Bix and the Jazz Ambassadors

Geoffrey Smith’s Jazz (midnight Saturday, Radio 3) looks at the work of the legendary Bix Beiderbecke (pictured). On Sunday afternoon over on Radio 4 (1:30pm) there is a repeat of a half hour documentary – The Jazz Ambassadors of the Cold War – presented by Julian Joseph looking at the US State Department’s sponsored tours taking the great names of American jazz behind and beyond the iron curtain.

Fiery Inspiration: Amiri Baraka and the Black Arts Movement reassesses the impact of    politically aware cultural activities in America and their resonance here in Britain. The first of two programmes, tune in at four o’clock, Monday, Radio 4.

Two blues items of note; Liz Kershaw (BBC 6 Music, Saturday, 1:00pm) meets the man of the moment, Mr Robert Cray and over on BBC 4 Extra on Monday there are no fewer than three opportunities to hear John Mayall’s Blues Adventures at 6:30am, 1:30pm and again at 8:30pm.

Google box watchers will, no doubt, want to tune into a quick repeat of Len Goodman’s Dance Band Days on Wednesday, BBC 2, 11:15pm (first shown on BBC4).

Russell.

CD Review: Herb Silverstein - Younger Next Year

Herb Silverstein (pno); Jeff Rupert (ten); Marty Morrell (dms); LaRue Nickelson (gtr); Michael Ross (bs).

(Review by Lance).

On a day when I'm listening to CDs, grimacing and wondering which of my sidekicks I can palm this one or that one off on, midway through the pile, I hit on this one - a gem!

Dr. Herb Silverstein is a renowned American ear surgeon, inventor and philanthropist. His CV also states that he's the founder and president of the Silverstein Institute and the Ear Research Foundation in Sarasota, Florida.

He's also an author, a composer and - a jazz musician!

CD Review: Nancy Lane - Let Me Love You

Nancy Lane (vocals); Kenny Bibace (guitar); Lara Driscoll (piano); Aron Doyle (trumpet, flugelhorn); Francois D’Amours (tenor sax); Mike De Masi (bass); Dave Laing (drums)

(Review by Ann Alex).

Now wouldn’t you suppose that What Is This Thing Called Love? would be sung slowly to convey the sadness of lost love?  Not a bit of it on this CD.  Nancy Lane gives us the song in short fast phrases, sung to a pattering bass, slowing down only for the last few bars to bring out the full meaning, and it works wonderfully, like so much on this totally enjoyable disc.  I hope we’ll hear more of this lady in the future. 

Alice Grace Quartet @ the Cherry Tree Restaurant - October 14.

Alice Grace (vcls); Pete Gilligan (pno); Paul Grainger (bs); Russ Morgan (dms).

(Review by Lance).

The Cherry Tree is noted, not only for fine dining, but also for cordon bleu jazz. Tonight was a tough call. Was it the Bistro Rump Steak, Traditional Garnish, Fries and Winemakers Butter or Alice Grace singing Blame it on my Youth? It was a difficult decision but, in the end, the steak was medium but the vocal was rare. 

The kitchen had opened the batting with Lamb and Pistachio Terrine, Spring Onion and Mint Relish.

Robert Cray Band @ Sage Gateshead. October 13

Robert Cray (guitar & vocals), Dover Weinberg (keyboards & organ), Richard Cousins (bass) & Les Falconer (drums)

(Review by Russell)

The lights went down, way down. The Robert Cray Band walked on in darkness, plugged in, began to play, then, and only then, did the stage lights illuminate America’s #1 blues-soul star. The ageless Robert Cray, in his mid-sixties with the looks of a thirty-something, never gives less than one hundred percent, yet this Sage Gateshead show was different. It wasn’t immediately apparent but there was an extra something about it.

CD Review: Racha Fora - Racha S'miles

Hiroaki Honshuku (flutes/piccolo/ewi); Rika Ikeda (violin); Mauricio Andrade (guitar); Rafael Russi (bass); Benhur Oliviera (pandeiro) + (on 3 tracks) Dave Liebman (sop sax).

(Review by Lance).

Described as Jazz improvisation over native Brazilian rhythms - a grooving hybrid music from Boston, Ma this sounded as if it might be a daunting prospect! Not so! This tribute to Miles Davis is quite delightful. The unusual combination of the flute/violin front-line over a Brazilian rhythm section works well.

Tonight @ The Cherry Tree - not to be missed!

Tonight at the Cherry Tree is rather special, but aren't they always? So perhaps I should say EXTRA SPECIAL!

By which I mean a return visit from top singer Alice Grace. Alice wowed the audience on her previous visit to the Cherry Tree and has also created waves at the Jazz Café. Her CV  includes stints at Ronnie Scott's as well as with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. If you missed her last time don't get caught out again.

Once more Alice will be accompanied by the outstanding Peter Gilligan Trio (Peter on piano; Paul Grainger, bass and Russ Morgan drums). 

Lance.

Wednesday October 14 - Alice Grace w. Peter Gilligan Trio, Cherry Tree Restaurant, 9 Osborne Rd., Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2AE.. 0191 2399924. 7:00pm. No cover charge.

CD Review: Let Spin – Let Go

Chris Williams (alto saxophone), Moss Freed (guitar), Ruth Goller (bass) & Finlay Panter (drums)

(Review by Russell).

Let Spin is a band of busy musicians working in a variety of contexts, in locations across Europe. When they work together as Let Spin they bring compositional ideas to the table formed from their collective performance experiences. Let Go is their second album. All of the material is informed by the input of all four band members.

Lindsay Hannon Plus on tour

(Press release). The Lindsay Hannon Plus are touring as part  of Rural Arts ON Tour, don't miss out on  seeing one of Jazz North's Northern Line bands  in a venue near you! This engaging band moves from raucous  barrelhouse blues to thoughtful, spacious  ballads across a variety of grooves, creating an  electric atmosphere.

CD review: The Jelly Roll Jazz Band - Whose Solo is it Anyway?

Dan Wackett (bjo); Michael Grant (clt/spoons); Laurence Marshall (tpt/tmb/vcl); Ben Sarney (bs).

(Review by Lance).

The sleeve says that the Jelly Roll Jazz Band [above names] are listed in reverse alphabetical order according to the penultimate letter of their surname. This gave me the idea that this isn't a disc to be taken too seriously!

It's a fun band! And if you're having a Prohibition Party, this is the band for you.

Lots of tried and tested favourites such as When the Saints; Bourbon St. Parade; Five Foot Two; Sheik of Araby; Just a Closer Walk With Thee; St. James Infirmary; Margie;  Moon River; Bare Necessities; Ice Cream; When You're Smiling; 14 seconds of In the Mood and an unlisted blast on Bill Bailey. Nowhere else will you hear such heart-rending interpretations of the core banjo repertoire , say's the press release. A fair description.

Got to be the best party band in Scarborough which is where they are hiding out from the Jazz Police. Visit them on Facebook.

Lance.