Marilyn Crispell & Raymond MacDonald + John Pope & Greta Buitkute @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. December 4

Marilyn Crispell (piano) & Raymond MacDonald (alto & soprano saxophones), Andy Champion (double bass)

(Review by Russell/Photos by Ken Drew.)

There was a huge turn out in Armstrong Building, Newcastle University. The Congregation exited King’s Hall – academics, graduates and guests – following an awards ceremony. Photographs taken, bouquets discarded, within minutes the building stood deserted. The scheduled gig in the Recital Room proved problematic as the space functioned as a cloak room for the duration, coats racks everywhere, the Steinway in there somewhere. Only one thing to do, hold the gig in the King’s Hall. Rows of empty chairs from the earlier assembly would surely fill up. Of course they didn't. Platform with ceremonial chairs and throne made for a surreal backdrop. Steinway in position, bar set up, the audience started to arrive. 

The Jazzman Documentary Final Appeal.

C'mon people do it! Let's get this Jazzman Documentary down the final straight of the financial road! Empty your pockets, look down the back of the settee, raid the holiday fund, cash in a Premium Bond, put your grandmother on the streets but don't just wait on someone else doing it - do it now!. There's also an opportunity at Hoochie tomorrow night to make it count. Go for it - let's remember Keith...

Lance.

George (Graham's) funeral from John Taylor

A Date For The Diary (Night Owls only).

December 13 - Live stream from Wynton Marsalis and Lincoln Centre Orchestra with Cécile McLorin Salvant on http://wyntonmarsalis.org/live/. Only snag is it's 1am - 3.15am GMT.
Actual EST date and time is December 12, 8pm-10.15pm.
Lance.

WANTED! EST Photos

Any one out there catch the Esbjorn Svensson Trio (EST) at the first Gateshead International Jazz Festival in 2005? If so, did you take any photos?

I know photography during concerts has always been frowned upon at Sage Gateshead - I too have had my collar felt by a steward. However, a photographic amnesty is guaranteed should some one be able to come up with the goods. Reason being that, to celebrate the Tenth Jazz Festival, photos from across the years is being collated and EST are, so far, missing from the proposed display.

If you can help, please contact jackie.thonpson@sagegateshead.com.
Lance

Jazz Deaths in Ashington

The death has occurred of one of Ashington’s much loved jazz fans. Aged 87 George Graham was one of my lecturers in the mining department at Ashington Technical College. I attended the college as an NCB engineering apprentice in the 60s. Other lecturers there at the time included Malcolm Armstrong (music) and Barry Soulsby (engineering)

The funeral takes place on Wednesday at 12:00 in the Trinity Church in Station Road in Ashington. The funeral party leaves George's house in Ashbourne Crescent around 11:30. The horse drawn hearse will be led by the Vieux Carré Jazzmen.

Eric Nichol has also died. Eric was a singer with local big bands and was a well-known entertainer in the Ashington area.

John Taylor.

CD Launch: Zoe Gilby Quartet - Twelve Stories @ Bridge Hotel, Newcastle

Zoe Gilby (vcl); Mark Williams (gtr); Andy Champion (bs); Richard Brown (dms).
(Review by Lance/Photo by Ken Drew).

The room was near full, the tables replaced with rows of chairs, the glasses charged - the scene was set.

Let the stories unfold...

The album begins with The Windmills of Your Mind that segues into The Waters of March and so too did the launch begin. The resonance of the double bass intro reached every corner and told us that the 60+ bums on seats weren't affecting the room's acoustical properties. Zoe, the voice as clear as a Midnight Bell, confirmed this and when guitar and drums entered the fray we all relaxed and let the words and music take over.

Claire Kelly Trio – Salsa Café November 30.

Claire Kelly (Vocal)  Mark Williams (Guitar) John Pope (D Bass)

(Review by Kath Jobes).

Claire has been absent from the jazz scene for some time, but appears to be on good form now she is back for a short while before she heads off travelling to foreign lands.  She introduced the band as the ‘the lovely Mark Williams’ and ‘THEE Pope’ and set away on a pleasant evening of ‘dinner Jazz’ with a quiet and gentle version of You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To, followed by Some Of My Best Friends Are Blues, with simply splendid solos from the boys… and I would expect nothing less from these accomplished musicians.  Claire certainly hit her ‘lucky Star’ with Mr Ugly and Morning as she gently moved on to Masquerade, some Beautiful Love and ended the set on Like Someone in Love.  A lovely mellow start to the evening, as I ate a superb dinner with jazz friends and it’s great to see a growing audience of Jazz regulars at the Salsa Café. 

Jitterbug Vipers & Bluebuds @ Live Theatre. November 30.

Sarah Sharp (vcl); Slim Richey (gtr); Nancy Meaux Jeaux (Mojo); Masumi Jones (dms).
(Review by Lance)

The Jumpin' Hot Club rarely fail to deliver and this session in Live Theatre's Studio 24 up on the third floor was no exception.

The Jitterbug Vipers from Austin, Texas, are nothing if not jam-packed full of talent. Slim Richey, grey bearded survivor of a near fatal road accident, compiler of The Viper's Dictionary and guitarist par excellence, dished out the chords and the solos with apparent ease. Masumi Jones, attractive Japanese chick nicknamed "The Tokyo Tsunami", proved that neither geography nor gender matter if a drummer can swing - Masumi can swing!

New Sunday Afternoon Jam Session

The Pink Lane Jazz Co-op are arranging a regular Sunday afternoon jam session at Salsa Cafe & Tapas Bar, from 3pm to about 7pm.  We're trying it out on 8, 15 and 22 December and if it's a success it will continue in 2014.

There will be a resident trio to keep things going but any instrumentalists or vocalists who want to join in will be welcome.  There's a PA but guitarists may need to bring an amp. Admission is free.

Dave Parker