Sunday Jazz in Middlesbrough

(Press release)

Following the success of the Middlesbrough Jazz Weekender in October 2018 - the first major jazz event in the town for forty years - we are now proud to announce that the Town Hall will host a monthly Middlesbrough Sunday Jazz event - featuring multiple bands in one afternoon across different styles of jazz - but always with the emphasis on entertainment and variety.

The first concert on Sept. 22 features: Noel Dennis, Emma Johnson's Gravy Boat and Anthony Strong.

Full programme. 

CD Review: Northern Monkey Brass Band - Northern Monkey Business

Northern Monkey Brass Band: Graham Hardy (trumpet); Alastair Lord (trumpet); Jamie Toms (tenor sax); Mark Ferris (trombone); David Gray (trombone); Phil Rosier (tuba); Adam Sinclair (snare drum); Brendan Murphy (bass drum) + George Welch (vocal)

(Review by Russell)

Graham Hardy's Northern Monkey Brass Band is one of Tyneside's most accomplished outfits coming up with the goods time and again on the local gig circuit. Northern Monkey Business is the eight piece band's second CD release. If there is such a thing as the 'difficult' second album then it definitely doesn't apply to this one. It's every bit as good as the first one (High on Life) and the tunes are, as some might say, 'bangers', in a street brass band sort of way!

CD Review: Richard Michael - Contemplation

Richard Michael (solo piano)
(Review by Lance)

With CDs dropping down like meteorites from a distant universe what I need like a hole in the head is a double CD. But, this is the cross I've chosen to bear, so I travel on which, in this case, isn't such an arduous task - in fact it's actually a most delightful walk in the park!

Richard Michael, a Scottish jazz legend both as a pianist and an influential educator, is that rare breed of musician blessed with the ability to move effortlessly between styles and genres. Here he pays homage to his favourite pianists/musicians offering his own interpretations rather than rattling off a transcription by, say, Art Tatum. No, the man from north of the border pays homage to Fats, Brubeck, Corea, Trane, Duke, Herbie, Bill Evans, Django and many more in his own sweet way.

CD Review: Gretje Angell - In Any Key

Gretje Angell (vocals); Dori Amarillo (guitar, production); Kevin Axt, Gabe Davis, Chuck Berghofer (bass on various tracks); Michael Hunter (trumpet); Steve Haas (drums); Kevin Winard (percussion); Orchestra – Budapest Scoring (track 4)

(Review by Ann Alex)

I'm rejoicing to hear yet another talented woman singer on her debut CD. Ms Angell hails from Akron, Ohio and her father and grandfather were both drummers. She played string bass and performed with her father at jam sessions. She studied classical music and is now part of the Los Angeles jazz scene, leading her own groups and singing with many other bands.

CD Review: Luke Gillespie - Moving Mists

(Review by Dave Brownlow)

Luke Gillespie, a master pianist in both jazz and classical music, a Professor of Jazz Piano at Indiana University (Jacob School of Music), an international performer and an inspiring teacher in situ and on YouTube, very cleverly applies classical textures to jazz pieces - in other words he re-harmonises and re-constructs or re-invents jazz standards in a most inventive and thrilling way.

Among others, Gillespie’s voicings have echoes of Frederic Chopin, McCoy Tyner, Thelonious Monk and Cecil Taylor, whilst his harmonic choices are unusual and yet sound so ‘right’ in a jazz context.

Preview: Newcastle Jazz Festival - August 17

(Preview by Russell)

 Organise not one, not two, but six concerts in a day and you've got the makings of a festival. What's more, stage the event in a micro brewery and you're looking at a full house! The Newcastle Jazz Festival is set for Saturday August 17 at the Tyne Bank Brewery. 

A disused industrial building redeveloped as a micro brewery hosting regular events (gigs, pop-up street food markets, vinyl collectors' fairs and more) makes no. 375 Walker Road the ideal venue for a one day gathering of jazz musicians and jazz fans alike. If on the day there is a blazing sun in the sky (long odds!) the Tyne Bank Brewery will provide welcome relief, if it's tipping down (shorter odds!) you'll be snug as a bug with beer on tap in the brewery's tap house.

The Fred Thompson All Stars @ Cullercoats Crescent Club - July 31

Jim McBriarty (tenor sax, soprano sax, vocals); Don Armstrong (clarinet, alto sax, sopranino sax, tin whistle); Brian Chester (keyboards); Bill Colledge (bass); Fred Thompson (drums, vocals) + Alan Armstrong (harmonica)

(Review by Russell)

Wot? No Vieux Carre? As the Big Cheese (Mr B Bennett) was away the Fred Thompson All Stars came out to play.  Jim McBriarty as acting MC, Don Armstrong in from Oz, J McB said today's gig would take the form of a saxophone quartet. This was lost on one or two of the Crescent Club's Wednesday crowd until J McB pointed out the obvious - on the stand were four reeds...tenor, soprano, clarinet and the little heard sopranino. Wot? Nee banjo? I'm gannin' yem!*  

Dave Rae's Levee Ramblers New Orleans Jazz Band @ Springwell Village Community Venue - July 31

Dave Rae (guitar/banjo/vocal); Mick Hill (cornet/vocal); Jim McBriarty (clarinet/vocals); Gordon Solomon (trombone); John Robinson (bass); George Davidson (drums/vocal) + Ken ? (monologues)

(Review by Lance).

The Bacons (Liz & Paul) and Blenkin (Jim) were rambling elsewhere last night so leader Rae brought on Solomon, McBriarty, and Davidson off the subs bench and super-subs they were too. No surprises there! Solomon, a leader of various versions of the River City Jazzmen including the current edition, McBriarty, a key member of just about every other trad band north and south of the Tyne, and Davidson a distinctive New Orleans stylist. They combined well with the house team of Rae, Hill and Robinson.

Malta Jazz Festival 2019 - Nights July 20.

(Review by Steve T)

Once I'd discovered there's a jazz scene in Malta, I found an album by Dominic and Benedict Galea called Mnajdra Jazz Suite, which seemed to achieve a spot-on blend of tradition and the future. On my next visit I found one called Tribute, to the pioneers of jazz in Malta, also featuring Dominic prominently.

One of the daytime acts at this year’s festival was Francesca Galea and the Saturday night opening set - led by Dominic - featured guitarist Karl Galea. Bit of a dynasty going on I assumed until enquiries to Francesca by one of the coffee and Campari set confirmed that Galea is a bit like Smith in England.

Review: Claire Martin & Jim Mullen - Bumpin'

Claire Martin (vocal); Jim Mullen (guitar ); Mads Bærentzen (piano); Thomas Ovesen (bass); Kristian Leth (drums).

(Review by Lance).

Still the CDs arrive - the chances of an artist getting a review are now down to about 1% unless more reviewers come forth. I know I could just cut and paste the press releases which, to me, is the easy way out but not necessarily the ethical one.

However, because of this selectivity, when a CD does grace these pages you can guarantee that it's 5* and counting.

This is just such an album. I know the girls are on the march and I don't think the UK has ever had such a formidable distaffian army storming the jazz citadel. Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester, Barnsley, Chesterfield, London, Canterbury and - in this case - Brighton, the jazz voice lives.