwin Almanac on Spotify - I was absolutely knocked out by "For You, For Me, For Evermore." They don't come any better than that and they didn't come any better than Chris.
Lance.
Friday, September 04, 2009
Blue Devils Coming To Town.
Hi: just a reminder that Keith Nichols brings his stunning ten-piece orchestra to the Saville Exchange, North Shields next Friday, September 11th, at 8.00pm.
The programme will be based mainly on the famous Chicago and Harlem big bands of the mid twenties to the mid thirties, with emphasis on the works of Duke Ellington.
Keith tells me it's the "A Team" line-up, and makes special note of the superb Rico Tomasso (the UK's living embodiment of Louis Armstrong) on trumpet and America's top-rated stride man, Jeff Barnhart, on piano. Keith himself will be playing trombone, the instrument on which he started his professional career, but the presence of two top-notch pianists promises some four-hands-at-the-keyboard fireworks at some stage of the evening! Add the powerhouse drumming of Richard Pite - who can forget his Gene Krupa display at the Sage last year? - and all indications are that we are in for a rare musical treat.
The Exchange box office team tell me that seats are going fast, so book now to avoid disappointment, as they say (phone 0191 643 7093).
See you there!
Mike Durham.
The Roy Sainsbury Story by Ron Chapman.
Click here for another guitar feature by Ron Chapman. This time his subject is legendary British guitarist Roy Sainsbury.
Lance.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Wishing on the Moon - The Maine Street Jazzmen @ Rosie Malone's
Olive Rudd (vcl), Herbie Hudson (tmb/hca/vcl), Derek Fleck (clt), Malcolm Armstrong (pno), Alan Rudd (bs), Tommy Graham (dms). + Peter ? (tpt).For some time now, Olive has been threatening - or should that be promising? - to sing "I Wished on the Moon" for me. No doubt expecting me to become all 'dewy-eyed'. I managed to restrain the tears - not because of any lack of emotional content in her vocal but simply because a 'dewy-eyed' man in Rosie's would look sort of out of place.
Suffice to say she did the song justice. Thank you Olive.
After last night's session at Ashington, the Maine Street Jazzmen, without the inspirational Bob Ludlum, may have been excused for seeming a little jaded especially when playing to a minimal audience - presumably the usual crowd were drowned in the deluge outside. However, this was far from the case and the old favourites were given a fresh workout.
Apart from wishing on the moon, Olive also sang a swingy "June Night" that got the feet tapping.
Herbie did "Who Were You With Last Night?" (honest!) and last week's trumpet player Peter played "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" and "Basin Street Blues". Bob Ludlum he ain't but then again, who is?
I enjoyed the afternoon; I mean, what else is there to do on a rainy Thursday afternoon in South Shields?
(In the above sentence the words in italics are optional).
Tonight, The Maine Street Jazzmen also play at Birtley St Josephs CMS Club and Parish Center. 8:00 pm. £2.50/£3.00 (guests).
Lance.
York News
Anna Lacey has sent me this update on forthcoming events at York.
-----
Jazz Triptych City Screen Basement Bar 07 September at 20:30
Alan Barnes Black Swan Inn 16 September at 20:45
Shame & Guilt Trio Black Swan Inn 30 September at 20:45
Andy Panayi Quartet National Centre for Early Music 03 October at 19:30
Pat McCarthy @ Jazz Jam Black Swan Inn 28 October at 20:45
John Etheridge with special guest Kit Holmes. National Centre for Early Music 06 November at 19:30
Phil Meadows Black Swan Inn 11 November at 20:45.
Zoe & Idris Rahman with Kuljit... National Centre for Early Music20 November at 19:30
Blue Harlem National Centre for Early Music21 November at 19:30
Gwilym Simcock National Centre for Early Music22 November at 16:00
These are just some of the gigs - there are a whole host of others. Follow any of the above links to find out more.
Lance
Bob Ludlum and the Maine Street Jazzmen @ Ashington Jazz Club.
Bob Ludlum (tpt/flug/teapot), Herbie Hudson (tmb/hca/vcl), Barry Soulsby (clt), Malcolm Armstrong (pno), Alan Rudd (bs), Ian Hetherington (dms), Olive Rudd (vcl).
Most of the membership at Ashington Jazz Club turn up in groups or with their spouses. A guy from Newcastle (who I spoke too on the way out) said he had come especially because he had seen the notices on "Bebop Spoken Here". Many thanks for your publicity Lance.
Herbie Hudson led from the front. With ease, guest star Bob Ludlum did one or two numbers he had not played before. An absolute star player - so inventive.
Dep Barry Soulsby played clarinet all night and surpassed himself. First time I've heard Ian Hetherington on drums - so right for the night. A real pro. Spot on.
Alan Rudd was featured several times and worked well with Ian. Malcolm Armstrong kept the whole thing going, directing from the front line - where I feel the piano player should be. Olive Rudd sang with the radio mike which gave a well balanced sound.
Hope I got all the numbers:- April Showers, Tishomingo Blues (vocal Bob),All of me (vocal Olive), That's a Plenty, Sweet and gentle (Bob on flugal). If I Had a Talking Picture of You (vocal Herbie through trombone mute to give that 20s sound), Bei Mir Bist Du Schon (vocal Olive), Ain't misbehavin', White Cliffs of Dover, Jeepers Creepers, Singing in the Rain (+ Brolly Dollies), Way Down Yonder in New Orleans, Basin St Blues, Just a Gigolo, All the Girls go Crazy 'Bout the Way I Walk (Bob Ludlum on teapot), Just a While, Bourbon St Parade (+ Brolly Dollies).
It was a very very inventive and spontaneous session. The band were resplendent in their white shirts with the Maine street logo and red ties. Afterwards the band groupies sang "The Stripper" as Bob took his shirt off to give back to Herbie! Almost everyone in the audience said it was the best night we have ever had at Ashington. I agree - all we need now is Bob Ludlam to move from Yorkshire to the North East!
John T.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Scott Adair/Steve Whitfield Duo @ The Chilli.
Scott Adair (dms), Steve Whitfield (kbds).------------------------
Dave Weisser (tpt/vcl), Paul Gowland (ten), Barry Ascroft (pno), Mick Danby (bs), Stuart Davies (gtr), Steve Wight (dms) + Harley Johnson (pno).
------------------------
There is never a dull moment at the Chilli these days - not that there ever has been - and tonight was no exception.
I've known Scott Adair for many years but Steve Whitfield was a new name to me - a name I'll remember!
Modern technology plays a big part in Steve's arsenal of effects yet he rarely uses effects for effects sake. Even the breath controller dangling around his neck was only used once - just enough to arouse curiosity.
But it was the straight down the middle stuff that scored. Pieces by Chuck Mangione, The Yellowjackets, George Benson all came over with a funky feel enhanced by various instrumental voices used in combination. Not that it was all funk - Liz, I'm sure would have travelled up from York had she known that Steve was going to play such a 'dewy-eyed' version of "My One and Only Love"!
For the penultimate number, Dave, with Stuart Davies added to the line-up, sang James Ingram's "Just Once" - this was pure soul! Nice one Dave.
The set closed with Basie's "Swingin' The Blues" - it jumped. Scotty kicked in with a punchy solo that rubber-stamped his credentials. It has to be said that Scotty's timing and the empathy with Steve never faltered. Come back soon guys and thanks for mentioning "Bebop Spoken Here".
Before and after, the Take it to the Bridge gang had their own moments on "Solar", "Wave" and "Stella by Starlight." Paul, as ever, shooting for the moon and reaching the stars, last minute dep Steve Wight driving them along, Stuart Davies, Mick Danby, and Barry Ascroft all soloing and comping effectively.
The final blast on "Blues For Duane" with birthday boy Harley sitting in made for a great finish.
Dave as ever was his usual self both playing, singing and keeping noisy miscreants in check.
Next week Budvivar.
Lance.
Singers Please Take Note... Variety is the Spice of Life.
"Wednesdays are singer's nights, accompanied by top-flight backing. We usually have three sets - mainly invited guests first, then a featured artist, followed by er, uninvited guests. Although the second set is the Real Thing, the last part of the evening can be truly astonishing... but please note, the following songs are banned: Misty, Cry Me a River, Stormy Weather and Summer-bloody-time."
(From Spice of Life's home page.)
Lance.
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