Jazz Action @ The Stockton Weekender, August 7 - Part two.

The centre piece of the day presented four of the region's very best singers. Ruth Lambert, well known to regular readers of Bebop Spoken Here, gave a polished performance supported by a hard-working rhythm section comprising Stuart Collingwood (keyboards), the indefatigable Andy Champion (double bass) and drummer David Francis together with the supreme tenor saxophonist, Graeme Wilson.

Bonnie Raitt's Love Me Like a Man proved to be perfect material for Lambert. Suzanne Vega's Caramel was given a lazy, bossa treatment and the GAS Book wasn't forgotten with a classy version of No Moon at All.

The rhythm section's services were retained as Lindsay Hannon stepped up to sing a wide-ranging programme. Stompin' at the Savoy was bold, sung with verve, Tom Waits was in the pad and I Can't Escape From You was a highlight.

Claire Kelly is a real find. The Tyneside based singer has emerged as a serious voice and backed by the same top class house band she delivered an interesting set list. Rhode Island Is Famous For You and John Dankworth's Let's Slip Away were but two numbers to impress. West Coast Blues, a number recorded by Lambert and Zoe Gilby, no less, stood comparison and that was no mean feat. Perhaps the highlight of Kelly's set was Mad About the Boy. Stuart Collingwood offered excellent support on this one. Hey, Dinah, watch out!

The singers' session concluded with an appearance by the wonderful Zoe Gilby. If anyone could follow Ms. Lambert, Ms.Hannon and Ms. Kelly it had to be Gilby and she didn't disappoint. Waters of March, Jobim's lyrics tongue-twister, was word perfect with perfect diction. The Gilby-Champion duet has become a firm favourite and a Kate Bush number and Monk's classic Well You Needn't were a great success. Gilby, with Graeme Wilson on tenor, went out with Dave Brubeck's Travelin' Blues. Great stuff.

Great set.

Russell.

To be continued...

CD Review: Loud City - Vasilis Xenopoulos & The Xtet.

Vasilis Xenopoulos (ten/alt); Nigel Price (gtr); Sam Gambarini (Hammond); Chris Nickolls (dms).

A major event! Those of us who have enjoyed "Vasi's" occasional forays to Blaydon, Durham, Saltburn, Jesmond and Newcastle will be delighted with this - his debut CD as a leader.

Eight original pieces composed and arranged by Xenopolous and played with the Grecian elegance we have come to associate with this fine sax player.

The moods very from Mobleyesque hard bop (West Side Groove), pure bebop (The X Changes), funky grooves (Loud City, Elis Can Dance), to ballads (And Now What?), relaxed swing (For All Those Lazy Sundays.)

Vasilis sails through the changes every note counting - no pointless displays of technique to cover up a paucity of ideas here although when the solo demands it the dexterity is there.

The Nigel Price Trio - big hitters in their own right - provide the perfect support. Price is the ideal foil playing some superb guitar solos to complement the tenor/alto work. Sam Gambarini resists the temptation to dominate the others with the power at his right foot (despite the title it's not a triple forte album) and is tasteful and sympathetic throughout. On drums Chris Nikolls provides the perfect foundation to suit the varied rhythms.

When I list my Recordings of the Year this one is going to be pretty high on the list.

More details and soundbites from www.vasilisx.com.

Lance.

Vasilis Xenopoulos - Loud City. 33jazz224

Jazz Action @ The Stockton Weekender. August 7th - Part one.

The Georgian Theatre in Stockton once again hosted the Jazz Action showcase running from noon 'til late.

Teesside trumpeter Noel Dennis blew the first note of the day to signal a set of top class Blue Note inspired jazz. Trombone ace Chris Hibbard, the advertised attraction with Dennis' band, wasn't available yet his absence didn't detract from the performance. Tunes by Wayne Shorter, Tom Harrell and Woody Shaw were given due respect and solos flowed from Dennis, guitarist Mark Williams and Andy Champion (double bass).

A quick turnaround and Saxophonics took to the stage. Given that there wasn't much of a hiatus the quartet started, rather ironically, with Mike Mower's Hiatus. Tenor player Graeme Wilson brought a couple of tunes to the table and we feasted (and supped) on Street of Furs and Stranded at the Wine Bar. Wilson and fellow reedsmen Niall Armstrong (baritone sax), Steve Summers (tenor & alto saxes) and Keith Robinson (alto & soprano saxes) executed immaculate close harmony ensemble work throughout and were a joy to listen to.

Jazz Action workshops are a feature of the Stockton music scene and following months of hard work aspiring musicians are given the chance to perform to an attentive public each year at the Stockton Weekender. This year the talented students - collectively known as Milestones - the Next Step - faced the challenge of original material thrown at them by tutors Graham Hardy (trumpet) and Andy Champion (double bass). Hardy's Blue Dragon opened with a free-ish section and featured a mature, measured contribution from a very young looking and talented guitarist. Caroline Bagley, once a student of these sessions and now very much a role model tutor herself played some killer alto and her frontline partners, two altoists, got stuck in to the material. Bass and percussion did the business with kit player Tom Chapman destined to go far. Bassist Andy Champion was commissioned to write a suite for the occasion and the ensemble passed with flying colours. (See comments for full personnel).

Russell.

There will be more postings from Russell on this mammoth occasion over the next few days.

Ruth Lambert w. Stuart Collingwood Trio @ The Cherry Tree.

Ruth Lambert (vcl); Stuart Collingwood (pno); Neil Harland (bs); Paul Smith (dms).

The Trio opened up with I Got Rhythm and I got Confit Chicken and Black Pudding Terrine, Sauce Gribiche. Both offerings were nicely cooked.

Ruth took to the stage Like Someone In Love and soon she was In The Mood For Love (very Julie Londonish) although she finished the love trilogy by posing the question What Is This Thing Called Love? For me the question was answered in the form of a Bavette Steak (medium rare), Garden Leaves, Frites, Garlic Butter.

Ruth herself delved into the songbook for some of the medium rarely performed (by her) numbers such as I Should Care, I Get Along Without You Very Well, Blue Skies and Lush Life. The latter number complemented my Champagne Jelly, Strawberry and Watermelon dessert perfectly.

Our girl was in good voice tonight whilst Stuart, Neil and Paul gave her backing to die for.

The second set had Watch What Happens, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes - this Ruth told us was her mother's favourite - Moonglow, The Way You Look Tonight, a bluesy Willow Weep For Me, One Note Samba and, saving the very best for last, One For My Baby.

If you have yet to visit this fine jazz dinerie then Now's The Time as there is a summer special menu with 20% off! Two courses for £13.60 and three for £15.60 - plus the jazz which next week is Trumpet player Graham Hardy with the Paul Edis Trio.

Photos.

Lance.

Elaine Binney and the Jazz Rascals at Blyth Beach Bandstand Sunday August 6 2011

Elaine Binney (violin), Keith Mills (bass), Eliza Lawson (vocals) Jae Brooks (drums) What a refreshing change to hear this exciting new young band. Afternoon weather conditions at Blyth Bandstand resulted in the concert being moved to a room in the nearby Marine Centre.

Elaine built up a great rapport with the audience and at one stage during the Michael Jackson number Smooth Criminal, a little girl did a spot of impromptu Irish dancing for us!

Weather conditions also featured in Autumn Leaves, Stormy Weather and Over The Rainbow.

Great tempos from the rhythm section followed with Work Song, Unsquare Dance and Take Five. Also of note were the pleasing arrangements of Summertime, All Blues and Watermelon Man. The bands two original numbers Swan Like and Jokers and Kings were performed with a commitment which was amazing to behold. I recommend this band to anyone wanting to listen to a fresh new approach to jazz. One thing is certain Elaine is no Django/Grappelli copyist – she has a wonderful style of her own!! Photos.

John Taylor.

Jazz Café Moments.

I couldn't make it on Saturday night but those who did tell me that Debra Milne's new band - Debra (vcl); Judith Thompson (vln); Matt Office (gtr); Ivan Scutt (bs); Rob Bates (dms) - gave an audience pleasing performance. Even old grumps proprieter Keith conceded the band a nod of approval!

Today was a rather lower profile session as many of the key players were on Splinter duty down in deepest Stockton.

However, the aforementioned Matt Office along with, Ray Truscott (bass), Stuart Findon (piano), Fiona Littlewood (vcl/ten), Doug Fielder (ten) were on hand to goose Fi's vocal along.

Doxy, You Don't Know What Love Is and Now's The Time a.k.a. Hucklebuck were a few of the tunes that lingered longer with me as I rode the 27 bus home.

Lance.

PS: Fi also blew some tasty tenor.

Above photo is of Stuart and Fiona by Kaveh Emami. more photos here.

Maine Street Jazzmen @ Ashington Jazz Club August 3, 2011

The attendance at our August meeting was sadly reduced by members on Summer vacations who missed a pleasant evening of excellent swing music which included the unexpected appearance of two surprise guests.

In the absence of Jim McBriarty the talented Steve Andrews depped on clarinets and sax while John Taylor, the active member of our Club, joined the band on alto for the opening number, Just a little while to stay here which for John was his brief appearance of the evening, and he did not disgrace himself. Steve always brings his humour to his performances and he blends in beautifully with this ensemble. There are insufficient adjectives or superlatives to applaud this group on the frequent visits made to Ashington. Suffice to say that a variable programme is always presented in exciting and colourful performances with all members making a positive contribution to the arrangements.

Herbie (Hudson) is multi-talented and you can always expect quality in his vocals, trombone and harmonica while the popular Olive (Rudd) delivers with energy but we would always wish to hear more from her. She gave us her versions of Blue Skies, Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland, and It Had to be You as well as a final chorus with Herbie on Bourbon Street Parade. A request for Masquerade was beautifully performed with Harmonica and keyboard as one. Steve excelled with his rendition of Clarinet Marmalade during which he introduced two clarinets, and throughout the gig his tenor saxophone was always strong, bold and rounded.

The front line musicians led with style most ably supported and driven forward by the superb rhythm section. This once again was an excellent evening of Jazz with its variable moods and forms. It was a pity that we were thin on the ground but hopefully attendance will improve as the year moves on.

Peter S.

On the Road to Ruth.

Those with an insatiable appetite for the vocal charms of Ruth Lambert - or indeed those with just an insatiable appetite - then the next 3 days are for you!

Tonight (Saturday Aug 6), Ruth will be serenading the diners in what is described as "A Jazz Supper" at Dalton's Restaurant, The Customs House, South Shields. Three courses and the Ruth Lambert Trio for £19.50 - 7:00pm.

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Tomorrow afternoon Ruth joins up with Zoe Gilby, Lindsay Hannon and Claire Kelly for a couple of vocal sets at the Georgian Theatre, Stockton. This is an all day event with the girls on around 3:00pm. I'm not sure if there is any food on at the gig but Stockton is noted for it's café (50 million flies can't be wrong!*) and the admission to the concert is free.

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Monday night and Ruth is at the Cherry Tree Restaurant in Jesmond - always a good combination of music and food. 7:30pm. Lance.

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*Not true but I couldn't resist pinching this old Humph joke (or was it Ronnie Scott?)

Scarborough lose Loussier - Gain Rees-Williams.

The sad news from next month's Scarborough Jazz Festival is that French pianist Jacques Loussier has had to pull out because of illness. Disappointing as this is the good news is that he is being replaced by the David Rees-Williams Trio.

Piano/organ virtuoso Rees-Williams has, in the opinion of many, taken the concept of classical pieces performed in a jazz context to an even higher level than that of Loussier who pioneered the format in the 1960s.

The prospect of hearing David at The Spa's Bosendorfer grand as well as at the Hammond is a mouth watering prospect indeed.

Radio Three's Jazz Line Up are recording the concert which is good but not as good as being there in person and hearing it live in the newly re-furbished Grand Hall of The Spa.

The Festival runs from Friday Sept. 23 to Sunday Sept. 25 with the Rees-Williams Trio concert closing the Saturday session at 10:30pm.

For further details go to http://www.scarboroughjazzfestival.co.uk/ or call 01723 367869.

Lance.

PS: Check out York Press Jazz Notes.

Maine Street Jazzmen @ Rosie's.

Herbie Hudson (tmb/vcl/hca); Steve Andrews (clt); George Richardson (pno); Alan Rudd (bs); Mike Humble (dms); Olive Rudd (vcl).

The Maine Street gang have a simple solution when they need a clarinet player - The Twentieth Century Ragtime Orchestra! Jimmy McBriarty, Gavin Lee and, this week, Steve Andrews.

Steve was in fine form and, although I missed his tenor playing the work on gobbo made up for it. I can't recall hearing a better clarinet solo on Hindustan!

Olive sang All of Me, I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby, Fine and Dandy and a show-stopping Sister Kate. Strikes me that, in the absence of Ray Harley, Olive should be featured more often. She fills the gap perfectly.

George Richardson, as always, excelled his solos moving the band a little further up the timescale.

Rhythm on top of things it was another swinging afternoon.

Lance.