DJazz: The Durham City Jazz Festival: TESTT Space - June 2

(Review by Russell).

Confession time! Your correspondent stood on platform 3 at Newcastle Central Station chatting to Mary B waiting for a slightly delayed southbound train. Here it is. All aboard! Still chatting to Mary, the onboard announcement went, more or less, unheard. A while later: Tickets please! This train doesn’t stop at Durham, next stop Darlington. Long story short, Newcastle-Durham via the scenic route!                        

The forecast was for torrential rain at some point during the afternoon. The outdoor stage down in Fowler’s Yard wasn’t the place to be exposed to the elements – rainwater and electrics don’t mix.  The DJazz contingency plan was implemented. For Fowler’s Yard read TESTT Space. A disused office space above Durham Bus Station came to the rescue. Home to ‘creatives’ as they’re known, Empty Shop’s North Road satellite venue did the job. It’s a basic facility but at least it was dry.

DJazz: Durham City Jazz Festival - Jambone @ Redhills. June 2

(Review by Lance/Photos courtesy of Jerry).

We emptied the Empty Shop, our spirits buoyant (literally) as we floated uphill towards the old Durham Miners Hall at Redhills. Russell stopped off for a pint whilst I opted for a Chicken Biryani in a nearby curry caff. 

Thirst quenched and hunger pangs assuaged, we took our pew in the Grade ll listed building just in time to hear a little of the venue's history* before Jambone lit the blue touchpaper.

All four members of the current Francis Tulip Quartet had emerged from previous editions of the Sage Gateshead's pride and joy - second only to the Northern Sinfonia in prestige - and one of them, Ben Lawrence, is still there, at least for this term.

DJazz: The Durham City Jazz Festival. Francis Tulip Quartet @ Empty Shop - June 2.

Francis Tulip (guitar); Ben Lawrence (piano); Michael Dunlop (bass guitar); Matt MacKellar (drums).

(Review by Lance).

The Empty Shop wasn't empty. Is it ever? Certainly not when these guys are the attraction. They may not have been shaving for very long but, going by the maturity of their playing, they should have had grey beards and told stories about jamming with Miles on 52nd St.

As it happens, Miles was present in the form of the opener - Milestones. Taken at a faster lick than the original, the cards were laid down and they were all aces. Any infidels at this first-floor shrine were soon converted. Youth had won the day after but one number. 

Ben Lawrence, in his first public appearance with the band, slotted in seamlessly. It had been some time since I last heard him and it would seem that he has progressed in leaps and bounds. Of course, in this company, you either cut it or fall flat on your ass. Ben's still standing.

DJazz: The Durham City Jazz Festival: Paul Edis - June 1

Paul Edis (keyboards)

(Review by Russell).

A Durham lad is Paul Edis. The ‘boy done good’, as someone once said. Is there anything new left to say about pianist, educator and promoter Dr Edis? Not really, other than to say this DJazz set in Palace Green Library’s Courtyard Café met the very highest expectations one has come to expect. Standards, original material, an arrangement of an English pastoral and DJazz 2018’s first encore!

DJazz: The Durham City Jazz Festival: Juliane Deil - June 1

Juliane Deil (keyboards); Gavin Jackson (bass); Will Elias (drums)

(Review by Russell) 

In recent times Durham University students have revitalised Durham City’s jazz scene. Gigs are up every cobbled street, around the next corner into an ancient chare, even in an empty shop. Ah! Not ‘an empty shop’ make that ‘The Empty Shop’ - the one on Framwellgate Bridge. Durham University Jazz Society set up a regular jam session on the first floor, it went from strength to strength, and, in part, inspired the idea of a jazz festival…DJazz its name. One student (a music student!) accepted the offer of a gig at DJazz 2018 – you would, wouldn’t you?! – and set about putting together a trio for the occasion.

DJazz: The Durham City Jazz Festival: Zoë Gilby & Andy Champion - June 1

Zoë Gilby (voice); Andy Champion (double bass).

(Review by Russell). 

The second DJazz: The Durham City Jazz Festival has built upon last year’s inaugural event with a much-expanded schedule of performances and venues. The organisation is most impressive and a gig in Durham Castle’s ancient Norman Chapel proved to be an inspired choice. Tyneside vocalist Zoë Gilby together with bassist Andy Champion opened DJazz 2018 performing in the ancient 800-year-old atmospheric, intimate space. Few could have envisaged it as a viable proposition and yet it worked brilliantly.

DJAZZ: Saturday Wet Weather - IMPORTANT change of venue (Fowlers Yard)

As you can probably see the good old British weather has a lot of rain in store for Durham today! This has scuppered our plans for the outdoor stage at Fowler’s Yard - we don’t think anyone wants to listen or play in the rain, and the forecast for the odd thunderstorm means that the best option is to move the outdoor events, indoors.

We have planned for this, so it’s wet weather contingency time!

Our alternative for the day venue is TESTT Space… we are presuming most of you won’t know where this is, which means it’s another great venue for you to discover this weekend.

DJazz: Juliane Deil Trio & Paul Edis - The Courtyard Café. June 1.

Jerry took a couple of photos at this, one of the opening concerts at Durham's second annual DJazz Festival remarking that "Durham Jazz Festival got off to a good start for us at The Courtyard Cafe: Juliane Deil followed by Paul Edis. Enjoyed both sets and agree with the festival programme which flags up Juliane as 'one to watch' ". 
Review and more pics to follow...
Lance.

Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Millstone - May 31

(Review by Russell).

Last Thursday in the month down at the Millstone public house it’s the Strictly Smokin’ Big Band’s public rehearsal night. May’s session featured no fewer than six deps across all sections. It didn’t make a jot of difference with the band on form from the off and, what’s more, some thirty minutes before the downbeat all seats in the upstairs function room were occupied. It was a warm, humid evening yet the windows remained closed, perhaps to comply with licensing restrictions on noise levels.

So, the band hit the ground running with Alice Grace singing That Old Black Magic. That is reason enough to get along to the band’s rehearsal session – fantastic! Ja-Da with Michael Lamb leading the way with some blistering trumpet playing before the fabulous Alice Grace returned to confess You Make Me Feel So Young. Tyneside and the wider north east region boasts many fine singers, Ms Grace is right up there with the best of them and nothing but nothing could match her take on a Songs for Swingin’ Lovers’ masterpiece.

The Merry Month of May - Choices

CDs of the Month
Jean Toussaint Allstar 6tet - Brother Raymond... May 11.
Mark Kavuma - Kavuma... May 20.
Glenn Crytzer - Ain't It Grand?... May 13.
Beverley Beirne - JJWTHF...May 15.

Gigs of the Month.
Omar - Hoochie Coochie... May 11.
Jam Session - Jazz Café... May 15.
Dom Pipkin - Forum, Darlington... May 17.
Pete Gilligan Trio - Prohibition Bar... May 29.
Hand to Mouth - Dun Cow, Jesmond... May 30.
Niffi Osiyemi Trio - Jazz Café... May 18.

Note that neither Gigs or CDs of the Month are in any particular order and are strictly my personal choices. - Lance.