Lindsay Hannon Plus @ The Cherry Tree

Lindsay Hannon (vcl); Alan Law (pno); John Pope (bs); Mark Robertson (dms).

Opening up with a somewhat restrained Stomping at the Savoy followed by a cool, laid back, The End of a Love Affair - re-phrased almost re-written - Lindsay then took the band up a gear for Blue Monk. This was the first time I'd heard a vocal version of Monk's famous composition and I hope it won't be the last. Likewise my Atlantic Prawn and Crayfish Cocktail and Whisky Marie Rose.

Out of consideration for the diners this first set was quite low key. Unfortunately, some of the diners didn't show the same consideration which made the slower, more tender numbers, not always easy to hear. And while we're talking tender my Eight Hour Confit of Pork with Spiced Red Cabbage and Sour Cherries was the tenderest, most succulent cut of pork I have ever tasted! Last week's turkey was good but this was sensational - in France the chef would be made a member of la Légion d'honneur for a dish like this! And a dish like Lindsay would surely join that exclusive club for her renditions of Why Try To Change Me Now? Blue Motel Room, In Walked Bud and Harold Arlen's So Long Big Time.

But Beautiful, Stormy Weather, Lullaby of Birdland and, to finish, an up tempo Long Ago and Far Away.

Which went nicely with my Christmas Pudding and Brandy Sauce. 

Alan Law, as ever, was a tower of strength soloing and 'comping whilst John Pope and Mark Robertson kept the engine room ticking over.

This was a class act in a class place all that is needed is an audience mute!

Lance.

Tonight @ The Cherry Tree.

Tonight at The Cherry Tree Restaurant, 9 Osborne Rd., Jesmond (0191 2399924), The featured band is Lindsay Hannon Plus. Those who caught the band at Hoochie on Thursday will know that the diners are in for a treat tonight - apart from the superb Christmas Fayre menu which is a treat in itself. Combining the two ingredients is the recipe  for a mouthwatering evening.

Music starts 7:30/7:45pm.

See you there.

Lance.

Friday Night is Tony Bennett Night on BBC4.

BBC 4 Friday Dec 16, 9:00pm.The truly legendary American singer celebrates his 85th birthday in fine style, with a special concert at the historic London Palladium. Accompanied by his quartet, Tony Bennett moves effortlessly through a repertoire spanning 60 years, with songs such as Steppin' Out With My Baby, The Good Life, Smile and his favourite, I Left My Heart In San Francisco. He is joined for two unique duets, by stellar British singers Cleo Laine and Leona Lewis.

BBC4 Friday Dec 16, 10:00pm. Tony Bennett celebrated turning 80 in 2006 with this television special created and directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha). In this 'docu-musical', the viewer is taken on a musical journey of Tony's life via a re-creation of the seminal venues of his career. From 52nd Street swing clubs to the Columbia recording studios where he first recorded, from the classic TV studios of the 60s to the Rat Pack's Las Vegas stage and from Carnegie Hall to his triumphant performance on MTV Unplugged, Tony is paired with some of today's greatest artists to perform duets of his greatest hits, including Barbra Streisand, Elton John, John Legend and Christina Aguilera.

These performances are seamlessly woven throughout with narratives by Billy Crystal, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bruce Willis, John Travolta and Robert De Niro.

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Thanks to Liz for forwarding the above details. 

They are also repeated in the Wee small hours hours.

Lance.

ASHINGTON JAZZ CLUB CHRITMAS PARTY NIGHT AT THE ELEPHANT.

Guest Group – Gypsy Jazz with Keith Stephen and Roly Veitch (Guitars); Bruce Rollo (Bass); Caroline Irwin (Vocals) 

Christmas came early at the AJC on Wednesday, December  7^th.,  for as we drove up to the Elephant Pub I could have sworn that a star shone brightly down upon the impressive dome of the Jazz Temple known to us affectionately as The Elephant.  It was obvious immediately that a good crowd of fans and friends had made the effort to travel from far away to be there on this special evening. They had all come to witness the arrival on stage of the three wise musicians of Gypsy Jazz supporting the Newbiggin singing Angel bringing  beautiful Jazz ballads to our celebration. We would not be disappointed for a programme of twenty one melodies were performed during this exceptional evening. 

Since the group was formed the quality has improved as the members have understanding of each others professional abilities producing a delightful sound with exquisite taste which blend together like Christmas Pudding and rum sauce. Keith and Roly exchange rhythm sections and solo improvisations like the gear box of a Formula 1 performance car.  Bruce on Bass is incredible at times giving the impression of two instruments bass and drums. How does he achieve that wonderful combination? The repertoire has been extended with the developing arrangements of the guitars and this was elegantly seen throughout the comprehensive programme. 

It must be very satisfying for Caroline to be working so well out front and she too is developing in stage presence with a voice maturing with each performance. She enjoys singing before an appreciative audience and is an accomplished performer for one so young. Her confidence grows and her rapport with her audience is excellent. Singing on more than half the numbers Caroline introduced a taste of seasonal lyrics with Winter Wonderland and Santa Baby, Cuckoo (in French) and a very pacey Happy as the day is long. I don’t know anyone who can sing as quick without stumbling. 

There were other numbers more romantic and smooth included throughout the evening.  Roly sings well and gave us All of Me and Honeysuckle Rose and also made time for his own composition Calypso Jim. Keith and he offered a superb interpretation of Stardust – brilliant. There was almost too many to list here but we got more than our monies worth. One item which must not be forgotten was Caroline’s recitation of an instant poem composed by herself earlier in the evening. So now you know this versatile lady is also a poet and not many people know it. 

 As the happy audience left the building Caroline was overheard saying to Keith, “I told you the room would be full this Christmas evening. We should have gone to the Holiday Inn.”  (not true)

But as I left the Elephant and looked up into the Heavens the bright star had definitely moved South in the direction of Blaydon or maybe Low Fell. That does not need an explanation for Jazz Fans.

Finally on behalf of Ashington Jazz Club may I thank all those who have supported throughout 2011 and a big thank you to John Taylor for making this possible. Thanks to Lance Liddle for posting the reviews and pics and to Elephant management for the encouragement. The Club owes much to all musicians and band groups who have willing performed for us and made our lives the better for the music they create.  May you all have a wonderful Christmas wherever you are and may 2012 bring everything you could wish for yourselves and families.

REMINDER  The Club will resume in the New Year after a Winter break on the first Wednesday in MARCH 2012. See you there.

Peter S.    

Info wanted on Teddy Warren and Newcastle's Paramount Jazz Band

My wife and I  (we are both in our 70's)  are seeking information on her father's  band  The Paramount Jazz Band who were based in Newcastle during the 1940's. His name was Teddy Warren who died in  1963. She has happy memories of musical nights with various musicians who came to the house, perhaps you know of anyone that may help. 

PG3 @ The Aletaster, Low Fell

There aren't may jazz pianists around who swing like Pete Gilligan, guitarists who create like Mark Williams and nor are there many bass players who can hold a band sans drummer together like Paul Grainger. This might lead you to believe it was a recipe for success. 

Not in Low Fell!

Sadly, the denizens of the Lower of the Fells did not turn out in their droves in fact they hardly turned out at all.

By staying in to watch the X-Factor Final they missed the best version of Bernie's Tune this side of Gerry Mulligan, All Blues, Senor Blues and Autumn Leaves before intermission.

Refreshed, the Trio came back and gave us Beautiful Love, Whisper Not, In a Sentimental Mood, and a Blues in F - Should have been  called Blues in LF!

The music was great, the ale 'Real' but, alas, the people few.

Lance.

Mine's Santa Baby what's yours?

What's your favourite Christmas Song? I kinda like Santa Baby although the MJQ's God Rest You Merry Gentlemen isn't bad either.
Interesting to hear what others think.
Lance.
PS: Ann - here's a jazz(ish) version of Bleak Midwinter.

Clark Terry undergoes surgery.

That great trumpet player Clark Terry, at the age of 91 (on Dec. 14) has successfully coped with a leg amputation. We wish him the very best and refer you to this message from Gwen Terry on the Clark Terry website.

One of my favourite memories is of listening to the Clark Terry Big Band at the San Sebastian Jazz Festival in 1972.

It was an open air concert in the city square. Although raining heavily the crowd stayed (The band was under cover) and must have surely, like Charlie Carmichael, myself and legendary French jazz critic Hughes Panassie considered this as a contender for the 'Gig of a Lifetime'! M.Panassie wasn't actually with Charlie and I but sitting at a nearby table under a huge umbrella with a glass of wine - we were on Bacardi.

It was quite a band and included Jimmy Heath on tenor, Richard Williams alongside Clark on trumpet, Horace Parlan on piano - who I got to talk to at a pre concert reception the previous afternoon - and Grady Tate on drums. This was an amazing band.

Apart from this there were the memories of hearing Clark with Ellington at Newcastle Odeon and later at the North Sea Festival in Den Haag. 

Best wishes Clark we love you.

Lance.

Jazz Child: The Story of Sheila Jordan

Sheila Jordan is one of the vocal icons of jazz. As music critic Robert Palmer raved in The New York Times, “Her ballad performances are simply beyond the emotional and expressive capabilities of most other vocalists.” 

As a jazz vocalist and colleague of Sheila, Ellen Johnson brings her own professional expertise through the organization of the book and her knowledge of the specific subject matter, which reaches out to both the music community and the general public. Bringing Sheila Jordan’s message to the world through this book has been her goal and passion, cumulating in research for the last six years. She emerged on the jazz scene during the beginning of the bebop era, created as a revolt against restrictions on creative freedom. Her mentor and best friend, one of the most prominent artists and the main musical founder of bebop, was alto saxophonist Charlie Parker. Through her devotion to Parker, Jordan etched out a niche in the jazz world, becoming the first jazz singer to record on Blue Note Records (Portrait of Sheila, 1962). She was Lennie Tristano’s most celebrated jazz student, the only singer George Russell ever arranged for, the innovator of bass and voice duets (her very first with bassist Charles Mingus), and one of the precursors to free jazz singing. Her story, told here for the first time, is rich with depth, humor, and honesty. 

Besides its historic content, this book is both a narrative and the memoir of a courageous woman who battled against racism during the 1950s, raised a biracial daughter alone, and made a successful recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. At eighty-two, Sheila has an indomitable spirit; her faith in the music she dedicated her life to continues to be heard as she travels around the world, “carrying the message” through graciously paying homage to the great jazz artists she personally knew, singing songs about Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Lennie Tristano, Don Cherry, Thelonious Monk, and, of course, Charlie Parker.

Having made twenty-three solo recordings and thirty-five as a guest artist, Sheila Jordan can be heard daily on jazz stations throughout the world. She is known to be the most highly respected of jazz singers and educators, with a large following of professional singers, musicians, and students whom she has mentored over the years. She is always in demand internationally for conferences, jazz festivals, high-profile concerts, and jazz education workshops.

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Taken from Facebook this is one book I must read and I think anyone who heard Sheila at the Gateshead Jazz Festival a couple of years back will agree, Lance.

Paul Booth Organ Trio @ The Corner House. December 8th

Paul Booth (tenor saxophone & flute), Ross Stanley (organ) & Andrew Bain (drums)

Local lad made good. Hammond Organ maestro. Drum sensation. Great gig. Paul Booth, originally from County Durham, has covered a lot of ground (quite literally) over the years yet his jazz journey is no where near it's mid-way point. At around fourteen years of age Booth was afforded the opportunity to sit-in at Blaydon Jazz Club. His exceptional ballad playing was noted and it wasn't too long before Jazz North East booked him to play at the Corner House. The inevitable move south, mixing it with some seriously good musicians, trips to America and see-the-world tours with some heavyweight names from the pop world followed. 

December 2011, in his mid-thirties, Booth re-visited his old stamping ground with two supremely talented musical pals. Organist Ross Stanley, last heard on Tyneside with guitarist Mark McKnight, took a different approach to this trio gig - less Blue Note Hammond, more Ross Stanley. Drummer Andrew Bain was a little known name on the scene until this Newcastle appearance. After this gig he is the favourite drummer of this reviewer! What a player! Everything he played was spot-on, endlessly inventive and he goes by the nickname of 'Faces' Bain.. His facial expressions were infinite, each one etched his considered response to the magical music-making of the trio. The material was drawn from Paul Booth's latest CD Trilateral. The CD title tells a tale; Booth's desire to work in trio format with three different trios, the recording project occurred in Booth's thirty third year and so on. First set highlights included Three of a Kind and Three's a Crowd featuring some world-class blistering tenor work from Booth. A trip to Brazil inspired Chorinho Triangular with Booth's flute playing a delight. An interval refill (Black Sheep), a chance to catch-up with some old jazzer pals and it was time for a second helping of the Paul Booth Organ Trio. Menage a Trois (Booth assured us he had tried - unsuccessfully!?!) proved to be a further highlight. The evening drew to a close as homage was paid to two of the most influential bass players of the last fifty years; Charles Mingus - Self Portrait in Three Colors - and Jaco Pastorius - Three Views of a Secret. Highlight after highlight. Three, yes three cheers for Paul Booth! A wonderful way to end Jazz North East's 2011 programme.

Russell