Press release: The Jazz Promotion Network appoints Eleanor Ward as Network Development Director

Six new trustees join the JPN board

The Jazz Promotion Network (JPN), the only UK and Ireland-wide network of jazz industry professionals has appointed Eleanor Ward in a senior strategic position as the organisation embarks on an exciting period of change. 

Joining the charity as Network Development Director, she will lead on a sectoral consultation project, develop new activity plans and oversee major funding bids to help shape the future direction of JPN. 

Eleanor is the former Executive Director of the charity Nonclassical, a small but influential contemporary classical music promoter and record label based in East London.

Trio resurfaces at the Globe

(© Lieke Anna)

(Press release)

Dutch trio Under the Surface bring their startlingly spontaneous voice, guitar and percussion sounds to The Globe in Newcastle on Sunday 12th December following a successful concert on Tyneside in 2019.

Formed in 2015 as part of the Dutch initiative Beaux Jazz, which
offers young musicians the freedom to explore new approaches, the trio was the idea of vocalist Sanne Rambags, a winner of the Conservatorium Talent Award. Still in her early twenties at the time, Rambags chose to work with two experienced musicians, guitarist Bram Stadhouders and drummer-percussionist Joost Lijbaart in an adventurous line-up that creates music largely in the moment.

Old man Newman was no L'il Darlin'!

In the early 1980's ex Basie trumpet player Joe Newman paid two visits to the Corner House in Heaton. Neither visit won the hearts of the accompanying musicians who were all top local pros and well used to backing musicians of Newman's calibre e.g. Al Cohn, Lockjaw, Sweets, Stitt, Tate and many others.

1981 saw Newman backed by Malcolm Saul (piano); Pete Stuart (bass) and Ronnie Pearson (drums). The trumpet player gave them a hard time resulting in Pearson leaving the stand.

Four @ The Exchange, North Shields - Dec. 1

Bernie Ranson (tenor sax, alto sax, vocals); David Herbert (piano); Harry Husaini (bass); Alan Wann (drums)

Part gig, part quiz, Four, as they're known, don't take themselves too seriously. Front man Bernie Ranson challenged the audience to guess the name of each tune. The first half dozen numbers didn't present any problems, the first person to shout out the title won a CD. A decent hand pull pint, a packet of crisps, good company, this evening was something a little different. 

Album review: Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers First Flight To Tokyo: The Lost 1961 Recordings

Art Blakey (drums); Lee Morgan (trumpet); Wayne Shorter (tenor sax); Bobby Timmons (piano); Jymie Merritt (bass).

Another  recently discovered, previously unreleased, gem from a record company's vaults which, in this case, is Blue Note. 

Say no more! Blue Note and  Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers is an unbeatable combination that, sixty years on, still sounds good.

This is one of the classic Messenger line-ups (weren't they all classic line-ups?) and it's pure magic hearing Morgan and Shorter stretching out at length even if the material is over-familiar - these guys could make Pop Goes the Weasel sound like the most exciting thing you've ever heard (fortunately they don't face that challenge here!).

Book review (sort of): Gary Garner - Reflectory, The Life and Music of Pepper Adams

Not a review of a complete book although, had I had a  bricks and mortar copy to read in bed I'd have still been reading come breakfast time and savouring each word better than anything Kellogg's could have served up but, 527 pages online is a tall order for anyone.

However, I read enough in the first couple of lengthy chapters to realise that this is one of the better biographies - maybe even the best.

Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club - Dec. 1

John Faragher (clarinet); David Gray (trombone, vocals); Brian Bennett (banjo); Dave Percy (bass); Fred Thompson (drums, vocals) + John Broddle (vocals)

In the wake of Storm Arwen quite a few stayed away. The Crescent Club is usually busy, not so today. A first gig for the Vieux Carré Jazzmen following a successful weekend engagement up in Ayr, Brian Bennett's men entertained the hardy few with two sets of Dixieland jazz. John Faragher made the trip from north Northumberland, David Gray from west Newcastle and it was good to see Fred Thompson back in the fold. 

Preview: Swing Manouche @ Blaydon Jazz Club - Dec. 20

The final concert of the year at Blaydon Jazz Club features Mick Shoulder's Swing Manouche. Guitarist Mick recently refreshed the line-up and performances have gone down a storm with audiences across the region. To catch up with the new boys in the band, be sure to get along to the Black Bull on Bridge Street in Blaydon on Monday 20 December. It's an eight o'clock start, £7.00 on the door. Russell

Preview: Paul Edis & Matt Anderson & The Lit & Phil - Dec. 17

Friday 17 December is the day Paul Edis makes a welcome return to the Lit & Phil. It was a good few years ago when Paul founded the monthly lunchtime concert series on Westgate Road. It went from strength to strength and now the concerts are invariably sold out well in advance. Pianist/composer Paul will be in the company of saxophonist Matt Anderson, himself no stranger to the Lit & Phil. Expect a set of original compositions alongside a selection of choice standards. Tickets £7.00. Book now at: www.litandphil.org.uk or call 0191 232 0192.  Russell 

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SK2 Jazz Orchestra @ Whelley Ex-Servicemen's Club, Wigan - Sept. 26

(Photo from 2016 Wigan Jazz
Fest courtesy of Dave Tyas)

A powerful and impressive afternoon of big band jazz prevailed on September 26  at Whelley Ex-Servicemens Club in Wigan. The capacity crowd enjoyed the SK2 Jazz Orchestra led by drummer Dave Tyas. This 20-strong (boasting 6 trumpets and 5 trombones) juggernaut provided a wondrous mix of four decades worth of Stan Kenton selections. The work of writers like Bill Holman, Johnny Richards, Bill Russo, Pete Rugolo, Hank Levy and Mark Taylor were heard.