Mica Paris @ Hoochie Coochie. Sept. 5

Mica Paris (vcl); Chris (keys); Kenny (gtr); ? (bs gtr); Mark (dms).
(Review by Lance.)

Another winner for Warren! Hoochie was a hotbed of heaving humanity last night as the most sensational soul singer I've ever seen strutted her stuff to the delight of us sardines - yes it was a capacity crowd!

I can't put a name to all the tunes - with Mica in such close proximity, at a time like this who keeps score?

How could I write whilst clapping, waving my arms and applauding?

CD Review: Cloudmakers Trio – Abstract Forces.

Jim Hart (vibes); Michael Janisch (bass); Dave Smith (drums).

(Review by Wes Stephenson).

What starts off as a fairly standard piece of modern jazz, soon twists and turns indeed to become a force to be reckoned with. An album of solid grooves and free improvising create the foundation for a high quality eclectic contemporary Jazz record.
It’s always a pleasure to hear new material from the three great musicians on this recording, should you ever have the opportunity to catch them live then I recommend that you do so

Did The Venerable Bede like Jazz?

Three Italian musicians (sorry don’t know your names) on keys, clarinet and trumpet, Hildy Harland (vocals)

(Review by Ann Alex.)

It must be the sort of unusual entertainments that I attend, but I find that jazz keeps popping up in the most unlikely places.  This time it was at an event at Bedes World last night, involving readings and plainsong about Bede’s life and writings.  These were performed by a group which meets there regularly, Benedict Biscop Gregorian Choir.  Very interesting stuff as you can imagine. Plainsong must surely be one of the most spiritually serene forms of music ever, and Bede was the foremost intellect of his day (673-735).  The Jarrow monastery was the place to be in those times.

Jazz Journal Collection

Major Domo of Ashington Jazz Club, John Taylor, wishes to dispose of 13 years of bound Jazz Journals (1979-1992).
Free to a good home.
The article on the left by the late Chris Yates is from the December 1979 issue.
Contact Ashington Jazz Club for more details.
Lance.

CD/DVD Review: Annie Ross - To Lady With Love

Annie Ross (vcl); Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli (gtr).
(Obeisance by Lance).

Forget Annie by Candlelight - no don't forget it, the album was and is a vocal classic - as was the ground-breaking vocalese of Twisted and Farmer's Market. The Lambert/Hendricks/Ross discs were also important albums that helped to establish Annie Ross as one of the all-time great jazz singers. Yet, To Lady With Love is something else - even by Annie's back catalogue - this is un disque hors catégorie!

On a purely vocal level there are probably a 1000+ singers from Tyneside to Timbuktu with a better voice than Ross has these days. The range is extremely limited but, when it comes to an emotive interpretation, there isn't one in a million who comes within a country mile of Annie Ross in this tribute to Billie Holiday (I've been reminded that Sheila Jordan could be included in that elite group!).

Jazz Café Jam Tuesday September 2.

Peter Gilligan (pno); Paul Grainger (bs); Paul Wight (dms) + Paul Gowland (alt); Johnny Davis (ten); Bradley Johnston (gtr); Jen Errington (vcl); Ian Forbes (dms); Ray Truscott (bs gtr); Oliver ? (dms); ? (bass).

(Review/colour photo by Lance. B&W photo by Mike Tilley).

Re-opened after the summer recess, "The Caff" was buzzing tonight. The air of expectancy high and the ultimate delivery even higher.

The house trio got off the mark with a set that included pieces by Horace Silver, Hampton Hawes and Bud Powell along with standards such as Autumn in New York and Beautiful Love. No one does this material better than Gilligan and co.

Calling All Workers

As I rode the 27 bus home from the Cherry Tree last night I observed that some kindly soul had left behind, whether by accident or intent, a WEA brochure listing the various courses due to start in the coming weeks. These activities ranged from Art Appreciation in Acklington to Beginners' Spanish in Darlington. Closer to home (for me) and more relevant to these pages were the activities of the Newcastle cell of the WEA.

As well as Creative Cakes and Crafts,  Italian and Indian Cookery, and Dressmaking I also found an Introduction to West African Drumming, Improvisation for Musicians and Jazz Appreciation!

A Star is Born! - Caroline Bagley w. James Harrison Trio @ The Cherry Tree. September 1

Caroline Bagley (vcl/alt); James Harrison (pno); Anth Ord (bs); Tom Chapman (dms).
(Review by Lance).

For once, I'm not going to eulogise over the rump steak even though it's the tastiest bit of rump my lips have tasted for a long time. Imagine if Bernie, your number one bull, had died and this cut had been taken from his still warm hindquarters... call me a cannibal if you like but it was succulent. A few cows will be mooing the blues tonight.

However, tonight was jazz night at the Cherry Tree although, given the absence of recognisable jazz faces in the audience, I couldn't help but wonder if Mondays are a jazz fast day.

Their loss.

Glasgow and Edinburgh Vote 'Yes' For Jazz!

Bridge Music, the organisation that promotes jazz in the Jazz Bar in Edinburgh and Glasgow Art Club, has announced a full programme for September and October.

CD Review: Klokkeblomst – Romantiker

Anders Banke (Tenor); Peter Danstrup (Acoustic bass guitar); Ander Provis (Drums).

(Review by Steve H.)

This is the Danish trio’s second offering and has so many tracks featuring climatic references that one could be forgiven for thinking that Weather Report would have been a more appropriate title.