Christmas competition - Identify the trumpet players. RESULT!

© Lance

Back in the 1980s I could frequently be  spotted at jazz concerts and festivals, both at home and abroad, with a Canon camera capturing black and white images of the musicians seen here. 

All you have to do to win is to identify the ten trumpet/cornet players shown in the graphic. Names will be drawn out of the hat and the winner will be the first one to send an all-correct answer. If no one gets all ten correct then the winner will be the entrant who identifies nine and so on.

Fabulous Prizes!

BBC Big Band: A Swinging Christmas @ the Glasshouse - Dec. 17

© Lance

Barrie Forgie (MD): Tom Dennis, Tom Walsh, Tom Tait,  Steve Fishwick  (trumpets); Kieran McLeod, Rob Harvey, Ollie Martin, Peter North (trombones); Sammy Mayne, Martin Kershaw (alto sax, flute, clarinet); Julian Siegel, Konrad Wiszniewski (tenor sax, flute, clarinet); Andy Hunter (baritone sax, flute, clarinet); Robin Aspland (piano); Ewan Hastie (bass); Tom Gordon (drums); Emer McPartland (vocals)

More Christmas fayre. The sparkly tops and the once a year jumpers were well to the fore and the ephemeral thoughts of peace and goodwill were in the air - at least for the moment. 

Those who groan at the thought of another avalanche of songs about snow should stop and listen to the actual music - in the main - they're very good tunes, at least they are when arranged by Barrie Forgie and played by the hard-hitting BBC Big Band and, if they have to have words, there's few better than Emer McPartland to sing them.

Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Christmas @ The Fire Station, Sunderland - Dec 16

Paul Edis (piano); Jo Harrop (vocals); Matt Anderson (tenor sax, soprano sax); Faye Thompson (alto sax, clarinet); Sue Ferris (flutes, piccolo); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jason Holcomb (trombone); Emma Fisk (violin); Andy Champion (double bass), Matt MacKellar (drums)

The fourth of five north east of England tour dates of Paul Edis' A Jazzy Christmas attracted a capacity audience on High Street West. The Fire Station glowed, inside and out. There's nothing like a full house: the auditorium's spacious foyer bar, the adjoining Engine Room bar, both doing a roaring festive trade, one or two of the all-star band happily socialising minutes before curtain up. 

Zakir Hussain (March 9, 1951 - Dec. 15, 2024)

Though I didn't realise it at the time, the first time I came across Zakir Hussain would have been on a Southbank Show dedicated to Indo-Fusion band Shakti shortly after John McLaughlin disbanded the Mahavishnu Orchestra Mk 2. Although strictly a soul fan by then, McLaughlin in Mk 1 was, and still is, displaying the most extraordinary musicianship that I've ever seen. When soul music led to jazz fusion, McLaughlin was back on my radar but this time bringing Shakti and Zakir Hussain with him.

I saw McLaughlin in an organ trio in the early nineties, but his playing was strikingly unexceptional compared to the Mahavishnu Orchestra. I saw him again in ‘96 in a North-West town, which may or may not have been Oldham, in a reincarnation of Shakti which, on the ticket, said Zakir Hussain and John McLaughlin. Although he received the greatest applause on entering the stage - which seemed to genuinely surprise him, perhaps because of the large Asian contingency in the audience - his playing was again strikingly extraordinary, given its magnificence on the original Shakti albums.

Dean Masser Quartet @ the Moor Club, Heaton Moor - Dec. 15

© Jeff Pritchard

Dean Masser (tenor sax); Richard Harrold (keys); Ed Harrison (bass); Gaz Hughes (drums).

After last week's frustrating experience due to so many train cancellations I decided that the best way of getting to this gig was by taxi and, after the gig, I used the same company to take me home to Handforth. It was an expensive night out but I thought it was worth it as Dean always puts on a great show. This was his first appearance at the Moor Club and there were many jazz fans present who used to attend the Railway so that by the 8:00pm start all of the seats were taken.

Sunday night @ the Globe: Alligator Gumbo - Dec. 15

James Paylor (bass, vocals); Chris Williamson (trumpet, vocals); Greg Surmacz (clarinet, alto sax); Mike Rudland-Simpson (guitar, vocals); Chris Lloyd (piano, vocals); José Williamson (drums, washboard, spoons)

There was a lot of 'Global warming', musically speaking, down on Railway St. last night. What an enjoyable gig and not a Christmas hat or jumper in sight although Surmacz did sneak a Rudolph quote into one of his solos but he was soon forgiven as the chorus that followed quickly made up for it.

More a Harlem jump band from the 1930s than a New Orleans band from the '20s, although they did cover both styles and more. As much Louis Jordan as Louis Armstrong they did what bands did back then - they entertained.

The audience were enraptured by the sheer swing, going along with the flow, displaying their dancing skills and applauding vociferously.

Preview: A Sunderland Jazzy Xmas (Mon. 16 Dec)

The Fire Station, the jewel in the crown of Sunderland's 'Cultural Quarter' gets all Christmassy tomorrow night. The fourth of five regional performances of Paul Edis' annual A Jazzy Christmas is an unmissable occasion for Wearsiders and, indeed, for those from further afield. An all-star band (including the award-winning Jo Harrop), accomplished arrangements, if you're of the 'Bah Humbug' school, you'll be pleasantly surprised by just how good this show is. Santa hats aren't compulsory, but, go on, be a devil. Seats are all but gone, however, if you're quick you might bag one of the last few. Concert tickets would make the ideal gift for your loved ones! Go on, book now at: www.thefirestation.org.uk. Christmas done with a touch of class, that's Paul Edis & Friends' A Jazzy Christmas. Russell

The Len Phillips Swing Orchestra directed by Joe Pettitt from the Stables, Wavendon - Dec. 15 on Sky Arts

Joe Pettitt (MD); Russell Bennett, George Hogg, Tom Dennis, Andy Gathercole (trumpets); Jon Stokes, Chris Traves, Richard Wigley, Bob Haslin (trombones); Jon Shenoy, ? (alto sax); David Black, Michael Coates (tenor sax); Gemma Moore (baritone sax); Bunny Thompson (piano); ? (guitar); Paul Morgan (bass); ? (drums) + Gary Williams, Julia Sullivan, Nica Paris (vocals); Ben Holder (violin, vocals)*

More bells jingling all the way on Sky Arts with the Len Phillips Swing Orchestra directed by Joe Pettitt live from the Stables, Wavendon.

The singers predominated and they did the job well.

Gary Williams sang: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, White  Christmas, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Winter Wonderland where he was joined by Ben Holder and Julia Sullivan.

Jazz Time Aycliffe Radio - Sundays 6.30-8.00pm (repeated Tuesdays 8.00-9.30pm)

https://www.ayclifferadio.co.uk/listen

Playlist 15/12/24 (repeated Tuesday 17/11/24)

RIP/Memory: Quincy Jones/Clark Terry.

Requests: Darlington NOJC and the New Century Ragtime Orchestra:  Kay Kyser, Sarah Vaughan, Luis Russell and His Orchestra, King Oliver & His Dixie Syncopators, Coleman Hawkins, Quincy Jones, Louis Armstrong, Ben Webster/Art Tatum.

Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre - Dec. 14

Michael Lamb (MD/trumpet/flugel), Dick Stacey, Billy Bradshaw, John Stone (trumpets); John Flood, Chris Kurgi-Smith, Mark Ferris, Kieran Parnaby (trombones); Keith Robinson, Steve Summers, Jamie Toms, Matthew Forster, Sue Ferris (reeds); Graham Don (keys); Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar); Michael Whent (bass guitar); John Hirst (drums); Alice Grace (vocals) 

Editor-in-Chief LL's review of the Strictly Smokin' Big Band's first night of two at GCT captured the essence of the occasion. This second performance followed suit. A full house, a set list appealing to the committed jazz fan and the party season crowd, superb ensemble work, stellar solos from all sections of the orchestra, the whole package is a winner. 

To concur with LL, Sue Ferris playing piccolo on Sister Sadie was something special, the big band drumming of John Hirst was nothing short of outstanding and the SSBB's gem that is Alice Grace sparkled (an exceptional Lush Life). Other (on the night) thoughts...Joy to the World, Fever and Kansas City made for a fantastic opening - lots of jazz and not so much in the way of tinsel-draped singalong. That would come later.