CD Review: Mark Lockheart - Ellington in Anticipation.

Mark Lockheart (ten); Finn Peters (alt/fl.); James Allsopp (clts); Emma Smith (vln);Liam Noble (pno); Tom Herbert (bs); Seb Rochford (dms).

(Review by Lance).

This is not your run of the mill chunk of Ellingtonia rather it's an almost contemporary classical delve into the Ducal domain. The arrangements, and the four non Ellington pieces, are all by Lockheart and he shows a rare insight into the art of making someone else's work sound like his own.

RIP Kenny Ball

Many years ago, at Newcastle City Hall, I was sitting on the stage, behind the Sid Phillips Band Came the interval and, as the band left the stage,. the trumpet player said to me, "Isn't it hot?" I said, "Sure is" and thus ended my one and only conversation with Kenny Ball. Strange that I've remembered that over all these years.

Kenny Ball wasn't your average trad trumpet player but a skilled pro who also worked with Eric Delaney.

At the height of the "Trad Boom" he had lots of hits which turned many of the purists against him - the "it can't be good it's popular" brigade.

In recent years the Kenny Ball Jazzmen made several visits to The Sage as part of the 3Bs package - with fellow Octos Barber and Bilk. - most recently just last December. Kenny was but a shadow of his former self yet still put on a show.

Sadly missed

Kenny Ball died earlier today aged 82.

Obituary.
Kenny Ball @ Ned Kelly's 1977 (courtesy of Colin A.)
Lance.

RIP Alvin Lee

Sad to hear of the death of guitarist Alvin Lee. His work with Ten Years After is legendary and one of my abiding memories is hearing the band at Newcastle City Hall - my one and only Rock concert! His solo on Woodchopper's Ball from the album Undead is surely the best version of this tune outside of Woody Herman.

Alvin Lee died on March 6 after undergoing routine surgery.
He was 68.
Lance.

Jazz Caff Refugees @ The Star, Westgate Rd., Newcastle March 6

Pete Gilligan (pno); Paul Grainger (bs); Jeff Armstrong (dms). + Dave Parker (ba); Peter Ninnim (dms); Lindsay Hannon (vcl); Ann Alex (vcl).

(Review by Lance).

Gilligan set the ball rolling with All Blues. The Kind of Blue classic seemed to be tailor made for Pete. His casual nonchalance at the keyboard a contradiction of what he was actually putting down. Paul Grainger solid and stable kept things under control whilst Jeff Armstrong displayed the reasons why he is in every other band - or so it seems!

Porthole Sinking

Breaking news is that The Porthole, North Shields is to close next week after almost 30 years as a jazz venue. Next week's lunchtime (Wed/Fri) sessions will be the last.
R.I.P.
Lance.

And now the furniture is gone...

I was just passing the Jazz Cafe', PinkLane and sadly heard that the Miller is coming to pick up the furniture at 6pm.
Kav (On Facebook)

"Get More Gigs Seminar"

On April 14th Splinter will host a 'Get More Gigs' seminar at The Bridge. It's free to attend but there is a registration form to fill in on the Jazz North website.
You can read all about it here...
http://www.jazznorth.org/opportunities/get-more-gigs/
The seminar will run between 3pm and 7pm and rather than book a band for the evening gig I thought a jam session would be a good idea.
Andy Champion.

Maine Street more Mainstream

As Herbie Hudson is away on holiday this week we have Steve Andrews (pictured right) standing in for him on tenor sax. Tuesday night's gig at the British Legion Club, Jesmond was a great night and Steve is with us again on Thursday night at The Marquis of Granby, Sunniside. So if anyone wants to hear this great tenor sax player with the Maine Street Jazzmen, come along to The Marquis of Granby on Thursday night, it's free entry and starts at 8.45pm.

Jim McBriarty.

Gilad Atzmon Concert Cancelled

I regret to inform you that the Gilad Atzmon concert and film screening at the Star and Shadow Cinema this Friday evening, the 8th March, has been cancelled. 

At a meeting of the cinema's volunteer staff on Monday evening concerns were expressed about reports of Atzmon's political views as expressed on his blog and in his book, The Wandering Who? Unsuccessful attempts were made yesterday to move the event across the road to The Retreat and last night the volunteers met again and by a narrow majority decided that the cinema should not host the event. 

Gilad Atzmon is an Israeli - born Jew who holds what have been described as controversial views regarding the situation in his homeland.

We are extremely disappointed not to be able to present this excellent musician and his band and are sorry about the lateness of this announcement.

Dave Clarke

Jazz North East

P.S. Our next band - Sean Noonan's Bavarian Trio - will play at The Bridge, Newcastle on 19/3/13. Full details will be sent soon.

Hong Kong Hotline

Once again it is Ned Kelly's Big Band time, this Sunday, 10th, March, at Ned Kelly's, 6-30pm - 9-30pm, if in town come along and have some fun with us.
Colin.