CD Review: Introducing Gabriel Latchin Trio

Gabriel Latchin (piano); Tom Farmer (bass); Josh Morrison (drums).

(Review by Lance).

They knew what they [Alys Jazz] were doing when they sent me this magic circle. From the opening measure, I was spellbound. A first call sideman, Latchin decided, in his own words, that it was time for him to step out of the shadows. After this debut, 120mm diameter piece of artistry, it's surely goodbye shadows.

A ravishing mix of originals and standards shows the Guildhall graduate to be as dexterous as any of today's piano-men and quite a few of yesterday's too. But it's not just the spectacular dashes around the 88s that slay me, it's also the choice of chords. Big fat juicy ones like we used to associate with Shearing, Peterson, Nat Cole, Garner, and Bud Powell. Latchin's harmonic scope is on a par with those worthys and no doubt many others who have influenced him along the way. Cedar Walton was one of those and Latchin pays tribute saying he should have retitled If I Only Had a Brain to If I Only Had Cedar's Brain! He's doing pretty damn good with the brain he's got thank you very much!

CD Review: John Vanore and his All-Star Large Ensemble - Stolen Moments, Celebrating Oliver Nelson

(Review by David Brownlow)

A fine CD by John Vanore leading a 15 piece jazz orchestra honouring the works of his former tutor - composer/arranger, Oliver Nelson who sadly passed away in 1975. Nine pieces originally composed or arranged by Nelson which Vanore has reimagined, rearranged, played trumpet on or conducted this strong material. The line-up is unusual in that there are two French horns, two trombones, four/five trumpets, two saxes who double, and five in the rhythm dept. The arrangements are freshly crafted in the ‘contemporary’ big band/orchestra style and the results are dynamic and full of surprises - well worth hearing.

Francis Tulip Quartet: Monk’s Mood @ The Globe - August 5

Francis Tulip (guitar), Joel Brown (piano), Michael Dunlop (bass) & Matthew MacKellar (drums)

(Review by Russell/photos courtesy of Steve T)

Along the road at Times Square (NCL not NYC) the Manic Street Preachers pitched a tent. Here at the Globe, the Jazz Co-op was having a busy old time. Day one of a two-day weekend workshop at the Railway Street premises utilised the ground floor bar and first-floor music room. As participants departed at the end of an informative first day, in walked a Tulip.

The Francis Tulip Quartet walked in…set-up, tune-up, run through, ready to go. The FTQ departed, as does any self-respecting band, in search of that pre-gig essential, fast food. Meanwhile, the FTQ fan club arrived. The hordes arrived just in time (there’s a tune in there somewhere) to see the last Red Kite depart for the sanctuary of Derwent Valley. Yes, Wylam Brewery’s ever-popular beer was no more. An Angel (another in Wylam’s portfolio) came to the rescue. Front row seats bagged (set at a distance from the stage), lights dimmed, the Globe was in a Monk’s Mood.

Rendezvous in Durham Cathedral

Our 'Friend in jazz', John Taylor, drew my attention to this Northern Echo item re a forthcoming jazz concert by Rendezvous Jazz in Durham Cathedral on Saturday, August 19.

Rendezvous Jazz can also be heard every Friday lunchtime at the Black Horse in Monkseaton.

For further details of the Cathedral gig see poster in

RH column of BSH.
Lance.

CD Review: The Dime Notes.

Andrew Oliver (piano); David Hornblow (clarinet); Dave Kelbie (guitar); Tom Wheatley (bass).

(Review by Lance).

A little gem showcasing early jazz whilst drawing it to the attention of present-day listeners. Four mature players, yet still too young to have been accorded venerable status although, in a blindfold test, I think they would have been.

The influences are the New Orleans of Evan Christopher, who wrote the album notes, and early New York jazz. Jelly Roll and Bechet are well represented in the repertoire alongside Handy, Boyd Senter and, among others, pianist Oliver who composed Otis Stomp inspired by a small town in his native Oregon.

Big Muddy @ the Prohibition Bar - August 4

John Haylock (baritone); Gordon Brown (alto, clarinet, vocals); Nigel Robson (trombone); Lionel Hehir (guitar); Stu Halliday (drums); Dave Weisser (cornet, vocals); Jude Murphy (bass guitar, vocals).

(Review by John T.)

Why have I not heard this band before? I’ve been following Dave Weisser’s Take it to the Bridge for many years and did not know he worked with other outfits! 

Big Muddy are well rehearsed and have a balanced line-up. Above all else, they really do SWING – not just good readers!! The well thought out programme at the Prohibition had a range of styles and influences:-

Jazz Stars Head to Ilkley

(Press release).

Ilkley Jazz Festival, now in its fourth year, starts Wednesday 16^th August and is bigger and better than ever with more acts and headlining International Jazz stars from London as well as the very best of Northern and Yorkshire jazz talent.

Headlining on Friday 18^th at the Winter Gardens, Ilkley, with his latest album ‘Theory of Joy’ is International Jazz vocalist Ian Shaw, often compared with Kurt Elling and Mark Murphy and recently nominated in the prestigious Downbeat Magazine jazz poll as best vocalist. 

Secret Voice of Hollywood (Nixon dubs Nixon dubbing Hepburn!)

Back in the day when lavish Hollywood musicals filled the screens of cinemas worldwide and, of course, the box office, the producers and casting directors were faced with a problem. How do you cast a megastar, a guaranteed money spinner, in a musical when the star can't sing? No problem with Doris Day, Judy Garland, Kathryn Grayson, Jane Powell or Julie Andrews - they could sing and they could act. Deborah Kerr couldn't sing but she could act the pants off most of her peers. Likewise Audrey Hepburn.

Enter Marni Nixon.

Marni, who died last year aged 86, provided Kerr's singing voice in The King and I and Hepburn's voice in My Fair Lady. In West Side Story she ghosted Natalie Wood's voice without Natalie knowing the voice wasn't her own!

Redemption found in Empty Shop - August 3

(Photo from archives)

Durham correspondent Tony Eales reports a standing room only attendance at the Empty Shop for the return visit of Tyneside based quartet Redemption. An evening of original numbers and modern jazz standards entertained a crowd of students (yes, some stay on during the summer months) and regular jazz gig-goers. John Hall and co played their tune dedicated to Bebop Spoken Here’s editor – the one titled Free Lance, thus making make this ‘in absentia’ performance a contender for Gig of the Year!

The Steam Machine Brewing Company has established a summer-long ‘tap takeover’ at the Empty Shop and the next opportunity for jazz fans to sample the Newton Aycliffe brewery’s ‘product’ is on Sunday week (August 13) when Matt MacKellar’s Trio invites the dynamic Julija Jacenaite to sing a bluesy tune or two. It’s a four o’clock start, and the gig is heartily recommended. 

Russell.                  

Ella & Dizzy @ The Proms tonight on BBC4

The Jazz Promenaders are in for a treat tonight - Roll Over Beethoven, make room for Ella and Diz.

Tonight's concert from the Royal Albert Hall is a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie with Dianne Reeves [pictured] playing Ella and the amazing James Morrison the role of Dizzy. 

With this being the centennial for both it is fitting that such an accolade is accorded at such a prestigious event as The Proms. I hope it isn't watered down too much to accommodate the traditional Promgoer.

The down beat is at 8 pm on BBC4 so, Mister Paganini...

Lance