Preview: Djangologie at the Black Bull Blaydon. Sunday June 16 - 8pm

Just the usual reminder of our concert this coming Sunday. Djangologie capture the essence of Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli. Acoustic, gypsy swing at its best.

Emma Fisk vln, James Birkett & Giles Strong gtrs, Mick Shoulder bass.

Roly.

Preview: Azymuth @ Hoochie Coochie Sunday June 16.

Azymuth are said to be, "quite simply some of the best musicians in the world". On their last visit to Hoochie Coochie they astounded everyone with their ability, I'm told it was easily one of the best gigs Hoochie have ever had. Class . Smooth , chilled, jazzy but also funky & always with that latin vibe. Hoochie owner Warren says, "Do yourself a favour & come see them . Last time we charged you £20 , this time we wanna fill it so tickets are only £12 !! 

Formed in 1972 , the band performed as a trio until Roberto Bertrami's death in July 2012. Tonight they will perform as a quartet with Roberto's son replacing him & adding a percussionist. 

Video link.

Lance.

This Sunday (June 16). The Toby Boalch Sextet.

This Sunday's Splinter gig at the Bridge, Newcastle features the exciting Birmingham based Toby Boalch Sextet. To give you an idea where they are at Zoe Gilby asked them a few questions to give the regulars (and hopefully others too) of what to expect. It looks good to me.

The Interview.:.

Budtones Update

Budtones had a great Gig at Pizza Express, Dean St., Newcastle. Management and staff were very supportive. Highly Recommended. The band were on form and the audience was very receptive. Unfortunately, Mike Papapavlou played his last gig with us as he is off to New York. Super Guy and Great Guitar player. Harley Johnson is stepping into the breach on piano for for next two gigs. Ashington Jazz Club on July 3 is the first..

Eric McKenzie Stutt

Graeme Wilson Quartet @ The Lit and Phil, Newcastle.

Graeme Wilson (ten); Paul Edis (pno); Andy Champion (bs); Adam Sinclair (dms).
(Review by Lance).

There's a certain olde worlde charm about the Lit and Phil. An imposing, slightly decaying facade (understandable as it's been around for 320 years), that nevertheless has of late provided the setting for many excellent concerts across the jazz spectrum.

This afternoon's performance by the Graeme Wilson Quartet must surely rank high on the list of jazz achievements attained within its hallowed walls. Who knows but that one day there will be portraits of these four musicians adorning the walls alongside the dignitaries who currently look down?

By this preamble you'll have guessed it was a good gig!

Slowlight Quartet @ Hexham Jazz Club June 13.

How do they do it? How can you make complex, edgy, demanding music instantly engaging? Not only that, but music that is highly expressive and beautiful too?

Well, the Slowlight Quartet may comprise of four highly accomplished musicians; Tom Quilliam sax, Paul Loraine keys, Ian ‘Dodge’ Paterson bass and Jonathan Marriott drums, each with exceptional intonation, making beautiful sounds, but the whole is bigger than the parts. So it’s not a matter of just a locked in- tight as owt – rhythm section with a jaw droppingly wonderful saxophonist, but a band enmeshed in the communal groove. The Slowlight Quartet share a musical brain. Look them up on www.theslowlightquartet.co.uk and get yourself to a gig.

Hazel Hanley.

Tom Rainey Trio @ The Bridge Hotel. June 11

Tom Rainey (drums), Ingrid Laubrock (tenor saxophone) & Mary Halvorson (guitar)

(Review by Russell).

Jazz North East’s On the Outside strand gave a long-overdue north east of England debut to high profile New Yorker Tom Rainey. A veteran of countless sessions, his appearance at the Bridge Hotel drew a bumper crowd and it was standing room only long before the start of the first set. German born, New York resident, tenor saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock is firmly established on the Big Apple’s Downtown scene. Anthony Braxton alumni are many, and one of the brightest of his shining stars - guitarist Mary Halvorson - formed the third element in Rainey’s trio.

R.I.P Johnny Smith.

Just heard that guitarist Johnny Smith died yesterday (June 12) aged 90. One of the all time greats. I guess, like many jazz people, it was his version of Moonlight in Vermont with Stan Getz that first brought him to my attention. In particular the rich harmonies and a rather wonderful run at the end of the tenor solo. For 1952 this was as much the epitome of 'cool' as anything that Chet and Gerry were doing.
Smith seemed at home with tenorists - as well as Getz he recorded with Zoot Sims, Paul Quinichette and Frank Foster.
However, one has to wonder what direction his music would have taken if he hadn't opted out of the main scene to teach and run a music store?.

Sadly another icon has gone although not without leaving us a treasured recorded legacy.

Rest In Peace.

Obituary.
Lance.
PS: Above - Johnny Smith pictured right with Barney Kessel. (Photo courtesy of Maurice Summerfield).
PPS: Letter from Johnny Smith to Maurice Summerfield dated December 28, 2008.

Gwyneth Herbert - The Sea Cabinet - @ Sage Gateshead June 12.

Gwyneth Herbert (vcl, pno, uke, various perc inst), Fiona Bevan (vcl, pno, uke, gtr, vln, various perc inst); Al Cherry (gtr); Sam Burgess (bs); David Price (dms, vln, glock, various inst); Burnside College Choir, Wallsend) (Pirates Chorus).

(Review by Lance).

A short, but well received opening set by Bevan (right) culminated with the curly permed singer / songwriter / guitarist being joined by Herbert for a brief taste of the main event.

I use the word main advisedly as The Sea Cabinet was indeed a suite/story, with words and music by Gwyneth Herbert, based on people, places and sea related artefacts.

Interview with Gwyneth Herbert by Lance

L. Your new album, “The Sea Cabinet”, was launched last month at Wilton’s Music Hall but the actual tour proper commences tonight – that’s June 12 – at Sage Gateshead.

GH: That’s right.   This is our first large-scale UK tour for a while, and many of the venues have a particular resonance with me and the project.  When I first sang at Wilton’s three years ago, I fell immediately in love with it. It's the oldest surviving Grand Music Hall in the world and it feels as if the very walls whisper with the ghosts of cabaret past; seems to me the most perfect location in which to launch our story-web of sea songs. I also love The Sage – it’s a great space to play, and I've developed my relationship with the venue by working and performing there in a variety of different guises over the last ten years or so.