Rico's Popup Louis - Nov. 6

Rico Tomasso (trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals); Simon Picton (guitar, banjo) 

Another in Rico Tomasso's Friday evening 'Popup Louis' sessions. Rico couldn't remember how long he's been doing these live streams but he's enjoyed doing them and promised to continue into the future. Tonight's guest, making a  welcome return, playing guitar and banjo, Mr Simon Picton. The duo would play eight tunes during the course of an hour. 

Strictly Smokin's Lockdown Live. Live stream from the Prohibition Bar w. Graham Don, Alice Grace and Pete Tanton - Sunday Nov. 8

(Press release)

2:00pm - 3:00pm - UTC.

Here we go again... Lockdown 2.0.Rubbish though it all is, we're thrilled to still be able to get together to entertain you over the next month with Sunday afternoon live streams from the Prohibition Bar in Newcastle.

These streams will be free to view with honesty box donations at www.paypal.me/strictlysmokin

Album review: Jeff Williams - Road Tales

Jeff Williams (drums); John O'Gallagher (alto sax); Josh Arcoleo (tenor sax); Sam Lasserson (bass).

We should be counting down to EFG 2020. Checking out bookings for train, hotel and concerts and looking forward to all the trimmings that go with a visit to the festival. A pre-concert pint in a favourite pub, absorbing the excitement that always pre-empts a major festival. Meeting acquaintances old and new before settling into our seat awaiting the band. 

EFG LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL 2020 FRIDAY 13 - SUNDAY 22 NOVEMBER MOVES TO EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE PROGRAMME

(Press release)

The EFG London Jazz Festival will be going ahead as a huge range of shows and special events online, with live concerts now streamed from venues across London and remaining an integral part of the programme. There are a host of streams and online events in the Festival, many available free to view: new work, new collaborations, unique performances, bespoke productions from international artists, talks, family events and interactive sessions, bringing this exceptional 10-day event to audiences across the world.

BBC Four celebrates young British jazz with BBC Young Jazz Musician 2020 Final broadcast as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival - Sunday 22 November at 7pm on BBC Four

(Press release)

The biennial celebration of the most talented up-and-coming musicians and singers on the British jazz scene, BBC Young Jazz Musician 2020 reaches its conclusion with a socially-distanced Final at Cadogan Hall on Saturday 14 November, when the five shortlisted finalists – aged 18 to 22 -  showcase their talents accompanied by the acclaimed Nikki Yeoh’s Infinitum, led by British jazz composer and pianist Nikki Yeoh.

In collaboration with the EFG London Jazz Festival and supported by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, the BBC Young Jazz Musician Final – part of the 2020 Festival and taking place in an empty venue as per current government guidelines -  will be broadcast to music lovers all over the country on BBC Four on Sunday 22 November, presented by award-winning saxophonist, composer, and broadcaster YolanDa Brown.

Liane Carroll & Roger Carey: Live stream - Nov. 5

Liane Carroll (piano/vocal); Roger Carey ( bass guitar).

I was anticipating Claire Martin and Jim Mullen at Ronnie's but that one got pulled so that was that. Then I remembered that Liane and Roger were live-streaming or, to be more exact, they reminded me and her other Facebook followers that they were doing their midweek giglet. 

Album review: The Royal Bopsters - Party of Four

Amy London (soprano voice); Holli Ross (alto voice); Pete McGuinness (tenor voice); Dylan Pramuk (bass voice). 

Steve Schmidt (piano); Cameron Brown (double bass); Steve Williams (drums); Steven Kroon (perc. tks. 7,11) + Bob Dorough (voice tk. - 8); Sheila Jordan (voice - tk. 4); Christian McBride (double bass tks. - 2,7).

The Royal Bopsters are the latest in a lineage that dates back to the Boswell Sisters via the Four Freshmen, Hi-Los, LHR and Man Tran. They don't let their predecessors down but come up with harmonies that are rich and full and arrangements that are as multi-textured as a vanilla layer cake and twice as tasty.

PLAY MORE JAZZ! ONLINE @ THE GLOBE

(Jazz Co-op press release)

Our long-running jazz improvisation course returns in a different form – online and totally Covid-safe.

As usual the course is led by Steve Glendinning, a superb guitarist and formerly a regular tutor at Sage Gateshead.

We have arranged 10 online sessions on the following Tuesdays 7.30-9.00pm: 10th, 17th, 24th November and 1st, 8th, 15th of December then have a break over Christmas and restart on 5th, continuing on the 12th, 19th and 26th January to complete a 10-session course.

Ferg Kilsby with the National Youth Jazz Collective - Nov. 4

This year's National Youth Jazz Collective Summer School was an online affair. This evening's Facebook stream presented audio recordings featuring various ensembles and socially distanced conversations via Zoom. Issie Barratt moderated discussion between Kathy Dyson, Mark Hodgson and a host of talented young musicians. Of particular interest to BSH's readers in the Tyne Valley and wider region was the participation of Ferg Kilsby. 

Elling finds Somewhere to shine with Scottish National Jazz Orchestra

(Press release/photo courtesy of Derek Clark Photography)

The stars align on the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra’s new video. With music by one of America’s greatest composers, Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by master wordsmith Stephen Sondheim, Somewhere is a classic vehicle for one of the most distinctive and most beautifully toned singers of the current age, Kurt Elling.

Written for the multi-award-winning romantic musical drama West Side Story, the song was selected by Elling and SNJO director Tommy Smith to represent Love and Beauty in Synopticon, the critically acclaimed song cycle depicting human emotions, virtues and experiences.