Alice Grace Quartet @ The Empty Shop, Durham - June 16

Alice Grace (vocal); Pete Gilligan (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Russ Morgan (drums).

(Review by Steve T)

Lance did a comprehensive appraisal of an Alice Grace gig earlier in the week so you've had the older man viewpoint, this is the middle aged account, and you'll soon have the young man’s version of her Sunday night quintet gig at Blaydon from Russell.  

It was the first chance we have had to 'welcome' Alice to the Empty Shop and we weren't sure what the crowd would be like with students swanning about in their nice gowns, some mid-exams and others gone home, but we had a decent crowd of about thirty, enough to make it look busy.

Russell was a no-show due to a big band night nearer to home with the added attraction of making big band nut Tony jealous, but leaving me with the problem of where to get some paper; Ealesy, but no more than two flyers allowed!

Talkin' 'Bout Super Groups - Alter Ego @ The Globe Jazz Bar, Newcastle - June 18.

Pete Tanton (tpt/flug); Keith Robinson (alt); Niall Armstrong (ten/fl); Andy Hawking (pno); Tony Abell (bs gtr); David Francis (dms).

(Review by Lance).

As the band took to the stage area the signs were, at the best, a six-all draw in terms of band v audience numbers. However, common sense prevailed and the audience came in two by two and by the time the band had roared into The Soulful Mr Timmons, all the Jazz Coop's newly acquired tables and chairs were occupied and we breathed a sigh of relief!

Durham University Big Band @ Dunelm House. June 17

(Review by Russell).

It’s our end of year big blow out announced Dan Garel. The Riverside Café in Dunelm House on New Elvet occupies an enviable site perched high above the Wear. A 1960’s piece of architecture that, if it isn’t already, should be a listed building. Making full use of its location alongside the ‘60s’ concrete span of Kingsgate Bridge, Durham Students’ Union is functional, spacious, sprawling over several levels, offering Durham’s ‘Bright Young Things’ somewhere to chill out before, during (just kidding!) and after lectures.

Classicists, mathematicians, scientists turned out in large numbers to listen to their big band student friends, of whom many are classicists, mathematicians, scientists etc. The fact that they play big band jazz to a remarkably high standard is just one of those darn irritating things to a talentless individual such as your reviewer.

Swing Manouche @ Gala Theatre, Durham. June 17.

Mick Shoulder, guitar, Giles Strong, guitar, Neil Harland, bass and Paul Edis, clarinet.

(Review/photos courtesy of Jerry)

When, after the opening bars of All of Me, the musicians went up a gear and applied manouche swing to the Marks/Simon standard, the 100 strong audience at the Gala began a rhythmical journey enabling them, for an hour at least, to escape from referenda, grey skies, and relentlessly bad news.

A Tyne Valley Summer-ish Concert @ The Phoenix, Hexham. June 16

Tyne Valley Jazz Ensemble, Tyne Valley Youth Big Band & Tyne Valley Big Band

(Review by Russell/photo from band's website)

Advertised cautiously/prophetically as a ‘summer-ish’ end of term party, Dave Hignett’s

amazing assembly of big bands gathered at rehearsal HQ to give a public performance in preparation for several forthcoming prestigious concert dates. The ‘ish’ weather forecast proved to be accurate as Hexham was, at best, ‘cloudy but dry’.

Three competing events in spitting distance of one another fought it out for an audience – Hexham Abbey hosted an EU in/out ‘You decide’ debate, Queen’s Hall screened Cinema Paradiso as part of the Wild Skies Film Festival, and the Phoenix Bar and Club offered a triple bill of big bands. Many Tyne Valley residents voted BIG BAND JAZZ!!!

RIP Sharon Tenniswood Isaacs

Just heard the heartbreaking news that big band singer Jason Isaacs' lovely wife Sharon died on June 12. A lovely, bubbly, and very intelligent person, Sharon would never let you pass without a smile and a hug. Deepest sympathy and condolence to Jason and family.

May Sharon Rest In Peace, she will be sadly missed.

Lance

CD Review: Alchemy Sound Project - Further Explorations

Erica Lindsay (ten); Sumi Tonooka (pno); Salim Washington (ten/ob/fl/bs clt); David Arend (bs); Samantha Boshnack (tpt); Willem de Koch (tmb); Max Wood (dms).

(Review by Dave Brownlow)

A programme of music from five composer/performers – supplemented by two other players for the recording – attempting to explore the common ground between the diverse traditions of classical music and jazz. In the past, such luminaries as Dave and Howard Brubeck, John Lewis, Gunther Schuller, George Russell, Charles Mingus, Gil Evans, Bill Evans and even Bird himself have attempted to blend the two styles, ie “The Third Stream”, with varying degrees of success.

CD Review: Mac Gollehon & The Hispanic Mechanics

(Review by Steve T)

This is Mac Gollehon’s ninth album as a leader, but his list of guest credits is a veritable who's who of pop and disco, from the mildly impressive Chic and Rick James to the not at all impressive (to these ears): Duran Duran, Blondie and Mick Jagger. There's also a number of Latin artists, none of whom I've heard of and he's worked with a good Bowie and another, but I'll leave the reader guessing who they are and which is which.

CD Review: Clare Teal w. The Hallé Orchestra - Twelve O'Clock Tales

(Review by Lance).

Ahead of Teal's Doris Day tribute at York's Theatre Royal (tomorrow, June 18) comes this timely reminder of what a class act Clare Teal is. Few singers on either side of the Atlantic can handle a lyric as effectively as she can. Put Teal in front of the Hallé Orchestra, give her some arrangements by Guy Barker, Grant Windsor and Jason Rebello, have a few jazzmen hovering in the wings and the ingredients are all there for a first class album.

CD Review: Pete Hurt Jazz Orchestra - A New Start

Amazingly, this is the first time Pete Hurt has appeared in these pages. Presumably, his UK parameters have been confined to the 'home counties' rather than the frozen north! Still, better late than never if this album is anything to go by!

A contemporary jazz orchestra rather than a big band. An orchestra that has absorbed the complete gamut of modern jazz from, say, Boyd Raeburn, Gil Evans, George Russell, John Dankworth, Kenny Wheeler to Mike Gibbs and beyond. Superb contemporary arrangements cushioning the soloists in the manner of the aforementioned grandmasters.