Album review: Lauren Bush - Dream Away

Lauren Bush (vocals); Liam Dunachie (piano); Conor Chapman (bass); David Ingamells (drums) + Miguel Gorodi (trumpet on 4 tks); Fliss Gorst (tenor sax on 1 tk).

Lauren Bush's second album (I reviewed the first here) is yet another fine vocal album in a year that has been incredibly blessed with fine vocal albums. That Lauren Bush shows in such class surrounds isn't surprising when you remember that the Canadian born, London based vocalist was a top 5 finalist in the 2016 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition which is generally regarded as the top jazz vocal competition in the world.

Knats + Hand to Mouth @ GCT - Oct 1

Ferg Kilsby (trumpet); Josh Mitchell-Rayner (keyboards); Stan Woodward (bass); King David Ike-Elechi (drums)

Festival gigs across town, gigs here, there and everywhere, including a non-festival, somewhat under-the-radar free admission double bill at Gosforth Civic Theatre. Situated just off Gosforth High Street in Newcastle, GCT presents an array of cultural events and on this Friday evening a large crowd gathered to hear two contrasting sets. 

Knats' recent emergence, seemingly out of nowhere, is one of the good news stories in these pandemic times. Four teeenagers - trumpet, keyboards, bass and drums - playing an approximation of seventies' jazz rock charts (much of it original material) alongside numbers by the likes of Roy Ayers and Kendrick Lamar, demonstrated a remarkably high level of ability. Song titles were largely absent from front man Stan Woodward's introductions, no matter, it's the music that mattered. 

Scarborough Jazz Festival: Sunday Evening - Sept. 26

By Sunday evening my mounting ailments were making me feel all of my newly arrived at sixty years. Sunday evening is an early finish with only two shows, but a two hour drive ahead and work on Monday, and with Mrs T all but  jazzed out, latte and a residency near the back of the hall was the order of the day.

The Phil Robson Trio were one of the bands that drew me back to the Scarborough Jazz Festival this year. Barnes introduced them as three virtuosos and Robson as one of the best guitarists in the world – no doubt about that. Ross Stanley was back, having circumnavigated the globe twice since Friday, in the world's only flying Hammond B3 Organ, playing thirty seven gigs across eight continents. Drummer Gene Calderazzo completed this incredible small group.

Mike Renzi (1941 - 2021)

Pianist Mike Renzi passed away on Sept. 28. Read of his illustrious career  in this JazzTimes obituary.

RIP - Lance

Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music: Robert Mitchell @ the Lit & Phil - Oct. 1

(Photo © Ken Drew)

Robert Mitchell (piano)

A delightful hour listening to a pianist whose charm was only equalled by his, often quite emotive piano playing.

It was very much an improvised performance albeit, not always jazz as we know it - whatever that may be (if you've gotta ask lady ...). In a blindfold test it could easily be mistaken for a previously undiscovered recording of a classical concert. Jazz piano doesn't have to be awash with ten note chords or harplike plucking of the instrument's intestines or even some retrospect stride.

Album Review: Cathy Segal-Garcia – Social Anthems Volume 1

Cathy Segal-Garcia (vocals); Anthony Wilson (guitar); Josh Nelson (piano); Lorca Hart (drums); Edwin Livingston (bass); Paul Jost (vocals, harmonica track 3); Mon David (vocals track 6)

This album consists of six non-jazz songs from the past which were specially chosen by Ms Segal-Garcia for their social meaning. Firstly we have For What It's Worth (Stephen Stills), a protest song of the 1960s, short effective bursts of song, ending with a recording of a protesting crowd. This is followed by an original song from our singer, What Are We Gonna Do?, about finding which road to follow in order to put things right, with guitar and percussion moving the song along.

Orchestra goes with Bandcamp for twenty-fifth anniversary release

(© Derek Clark)

(Press release)

The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra today (1st October) releases the music from its acclaimed concert series, Where Rivers Meet through Bandcamp.

In a move that reflects the change in the way the public consumes music, the orchestra is making Where Rivers Meet available through the internet music company as a download four months ahead of the physical release on CD.

(© Derek Clark)

Where Rivers Meet itself is a product of Covid times. A celebration of the free-spirited, blues and gospel-influenced jazz that reflected the turbulent times in America during the 1960s, the concert series was staged online from the 12th century St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh in May during the SNJO’s silver jubilee year.

More on The Spice of Life

Russell's post about the re-opening of the Spice of Life brought back a host of memories - many of which have been recorded in these pages.

My first experience was way back, don't ask me when, I perchanced to see a chalked up notice outside: JAZZ TONITE - FRANK HOLDER.

Frank Holder! I remembered him from the old Dankworth Band. I followed the direction towards the basement falling flat on my face over an unexpected step in the middle of the bar which caused much hilarity - I guess it was a nightly occurrence!

Spice is back

Jazz at the Spice of Life resumes on Monday (October 4). The lunchtime sessions restart with a bang as Enrico Tomasso links up with the Jack Honeyborne Trio. If you're in London on the day why not pop along to Cambridge Circus for the 12:30pm start? Tenner admission. 

Scarborough Jazz Festival: Sunday Afternoon Session - Sept. 26

First up, one of the men of the moment in UK Jazz, Scotland’s Fergus McCreadie and his fine band. ‘Just bairns Mrs T observed as they came out, which is Scottish and northeastern for children, making the level of musicianship even more remarkable.

 

A display of virtuosity straight out, all cymbals and bowed bass which resolved into a Scottish style folk melody, which would prove a big part of what they do. A bass solo from David Bowden brought a lighter touch, contrasting nicely with the frenzy of the piano and the powerhouse drumming. Very much about the juxtaposition of light and shade, gentle and powerful, tranquil and noisy, the odd jig thrown in and all building up to a resounding climax.