On-line teaching, how does it work?

(By Lance)

In the current lock down situation, the internet has become – if possible – even more important than ever and not least from a music perspective. Singers and instrumentalists of all genres have grabbed their slice of cyber cake and streamed it up to us all. Maybe not quite the same as hearing then in a club or a concert hall but needs must…

Many of the performers also teach and offer their expertise on a global scale which again is a great facility however…

If I Were A Bell – yet another song worth singing

(By Ann Alex)

Here I go with another of my occasional pieces about song lyrics. I'd known this song for ages, then one day Paul Grainger told me that it came from the ever-popular 1950's musical Guys And Dolls, sung by a character who was highly religious, but who was led astray by the power of romantic love. She sings this song on hearing church bells ringing.

Bucky Pizzarelli Born January 9, 1926, Paterson, New Jersey, USA. Died April 1, 2020, Saddle River, New Jersey, USA

(An appreciation by Maurice J. Summerfield)

John 'Bucky' Pizzarelli, who died on 1 April from Covid 19 was a seminal figure in the history of jazz guitar.    A quick internet search will bring up many detailed biographies and tributes highlighting Bucky's long and amazing career.    

His first professional job as a musician was in 1944 with Vaughan Monroe’s band.  He then spent many years working with various bands, including those of Skitch Henderson and Doc Severinson, on radio and television.  From the 1960s onwards he was featured in many small and large jazz groups including the Benny Goodman band.  He made two truly wonderful duo LP albums with guitarist George Barnes.

The Isolation Sessions

Jamie Brownfield (trumpet); Mike Smith (bari sax); Tom Kincaid (piano); Grant Russell (bass); Jack Cotterill (drums).
Check out via the Link.
Lance

Ellis Marsalis Jr. - Another victim...

Ellis Marsalis Jr. father to the most famous jazz dynasty of our times died yesterday aged 85 after contracting the virus and being hospitalised.

One of New Orleans' major educators, Ellis was also an outstanding pianist recording many albums as well laying the foundation for four of his six children - Branford, Delfeayo, Jason and Wynton - to achieve international recognition in and beyond the jazz world.

We are becoming immune to shock, or so we thought, but I guess we never will.

May he Rest In Peace.

Lance

Daily Mail

Wikipedia.

CD Review: Avishai Cohen - Big Vicious

Avishai Cohen  (trumpet, effects, synthesizer); Uzi Ramirez (guitar); Yonatan Albalak  (guitar/ bass); Aviv Cohen  (drums);  Ziv Ravitz  (drums/ live sampling).

(Review by Chris K)

An interesting new departure for Avishai Cohen - the trumpeter with ECM that is,  not the bass player of the same name whose 50th birthday (50 gigs in 50 countries) tour is currently in ruins.  Cohen's new band, Big Vicious, is formed from jazz or ex-jazz friends who have moved into pop, rock, fusion or whatever. This departure ends up somewhere I can't accurately place: it's not especially big, or vicious, despite the twin guitar and drummer line up!

Tonight's Blue Note: Hank Mobley - Soul Station

Hank Mobley (tenor sax); Wynton Kelly (piano); Paul Chambers (bass); Art Blakey (drums).

(By Lance).

After listening to Freddie Hubbard's Open Sesame last night and, subsequently, some of the current stuff going around it reminded me - as if I needed reminding - just how wonderful the Blue Note back catalogue is. So I decided I'd listen to a Blue Note album a night until the world is free when there will be Blue Notes over the white cliffs of Dover, just you wait and see - maybe we could persuade Dame Vera (103 n.o.) to change the lyric of the original. 

My good friend Frank Sinatra...

(By Russell)

The heyday of Jazz North East's Corner House concert promotions included several appearances by Harry 'Sweets' Edison. In 1982 the great American trumpeter performed with the Malcolm Saul Trio, in 1984 'Sweets' returned, this time working with revered guitarist Willie Payne's band, and four years later played to a packed house in the company of the region's first call piano trio, the Billy Harper Trio. Such was the popularity of the genial American he appeared again the following year (1989), this time with the Ronnie Pipe Trio.

Live at Five every day at 17:00 BST from Kansas Smitty's

Every day we find someone super interesting from the Smitty's universe and Giacomo goes in deep. Expect conversations about performance, practice, culture tradition and heritage. It's all live so you can ask your questions too. This weeks live streams feature:  31/3 João Caetano - Percussionist and songwriter available to watch now on catch up 1/4 - Honey Boulton - Live from New Zealand. Guitarist and scene hunter. Live at Five tonight

Jazz Ahead! - Updated

(By Russell)

The following selective gig list is somewhat speculative but, sooner or later, gig-going will resume. Fingers crossed that some/most/all of the gigs listed will go ahead. Surprisingly the concerts in May are yet to be postponed or rearranged. Contact the venue to confirm the gig is on! 

MAY 2020

MON 4 Shabaka & the Ancestors - Sage Gateshead. 

THU 7 Minnie Fraser Quartet - Gosforth Civic Theatre, Gosforth.

THU 14 Gregory Porter - Utilita Arena, Newcastle. 

THU 14 Martin Taylor & Martin Simpson - Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle.  

SAT 30  Paul Edis + Francis Tulip & Ben Lawrence - Sage Gateshead. Solo piano.