R.I.P. Dave Clarke (d. Sept. 2, 2025)

© Sandra

The Tyneside jazz scene has lost one of its most dedicated supporters. Dave Clarke died on Tuesday (September 2nd), leaving behind an inestimable contribution to the promotion of jazz in the region. A courteous, quiet man, for many years Dave worked diligently in a variety of administrative roles. Live Theatre, Jazz Cafe and Jazz North East, to name but three, Dave was instrumental in bringing jazz musicians - the famous and not so famous - to venues across Newcastle and Gateshead. 

NEWCASTLE JAZZ FESTIVAL RETURNS WITH STELLAR LINE-UP FEATURING ACCLAIMED GUITARIST ANT LAW

Newcastle upon Tyne, 2025 – The Newcastle Jazz Festival is thrilled to announce its return for a spectacular 6th edition on Saturday, 20th September 2025, at the prestigious Live Theatre in Newcastle. This one-day celebration of world-class jazz will showcase an exceptional lineup of national stars and the finest regional talent.

HEADLINER: ANT LAW'S 'UNIFIED THEORIES' QUARTET

Headlining this year's festival is the outstanding London-based guitarist Ant Law and his acclaimed 'Unified Theories' Quartet. Known for pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz, Ant Law's quartet delivers a unique blend of influences, including jazz, classical, South Indian rhythms, and rock. The group creates intricate harmonies and grooves, offering a fresh perspective on contemporary jazz that has captivated audiences across the UK.

Stockport Jazz news.

This week’s Stockport Jazz gig at the Moor Club features Richard Iles Heatons Deluxe consisting of Richard on trumpet/flugelhorn with pianist Jamil Sheriff, guitarist Uli Elbracht, bassist Sam Quintana and Eryl Roberts on drums. 

8:00-10:00pm, doors open at 7.30pm

£5 entry on the door, all welcome

The Moor Club, 35 Heaton Moor Road, Stockport SK4 4PB (next to the Elizabethan PH)

Press release: Nigel Price's UK tour rescued!

© John McMurtrie

Nigel Price is once more embarking on a colossal 46 date tour of UK grassroots jazz venues, thanks to funding by UK charity Music Venue Trust’s Liveline Fund. 

Commencing on September 15 and running through to December 11, the tour is the second national tour, and first in the jazz scene, to be funded by the Liveline Fund. Liveline was created by Music Venue Trust (MVT) and live music advocates Save Our Scene (SOS) to distribute funding directly to grassroots venues, artists and promoters with financial support raised by contributions from arena and stadium ticket sales. Artists including Sam Fender, Katy Perry, Coldplay, and Enter Shikari were early adopters of the Grassroots Levy and have enabled Liveline to begin fuelling the future of UK grassroots music.

 

Album review: Harry Brunt, Billy Marrows, Flo Moore, Rob Oughton - California Peaches (Clonmell Jazz Social - digital only)

Harry Brunt (tenor sax); Billy Marrows (guitar); Flo Moore (bass guitar); Rob Oughton (drums)

A debut EP from tenor saxist and composer Harry Brunt offers an interesting insight into the many diverse elements that are emerging from the younger element currently embracing the UK jazz scene. Although incorporating many aspects of rock (without the roll) the end result is far removed from the jazz rock or fusion scene that dominated the latter years of the last century.

Remembering Art Pepper

Yesterday, September 1, marked the first day of Autumn. It was also the date of Art Pepper's centennial. Yes the great saxophonist would have been 100 years old had he not left us at the age of 56.

It seemed only fitting to combine his birthday with this 1972 version of Autumn Leaves from his album The Way We Were.

And if you want more to shake off those Summertime Blues here's SEPTEMBER SONG from his 1979 album Straight Life. Lance

Munch Manship Quartet @ the Moor Club, Stockport - August 31

© Jeff Pritchard

Munch Manship (tenor sax, flute); Richard Wetherall (keyboards); Dave Lynane (bass);  Dave Hassell (drums).

Good to see things  back to normal after a five week break and who better to re-start the jazz activities than Munch and his bunch of very experienced musicians? 

The first set opener was a Harold Arlen number I wish I Knew and this was followed by a tune that became popular when Sonny Rollins featured it on his iconic album The Bridge. I've heard Munch play Without a Song many times and this rendition of the Vincent Yeomans composition was as good as any I've heard apart from Sonny's. To close the first set the flute was chosen for Roland Kirk's Serenade to a Cuckoo and this evoked memories of hearing Kirk live at various venues when he toured throughout the north west, sometimes with his own band.

Press release: Jazz North announces the seven promoters awarded bursaries to present emerging artists in their programmes through its support scheme, New Northern.

Bursaries up to £1000 were awarded to -

Ann Harding - Settle Victoria Hall (North Yorkshire)

Dave Shooter - Lancaster Jazz Festival

John Diver - Brume (Manchester)

Paul Hartley - Stockport Jazz

Natalie Sharp - The Badness Centre  (Todmorden)

Dave Ellis - Hulljazz

Jason Holcomb - North East Music Opportunities (Sunderland)

Enid Stafford (Feb., 23, 1940 - August 8, 2025)

Funerals are never easy and it's difficult, perhaps even hypocritical, to say it was a joyous occasion - similar to ticking the thumbs up box on a F/book comment on somebody' death.

And yet, after the Humanist service at South Tyneside Crem. where we had all gathered to celebrate the life of Enid Stafford followed by the wake at the Lakeside Inn it was a joyous affair and, being the outgoing person that Enid was, I'm sure she wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Sunday night @ the Globe: Alexia Gardner Trio - August 31

© Sheila Herrick

Alexia Gardner (vocals); Alan Law (piano); Jude Murphy (bass, backing vocals)

The Globe was packed, and why not? Concerts don't come much - if any - better than one by Alexia and her two (or four) confederates. 

Opening with Cheek to Cheek we were indeed in Heaven and with a new dimension - rap! Lots of local references had the audience on her side. It Might as Well be Spring; I Got Rhythm and a delightful The Nearness of You, with Jude's bass solo particularly impressive followed, leading to Devil May Care and some inside information on a future event.