CD Review: Soul Rebels Brass Band - Unlock Your Mind.

Erion Williams (saxophone); Paul Robertson, Corey Payton (trombone); Julian Gosin, Marcus Hubbard (trumpet); Edward Lee JR (sousaphone); Derrick Moss(bass drum); Lumar Leblanc (snare drum).

If you caught the Soul Rebels at The Sage, or elsewhere on their recent tour, you will know what to expect from this CD. If this is your first time of hearing their funky sounds then make sure you have your dancing shoes on. Prepare some Jambalaya and a Crawfish Pie - maybe a Fillet Gumbo, fill up a jug with Louisiana Liquor and invite the neighbours round because, from the opening bars of 504, you're gonna want to party!

It's that kind of disc.

If there are any typos it's because my fingers are doing the Funky Chicken as I type.

Funk and soul and rock'n'roll, jazz and blues and hip-hop too.

It's happy music that was born out of tragedy. After Katrina hit New Orleans the Soul Rebels came together with renewed purpose. "Music has been the number one vehicle for Katrina recovery" said Lumar Leblanc, and since then the band has served as an international ambassador of the current New Orleans sound.

The vocals are shared round both solowise and collectively and there are some pithy solos from the horns that would do credit to any pure jazz album.

But forget about genre - just enjoy! - and you can do that for free by visiting their website - www.soulrebelsbrassband.com/sweetdreamsEP  and downloading an EP containing 3 of the tracks from the album

Lance.

Soul Rebels Brass Band: Unlock Your Mind. Release date NOW OCT 10, 2011.

AN HOUR OF DELIGHT WITH ANITA O’DAY (Radio 2 Monday Sept. 12)

I would have missed this broadcast, had it not been advertised by Lance on the blog, so thanks are due for that.  Monday’s broadcast in the ‘Strong and Sassy’ series was presented by Moira Stewart with the help of Clare Teal, and included loads of songs from Ms O’Day, and comments from musicians that she’d worked with, as well as recordings of her talking about her life and work.  She came across as a warm, spirited person, with not a trace of self-pity, despite having what was probably a lonely life, and problems with drugs, drink and relationships.  She’s one of my favourite jazz singers, so it was great to hear the lady herself speaking.  I came to jazz too late to catch Ms O’Day during her lifetime.

 She apparently underwent a tonsillectomy which was bungled and part of her uvula was removed, so, as she explained, ever after that she had to shake her head in order to get a vibrato sound!  Well she certainly didn’t let that stop her singing and scatting with great rhythm and speed, as one band leader pointed out.   The songs we heard included Have You Met Miss Jones; Georgia on my Mind; What Is This Thing Called Love (with loads of unusual improvisation); Honeysuckle Rose (accompanied mainly by a marvelous line on the double bass).  Then listeners  were wonderfully surprised by a change of mood, with sensitively sung items such as God Bless the Child and A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.

The lady laughingly described what she (and many others) considered to be the high point of her career, when she performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, (as seen in the film Jazz on a Summer’s Day).  She quickly went out and bought a long dress and a hat ‘with ostrich feathers’ ready for the performance, and was pleased to be featured in ‘Time’ magazine afterwards.

Catch all this and lots more on the BBC iplayer this week.

Ann Alex.

RIP Graham Collier

Bassist Graham Collier died on September 10 age 74. Although a figure of international standing Collier was actually born in Tynemouth. He appeared at several Newcastle Jazz Festivals as well as less prestigious gigs in the area. I recall seeing him at an arts centre in Bensham.

Not only a Berklee trained musician but, as well as a double bassist, he was also an outstanding composer and jazz author. I have on my shelves his biography of the Dankworths which is an excellent and informative piece of writing.

His music was always searching and probing - seeking new boundaries but still accessible.

He left a great legacy on disc.

Obituary.

Lance.

Women in Jazz Tonight on Radio 2.

This week's subject is Anita O'Day - 10:00pm, Radio 2.
Lance.
Next week Adelaide Hall.

June Christy.

Being a huge fan of June, I've always wanted to hear more of her rare later appearances. Sadly, born too late, I wasn't able to make any of her appearances in the '80s. I don't really know why I have such a 'thing' for the Misty Miss Christy. I love Anita, Chet, Cleo, so many many more artists, and yet since discovering June's last album 'Impromptu' - I was so excited to hear the freedom the years seemed to have given her stylings. Her voice, very worn by that time, might not have been the prettiest instrument but coupled with Lou Levy's arrangement - the album haunts me - and I'm so interested in this period of June's career. 

I wonder if there are any private recordings from jazz events in the UK circulating between fans? I suppose my dream would be to find out that there was a recording of the North Sea Jazz festival, from the year June performed and your photographs were taken! 
Feel free to tell me to carry on dreaming! But I hope you'll understand the spirit this message is sent in, and won't mind the intrusion. Thank you for reading my little essay, and I send you my very best and continued success with your work.

Alp Haydar
(Are there any undiscovered June Christy tracks out there? - Lance.)

The Panama Jazzmen Story

The Story of the Newcastle based Panama Jazzmen, 1951-2000, billed as "The North's Leading Jazz Attraction" they achieved great success, especially in the 1950's & 60's, playing for dances, jazz clubs, concerts & festivals, where they played on the same bill as many top acts, such as Louis Armstrong, Kenny Ball, Ken Colyer, the Beatles, etc, etc. Includes Audio Tracks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aekqQIkZvks
Alan Rudd.

Elaine Binney and the Jazz Rascals @ The Bridge

Elaine Binney (vln); Eliza Lawson (vcl); Steve Brown (keys); Keith Mills (bs); Jae Brooks (dms); Graham Robinson (ten).

The Bridge was filled to capacity, there was a vibrancy about the room and there were a lot of new faces in the crowd - and on stage.

The Rascals were in town!

Elaine's new line-up comprises her regular bass and drums plus guest singers and keyboardists which tonight were Steve Brown and Eliza Lawson.

The mini-skirted, trilby-hatted violinist has been a welcome addition to the local scene over the past year ploughing an individual furrow somewhere between Grappelli and Jean Luc-Ponty in a mixture of standards and originals. Her youthful vitality and enthusiasm is infectious as is her music. Eliza Lawson - a new name to me - is quite an explosive singer whose wordless improvisations were the perfect complement. Keyboard, pogo bass and drums drove things along nicely and things rocked along swingingly.

As a bonus tenorist Graham Robinson blew on a couple of numbers.

It wasn't all perfect! The sound balance could have been better - at times the violin couldn't be heard - but, that aside, it was a good gig and an enthusiastic crowd. Splinter is to be applauded for encouraging new bands with something to say.

Photos.

Lance.

Sustaining the Pedal @ The Jazz Café or just another manic Sunday.

On the back wall Frank and Ella were duetting on The Lady is a Tramp. In front of the screen sax player Doug was accompanying - on drums!
Pete had lost - or it had been stolen - his sustain pedal.
Keith told of his war with Newcastle Library.
SNAFU!
A sustain pedal was found but it didn't work.
"The polarity needs reversing" said Pete, "Do you have a soldering iron?" he asked Keith.
"No - it got stolen!" replied mein genial host.
There was much discussion on how to successfully reverse the polarity without a soldering iron.
"My aluminium washing up bowl also got stolen" added Keith.
I checked to see my wallet was still there.
Eventually the polarity was reversed but the pedal still refused to sustain.
Enter a customer. "I'm an electronics engineer he announced - I build robots."
Ah! A man who builds robots could surely heal an ailing sustain pedal!
Alas this was no ordinary sustain pedal and the Robotic Engineer failed.
In came a former Sony Sound Engineer. A man noted for his consumption of Bud.
He too proved unequal to the task and retired to be consoled in the arms of Bacchus.
The Robot maker played some classical pieces without sustain and I left for The Bridge.
For all I know 'the experts. are still working on the pedal.
Lance.

Whitley Bay Classic Jazz Party Update.

Day Tickets are now on sale for the Classic Jazz Party in November, so if you'd like to hear some of the world's best musicians but don't want to invest £100 for the whole three days, you can pop along and get a full days-worth (plus jazz movies and a late night jam session!) for as little as £35. Full details are at the website, www.whitleybayjazzfest.org where you can book online, but places are limited, especially for the Saturday, so don't delay too long. If you prefer to pay be cheque you can download the attached booking form.

Mike. 
Booking form.

Lindsay Hannon Plus @ Ashington Jazz Club Sept. 7

Lindsay Hannon (vocal); Alan Law (Keyboard); John Pope (Bass); Mark Robertson (Drums).

We are privileged that within the North East Jazz scene we have several accomplished Jazz Singers. Those of you who regularly read Bebop Spoken Here will know whom I am referring to. They are so very different in their styles and performances and offer followers such a delightful variety of vocal expression and excellence. It was a treat for our Club to welcome for the first time Lindsay Hannon Plus. A very good audience soon realised the traditions of lady vocalists is in good health in our region as Lindsay and her trio opened the first set with a selection of well known standards but which were delivered in a stylistic way with variations in mood, rhythm and emotion - each song painting another impression of familiar song book lyrics which were most refreshing.The Green Goddess (I apologise for this description] and her able trio were together throughout and obviously well rehearsed as they delivered each number with individual solos timed to perfection.After the interval we were once more offered an eclectic selection of great Jazz lyrics and members were pleasantly surprised by the programme and enthusiastically expressed their appreciation for a wonderful evening.

The programme, as I attempt to remember, included - Stompin' at the Savoy, Comes Love, I can't escape from you, Long ago and far away, The hissing of summer lawns, Nature Boy, Why try to change me now, Lullaby of Birdland, What if I can't stay, I've got the Blues, Our love is here to stay, When the sun sets, I wake up alone, Blue Motel. The supporting trio displayed great technique and skill while supporting Lindsay as she adjusted the lyrics and moods. Sometimes forceful, sometimes beautiful, emotional, gentle, fast, sympathetic etc. etc. Brilliant. I may not have remembered all or not even in the correct order but sometimes musicians are oftern accused of notes on a page not always presented as the composer wrote- but that's life. One more final comment. We may have lost Billy Harper and Anne de Vere to France but within this group we have worthy replacements.

Photos.

Peter S.