Preview: JazzMain @ The Globe - Jan 19

A not infrequent visitor from Edinburgh, Nick Gould never fails to make a favourable impression at Newcastle's Black Swan jam sessions with his swinging tenor saxophone playing. If the local gun slingers are in town it makes for an entertaining, good natured saxophone joust. Occasionally Gould brings his JazzMain quartet to Tyneside to play a gig and the next opportunity to hear the outfit is two weeks tomorrow (Sunday 19).

Reflections on New York - December 2019

(By James Henry)

In recent years, for just four or five weeks in late November and December, it has been possible to fly directly from Newcastle upon Tyne to Newark Airport, New Jersey. Free from the need to transfer in Heathrow, Schiphol or other monuments to lost luggage and missed connections, one can leave Newcastle at 9.00am Monday and be in the Big Apple at lunch time, given the element of time travel gifted in transatlantic flight. That is, if one’s chosen airline hasn’t left the ULDs in Manchester  (ULD- Unit Load Devices- those big aluminium containers seemingly essential to loading baggage onto wide bodied airliners- things I didn’t know a month ago). Never mind, a bit more CO₂ in the atmosphere and our plane makes the round trip to Manchester, returning replete with the missing ULDs and we make our way to NY in time for tea, glad we had booked nothing for our first afternoon or evening.

Happy Birthday John McLaughlin.

(By Steve T)

In 1973, three months short of my twelth birthday, I found myself part of something that would change my life. 

Despite his white suit and short hair, it wasn't unusual for people who went to see Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, Hawkwind and Roxy Music, and Genesis and Yes to also go and see the Mahavishnu Orchestra.

Years later. having read some of the growing literature on John McLaughlin, the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Jazz-Rock, it seemed there are two common threads amongst those who saw them live, besides Pat Metheny's recollection that it was like your face melting. That everybody who saw them had their lives changed by the experience, and that people thought that it was all John McLaughlin. My sole recollection was of a concert length guitar solo of astonishing speed and power that was beyond the comprehension of the human brain to adequately register. I would never claim it was anything other than way over my head, but he became the musician of my life and has remained so ever since.

Preview: Matt MacKellar @ The Black Swan - Jan 16

(Preview by Russell)

One of the finest young prospects on the British jazz scene is home for Christmas and before he returns to his studies in America there is one last chance to catch him in action. Drummer Matt MacKellar first came to the attention of BSH as a keen participant at Dave Weisser's weekly 'jazz workshop' at the Chillingham Arms. It was obvious Matt, at the time perhaps 14 or 15, showed immense promise. It wasn't long before Matt was sitting-in at the Jazz Cafe's high octane jam sessions. And, a while later, the Newcastle based drummer was added to the roster of first call musicians to work as a member of the session's house trio.

Jazz on your 20's wireless

The BBC's jazz output contines into 2020 with an edition of Corey Mwamba's Freeness (Radio 3, midnight Saturday) featuring music from Barry Guy's 70th birthday concert. On Sunday afternoon it's Jazz Record Requests (Radio 3) presented, as usual, by Alyn Shipton and in the evening at 9:00pm multi instrumentalist James Morrison presents Top Brass (1/4) looking at the best of modern brass band music. The Swing and Big Band Show with Clare Teal follows at ten o'clock and at eleven Jools Holland includes an appearance by YolanDa Brown (all Radio 2).

Russell 

Johnny Desmond

(By Lance)

Reading Russell's preview of Ray McVay's Glenn Miller tribute at Sage Gateshead prompted me to reflect upon the late iconic bandleader. It seems to me that, possibly because of the enduring popularity of the music, the legend continues to grow. I doubt if Goodman, Shaw, Dorsey or even Ellington and Basie tribute bands could pull the punters like Miller - 75 years after his presumed death.

I've heard all the jokes "Better if Miller had lived and the music died" being one of the favourites and, it has to be admitted, the music could be a little schmaltzy at times. However, moving away from the civilian orchestra to the Army Air Force Band he fronted in Bedford, UK, we find ourselves in a different ball game.

AIR4CE A celebration of the life and music of Ginger Baker

(Press release)

On 21st January, there will be a tribute concert, celebrating the life & music of the legendary Ginger Baker, at Cluny 2, Newcastle. The band, Air4ce, will play music from Ginger’s beginnings in jazz and blues, through his African/jazz/rock Airforce outfit, plus collaborations with other artists, and solo work throughout his career. Ginger’s family will be attending, including author of the book ‘Hellraiser - Autobiography of the world’s greatest drummer’, compering the night, daughter Nettie Baker, plus musical guest appearances from nephew (the aptly named) Robert Johnson, and granddaughter Zara. Other special guest appearances from Ginger’s career to be announced. More updates found at the Facebook page: 

www.facebook.com/air4ce2020 

Preview: Glenn Miller parachutes into Sage Gateshead - Jan 5

Watch the skies! Major G. Miller is on a mission to promote the music of the dance band era and, if ticket sales are anything to go by, Sage Gateshead is heading for a sell out when Ray McVay once again marshalls his troops to take Tyneside by storm on Sunday (Jan 5).

If Miller bails out (aim for the Tyne, Glenn!) and goes AWOL you can be sure Ray McVay will step into the breach as a more than capable dep for the popular American bandleader. The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK has been keeping the Miller flame alive decade after decade and there is little sign of audience fatigue. 

Military fatigues may be in evidence at three o'clock - don't worry, its all part of the fun, dress as you choose and sit back and enjoy a couple of hours of WWII nostalgia. American Patrol, In the Mood, Little Brown Jug and, of course, Moonlight Serenade. We've got you surrounded, come out with your hands up...for you, the war is over! Book now on 0191 443 4661.

Russell 

A Roaring Twenties' Classic Jazz Party

(Preview by Russell)

Mike Durham's International Classic Jazz Party is all set to return over three days at the end of October. The dates for your diary are Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November. Concert themes will be confirmed next month but meanwhile here is a list of some of the musicians who will definitely be taking part and what a list it is! 

From USA - trumpeters/cornetists Mike Davis and Andy Schumm (an authority on Bix Beiderbecke), brilliant young pianist Andrew Oliver returns, as does master pianist David Boeddinghaus, Dave Bock, trombone, who made a big impression last year, has accepted an invitation to return and vocalist Roya Naldi is set to be a big hit (BSH heard Roya at Bix Fest 2019 - Classic Jazz Party regulars will be impressed!). No Classic Jazz Party would be complete without Josh Duffee and, sure enough, the percussion wizard will be crossing the Atlantic to be at one of his favourite events of the year.   

Welcome to the Roaring Twenties!

(By Russell)

Welcome to the Roaring Twenties! 2020 holds much promise with many unmissable gigs across the north east of England already in the diary. From Dean Masser's three appearances in the first part of the year (Masser is in on the Art Blakey celebration) to the Strictly Smokin' Big Band's all but guaranteed sell out two-nighter in December there is scarcely a blank date in the jazz diary. 

From America, Frog and Henry return to Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club in February, and in March, from France, it's Mama Shaker. Mid March trumpeter/bandleader/arranger Danny Jonokuchi flies in from NYC to gig with the Strictly Smokin' Big Band at Flat Caps Coffee (top tip, it's a small venue so book now).

Middlesbrough Town Hall continues with its monthly Sunday afternoon session - January's event is a Scottish affair, March sees Nikki Iles bringing in her new big band.