New scheme for young jazz musicians launches at Gateshead International Jazz Festival

Talented 16 – 24 year olds in jazz ensembles are taking their first high-profile public performances including a date at Gateshead International Jazz Festival (4-6 APR). The opportunities have come from a new performance development programme, launched by the jazz development organisation for the north of England, Jazz North.

Jazz North assembled a panel of industry specialists, including internationally-acclaimed guitarist Mike Walker, to select the very best young band deserving of this cherished opportunity. The winning band was Stretch Trio, a new band from Leeds combining jazz, ambient and rock influences. The trio features Andy French (21) on saxophone, Tom Higham (20) on drums and Calvin Travers (21) on guitar. 

Jazz Café Jam Session March 4.

Piano: Pete Gilligan; Paul Edis; Steve Brown; Joel Brown.
Bass: Paul Grainger; John Pope.
Drums: Paul Wight; Ian Forbes.
Alto: Paul Ruddick.
Tenor: Arthur Higgins; Johnny Davis.
Trumpet: Don Forbes.
Guitar: Simon Stephenson; Mike.
Apologies to anyone I've overlooked.
(Review by Lance).

Great North Big Band Jazz Festival (Day 2) @ North Shore. March 1

(Review by Russell)

The second day of the festival was devoted to senior bands in the Open Section.

The Tyne Valley Big Band set the ball rolling in front of the bleary eyed at 11:00 am. Led by the ebullient Dave Hignett, the community big band seemingly recruits new members on a daily basis and here at North Shore not far short of two bands’ worth of musicians crowded onto the stage! Hignett’s enthusiasm for the music is a key element in the development of the band and a spirited performance deservedly won warm applause. Newcastle University Jazz Orchestra, winners of the inaugural event eleven years ago, made their annual sortie from the Toon into Mackem territory armed with a choice pad comprising numbers by Gordon Goodwin, Van Heusen/Burke and Oliver Nelson. Jordan Alfonso sported a curved soprano, Shona Crossan, wearing a polka dot top, sang Polka Dots and Moonbeams and the orchestra delivered an assured set.

Pink Lane Jazz Co-operative Share Launch

The Pink Lane Jazz Co-operative made their share launch pitch tonight in an attempt to attract investors to become involved in their ambitious scheme to purchase the Globe pub near Newcastle Arena and turn it into a jazz/music venue. Minnie Fraser fronted the presentation and made an impressive case for the scheme. 

Will it work?

I'm undecided, but think it could be worth a punt for those looking to create a jazz friendly music venue rather than a fast buck.

CD Review: Big Chief - It Don't Make Sense.

John Fry (saxes/vcls); Mike Jacques (gtr/mand); Adrian Paton (keys);  Tony Reeves (bs); Gary O'Toole (dms);  Tony Edwards (vcls/dms); Dave Chambers (alt); Chris Fry (tmb); + Dick Heckstall-Smith (tenor on 5 tracks); John Dillon (dms on 1 track).
(Review by Lance)

A reissue of a 1997 release by long-lived London R&B/funk band Big Chief with the added bonus of some unreleased tracks from the early 80's featuring the late Dick Heckstall-Smith.

It is good to have Heckstall-Smith once again available. In this genre there was none better and, whilst bemoaning the fact that he is only on 5 of the 14 tracks, the good news is that this disc is the forerunner of a scheduled September 2014 release of previously unheard of Big Chief tracks with DHS blowing on all tracks.

Johnny Hunter Quartet @ Bridge Hotel, Newcastle.

Graham South (tpt); Ben Watte (ten); Stewart Wilson (bs); Johnny Hunter (dms).
(Review by Lance/photo by Ken Drew).

Last week the upper room was full, this week it wasn't. Don't ask me why, both bands, Let Spin and the Johnny Hunter Quartet are from the same stable, or rather label (Efpi). Perhaps Newcastle folk decided they'd given enough support to Manchester at Wembley and, not surprisingly, the transpontine fans had had enough of Manchester for one day!

Whatever, those who stayed at home missed out on a good session. Having reviewed the quartet's EP, Appropriations, earlier this week I knew what to expect and I wasn't disappointed.  A pianoless quartet with a foot in the past and an eye to the future, this was very much a young band for today.

Bebop Spoken Here talks to Jason Rebello.

BSH: Hi Jason looking forward to hearing you up in Newcastle. Last time you were in the region I think was with Madeleine Peyroux at Sage Gateshead is that right?

That's correct. I really enjoy playing with Madeline, she is a wonderful singer and a lovely person to be around. We get on very well.

BSH: You produced some fine Hammond sounds that night that really brought the gig to life.

Her music is quite reflective and sad, but I am a fiery Aries, full of beans, and it's hard to resist the energy that flows when I play. I have to restrain myself sometimes when I play with her so as not to spoil the vibe but when I do get allowed to play, I enjoy it to the full.

BSH: You’ve also, I note, sold out Ronnie’s on March 15. Quite an achievement when you think of the calibre of artists who play there. You must have something good going on with this latest venture.

It's a great band, and the music is exciting and funky. I think people are enjoying what we do. It's uplifting stuff.. 

BSH: A new album and a single out is that right?

Yes, the new album "Anything but look" is out, with a blend of jazz, funk, soul and latin. The new single is "New Joy" which features the wonderful singing of Joy Rose. (Incognito)

BSH: Tell me about the band. Troy Miller was here last month with Natalie Williams and he’s back with you. Joy Rose also seems to be  a name that’s getting noticed.

Well Troy is an incredible musician, and he injects so much life into the music. Karl on bass is funky and a great acoustic bass player too. Xan is a superb singer and keyboard player and we work well together. Joy, I have worked with for over twenty years, and you would be lucky to see a singer with as much soul, passion and funkiness as Joy..

BSH: I see you’re at Bristol the night before couldn't get two gigs much further apart!

Yes, I'm doing a two piano gig with an amazing piano player, Ivo Neame. 

BSH: This sounds like it’s going to be a night to remember at Hoochie

Well I think it will. The band is on fire at the moment, and the music is uplifting people, so I'm very much looking forwards to it..

Jason Rebello can be heard at Hoochie Coochie this Friday (March 7) On stage @ 9pm. £10.

CD Review: GoGo Penguin - v.20

Chris Illingworth – Piano, Nick Blacka – Bass, Rob Turner – Drums.
(Review by Steve Horowitz.)

When I first heard of GoGo Penguin,  I assumed it was another chocolate covered biscuit designed for those on the run. In fact, they are Manchester based modern piano trio named after a friend’s stuffed aquatic flightless bird from  the southern hemisphere.

PINK LANE JAZZ CO-OP SHARE OFFER NUDGES HALF WAY MARK

Jazz fans are almost half way there in their bid to raise 

£125,000 to turn an old Newcastle pub into a music venue.

A total of £57,100 of shares offered by the Pink Lane Jazz Co-op have been bought. This is 45% of the money needed to buy The Globe, off Scotswood Road, and convert it into the city’s newest Jazz, Blues and Latin attraction.

The share offer has attracted national interest with buyers coming from St Albans to Sheffield.

The biggest backers will be Co-operative and Community Finance.  They have pledged additional finance totaling £105,000 which is needed to complete the £230,000 purchase and refurbishment plan.

The 70 strong Co-op plans a presentation event tomorrow (Monday) with live music, food and wine to update investors on progress.

Dave Parker, a Co-op spokesman, said “This is a very exciting and rare venture – setting up a co-operative music venue – and one that’s committed to jazz.

Great North Big Band Jazz Festival (Day 1) @ North Shore. February 28

(Review by Russell).

The opening night of the eleventh annual Great North Big Band Jazz Festival stuck to a tried and tested formula. Trumpeter Bill Watson, organiser of the mammoth event at North Shore (Sunderland University’s Student Union on Charles Street near the National Glass Centre), relies upon musicians and an unsung band of keen volunteers to make the whole thing work. Senior professional musicians working as tutors throughout the weekend took the opportunity to have a blow before the musicians of tomorrow get down to competitive action.