Kansas Smitty's Big Band: Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite & more @ Ronnie Scott's - Dec 7

Giacomo Smith (alto sax, clarinet, penny whistle); Nathaniel Facey (alto sax); Alec Harper (tenor sax); Alex Garnett (tenor sax, clarinet), Jessamy Holder (baritone sax);  George Hogg, ?, Pete Horsfall, Enrico Tomasso (trumpets); Dan Higham, Joe Evans, James Wade-Sired (trombones); Joe Webb (piano); Anders Fjeldsted (double bass); Snorre Kirk (drums)

Kansas Smitty's wonderful series of lockdown live stream performances included a memorable performance of Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite. That was Christmas Day 2020, fast forward to December 2023 and several of the musicians from those lockdown times - nine in total - were here on Frith Street alongside a raft of others drafted in for the occasion. The Kansas Smitty's Big Band would present two sold out performances - an early evening first house followed by a second, do-it-all-again, second house. 

Album review: Lauren Bush - Tide Rises

Lauren Bush (voice); Liam Dunachie (piano/Rhodes); Dave Manington (bass on 4 tks); Conor Chaplin (bass on 5 tks); Nick Costley-White (guitar on 4 tks); David Ingamells (drums) + Martin Shaw  (trumpet on tk 7) 

Canadian born, London based, Bush, a finalist in the 2016 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, is no stranger to these pages. Apart from having the personal pleasure of reviewing her previous albums, one of which, Dream Away, made our top ten vocal albums of 2021. This one, although a late entry, is a shoo-in to make this years list. I was also delighted when Lauren put in a shift as a BSH reviewer back in 2020.* 

You wanna hear a big band? Scroll down...

The upcoming days in the run-up to Christmas offer a plethora of delights for big band fans.

Starting tomorrow (Dec. 9) we have:  the Prudhoe Community Band @ Central Station, Newcastle. 10:00am - 12 noon. A charity fundraiser that finishes just in time to catch the Durham Alumni Big Band @ Number One Bar, Skinnergate, Darlington. 1:00pm.

On Sunday (Dec.10) it's the Musicians Unlimited’s Xmas Party with the Zoë Gilby Quartet @ Park Inn, Hartlepool. MU 1:00-3:00pm; Zoë Gilby Quartet 4:00-6:00pm. Tickets: £7.50.

You have a couple of days to relax before the next big band explosion which erupts on Wednesday (Dec. 13) with the boisterous and always exciting Bold Big Band @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm.

On the same day (Dec. 13), you can catch the Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public). The band, on Dec. 15, are also @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.

It wouldn't be Christmas without two nights of fun (Dec. 15/16) with the Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 8:00pm. However, the word is that both nights are near sold out. Lance

Top Ten archival albums.

This year has, once again, unearthed many gems from within various vaults and dusty cellars. These are just some of them and for me to rate them like a top twenty chart is ludicrous! Nevertheless, here I go with the proviso that had I to do it again tomorrow it would be totally different!

Moanin'

I get CDs through the letterbox most days, download links everyday by the dozen(s) many of which  bear as close a resemblance to jazz as to a toothbrush and, if I don't reply I get follow ups, reminders - you name it! I could draw a parallel with the straw that broke the camel's back albeit that straw, metaphorically speaking, broke my back long ago!

The point I'm making is that if I don't reply or don't review your album it's nothing personal. I do my best to cover as much as I (and my colleagues) can manage but it is an uphill climb so please try and understand. I'm not here for the money, because there ain't any, but for the love of the music that we call jazz. Lance 

Top ten new releases (instrumental) of 2023

It's that time of year again when we start writing lists so, to kick-start things off, here's my ten favourite new releases (instrumental) of 2023.

1. Simon Spillett Big Band - Dear Tubby H (Mister PC)

 2. Joshua Redman - Where Are We (Blue Note)

 3. Jesse Davis - Live at Smalls Jazz Club (Cellar 20)

 4. The Heavy Hitters (Cellar 20)

 5. Buselli/Wallarab Jazz Orchestra - The Gennett Suite

Sax forte @ Connaught Court, York - Nov. 30

Liz Harris, our girl down south in York, sent me this programme by the Sax forte saxophone quartet. Liz reports that they played an excellent concert at Connaught Court where she currently resides.

Liz remarked on the choice selection of tunes that were brilliantly performed citing When Sunny Gets Blue as her particular favourite, along with Harlem Nocturne - and not a Christmas carol amongst them!

The quartet played a similar concert at the venue last year which was posted HERE. Paradoxically, that gig was in August and it included Corelli's Christmas Concerto!

If you happen to be mooching around York, keep your eyes and ears open. Lance 

The Alto Summit Jam Session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle - Dec. 5

Michael Young (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Sid White (drums) + Luis Verde, Sam Toulson, Haaruun Miller (alto sax); John Rowland (tenor sax); Edgar Bell (trumpet); Esther Coombes (clarinet, alto sax); Ruby (flute); Caroline Watkins (piano); Liam, ? (guitar); Jamie Watkins (double bass); Bailey Rudd (drums); Mollie Birmingham, Debra Milne, Sarah Johnston, Kate O'Neill, Steph, Lisa, Ian Drever, ? (vocals) 

The penultimate Black Swan jam session of the year featured an alto sax summit, a plethora of vocalists and a family celebration. The previous day's incessant rain cleared the pavements of snow and ice, no doubt tempting any waverers to make it down to Newcastle Arts Centre. Long before the down beat the basement Black Swan bar was more than busy.

John Colianni (7/1/62 - 28/11/2023)

Peter Bevan has sent me the sad news that American pianist John Colianni passed away on Nov. 28.

I wasn't familiar with the name until Peter pointed out that he was the pianist in the Lionel Hampton Band (pictured at the left of the picture) who played Newcastle City Hall on May 14, 1983.

James Birkett Trio @ Blaydon Jazz Club - Dec. 4

(© Roly Veitch)

James Birkett (guitar); Jeremy McMurray (piano); Andy Champion (double bass) + Benita Bull (vocals)

Early December, a Christmas party night of sorts. By design the publicity was all rather low key. Did it deter anyone? Not at all, long before the eight o'clock start the room was bursting at the seams, a crackling atmosphere, it was going to be one of those nights...

Blaydon Jazz Club and the Black Bull pub put on a buffet but we would have to wait until the interval. In the meantime, a pint of the local Firebrick Brewery's Cushy Butterfield (a 5.2% stout), a natter and, before we knew it, the James Birkett Trio took to the stage.