On The Outside Festival. Sunday Oct. 11 part 2.

A fifth and final evening session was to come but first it was time for a quick pint in the pub across the road.

Seven o'clock approached and it was time to return to Gateshead's most welcoming Old Town Hall for the finale which opened with Marilyn Crispell performing solo before being joined by Raymond Macdonald for a short duo piece.

The remainder of the programme was a cornucopia of delights. The sets, programmed by the musicians themselves, took the form of a series of brief duo and trio encounters producing highlight upon highlight. The last word, musically speaking, went to Marilyn Crispell and Chad Taylor. The perfect ending. The events of the three days were captured on canvas by Gina Southgate, Artist in Residence. Gina worked unstintingly alongside the musicians producing a series of paintings capturing the very essence of the world that is free jazz. Her work will be exhibited at Newcastle Arts Centre (Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne) from Saturday 24th October. All are welcome to attend the opening at 6.00.p.m. on the evening of 24th October. An alternative take on the events can be viewed online at www.musicfilmbroth.com . Many thanks to Mark for making available this invaluable resource. Thanks to Northern Rock Foundation for making a generous award, without which On the Outside would not be possible. Finally, many thanks to Sue Hurrell and collegues at Gateshead Arts & Libraries assisted by Charlie, Chris and countless others for making it all happen at such a great venue. Russell

On The Outside Festival. Sunday Oct. 11 part 1.

Day 3.

A festival on the scale of On the Ouside is a major undertaking with hiccups such as delayed arrivals at airport or railway station being nothing unusual. Early Sunday afternoon presented another challenge with the Tyne Bridge all but inaccesible due to major traffic jams to the north and south of the river.

This, the penultimate session, got underway shortly after the advertised start time of two o'clock with, inevitably, one or two latecomers rushing into the hall to hear the first set. Four musicians; one from Brazil, one from Germany, one from Scotland and one hailing from just around the corner.

South American cellist Marcio Mattos, a veteran on the free jazz scene, linked up with bass clarinetist Rudi Mahall (a vital presence throughout the weekend), Graeme Wilson (tenor and baritone saxes) and Guitar Rising Star (as 'Down Beat' would put it) Chris Sharkey. Mahall's sound is gutteral, insistent, urgent. Foot-tapping, in something approximating a syncopated style, he leads the ensemble first this way then that. Wilson, cool, detached, listening all the while, never wastes a note. Sharkey, Gateshead born, is a remarkable talent. Technique, style, vocabulary - he's got it all. A good start to the afternoon.

The second set presented the duo of New Yorkers Rob Brown (alto sax) and Daniel Levin (cello). Brown is, as they say, 'the real deal'. Gifted, with a disguised bop sensibility, he knows what to play, when to play it and crucially when not to. Levin is a quite sensational cellist with a dazzling technique (imagine Du Pre or Isserlis as a jazz or free jazz player) and a pork pie hat to boot! I'd venture to say this was the set of the weekend.

The following set saw one change to the advertised line-up with drummer Chad Taylor being replaced by Gunter Sommer. 'Baby' Sommer was joined on stage by the brilliant French bassist Bruno Chevillon, pianist Marilyn Crispell (possibly the stellar name at this year's festival) and 'Man About Gateshead' Chris Sharkey. Sommer and Sharkey traded, Crispell captivated, Chevillon conquered.

Andy Champion had a hand in determining the cast list for the afternoon's closing set. A long time admirer of French guitar virtuoso Marc Ducret, Andy insisited that he share the stage with him at some point. So, this was his opportunity in the company of Raymond MacDonald and Alan Tomlinson. Champion favoured a percussive approach with extensive use of the mallet. The session drew to a close with hand shakes all round.

Russell.

Update on Zoe Gilby and Andy Champion

This must have been a pretty good week for Zoe and Andy - the north-east jazz world's favourite couple. Not only did Andy's new band, AVC, play a storming debut gig at the Bridge Hotel on Thursday but basso supremo Andy also, I'm told, excelled in exalted company during the weekend's "On The Outside Festival" at Gateshead Town Hall.

He also found time to nip away and accompany Zoe on a duo set at Marsden (Yorkshire) Jazz Festival without missing a beat!

I'm told the couple did good at Marsden.

If you missed it the good news is that you should gan (go) along the Scotswood Road to Blaydon CIU Club on Thursday night where, at 8:30 pm, they do it all again in the "cosy lounge."

The bad news is that it is only a small room so get there early.

Lance.

Harry Allen - 43 today.

I love Harry Allen's tenor playing - it's straight down the middle swing and he's only 43! Makes me feel ancient.

So happy birthday Harry.

I also love this Facebook comment to Harry from that delightful diva Ann Hampton Callaway: "Have a sensational birthday, Harry - because we're all wild about you!"

Lance. PS: Come to think of it I am ancient...ish.

The Jazz Messengers - A Night in Tunisia

Hil has pointed out to me that today was Art Blakey's birthday. Had he lived he'd have been 90. As it was he died in 1990. The anniversary of his death is on Friday - October 16 so let's remember perhaps the greatest modern jazz drummer and certainly the greatest hard bop band of them all. Lance

On the Outside Festival. Saturday October 10. Part 2

The Saturday evening session, the third of five across the weekend, was supported by several music students from Leeds College of Music. The first set they heard featured Gunter Sommer and Rudi Mahall. Well, you couldn't do better than to introduce students to the free jazz scene with characters such as these on stage. The set will will go down in history as one of the greatest to be heard in these parts. Too much to tell, not least the contributions of Chevillon and Fuhler, so if you see anyone you know who was there on the night, just ask them about it. How to follow it? Well, the authoritative playing of Rob Brown was called for and there he was on stage with MacDonald, Tomlinson and Wilson. The sets throughout the weekend are programmed by Paul Bream (and the musicians themselves). So, was this a master stroke or simply good fortune? A mixture of the two to be truthful. Paul says you never know what will happen on the night. The penultimate set of day two brought together once more Mahall and Sommer with cellist Marcio Mattos and the prodigiously talented Chris Sharkey. Guitarist Sharkey, hot foot from an engagement at the Marsden Jazz Festival, arrived in time to say he was really looking forward to playing this particular set. He wasn't disappointed. The eccentrics that are Mahall and Sommer were quite brilliant, Mattos a class act and Sharkey loved it! The sustained applause at the conclusion of the performance was well deserved. The second day drew to a close with an unusual proposition; five string players and Cor Fuhler. One observer suggested it could be 'string heavy'. The instrumentation was at the suggestion of pianist Fuhler (his alter ego performs as 'Cor Blimey' - yes, he is a wit!). The playing was engaging, strings singing as if they were reeds. Take a bow Messers. Champion, Chevillon, Levin and Mattos. Take a bow too Cor Fuhler.

Russell

On the Outside Festival. Saturday October 10.

Day two...

Saturday dawned, bleary - eyed from being ensconsed the previous evening in one of Tyneside's great pubs to sup a post Festival pint (or three) in the company of musicans performing at the On the Outside Festival. The first set of the afternoon session featured three Europeans; the good humoured pianist Cor Fuhler, Geman Rudi Mahall (bass clarinet) and genial Scot Raymond MacDonald (alto & soprano sax) and one American visitor, the laconic Chad Taylor (drums). The set was just what was needed; one to wake the dead (perhaps not for those nursing hangovers!) Blistering stuff with Mahall in top gear from the off. The following set was, as they say, ''something else''. The delayed appearance at Gateshead Old Town Hall of percussionist Gunter 'Baby' Sommer was well worth the wait. Professor Sommer (he is indeed an academic) gave a stunning performance in two duo settings. First with Marc Ducret then Raymond MacDonald. Sommer, a striking looking character, is a visual treat. He gave a theatrical masterclass. Kansas City swing to avant improv with technique to spare. The theatrical side is straight out of the Han Bennink school of drumming. Guitarist Ducret enjoyed the experience as did reedsman MacDonald. The audience was enthralled. Set three pitted local hero Andy Champion against Americans Rob Brown and Chad Taylor. Alto saxophonist Brown is a formidable player, Taylor likewise, yet our boy Andy got in there and did the business! The final set of the afternoon introduced the unavoidably delayed French double bassist Bruno Chevillon. The Frenchman arrived at the venue straight from the airport having travelled all day (missing a connection along the way!) and I for one had been eagerly anticipating his participation. Chevillon is a long time musical associate of Marc Ducret and it was fitting that they were together on stage during Bruno's first contribution to On the Outside. A five piece gathering (Alan Tomlinson, trombone, Marilyn Crispell, piano and Graeme Wilson, reeds) gave Chevillon the chance to settle in with Tomlinson prominent from the outset. Ducret established the soundscape in tandem with Wilson and Crispell. Chevillon impressed from his first note. He produced a beautiful tone and showed a flawless technique. Russell.

On The Outside Festival. Friday October 9.

The annual jamboree that is On the Outside got under way on Friday night at Gateshead Old Town Hall. Five sessions over three days, fifteen musicians - it makes for a lot of music with seemingly infinite permutations.

Tonight's session offered something for everyone. The first set featured two Americans - cellist Daniel Levin and drummer Chad Taylor joined by Raymond MacDonald, an affable Scot, playing alto and soprano saxophones. Brilliant, at times furious playing.

The second set was, for this correspondent at least, an eagerly awaited match-up; Gateshead lad Chris Sharkey and French superstar Marc Ducret (guitarists of the highest calibre) were joined on stage by Honorary Geordie Graeme Wilson (tenor and baritone saxophones) and piano virtuoso Cor Fuhler.

The outcome was somewhat surprising - the fireworks were kept in the box for another day. Sharkey stalked his pray but didn't attack and in turn Ducret held his foe at arm's length. Indeed Wilson and Fuhler ensured things remained civilised. A good set.

North east bassist par excellance Andy Champion was presented with a real challenge in being in the company of trombonist Alan Tomlinson and Rudi Mahall (bass clarinet). Tomlinson started with a brilliant solo piece and was then joined by Champion and Mahall for what was possibly the highlight of the evening. Champion was every bit the equal of his vastly experienced musical partners.

The final set was the heavyweight bout of the evening - Rob Brown (alto saxophone), Marilyn Crispell (piano), Marcio Mattos (cello & electronics) and Chad Taylor (depping for Gunter Sommer). Sound balance difficulties not withstanding this was a quality set.

More to come Saturday and Sunday.

See you there.

Russell .

THOSE PORTHOLE BLUES AGAIN

It’s Tuesday again and the sun in the Stella is shining. Yellow dust fills the dappled Porthole with a Golden Fleece and the jazz, hot jazz, belts out raging from this pulsating lounge. The saints and ghosts of ancient seamen go marching in. Let the liquid trumpet pour out, my legs slide to the floor with the trombone lilt. Cry me this river, lurch for the ferry. I will ping the dart of a blue note through your soul. I am only a poet, a saxophone with words, an improvising shantyman thanking the landlord for still serving me: despite all this poetry slurping, this lovely drivel dribbling from my wicked Geordie tongue. KEITH ARMSTRONG

'Basie'cally Gershwin & Porter - Customs House Big Band & Ruth Lambert

Paul Riley-Gledhill, Michael Lamb, Simon Dennis, ? (tpts); Mike Fletcher, Gareth Weaver, Chris Gurgit-Smith, (tmb); Peter Morgan (ldr/bs tmb); Jill Brett (alt/flt), Jim McBriarty (alt); Alan Marshall, Leah Tether (ten), Chris Kaberry (bar); Bill Brittainn (pno), Roy Willis (gtr), John Pope (bs), Ian Wynd (dms). Ruth Lambert (vcl).

There were a number of changes since I last heard the band at South Shields' Customs House - whether they were permanent or deps I don't know. Whatever, it didn't diminish the power of the band who, particularly in the Basie section of the program, displayed dynamic awareness.

Alan Marshall played some corking tenor solos and Jill Brett blew full toned alto as well as leading the section. Jazzman Jim McBriarty depped for 'Lainey' but didn't solo.

Chris Gurgit-Smith had a really beautiful trombone sound. Rich and meaty like the Milt Bernhardt of the Kenton and Riddle orchestras he excelled on "I've Got Rhythm."

Young Simon Dennis on trumpet had some exploratory solos that contrasted nicely with the Power of Paul Riley-Gledhill and Michael Lamb who leads his own big band at Cluny 2 on Oct. 30.

The rhythm section was first class with the ubiquitous John Pope, once he'd got miked-up, his usual tower of strength. Bill Brittain had some lovely intros to the Basie ballads as well as working out on "The Kid From Redbank." Roy Willis chorded effectively whilst Ian Wynd on drums booted things along.

Peter Morgan led from the front and kept the audience amused with his introductory spiel to each piece.

Which brings me to Ruth. The girl seems to get better each time around. The Gershwin/Porter songs could have been written with Ruth in mind so effectively did she interpret the clever lyrics.

In "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" she sang the rarely heard second verse.

Saint Patrick's Day,

Although I may,

Be seen wearing green with a Paddy,

I'm always sharp when playing the harp,

'Cause my heart belongs to daddy.

Though other dames

At football games

May long for a strong undergraddy,

I never dream

Of making the team,

'Cause my heart belongs to daddy.

Super Cole Porter, Super band and Super Ruth. Oh and let's not forget mister Superstar Gershwin - Ruth's emotive version of "The Man I Love" slid nicely into the Bill Holman up tempo chart of the same tune for an effective finale.

Can't wait to catch her again at her CD launch on Oct 23 or with the band when they return to the Customs House in March next year.

Photos.

Lance.

PS: And - one more time for Count Basie.

PPS: And - one more one time for Peter Morgan.