Paul Gowland & Peter Gilligan @ The Jazz Café. Oct. 4

Paul Gowland (ten/alt); Peter Gilligan (pno).
(Review by Lance).

The duo format is one of the most intriguing forms of music - it can ultimately be a disaster or a triumph. Without the cushion of a rhythm section to steady the ship, the players have to be on their metal to ensure they don't drift too far apart. In the duo situation they're both in the front line - no horn/drummer/piano fours to pad things out, only the challenge of stimulating each other and converting two halves into a whole.

Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Ashington Jazz Club. October 1.

(Review by Peter S.)

The October meeting at the AJC was a unique experience as this was the first occasion that a Band as big as this had taken to our stage and floor. It was not easy to accommodate all sections of the band so the front line of 5 saxes and 4 trombones were placed on the dance floor with 4 in the trumpet quartet behind supported by the keyboard. 2 guitars(bass and rhythm) and drum kit. The arrangement displayed the band in an agreeable formation and with the music stands in front and the musicians impeccably dressed, we  looked at a very professional outfit reminiscent of the Bands from the days of Swing.

Shiver 3 @ Central Bar, Gateshead. Oct. 2.

Chris Sharkey (guitar), Andy Champion (electric bass) & Joost Hendrickx (drums)

As part of their current eight venue tour, Shiver 3 made a welcome return visit to the Central Bar’s upper room and its ‘compact’ performance space.  In a  very busy week for Jazz in the North East,  the audience grew to, not quite the numbers we saw for their previous visit a year ago, but, nevertheless, the appreciative audience were duly rewarded by the same energy emanating from the trio who still sounded as fresh and in-your-face (well, ears really!) as ever J  With their driving rhythms, incessant bass action and Sharkey’s ever-present swirling guitar solos or supportive block chords/ambient sounds - overlaid  (or underpinned?) with electronic treatments  (guitar, bass and drums each had a selection of electronic devices to call on as required) - the sound was as strong and loud as ever!      

Good gig.

Ken Drew.

Raise a Glass to Miles, Joe & Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

(By Russell)

Fancy a drink before noon? Tune into Brew Masters on Quest tv (available on freesat) at 10:00am, Saturday 4th, to hear the story of Dogfish Head Brewery’s efforts to brew, then market a beer celebrating the 40th anniversary of Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew.* If 10:00am is too early, catch the repeat at four in the afternoon. If Fred and Ginger are more to your liking, how about Flying Down to Rio at 1:00pm (BBC 2)?  Moira Stuart remembers Joe Sample, Radio 2, Sunday at 11:00pm.    

Yes Mo Blues - Mo Scott Blues Band @ Jazz Café October 3.

Mo Scott (vcl); Garry Dunn (gtr); Deon Krishnan (bs gtr); Paul Smith (dms).
(Review by Lance/photo, video footage by Mary B).

The material was familiar yet sounded as fresh as if it were the first time round. Mo may not look the archetypal blues mama but when she starts hollering you know the sound and the feeling coming out of that diminutive frame is the real deal! If variety is the spice of life then tonight The Caff was a blues/rock delicatessen. Son House, Sonny Boy, Big Mama, Stevie Ray, Ray Charles, Chuck and many more provided the piquancy that filled the air. Was this Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Memphis or New Orleans? No, it was Newcastle. Outside, on Forth Lane, a reveller danced to the music as if it were New Years Eve. Come to think of it - every Friday night in Newcastle is New Years Eve!

RIP George Roberts

George Roberts, bass trombone in the bands of Gene Krupa, Stan Kenton, Nelson Riddle and others has died aged 86.

A long established name in the West Coast studios his big fat sound filled out the lower end of the brass section on many of the Sinatra/Riddle sessions.

George M. Roberts passed away on Sept. 28.

Rest In Peace.

Obituary.

Lance.

Hoochie Coochie wins "Best Live Music Venue - North East" 2014 !!

Well done Warren and deservedly so!
Lance.

Jamie Lawson @ King’s Hall. October 2

The start of the new academic year at Newcastle University heralded the resumption of the weekly student performance sessions in King’s Hall. The usual eclectic offering – a one hour revue featuring classical, folk, jazz, popular song and more – didn’t happen. A freshers’ week hangover perhaps being responsible for the low-key start!

A curtailed programme presented three students – Louise Anderson (voice), Rachel Hamer (folk singer) and Jamie Lawson (jazz piano).

Bebop Spoken Here went along to hear the piano player. Jamie Lawson, beginning his third year, played Misty. A front row seat, a close-up view of Lawson at the Steinway -the man can play. A fine interpretation of a standard, let’s hope we hear Lawson again. Hopefully he will turn up at the Jazz Café’s regular jam session. Get along to the Caff next Tuesday just in case he wanders in. Peter Gilligan and co. will be impressed. 

Russell.

Djangologie @ King’s Hall. October 2

Mick Shoulder (double bass), Emma Fisk (violin), James Birkett (guitar) & Giles Strong (guitar).

(Review by Russell).

The first lunchtime concert performance of the new academic year in King’s Hall. It couldn’t have got off to a better start. The place was packed to the rafters (that’s real   Old School rafters) and fresh-faced first year students in attendance were blown way listening to Djangologie. Wow! These guys are so cool  they said to themselves.

CD Review: Ana Velinova: The Thief

Ana Velinova (vocals); Misha Platigorsky (keys, melodica); Neil Swainson (bass); Willard Dyson (drums, percussion); Gordon Clements (reeds); Joby Baker (bass on 1 track); Various (brass, clarinet, backing vocals).

(Review by Ann Alex).

Ana Velinova hails from Bulgaria and has worked and performed in major USA and Canadian cities.  She has a Master’s degree in Jazz and Contemporary-Classical Voice Performance and has taught singing.  This is a fine album, her third, of very varied material performed in a jazz style, 5 tracks written by the singer and other tracks by writers not familiar (to me at any rate), such as Eric Dozier.  I’ve reviewed many such CD’s for BSH, showing that there’s no shortage of singing talent around – bring it on I say - even if some of these women singers will never be internationally known. (Ed: Bulgaria, major Canadian and USA cities?)