SNJO @ Gala Theatre, Durham - In the Spirit of Duke July 8

Tommy Smith (ten/md); Ru Pattison (alt/sop/clt); Martin Kershaw (alt/clt); Konrad Wiszniewski (alt/ten/clt); Bill Fleming (alt/bar/bs. clt/clt); Ryan Quigley, Cameron Jay, Tom McNiven, Lorrie Cowieson (tpt); Kevin Garrity, Phil O'Malley (tmb); Michael Owers (bs. tmb); Brian Kellock (pno); Calum Gourlay (bs); Alyn Cosker (dms).
(Review by Lance)
I knew what to expect - or at least I thought I did. The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra's CD In the Spirit of Duke has never  been far away from the machine and yet, hearing it live added a new dimension and the richness of the saxes combined with the power of the brass and a tightly knit rhythm section made for a band that ticked all the boxes.
Having said that, I found even the abbreviated version of Rhapsody in Blue still a tad (well several tads) too long. Likewise Tommy Smith's showstopping closer the tenor sax marathon  Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue paying homage to the legendary Newport '56 solo by Paul Gonsalves could also have benefitted from a little more brevity. But these are minor quibbles in an evening that fairly sizzled both musically and weatherwise.

Claudia Morris talks to Bebop Spoken Here about her new show and CD.

(Claudia's replies in bold type.)

BSH: Hi Claudia nice to hear from you again. I loved Twelve O’clock Tales it was so fresh and I still play it which is something I don’t do with too many review CDs.

I'm glad you still play it, that makes me happy!

BSH: You have a background of theatre and singing and now you are combining the two. Tell me about this new project – Secret Love. About Doris Day I guess. My very first schoolboy crush!

I think she had that effect on a lot of boys and men!

BSH: True! Tell me how this project came about.

A few years ago I discovered Doris's voice when a pianist I worked with thought there were similarities vocally between Doris and me. I started listening to her and fell in love with her wonderful voice, I have never tired of it. I then felt compelled to read her biography (which I found fascinating) and watch her movies. I knew I wanted  to tell her colourful  life story and sing her songs. Last year I was also asked by actress Tracy Ann Oberman to sing a Doris Day part in her play for BBC Radio 4. She was so thrilled by my singing of Doris - this was the catalyst I needed to start the project.

Alter Ego @ The Bridge Hotel. July 7

Keith Robinson (alto saxophone), Niall Armstrong (tenor saxophone & flute), Dave Hignett (trumpet & flugelhorn), Andy Hawking (keyboards), Tony Abel (double bass) & David Francis (drums)

(Review by Russell).

Murray Mania. The Scot we’re proud to claim as a Brit! The town was quiet, the denizens BBQ-ed out, in a slumber. But wait, Sunday means one thing… Splinter @ the Bridge. The faithful turned out as usual. Good to see Alter Ego back at the Bridge. It was warm, very warm. Windows open – the sounds of modern jazz hung on the air.

New York Brass Band @ The Cumberland Arms July 7.

(Review by Lance)

The sun was shining and, at this year's Cumberland Reel, plenty folk were rocking and reeling thanks to the excellent selection of ales from the Allendale Brewery.

There were several bands throughout the day and into the evening although I didn't hear them all. Fortunately I did hear the New York Brass Band - not from Lower Manhattan as the name might imply but from Downtown York. that's right, York just 90 miles down the road. They arrived after gigs in Spennymoor and Durham as part of the Brass Festival

We learned that in York the council has banned them from busking in the city because they were causing congestion - such was their popularity. Understandably so - they don't just play they march, they put on a show. At one stage one of the trombone players was standing on the roof playing whilst others were on tables. It was sheer madness but musically sound as they transported us over to Louisiana and the funkiness that prevails in the Big Easy today.

Sexual Healing I think it was - or maybe it was the George Michael number they played -  was the one that got the crowd going and soon the dancers were strutting their stuff on the cobbles. They're all good soloists and all, literally, had their moment in the sun. My apologies but I didn't catch their names although I did hear Simon from Jarrow mentioned.

Check them out here.

Photos

Lance.

Next Sunday is the Summer Beer Festival at the Cumberland Arms and among the bands playing are the Northern Monkey Brass Band (8:45pm)

Budtones @ Ashington Jazz Club July 3.

Fiona Finden (ten.sax and vocals), Stuart Finden(ten. sax) Jim Crinson (bass), Eric Stutt (drums), Harley Johnson (keyboard).
(Review by Peter S.)
The Bud Tones were first time visitors to AJC and introduced their brand of modern Jazz in which they strongly believe.
I must admit that although not to everyone's taste you could not disregard their passion and commitment to the music or their instrumental skills. Our audience listened with interest and applauded warmly.

Jazz and Bowls in Hebburn Park

The Hebburn Open Bowls Tournament has been held for decades every Summer on the bowling greens in Carr-Ellison Park, Hebburn. The event takes place TODAY and Aussie reed player, Don Armstrong, with a few of his Tyneside 'cobbers' will be there playing popular 20's jazz to entertain competitors and spectators from 3.30 - 5.00pm. 
Brian.

Mingus Oh Yeah

Hanging around South Shields Market today - I'm an inveterate hanger around of markets - I came across a CD - Mingus Oh Yeah. I shrugged, I've had it on vinyl for years and wasn't really bothered about duplicating it on CD. However, when I noticed there was a previously unreleased 24 minute  interview with Mingus by Atlantic guiro Nesumi Ertegun the three quid tag looked a bargain - and it was!

For those, unfamiliar with the disc Mingus Oh Yeah has the bass player on piano singing and playing some blues inspired originals. Booker Ervin, Roland Kirk, Jimmy Knepper and Danny Richmond are in there along with Doug Watkins who merely has to play bass in a Mingus led band - no pressure!

Leo Blanco @ Sage Gateshead July 5.

Leo Blanco (piano).
(Review by Lance).

A solo piano recital that defied definition although brilliant will do for starters. The tall, slightly greying, Venezuelan pianist nodded to the audience before sitting at the Steinway. It was a percussive start as Blanco got into his rhythm by stamping his feet, clapping his hands, slapping his thighs and having a few raps on the wood of the grand piano - it set up a groove for him  to start rolling.

And roll he did. From South America to Africa to maybe the Moon. This was a composition, like most of his repertoire, that crossed the genre. It was indefinable, impossible to pigeonhole, wait a minute, of course it's definable - it's Music!

Blue Jazz Voices End Of Term Gig: at Ernest Pub, Monday July 1 With The Blue Jazz Quintet

(Review by Ann Alex).

I can't write a normal review of this event, as I was one of the ‘voices’, and it wouldn't be appropriate to write about my friends and colleagues from Lindsay’s Monday evening jazz-singing class at Sage Gateshead.  Enough to say that the gig was planned and performed by those of us who've been attending the class for a year or two now, and have a bit more experience of jazz-singing. I thought we put on a good show, which was appreciated by the audience.  Our material was mostly from the Gasbook.  It was hugely enjoyable to be part of this, and special thanks are due to the band, who showed both skill and stamina by playing for about 4 hours with just a short break.  Also a special thank you to Lindsay Hannon who teaches us each week, and to Steve Glendinning who played guitar for us in class.

Shafafa Trio at The Star Inn, Wednesday July 3

 Belinda Voshtina (vocals); Ian Simpson (guitar); James Robson (bass guitar)

(Review by Ann Alex).

The three of them sat together, Belinda between the guitarists, giving a relaxed and intimate feel to a very enjoyable set, mostly of standards, sung in Belinda’s strong, rich voice, with adventurous, skilled instrumentation, and solos, mostly from Ian, James' powerful bass made up for the absence of drums. 

I suppose they just had to start with their namesake song, Frim Fram Sauce, which mentions the ‘shafafa’ on the side.  What is it, you ask?  Apparently no-one is sure, answers on a postcard please. Tesco didn’t even have Frim Fram Sauce on the shelf which meant I had to make do with ketchup.