Preview: Josephine Baker: the First Black Superstar (Tuesday 8)

First broadcast in November 2009, Josephine Baker: the First Black Superstar is being shown again this evening on BBC 4 at 10:00pm. This Saturday (April 12) marks the 50th anniversary of the death of the African-American singer and actor. Resolute in her opposition to segregation, Baker insisted audiences should be integrated. A courageous trailblazer, as the programme title suggests, Baker was 'the First Black Superstar'. Russell   

Preview: Bombay Jazz (Tuesday 8, BBC Radio 4 Extra)

The 1930s. New Orleans...Chicago...Paris...Bombay. Bombay Jazz (BBC Radio 4 Extra) is a revealing half hour shedding light on the thriving jazz scene in Bombay (now Mumbai), all of a century ago. Chic Chocolate (see photo), Micky Correa and others were at the forefront of Bombay's jazz world. Armstrong and Ellington would venture east, meeting up with Indian musicians to play jazz. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014, Sarfraz Manzoor narrates a fascinating story, tune in today at 10:30am and/or 4:30pm. Russell    

Magpies of Swing - Globe Fundraiser Thursday April 10

The response to the recent Globe Fundraiser was magnificent and it was set fair to go ahead with the much needed renovations and improvements. However, the best laid schemes of mice and jazz clubs oft go awry and the recent damage to the upstairs floor has done just that.

Step in the Magpies of Swing* who, this Thursday (April 10), will do their bit to help ease the unexpected additional financial burden. Now it's up to you to do yours. Tickets HERE. Alternatively, you could chance your luck and just turn up on a wing and a prayer with your fingers crossed and not walking under any ladders but, better to be safe than sorry. Lance

Sunday night @ the Globe: Leeway - April 6

© Sheila Herrick

Alan Law (piano); Jude Murphy (bass, vocals); Tim Johnston (drums)

In their own sweet way, to misquote the title of a Brubeck tune that wasn't played by the trio last night, this was as enjoyable as many an over-hyped gig played here, there and everywhere in recent years.

You can count the number of north east based jazz pianists who can (maybe) outswing Alan Law on the finger of one hand however, as that musician has now retired from public performing...

Is there a bass player who can can sing better than Jude? Is there a singer who can play bass better than Jude?

Add a driving, sympathetic drummer and the stage is set for - who knows?

Record Store Day at a shop somewhere near you (Sat. 12)

This year's Record Store Day is set for Saturday (April 12). It's the day when retailers from all over the UK and beyond step up to promote all things vinyl, CD and, quite possibly, other formats (cassette tapes?, 78s? vintage cylinder?). Some shops open early, providing hot drinks and snacks to keep punters fed and watered. From a crate of LPs priced at £1.00. a piece to shrink-wrapped new, 'must have' vinyl at eye-watering prices, there is something for every taste and pocket. 

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

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

Playlist 06/04/25 (repeated Tuesday 08/04/25)

Seasonal: Abe Lyman & His California Orchestra, Chris Barber, Clifford Brown/Max Roach, Ella and Louis, Paul Edis & Jo Harrop.

Requests: Duke Ellington. 

Memories: Carmen McRae.

Seasonal: Thelonious Monk.

Memories: Gerry Mulligan, Freddie Hubbard/MJQ, Peanuts Hucko.

Requests: Ron Carter, Billie Holiday/Teddy Wilson, Sonny Rollins, Zoot Sims.

New Release: Yellowjackets. 

Aycliffe Radio is now available on DAB in County Durham & the Darlington Area. 

Kamasi Washington @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead - April 5

Kamasi Washington (tenor sax, keyboards); Rickey Washington (soprano sax, flute); Patrice Quinn (vocals); Tony Austin (drums); Brandon Coleman (keyboards); DJ Battlecat (turntables, percussion, keyboards); Ryan Porter (trombone); Joshua Crumbley (bass).

First, some demographics in the light of last week’s APPG Jazz Review: there’s a lot of people here, even up into the gods on Level 3, and a lot of them seem to be towards the upper end of the age scale. Even the mosh pit had a higher than expected level of crinklies in it, your greying correspondent included.

On stage subtlety is only an occasional visitor to the proceedings. Washington deals in ambition, big emotions, volume and energy. A rolling thunder opening on the drums leads into an ‘overture’ of short sections which serve to show off the band members’ chops before Kamasi starts to climb, knitting a solo together from short phrases to a full flowing edifice of blaring shapes and torrents of notes while the rhythm section digs in behind him. The piece, Lusana, continues with some spare keyboard phrasing over bomb-dropping funk from the back line which develops into a solid, boots-on-the-ground driving riff.

Kamasi Washington @ the Glasshouse, Gateshead (take 2) - April 5

Kamasi Washington (tenor sax, keys); Rickey Washington (soprano sax, flute); Ryan Porter (trombone); Brandon Coleman (keys); Patrice Quinn (voice); Tony Austin (drums); Joshua Crumbley (bass, bass guitar); DJ Battlecat (perc, rap, hip-hop, electronics etc.) 

It had been nigh on six years since I last saw Kamasi Washington during which time we'd had Covid, wars, plus changes of government both here and abroad. Even Sage Gateshead had changed its name - once said to be carved in stone - to the Glasshouse. 

Fortunately, Kamasi hadn't changed and the band seemed to be more or less the same as that which had rung my bell on May 21, 2019. All prestigious and prolific players who soloed at great length, although at times I felt that less would have been more - a bit like eating a dozen coffee creams when a couple would have satisfied. Nevertheless, the triple storied near full house loved it and I too applauded vociferously.

Jazz on the Tyne – What’s On & What’s New, April 2025

In the latest edition of the podcast, presenter Colin Muirhead showcases new music, looks ahead to upcoming gigs and plays a request, with tracks by Knats (feat. Anatole Muster), Vasilis Xenopoulos & Paul Edis, the Abbie Finn Trio, Georgia Mancio & Alan Broadbent, Fergus McCreadie, the Neil Cowley Trio, Andrea Vicari, Abendland, Ronan Guilfoyle's Bemusement Arcade, and Zoë Gilby.

You can listen to the show anytime HERE.

Plus, you can request music for future programmes, or pass on news or feedback by emailing Colin at jazz.tyne.hive@gmail.com or by heading to www.jazzonthetyne.org.

Jazz Legend George Freeman Dies at 97 | Remembering a Trailblazing Guita...

Thanks to Maurice Summerfield for sharing this sad news. Lance