The Ishy Aasgaard Quintet @ Llandudno Jazz Club - July 27

© Richard Morris

Ishy Aasgaard (trombone) Neil Yates (trumpet, tenor sax); Misha Gray (piano); Josh Cavanagh-Brierley (double bass); Johnny Hunter (drums)

It is not often a trombone player leads a five piece ensemble but this concert provided one of the rising stars of jazz trombone, Ishy Aasgaard, the opportunity of leading this very classy group of musicians. Although still studying under Giacomo Smith and others at the Royal Academy of Music his trombone virtuosity tonight was exceptional. He also selected a wonderful set list which enabled all to display their skills. 

Album review: Emily Kuhn - Feathered Things (Desafio Candente Records)

Emily Kuhn (trumpet); Meghan Stagl (piano, vocals); Erik Skov (guitar); Kitt Lyles (bass); Gustavo Cortiñas (drums)

Eight original compositions by Kuhn drawn from her imagery of feathers, flight, fire and snow to explore themes of hope and resilience. Truly an ambitious project that was well beyond the bounds of my own imagery - old bebopper that I am.

Nevertheless, ignoring all the P.R. mullarkey, there are compelling moments and certainly Kuhn has a beautiful sound. The tone, rich and resonant, could well have been recorded in a high ceilinged cathedral. It brought to mind The Last Post being played at the graveside of the fallen. The opening chorus of Telephone is just such a moment where the tonal clarity, totally unaccompanied, crosses genres setting an instrumental benchmark for any trumpet player.

Dana Masters: Upstairs @ Ronnie Scott's - July 14

Courtesy of Glenn Wright

Dana Masters (vocals); Cian Boylan (piano); Freddie Gavita (trumpet)

There are few better places to spend a sweltering summer evening than Upstairs at Ronnie Scott's. While the historic main room downstairs remains the beating heart of the club, Upstairs has developed a character entirely its own. On a night when London temperatures remained stubbornly in the high twenties, the wonderfully efficient air conditioning was appreciated almost as much as the music itself. Cool, intimate and wonderfully relaxed, there isn't a bad seat in the house. Whether seated just a few feet from the stage or leaning against the bar watching Ronnie Scott's expert staff effortlessly mixing cocktails while Masters' effortlessly expressive voice filled the room, every audience member felt part of the performance.

R.I.P. Jim McKeown (? - July 29, 2026)

I've just received the sad news of the passing of Scottish born, Forest Hall based, Dixieland drummer Jimmy "the brush" McKeown.

Over the years, Jim enhanced local New Orleans styled bands such as Maureen Hall's Rendezvous Jazz (pictured), Jazz in the Afternoon, and many others with his discreet, yet effective drumming.

His jovial personality will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Lance

R.I.P. René Urtreger (1934 -July 16, 1926)

The passing of  René Urtreger  brought back many memories of listening to albums by Buck Clayton, Don Byas, Lionel Hampton, Lester Young and fellow Frenchman Guy Lafitte. Urtreger was invariably first call when an American ex-pat bagged a record date and needed a pianist.

Amongst those albums and the one I've probably played more than any of the others is Miles' soundtrack to Ascenseur Pour L'Echafaud with Urtreger. Listening to it late at night on some foreign radio station I could almost imagine I was in Paris. At the time I probably didn't know it was Urtreger on piano but I sensed his importance to what Miles was laying down.

René Urtreger died just ten days after his 92nd birthday.

R.I.P - Lance

Dean Masser Quartet @ the Moor Club, Stockport - July 26

© Jeff Pritchard

Dean Masser (tenor sax); Richard Wetherall (keyboards); Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley (double bass); Dave Walsh (drums).

I've  done so many reviews on Dean that I'm running out of words to describe his playing. Likewise Richard Wetherall who is also seen at many of the Moor Club gigs.  These two musicians attracted a larger than normal turnout and I noticed many friends and plenty of regular jazz fans amongst the audience. 

A person who is making a name for himself in the north west and elsewhere is bass player Joshua C-B.  He has been most impressive on every gig I've seen him on. Dave Walsh is well known as an educator and is also one of a few drummers that are always in demand. I liked his brush work on the wonderful ballad You've Changed which happens to be a favourite tune of mine. 

Album review: Sam Furlonger and his Quintet - Get Out and Get Under the Moon (self released)

Sam Furlonger (vocals); Fraser Urquhart (piano, arrangements, sleeve notes); Fraser Smith (saxes); Darren McCarthy (bass); Harry Sankey (guitar); Joe Dessauer (drums)

There was a time when it seemed as though female jazz singers were being delivered on an assembly line conveyor belt. Now it seems as though the pendulum has swung the other way and the guys are in the ascendancy.

Sam Furlonger, in this his debut album, is a welcome addition to these ever-growing ranks. Unlike so many of the 'comers', although he acknowledges Sinatra as an inspiration, his sound is more the rich bass/baritone of Johnny Hartman or Billy Eckstine. It's a great sound enhanced by the supporting musicians (Fraser Smith's solos are very effective) as well as Urquhart's arrangements.

Press release: Kings Place Announces Major Autumn/Winter 2026 Jazz Season Featuring Dave Holland, Bill Laurance, Fergus McCreadie, Matt Carmichael and more

*With its most ambitious EFG London Jazz Festival programme to date, major new commissions and the continued development of the Kings Place Jazz Orchestra, Kings Place further strengthens its position as one of London's leading destinations for contemporary jazz*

This Autumn/Winter, Kings Place will present an ambitious season of jazz performances featuring internationally acclaimed artists, exclusive premieres and major new collaborations, underlining the venue's growing reputation as one of London’s leading destinations for live jazz. With one of its most expansive EFG London Jazz Festival programmes to date, alongside year-round programming spanning established international artists and emerging UK talent, Kings Place continues to expand its commitment to presenting jazz in all its forms.

Album review: Charles Lloyd, Zakir Hussain, Eric Harland - Sangam and Friends (Blue Note)

Charles Lloyd (tenor/alto sax, flute); Zakir Hussain (tabla, perc.); Eric Harland (drums, perc., tongue drum); Vijay Prakash (vocals); Sabir Kahn (sarangi); Rakesh Chaurasia (bansuri); Niladri Kumar (sitar); Ranjit Barot (keyboard).

Probably an acquired taste but not one I arrived at through veteran saxophonist Charles Lloyd, who I've never explored much, though his playing remains masterful despite his advanced years. My entrance came via the late great tabla master Zakir Hussain via his association with guitar pioneer John McLaughlin. 

EP review: The Derrick Harris Organ Trio - Zig-zag

Derrick Harris (guitar); Pete Whittaker (B3); George Double (drums)

Our man from way out west - Mike Farmer - reviewed Harris many times at the old Railway pub in Stockport and again more recently at the Moor Club. His reviews were positive and, listening to Harris on this organ trio EP, he wasn't wrong. 

Harris gets a good clean sound that blends nicely with Whittaker's punchy Hammond. I've always been impressed by Whittaker whether with Art Themen, Jim Mullen, Nigel Price or, more recently on  Deirdre Cartwright's excellent album Organik. He knows what the Hammond is all about and utilises its potential to the full.