You, Can't Take the Ale Train...

Word has reached me via our man in Hong Kong that this year's series of Real Ale Trains that have previously run annually throughout the month of July from Newcastle to Carlisle and back have been derailed (or should that read "de-aled"?)

This has been described as a setback by the Banjo Preservation Society - both members were extremely saddened at the news..

Lance.
Clip from last year.

Fiddles on Fire - Preview: Tim Kliphuis Trio - The Gypsy Seasons.

Tim Kliphuis Trio - The Gypsy Seasons @ The Sage Gateshead. May 4, 2013

The Sage Gateshead’s Fiddle on Fire Festival includes a performance and workshops by the world class violinist Tim Kliphuis. Classically trained, it was gypsy jazz that first enthralled the Dutchman. He has subsequently toured the world as a Hot Club specialist and this visit to the Sage sees him in the company of virtuoso guitarist Nigel Clark and bassist Roy Percy. Glaswegian Clark is equally at him playing pop (Hue & Cry) or as accompanist to jazz singer Carol Kidd. Percy has worked with the best of them - clarinettist Evan Christopher (a knock out at the Sage a few years ago), Bob Barnard and Marty Grosz to name but three and he is no stranger to Scottish country dance bands or rock-a-billy outfits. 

Kliphuis is a keen educator and there will be two opportunities during the day to participate in a workshop. Up for a Challenge is for those 14 years and above (12:15-1:30 pm) and First Steps: Welcome to Gypsy Jazz (3:00-4:15 pm) should serve as a welcome introduction to the art. For details contact the Sage box office: 0191 443 4666.      

Russell.

The Collective @ Hoochie Coochie May 2.

Chris Jelly (vbs); Brendan Murphy (bs marimba); Tim Bloomer (gtr); Katie Trigger (bs gtr); Dominic Snaith (keys); Robbie Houston (dms); + Hannah Rickard (vcl), Angus ? (gtr); Alex Saxon, Jamie Toms, Arthur Higgins (saxes). (Photo by Andy Siddons - click for more)

The final jam by The Collective at Hoochie and what a finale!

The guests were Chris Jelly on vibes and Brendan Murphy on bass marimba and boy did they cut loose!

The Greyish Quartet @ The Cluny. April 30, 2013

David Austin Grey (keyboards), Chris Young (alto saxophone), Nick Jurd (double bass & electric bass) & James Bashford (drums)

(Review by Russell).

Schmazz, promoters of original music, having formally merged with Jazz North East, showed a renewed enthusiasm for all things new (original composition, the emerging musician, the ‘new’ jazz) with the booking of the Greyish Quartet. The band, led by pianist David Austin Grey, flourished in the hot house environs of the Birmingham Conservatoire and a debut CD - The Dark Red Room - showed great promise, so a gig on Tyneside was long overdue.

Paul Edis Sextet @ King's Hall, Newcastle Uni. May 2.

Paul Edis (pno/ldr); Graeme Wilson (ten/bar); Graham Hardy (tpt/flg); Alex Leathard (tmb); Mick Shoulder (bs); Adam Sinclair (dms).

(Review by Lance).

A sunny afternoon - could this be summer? A Steinway and six first class purveyors of the art made for a perfect way to spend an hour within the cloistered walls of this hallowed seat of learning and surely the music students present learned something this afternoon!

Heather Arthur Latest

The Evening Chronicle have more on Heather Arthur's death with emphasis on music and a  photo from BSH. Sadly missed.
Lance.

MoPoMoSo @ Summerhill Bowling Club. April 29, 2013

(Review by Russell).

Twenty one years and counting. London-based free improv music promoter MoPoMoSo (MOdernismPOstMOdernismSOwhat?) was established in 1991 by John Russell and Chris Burn and by way of celebration a cast of thousands took to the road on a national tour. A Better Noise, Tyneside’s premier promoters of all things improv, usually hole-up in Morden Tower, West Walls, Newcastle or the nearest available telephone box. As hosts of the Newcastle leg of this once in a lifetime tour, the defiantly subversive bunch   looked for somewhere more palatial. A city centre theatre location? An area with significant foot-fall perhaps? No, no, no. A former suburban bowling club in an off-the-beaten-track location…where else? Down the years the Great and the Good have bowled a ball or two on Summerhill’s lauded lawns (WG Grace, no less and Wor Jackie, Newcastle United’s most famous No.9, to name but two). And now, in the year 2013, an undisputed giant of the music walked through the gates. Reeds maestro Evan Parker engaged in quiet conversation, listened to his fellow improvisers as they took to the stage and waited with characteristic patience to make his contribution to the festivities.

Debra Milne Ensemble @ The Star + Jam Session

Debra Milne (vcl); Steve Glendinning (gtr); Paul Grainger (bs); Lewis West (dms) + Chris Finch (flug); Peter Ninnim (dms); Dave Parker (bs); Katherine Lowdon, Andrea, Jen (vcl).

(Review by Lance.)

Not surprisingly there was an air of sadness and disbelief hanging over The Star tonight as folk struggled to come to terms with the tragic death of Heather Arthur (see previous post) and it was fitting that Debra should dedicate the session to her memory. I imagine it was a similar scenario over at The Chilli.

Local Singer Tragically Killed

This is just too tragic for words.
Well known as a singer at Lindsay Hannon's jazz singing class at the Sage, Heather was also a regular performer at the Chilli and the Star and showed great potential.
Lance.

Stolen Sax.

If someone approaches you and says "Psst wanna buy a sax" tread carefully. Particularly if it's a Selmer Mark VI alto and the serial number lies between 104700 - 104799. It may just have been the one recently stolen from Soweto Kinch's car in London.

The instrument that was played so brilliantly by Soweto at the GIJF last month is a vintage 1963 horn and of both sentimental and monetary value to its owner.

If you suspect anything get some law in.

Details

Lance.