Michael Garrick Trio @ Gateshead Old Town Hall

Michael Garrick (pno), Matt Ridley (bs), Dominic Ashworth (gtr).

The first jazz concert I ever attended at Gateshead Town Hall was by Sonny Stitt. Forty plus years on I felt a sense of déjà vu when, at tonight's concert, the Michael Garrick Trio opened up with Eternal Triangle - a Sonny Stitt composition.

Perhaps Sonny's spirit was hovering over us.

Dominic Ashworth seemed to think so when I told him - or maybe he was just humouring me!

Canadian guitarist Ashworth, replacing drummer Alan Jackson in the trio, quickly allayed any doubts as to his suitability with some dazzling blasts on this boppy opus.

Of course, those who knew him from the recent Daryl Sherman concerts were delighted to see him again so soon and knew he was the real deal.

Michael Garrick, pictured with BSH's Ann Alexander, chose a mix of the old and the new both from his own work and the jazz repertoire. This latter cat. included Bill Evan's Peri's scope, Limehouse Blues and Oscar Pettiford's Tricotism. Trico, incidentally, was an impressive feature for bassist Ridley.

As a composer Webster's Mood - inspired by the late Ben Webster - portrayed the tenor saxophonist as the great romantic soul he could be. An affectionate and evocative tribute. As a pianist Michael combined fingerlickin' dexterity with the harmonic acumen of Bill Evans.

And, as if this wasn't enough, we were also treated to a poetry reading by Michael drawn from the work of John Smith (honest!) a minor poet with major emotional depth.

A fitting finale to what has been a very good piano series.

Lance.

Maine Street Jazzmen @ Rosie's (Rosie Malone's, South Shields.)

Ray Harley (tpt), Jim McBriarty (clt), Herbie Hudson (tmb/hca/vcl), Malcolm Armstromg (pno), Alan Rudd (bs), Mike Humble (dms0, Olive Rudd (vcl).

Three significant events today. Ray Harley's back in town for a couple of weeks, Herbie's back and pub/band mascot Annie danced her sox off. All 3 did great as indeed did Malcolm - the best in the biz for this style - Alan, rock steady, and Mike who listens to what's going on and provides the drive and impetus for the soloists.

Oh yes, there's Olive. Olive saved me a pound by not selling me a raffle ticket but delivered much more than a bottle of Tesco Chardonnay with her versions of I Got Rhythm, Sunday, How'd Ya Like To Love Me and Just Friends.

An enjoyable retreat from the noonday sun.

Maine Street Photos.

Lance.

Jubilee Quintet @ Ashington Jazz Club

Roly Veitch (gtr/vcl), Jim Birkett (gtr), Graeme Wilson (ten/fl), Neil Harland (bs), John Hirst (dms).

For the last 18 months Ashington Jazz Club has tried to feature a mix of old and new bands. All credit must go to Roly Veitch for puting together a premier band with a line up of old and new faces for our 25th anniversary night.

We arrived at 7:15 and Roly was sorting out the parts and arrangrements he had done especially for the night. He first guested with the River City Jazzmen at the Elephant back in 1989. That was also the year that James Birkett, our other guitarist, also appeared as a guest with the same band. So they were our "old timers". On sax we had one of the new stars - Graeme Wilson -who has appeared here several times as a member of Ruth Lambert's Trio. To complete the line up we had two complete newcomers to the Elephant. It was bass player Neil Harland's first visit to Ashington along with that fine young drummer John Hirst.

The night started well with Will You Still be Mine and a waltz - Alice in Wonderland. Next was Sonnymoon for Two, Line for Lyons and Airmail Special. Lots of contrapuntal arrangements were included in the lead up to "half time" (excuse the World Cup terminology but we have to keep it topical!) Paying homage to the late Tyneside composer Eric Boswell Roly opened the second half with The Whippet. Next, he and Jim together did a bossa nova arrangement of Gan Canny which was an incredible achievement, mixing such different content and styles. Other ensemble numbers included The Nearness of You, There Will Never be Another You, Bye Bye Blackbird and It's You or No One. Jim and Roly also dueted on Skating in the Park and All the Things you Are.

A good size audience of 51 were very appreciative of a top notch band. One or two new faces as well as some who had not been for years. We all agree that the night was a great success with never to be forgotten performances from players - young or old. Lets hope they are still around for our next anniversary, lets book them now!

Alan Pirt, Peter Sanderson & John Taylor

Ashington Jazz Club

Nigel Kennedy Quintet and Anna Marie Jopek at The Sage

Nigel Kennedy (vln), Piotr Wylezol (pno/org), Adam Kowalewski (bs), Krzysztof 'Boom Boom' Dziedzic (dms), Tomasz Grzegorski (ten/sop/bs clt). + 2 Violins & 1 cello.

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Anna Maria Jopek (vcl), Marek Naplorkowski (gtr), Robert Kubiszyn (bs/gtr) Piotr Nazaruk (cither, flutes, reeds, fisharmonium, backing vcls).

If they asked me I could write a book but it would almost be as long as the concert which may still be ongoing.

I've never been to a gig quite like this - there were times when I thought that this was the best gig I'd ever been to and there were times when I thought it wasn't.

The truth is it went on too long.

Anna Maria Jopek set the ball rolling. She looked sexy and svelte in a figure hugging gown as she screamed and whispered alluringly through what I presume was the Great Polish Songbook.

It was a cross genré performance made possible by her amazing vocal range. It didn't matter that we didn't know what she was singing about - think Italian Opera or Vocalese - the voice was her instrument. A good set with some impressive guitar work by Marek.

During the interval I renewed acquaintance with Ron Simpson, the editor of Jazz Rag, drank a glass of rosé, and chatted on jazz things in general until the bell tolled. We drank deep and hurried back to our seats.

We needn't have.

A team of back stage technicians were at work on the drum kit amplification beavering away like BP technicians in the Gulf of Mexico.

The slow hand-claps began from the Polish sector - it may have been stage managed as suddenly everything was Jake.

Well not quite. Nigel introduced the band by name. No John Smiths here. Read the names at the top and you can imagine how long that took!

Still, eventually we got going and DID WE GET FUCKIN' GOING! Apologies for the F word but Nigel K seems to like it so when in Gateshead...

This was simply amazing.

Apart from NK, Tomasz blew great tenor and soprano and the piano had moments too. One helluva band, one crazy violin player - what a sound he gets. At times, almost like a viola so sonorous the tone, whilst at others it could have been Clapton!

It was worth the wait, I was on Cloud 9+. Nashville meets Killarney meets Jean-Luc Ponty meets Menuhin on Miaow. It was 32. I wanted to stay there forever midst this frenetic, frenzied fiddling but, after awhile, it became forever and a day and the magic faded, the riffs became repetitive, the thrill wasn't gone but it was going.

The security men evicting a drunk - or maybe he was a political protester, or a descendent of Vivaldi - from the front row provided a welcome distraction and, after a set that had lasted an hour and a half up until this point, my Metro train home beckoned.

I confessed to the girl at the door it had been a tad too long. she agreed then said that there were still another 35 minutes to go.

I don't want to come over too negative as this concert will stay with me for the rest of my life and I really did enjoy it.

But...

Lance.

PS: Visit Elsie's NK site (see Comments) at http://www.nigelkennedyonline.com/

Nigel Kennedy Takes Pole Position at The Sage

The brochure describes tonight's concert at The Sage as "A sensational and colourful double bill of accessible jazz" which is what I think it will be.

Nigel Kennedy's Jazz Quintet sees the violin virtuso producing another string to his bow, if you'll pardon the dreadful cliché, in a concert that kicks off the Polish Jazz Trilogy.

With him is Polish singer Anna Maria Jopek who those with inside knowledge describe as 'merely fantastic'.

Sounds like I'm in for a good one.

Mind you, this anticipated pleasure has come at a price and I don't mean the £21.50 ticket - a snip for what's on offer - no the price I refer to is having to forego a host of other gigs.

These include the Jubilee Quintet at Ashington - the celebration of 25 years of Ashington Jazz. The bringers of the Jubilee to Ash. are Roly Veitch and Jim Birkett (guitars), Graeme Wilson (tenor), Neil Harland (bass) and John Hirst (drums).

In Heaton, at the Newton Park Hotel, The Vieux Carré Jazzmen host an evening of Hot Jazz and Hot Curry whilst, fresh from a great night at the Cherry Tree the Alan Glen Trio make their monthly pilgrimage to The Chilli.

Quite a night - I wish I were Quads!

Lance.

PS: I almost forgot! For those of a freer disposition - John Butcher, John Russell, Dom Lash + The Long Lonesome Go. Star & Shadow Cinema, Stepney Bank, N'cle. £7/£4. 8:30 pm.

And for those who aren't The Rae Brothers New Orleans Jazz Band are at Springwell Village Hall from 9:00 pm. Meanwhile, down Hartlepool way, The Jeremy McMurray Quartet are at The Causeway...

Tell 'em you're allergic to Andrew Lloyd Webber Liz.

Tomorrow (Wed June 2), Bebop Blogger and good Buddy, Liz goes into hospital for major surgery after her recent fall. This is to wish her all the very best for a speedy recovery.

Lance.

The Customs House Big Band & Ruth Lambert @ New Crown South Shields

The open rehearsal section saw some new material in the pad and, whilst I could express reservations over the American Trilogy type number I'm sure it was being slotted into the pad for a reason - Obama is going to be at The Saville on the 18th? - who knows? You'll just have to buy a ticket to find out.

Glory Glory Hallelujah apart, there was some fine new numbers being unleashed - watch this space.

The concert half of the program kicked with Five Foot Two Eyes of Blue a nice version reminiscent of the Seattle based Blue Wisp Band's recording.

Ruth looked and sounded good on Makin' Whoopee, Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend, That Old Devil Called Love, Alright Ok You Win maybe a couple of others. Ruth was on the money tonight (figuratively speaking!) and she impressed the company I was in which included Eric Delaney making one of his regular north east visits.

The band too got the Delaney Diploma!

Catch them at the Saville Exchange, North Shields on Friday June 18.

Lance.

Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Corner House. May 31st.

Brian Bennett (banjo & vocals), Peter Wright (trumpet), Lawrence McBriarty (trombone), Gavin Lee (clarinet & alto saxophone), Brian Sibbald (double bass), Fred Thompson (drums and vocals) & Neville Hartley (keyboards & trombone)

Bank Holiday Monday ensured a good attendance at the Vieux Carre's long running weekly session. The recent imposition of an admission charge hasn't had an adverse impact on numbers - perhaps it is the free sumptious buffet with endless refills of tea and coffee that has done the trick.

Veteran piano and trombone man Neville Hartley was the band's special guest and the ever-excellent Gavin Lee, depping for Barry Soulsby, blew clarinet and alto. Milano Blues, All By Myself in the Morning and Bugle Boy March were highlights of the first set with clarinetist Lee outstanding on the latter.

JC Higginbotham's Give Me Your Telephone Number opened the second half with Lee switching to alto. Linger A While and Just a Little While to Stay Here followed. The latter tune, tagged traditional was a two-trombone feature for McBriarty and Hartley. Fred Thompson sang Blues My Naughtie Sweetie Gives to Me and trumpeter Peter Wright played strong lead on Joe Avery's Piece and clarinet, keyboards and trumpet soloed in turn on Fats Waller's When Somebody Thinks You're Wonderful.

Russell

Martin Taylor on TV tomorrow morning.

Martin is going to be a guest on BBC Breakfast TV tomorrow morning (Wed 2nd June) between 8.30am-9.15am. He'll be playing a tune and talking about the new album, tour, Guitar Academy and more.

Thanks to John Taylor for drawing this to our attention.

Lance.

Doctor Who? New Crown, South Shields, Tonight

The Shields Gazette, in a Doctor Who related article, published this photo of cellist Ros Barton-Gray and local jazz trombone player Don Fairley.

If he can avoid the paparazzi and doesn't get stuck in any police boxes Don may well be heard tonight with the Customs House Big Band at their monthly open rehearsal in the New Crown Hotel South Shields (7:30 pm start.)

Perhaps they'll play Basie's Li'l Dalek.

Click here for the full story.

Lance.