The Real Ale/Jazz Train

One of the crazier features of the North East in July is the Real Ale/Jazz Train which runs from Newcastle to Carlisle and back, powered by Diesel, Matfen Breweries' Real Ale and the Vieux Carré 4 or Fred Rowe's Railroad Stompers.

Colin Aitchison, over here from Hong Kong, played on one of the journeys and part of the proceedings were posted on YouTube.

Colin is on trumpet, Gavin Lee, clarinet, Brian Bennett, banjo and, I think, Phil Rutherford, sousaphone. 

A good time appeared to be had by all and I'm going to get me some of that Matfen Brewery Beer!

Lance.

CD Review: Spirits Up Above The Rahsaan Roland Kirk Anthology The Atlantic Years 1965-1976 Rahsaan Roland Kirk

(Review by Russell).

Spirits Up Above is a timely release. December 2012 marks the thirty fifth anniversary of the death of Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Rhino Records’ double CD surveys the Whistleman’s recorded output for the Atlantic record label over a thirteen year period up to the year before his untimely death. Studio cuts and in concert performances remind the listener of the constants in Kirk’s work; respect for the tradition (New Orleans to Ellington to Mingus to Coltrane), the church, the blues, swing, bop, excellent sidemen – especially the pianists. 

The David Newton Trio featuring Nigel Clarke and Paul Morgan - Sunday 19th August at 8 pm at The Royal Clifton Hotel, Southport.

There are some good things going on at the delightfully named Melodic Jazz Club in Southport including the above mentioned concert. For more details of this and other happenings in Southport check out: www.jazzinsouthport.co.uk 

Lance.

Congratulations to Bradley Wiggins

Another Gold Medal for Bradley Wiggins - he delivered victory in the Olympic Cycling Time Trial with the panache of, say, John Coltrane's Giant Steps.

Bravo and chapeaux too to Chris Froome who, once again, played McCoy Tyner to Bradley's 'Trane. Chris picked up the Bronze.

Its enough to almost cause me to dust down my old racing bike - almost...

Lance.

Leeds Update

Steve Crocker has sent me details of some Leeds happenings.
Chapel Allerton Festival.
Seven Jazz Autumn Programme.
Lance.
PS: There's also a Jazz Jam on Sunday afternoon (August 5 - 1-4pm) - Details.

CD Review: Funkengruven - The Joy of Driving a B3 - Kevin Coelho.

Kevin Coelho (Hammond B3); Derek DiCenzo (gtr); Reggie Jackson (dms).

(Review by Lance Liddle).

Coelho is 16 years old! So what? Lots of kids are 16. The difference here is that this 16 year old can drive a B3 like McGriff, McDuff and Dr. Lonnie!

The young Californian started on piano aged 6 becoming hooked on the B3 sound after hearing Booker T's Green Onions when he was 11 and has progressed, via the 2011 San Jose Jazz Festival, to this, his debut album. As a point of interest, Coelho's back at this year's San Jose Festival on August 12

Ray Dales w. The Jeremy McMurray Trio @ The Cherry Tree Restaurant

Ray Dales (alt); Jeremy McMurray (pno); Peter "Tubby" Ayton (bs); Mark Robertson (dms).

(Review by Lance.)

The Cherry Tree was very well booked tonight and the diners were in for both a gastronomical treat and a musical one too. What more could one ask for - don't answer that!

Ray Dales was minus his trade-mark hat tonight, opting for a rather flamboyant shirt that complemented his scintillating alto playing which had a piquancy comparable with my starter - Continental Charcuterie, Caponata and Grilled Ciabatta - which I ate to the tune of It Could Happen To You. Both went down a treat.

R.I.P. Don Bagley.

West Coast bassist Don Bagley passed away on July 26. A member of the Stan Kenton Orchestra in the early fifties he later became a well-known figure of the emerging 'Cool School' recording with Art Pepper, Bud Shank, Bob Cooper and all the usual suspects of that place and era.

Check out this particularly effective recording by the Don Bagley Trio with Jimmy Rowles on piano and Shelly Manne, drums.
Don Bagley was 85.

Obituary.
Lance.

Sophie Milman - My Heart Belongs To Daddy

At last night's Jazz Café gig, Claire Kelly enthused about Russian born, Israeli raised, Canadian citizen Sophie Milman. So, when a talented singer such as Claire raves about another singer - albeit one 5,000 miles away - I just had to check her out. Judge for yourself.

Lance.

Claire Kelly @ The Jazz Café - Newcastle. Saturday July 28.

Claire Kelly (vcl); Steve Glendinning (gtr); Paul Grainger (bs).
(Review by Lance)

From the moment Claire swung into Tiptoe Gently I relaxed. This was going to be good. With Paul Grainger laying down the pulse on bass and Steve Glendinning providing key and sympathy the mood was set for a nicely balanced trio.