CD Review: Shizaru - The Naked Truth

Lorenzo Feliciati (bass guitars/keys), Pat Mastelotto (drums/percussion), Roy Powell (piano/Fender Rhodes/ Hammond/keys) & Cuong Vu (trumpet/electronics).

Italian bassist Lorenzo Feliciati has brought together like-minded friends to produce the CD Shizaru. Americans trumpeter Cuong Vu and Pat Mastelotto (drums) and British keyboards player Roy Powell empathise with Feliciati's musical vision.

A post Apocalypse soundscape emerges from a Bitches Brew of a cauldron. Feliciati's fretless bass centres the group sound, on occasion inhabiting Headhunters territory, around which Powell's Fender Rhodes stabs and pokes as Vu's trumpet work is heard, distorted and distant.

The trumpeter hails from New York's downtown scene and on this outing is clearly the free-jazz improvising voice of the quartet. Drummer Mastelotto lays down constantly shifting grooves and on the title track - Shizaru - he goes into nu-metal overdrive. This is very much the exception to the rule with much of the CD residing in a mid-tempo chill-out zone.

Russell.

The Naked Truth's Shizaru is available now on Rare Noise Records RNR019.

Hot and Cool with Ian Shaw and Clare Teal in Harrogate

I wasn't in Harrogate for the event, which was part of the Summer Festival, but the York Press was and, after giving Clare Teal a lukewarm review, Matt, their reviewer, gave a warmer one to Ian Shaw.

I wasn't there but I love both artists and it would be interesting to hear from those fans who were.

Thanks to Liz for drawing my attention to the review.

Lance.

Happy Birthday Tony - 85 today!

The Stars Really Will Fall on Stockton This Sunday!

Stockton Riverside Fringe Festival - ‘’Milestones – The Next Step’’ Georgian Theatre, Green Dragon Yard, Stockton on Tees. TS18 1AT. Tel: 01642 674115. Free!

• 12:00 - 12:45 Noel Dennis Quartet featuring Chris Hibbard (tmb).
• 13:00 - 13:45 Saxophonics.
• 14:00 - 14:45 Milestones – The Next Step.
• 15:00 - 16:30 Singers’ Day (Gilby, Lambert, Hannon, Kelly) Part One.
• 16:45 - 17:30 Singers Day Part Two (as above).
• 17:45 - 18:30 Spelk.
• 18:45 - 19:30 Mark William Trio.
• 19:45 - 20:30 Legohead.
• 20:45 - 21:30 Funk Regulators.
• I heard it on the grapevine the unconfirmed report that the Claude Werner Quartet has pulled out of the 16:45 spot hence the Part Two of Singers' Day replacement. Presented in conjunction with Jazz Action.
• ...and there won't be a Shadow in sight. Lance.

Sarah Ellen Hughes Big Band

This delightful clip is of Anna and Sarah Ellen Hughes fronting the Ruislip Big Band. Sarah Ellen is one of the artists appearing at the Customs House, South Shields later in the year. Lance.

CD Review: Good Days at Schloss Elmau - Gwilym Simcock

Gwilym Simcock (solo piano).

When an album is nominated for the prestigious 2011 Barclaycard Mercury Prize - the only jazz album in contention - then it has to be something special and Good Days at Schloss Elmau is just that and more.

A collection of original works by Simcock that successfully walks the high wire between classical European music and contemporary jazz without compromise to either.

There are many influences and inspirations from both worlds. Bill Evans and Chopin, Keith Jarrett and Debussy, Bach and Peterson but most of all Simcock himself who has developed a technique as formidable as any pianist around today and a few who aren't enabling him to transmit his thoughts instantly to the keyboard to produce the magical moments on this CD.

Moments that are tender, sad or reflective. Others where his exuberance leaps at you full of vitality and excitement.

If I had to face the impossible task of choosing just one track from the CD I think it might be Northern Smiles where he plays homage to Jarrett's Southern Smiles.

There's a Scottish folkiness about the Welshman's composition that appeals to this Englishman!

Check it out.

Good Days at Schloss Elmau - Gwilym Simcock. ACT 9501-2 - LC 07644.

Lance.

Tonight's Shields Gazette

One of our local newspapers - the Shields Gazette - has devoted almost a full page spread, including a photo of Enrico Tomasso, to forthcoming jazz concerts at South Shields Customs House.

Well done the Gazette!

Link...

Lance.

Mendelssohn must do ok on royalties!

Whilst Zara and Mike were tying the knot up in Scotland, closer to home, a prince amongst pianists also got hitched.

Paul Edis and Kate became Mr and Mrs this Saturday.

Music was provided by Roly Veitch, Noel Dennis and Neil Harland with Andy Champion, Graham Hardy, Sue Ferris and a few of the usual suspects joining the groom for Watermelon Man.

We wish the couple every happiness.

Photo by Jerry Edis.

Lance.

Identity Parade!

Lance, I was looking up some information on Newcastle Jazz in the '50s and I came across a mention of the Newcastle Jazz Club in the Royal Arcade and a link to a photograph. I couldn't find the photograph but I contacted Steve Ellwood who owns the site http://www.steve-ellwood.org.uk/ and he kindly sent me a copy and gave me permission to use it. Steve tells me that this was sent to him a long time ago and he can't remember the source but it was named Royal Arcade - Newcastle Jazz Club and he thought the band was George Hornsby's. It looks a bit posh for a Jazz Club and I was told that George used to have a residency at the Milvain, could it be there? If you think any of your readers might have an input please feel free.

Alfred Stone.

Tonight @ The Cherry Tree.

Tonight at the Cherry Tree Restaurant (9 Osborne Rd., Jesmond tel 0191 2399924) sees super saxist and flautist Sue Ferris performing with her quartet. I'm not sure of tonight's line-up save it will be top class - like the leader.

Sue, whose image graces the latest edition of the Jazz UK bi-monthly mag is one of the most inventive players around and the perfect complement to the cuisine.

Doors 6:30pm, Music 7:30pm.

Lance.