Jazz at Live Theatre - info wanted.

Were you around the Newcastle jazz scene during the late '80s and early '90s? Do you remember any of these bands, which played mostly one-off gigs at Live Theatre on the stated dates? I need information on them for the story of jazz at Live and would be grateful for your help. Please email me, Dave Clarke, at: clarkedave55@gmail.com

Tonight: Alan Barnes Quartet livestreaming from the 606 Club

Tonight, online from the 606 Club, saxophone supremo Alan Barnes will be livestreaming in the company of Robin Aspland (piano); Andrew Cleyndert (bass) and Alfonso Vitale (drums). 

Barnesy has been relatively quiet during the lockdown season and I can't recall many, if indeed any online sessions until tonight which makes this rather special. However, for a man whose touring schedule is usually along the lines of Monday: Aberdeen. Tuesday: Plymouth. Wednesday: Manchester etc., what he's lost in gig money is probably made up for in petrol savings! 

It's Monk Saturday (April 3)

Today's edition of J to Z (Saturday, 5:00pm, Radio 3) includes pianist Jason Moran choosing some of the music that inspires him, not least the compositions of Thelonious Monk. Later, at eight o'clock, Kansas Smitty's, online (Facebook and YouTube) will be playing Monk's Underground album. BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year Deschanel Gordon has been charged with the task of doing justice to Monk. Our man will rise to the occasion, no two ways about it! Alec Harper assumes the role of Charlie Rouse, Will Sach as Larry Gales, Will Cleasby steps into the shoes of Ben Riley and Ella Honen-Ford sings Jon Hendricks.  

Russell

Ten north east jazz greats. 6 - Ian Carr

(Photo by Lance)

Ian Carr (1933-2009). Although born in Dumfries, Ian Carr, along with brother Mike who was born in South Shields, had sufficient connections with the area via family, Newcastle University and, needless to say, The Emcee Five to be considered as 'one of us'. The group split, as groups do and Ian went on to become co-leader of the Don Rendell - Ian Carr Quintet, a founder member of Nucleus and numerous other aggregations. He also wrote several books including, possibly, the definitive biography of Miles Davis. I attended a memorial concert at The Barbican which was quite an emotional affair even though Brother Mike wasn't present. Lance

Rico's Good Friday Popup Louis - April 2

(Screenshot collage by Lance)

Rico Tomasso (trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals); Nick Dawson (piano); Denny Ilett (guitar); Spats Langham (guitar, vocals); Martin Wheatley (guitar); Luca Filastro (piano); Nils Solberg (guitar); Martin Litton (piano); Andrew Oliver (piano)  

Rico called this week's Popup Louis a 'best of'. In other words, a selection of numbers from a year and more of live streams accompanied by a parade of all star talents. Over Rico's right shoulder, standing on a desk, not his usual bottle or two of beer, rather a 'thirst aid box'. A  wooden construction capable of holding a rack of, say, four, perhaps six, bottles. Nice one! This evening's set list ranged from I Want to be Happy with Rico accompanied by pianist Nick Dawson through to Andrew Oliver accompanying our host on The New Orleans Stomp.

Ten north east jazz greats. 5 - Big Pete Deuchar (a.k.a. Peter Duker)

Big Pete Deuchar (1933 - 1988). Of all the musicians honoured in this series, Deuchar was the character. He was only 55 when he stepped in front of a train on October 14, 1988 but, in those 55 years he probably did more than the any 55 year old banjo player ever did - Peter Deuchar was a one-off!

Joe Downard Quartet: livestream from Ronnie's - April 1

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)

Joe Downard (bass); Alex Hitchcock (tenor sax); Noah Stoneman (piano); Luca Caruso (drums).

Four young and extremely talented musicians playing a programme of original music composed by Joe, Alex and Noah - Luca content to be the power behind the throne.

Normally I cringe in horror at the thought of over an hour of original music. Every great instrumentalist isn't a great composer and, likewise, every great composer isn't a hotshot musician - at least that's the way it used to be back in the day when composers beavered away in garrets and jazz musicians honed their trade in sleazy clubs and bars learning to read music from a guy who played second alto in the band at the Saturday night hop.

Album review: Down For The Count Concert Orchestra - at the cold stores

This isn't the rip-roaring swing band I remembered from a previous release. This is the Concert Orchestra which is a totally different ball game. How could it not be with all those strings augmenting the the saxes, brass and percussion? 

So what is the score?

Capitol Records. The iconic building in Los Angeles where so many classic recordings were made by Sinatra, Cole and Garland and where the wonderful arrangements by Nelson Riddle did so much to keep those singers' careers afloat. Musical director and producer Mike Paul-Smith has successfully tweaked them to suit the ensemble and to recreate that Capitol/Riddle sound whilst, at the same time, celebrating Nelson Riddle's centenary.

Ten north east jazz greats. 4 - Derek Humble

(Photo supplied by Alan Rudd)

Derek Humble (1930 -1971). Born in Wheatley Hill (the biographies all say Livingston, Co. Durham - is there such a place in Durham? Maybe they mean Easington!) Derek Humble is universally regarded as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, lead alto the UK has known. That he could also solo magnificently is well proven on a recent, historical release by the Kurt Edelhagen Orchestra.

Big names at Small's during April

April's live stream gigs at Small's includes some big, big names, of which, at least three of them have appeared in BSH's parish. Clarence Penn appears on Monday 5. The great American drummer turned up a few years ago in Newcastle as a member of Michael Janisch's band - recommended. The following night (Tuesday 6) saxophonist Tim Armacost will be down in Greenwich Village, he too a one time visitor to Tyneside. And, to top the lot, Lew Tabackin, 81 years young, gigs on Tuesday 13. Many moons ago, 1990 to be precise, Tabackin played to a full house at what was then Tyneside's premier jazz venue, the Corner House Hotel. All live streams begin at 11:00pm (BST).       

Russell