Durham University Big Band Gig This Wednesday (Dec. 11)

December 11 - 8.00PM Free entry, donations in aid of Durham Foodbank

Riverside Café, Durham Students' Union, DH1 3AN

Durham University Big Band present an evening of swing, funk, latin, cool jazz and re-workings of all your Christmas favourites. Get yourselves down to the Riverside Bar and Café, grab a drink and the band will get you swinging into the Christmas spirit!
Free entry, but we will be collecting money on behalf of Durham Foodbank throughout the night. Durham Foodbank provide nutritionally balanced meals to over 1100 people in crisis every month throughout County Durham. When you have no financial safety net, a sudden crisis such as a bereavement, benefit delay, redundancy or illness can leave you unable to feed yourself or your family. This Christmas, Durham Foodbank needs your support more than ever. 

CD Review: Stranahan/Zaleski/Rosato – Limitless

Colin Stranahan (drums); Glenn Zaleski (piano); Rick Rosato (bass).

A classic ‘piano trio offering’  with a hint of a modern twist.  Kicking off with the lively title track, Limitless, the trio highlight both their collective and individual talent. All tracks are penned by members of the trio apart from an enjoyable version of Monk’s Work. The album flips from quiet meditative pieces to more lively expansions. The former illustrated best by Cyclic, Vio  where we really get to hear Rosato’s fine Bass playing and my own personal favourite Motian Sickness (dedicated to Paul Motian). The penultimate piece Rock Song is not surprisingly jauntier altogether showcasing Stranahan’s great percussion work. Finally Chorale (dedicated to Fred Hersch)  sees Zaleski at his most Bill Evans like as he plays us out subtlety and gently.

This album won’t be starting any fires in the pet shop but for those who enjoy the piano trio genre it should be a most rewarding listen.

Steve H.

Jam Session @ Salsa.

Jazz has always been a battlefield. Whether it be the swing/bop or the trad/modern confrontations of yesteryear or the petty squabbles of today when Jazz needs a united front more than it ever has.

These thoughts were uppermost in my mind when I paid a visit to the initial Sunday afternoon jam at the Salsa Café.

Sunday afternoon jams are part of the Jazz Legend!

I can relate back to the Bluebell in Felling where, every Sunday in the 1960s, Teddy Langston and Arthur Luke took on all-comers and usually sent them home crying! I recollect Paul Gowland's dad Alan, being one of those who bit the bullet and held his own playing some brilliant vibes.

On my honeymoon - We went to a Sunday lunchtime jam at the Tally Ho in Kentish Town - the jam session to end all jam sessions.

The Dean Stockdale Trio @ Salsa Café December 7

Dean Stockdale (piano) Paul Grainger (D. Bass) Steve Doyle (Drums)

(Review by Kath Jobes).

My evening didn't get off to a good start… I went along to take a look at the opening night of the Jazz Café on Pink Lane… what a disappointment … total lack of ambience, sterile… not even a Christmas decoration… it’s become a trendy wine bar with almost every aspect of the previous history eradicated… quite a shock to the Jazz Community… my favourite cosy bench seat where I could be found many a Saturday evening gone… and all that was left of the Crombie days were a couple of mirrors and a light fitting… It saddens me that the renovation was not more in a more sympathetic way… but times move on and I suppose new brooms like to sweep clean… let’s hope that the addition of a few pictures and perhaps some jazz artefacts will bring back some of the ambience… it was nice to see Pete Gilligan back in his spot at the Piano, and although I didn't stay long the audience seemed to enjoy his playing… 

Keith Stephen's Hot Club Trio Featuring Caroline Irwin @ Ashington Jazz Club December 4.

Keith Stephen (Guitar), Roly Veitch (Guitar), Bruce Rollo (Bass), Caroline (Irwin) Stephen (Vocals)

(Review by Peter Sanderson).

The  December gathering of the faithful members at Ashington Jazz Club would not be the same without this combo. As the 2012 meeting was cancelled due to poor weather we had waited a long time for this evening. A good audience arrived and, to adopt a phrase from a pop song of the fifties, "Ooo what a night we had, such a night." 

Nikki Iles' 50th Birthday Bash with Norma Winstone and The Printmakers @ Kings Place, London. December 7.

Nikki Iles (piano); Mike Outram (guitar); Stan Sulzmann (sax); Steve Watts (bass)    James Maddren (drums); Norma Winstone (vocals).

'The Printmakers cross boundaries between jazz folk and contemporary music. Their repertoire has the distinctive air of 

English song, and includes original works by the band alongside explorations of other unchartered territory e.g. Steve Swallow, Ralph Turner, Joni Mitchell  and Fred Hersch..

Introduction by Julian Joseph announced that the concert was being recorded, and would be broadcast on Jazz Line Up on Dec. 14 at 4pm.  So leave the Christmas shopping, have a cup of whatever you fancy, and enjoy a treat.

1. Meditations  was dedicated to Stan Tracey  R I P
2. This was followed by twelve other works of musical art, skilfully chosen to demonstrate every colour in the Printmakers Palette.
3. Nikki concluded with a promise of a CD already in the bag of the  evenings 'prints' available soon

Many Happy Returns Nikki, and please more returns of the Printmakers.
Flore

Jazzman Documentary - last day - £129 to go.

This is amazing can't believe we're ONLY £129 away from our target!!!! Thanks so much for your support... fingers crossed we make it, (hint hint:)!!!! http://kck.st/HMtI6k.
Abi (on f/b)

Puppini Sisters @ Sage Gateshead

Marcella Puppini (vcls/uke/acc. sleigh bells), Kate Mullins (vcls, uke, sleigh bells), Emma Smith (vcls, uke, melodica, sleigh bells); + guitar, bass, drums.

(Review by Lance)

The three-tier full Hall Two audience didn't mind the fact that the concert started 45 minutes late.  Accepting the traffic and the weather conditions as fair reason. The mood was festive and it was well worth the wait.

The girls were in good voice and Jingle Bells will never be quite the same again after this sashaying, hip swivelling version - it was certainly fun to ride on this three horse (Derby winners all) open sleigh.

RIP Stan Tracey

Breaking news is the very sad report of the death, earlier today, of Stan Tracey OBE. Until today, he was the most iconic living British jazz legend. One of the truly outstanding musicians and composers Stan Tracey was a force to be reckoned with whether playing solo piano or leading a large ensemble. He frequently appeared in the north-east either at the Corner House or Sage Gateshead. It was at the former establishment that I first met him. I was taking the money on the door for a Jazz North East concert featuring Stan and without looking up I said to a chap walking past me, "Excuse me that will be £2 (or whatever) please."

He looked at me, smiled then said, "Usually you pay me!" - Stan Tracey.

There will be many tributes and obituaries and, as they appear they will be linked.

In the meantime our deepest sympathies to Clark Tracey and all Stan's family and friends.

Sadly missed.

Stan Tracey was just over 3 weeks away from his 87th birthday.

Lance.
Guardian Obituary.
Mirror Obituary with clips.

Havana Club 5 @ Hoochie Coochie December 5

 Jemma Hutton (Vocals); Steve Summers (Soprano, Alto, Tenor. Hand Percussion); Paul Grainger (Bass guitar); Alan Law (Piano); Paco Rivera (Congas, Hand Percussion); Carlos Luis Rivera (Vocals, Timbales, Bongos.)

(Review by Kath Jobes.)  

Dear readers, you may have noticed some changes to the line-up of musicians, unfortunately the lovely Sarah Travena has a bad chest infection so couldn’t blow her horn. However, some last minute calls to friends brought the cavalry in the form of Jemma Hutton of Burundanga  to sing a few songs and the very talented Steve Summers and his plethora of saxes and percussion who joined in for the second set… what a treat!