Ian Shaw & the Theory of Joy Trio @ Sage Gateshead. June 15

Ian Shaw (vocals), Barry Green (piano), Mick Hutton (double bass) & Dave Ohm (drums)

(Review by Russell)

Ian Shaw likes Joni Mitchell. Assuming they’ve never met, it’s a fair bet Mitchell would like Shaw. In Sage Two, Ian Shaw entertained as vocalist, as storyteller. Opening his set with Mitchell’s In France They Kiss on Main Street, Shaw and the Theory of Joy – a trio worthy of a gig in its own right – delivered an intimate performance, singing and talking to an adoring audience.

Doug Raney (August 29, 1956 - May 1, 2016).

Maurice Summerfield has kindly, and sadly, drawn my belated attention to the death of guitarist Doug Raney. Son of American guitar legend Jimmy Raney, Doug recorded with Kenny Barron, Joey DeFrancesco, Billy Hart, Duke Jordan, Jesper Lundgaard, Horace Parlan, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Tomas Franck, Bernt Rosengren, and Chet Baker among others, immigrating to Denmark in 1977

He was 59.

Rest In Peace.

Lance.

Obituary.

Alice Grace and Peter Gilligan Trio @ The Cherry Tree, Jesmond. June 15

Alice Grace (vcl); Pete Gilligan (pno); Paul Grainger (bs); Russ Morgan (dms).

(Review by Lance).

Even the vocal talents of Alice Grace and the launch of a revised Table d'Hote menu by the Cherry Tree's new chef failed to lure the footy fans away from their tv sets. As Alice, Pete and co started up with I Thought About You there were more tiger prawns in my salad nicoise than there were bums on seats.

Dominic J Marshall Trio @ The Jazz Café. June 14

Dominic J Marshall (piano, synth, programming), Sam Vicary (electric bass) & Sam Gardner (drums)

(Review by Russell/Photo courtesy of Mike Tilley)

Leeds College of Music alumni gigging regularly in a number of bands, home and abroad – pianist Dominic J Marshall and the two Sams, bassist Vicary, drummer Gardner – a gig at Newcastle’s Jazz Café the latest stop on a short British tour. Marshall juggles two trios, one in Holland where he currently resides, and this fine British trio, formed as students in their college days.

The trio set up in the downstairs bar café with Marshall content to play the house upright. A portable synth and associated technical hardware was assembled with the minimum of fuss, and with bassist Vicary travelling with his five string electric and Gardner happy to make use of the in-house Gretsch kit, the boys were on the road hand luggage-style.

Gracelandia

This week the north-east has been renamed  Gracelandia, or possibly, Alice Springs. Alice Grace, our favourite singer, springs up just about everywhere.

Tonight (June 15) Alice and the Peter Gilligan Trio (Peter Grainger, piano, Paul Grainger, bass, Russ Morgan, drums) are at the Cherry Tree Restaurant, 9 Osborne Rd., Newcastle NE2 2AE. 0191 2399924. 7:15pm.

This promises to be a rather special night as the restaurant's new Head Chef, Farah Rakani has redesigned the Table d'Hote menu which is being launched tonight. There's no cover charge just good food and great music.

This Friday (June 17) at the Jazz Café - The In/Out Trio

Anyone who saw the celebration of Horace Silver’s music at The Jazz Café in February (7 Pieces of Silver) and The Blind Monk Trio last November will have seen the three excellent North West musicians making up the In/Out Trio: Stuart MacDonald, baritone and alto saxes from the former, and well known at clubs up and down the country for his fiery improv and rich tone; Paul Baxter (pictured), double bass and leader of 7 Pieces of Silver; and Johnny Hunter, drums, from Blind Monk Trio. All three are first call musicians on the Manchester scene and Johnny and Paul are the “engine room” for the Manchester Jazz Collective.

As the In/Out Trio they work acoustically exploring standards and contemporary classics in a highly intuitive, fluid and interactive style.

Friday June 17, 9.00pm (Doors 8.30pm) –

In/Out Trio £5.00 (£4.00 advance from The Jazz Café 0191 222 9882)

CD Review: June Garber - This I Know

In an age where there’s an aspiring jazz diva on every corner, it’s difficult to pick one who’ll get her, er, nose in front of the pack. On the strength of this CD June Garber could be such a person. South African-born resident of Toronto, Garber displays the influence of her roots on several tracks as well as showing an affinity for the music from the country across the border from her adopted homeland.

Preview: Clare Teal and her Trio Celebrate Doris Day @ York Theatre Royal - June 18

(Press Release)

Award winning Jazz and Big Band Singer and BBC Radio 2 presenter Clare Teal has always championed the music of the most beloved female singers of the 20th Century. In 2014 she turned her attention to one of the world’s greatest musical stars who was celebrating her 90th birthday, the iconic and much loved Doris Day.

Clare’s tribute to Doris on BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night is Music Night, in honour of this milestone birthday, was a huge success. So it was decided that this was a show that really needed to be taken on tour. With her fabulous Trio, Clare has created a show that celebrates all of Doris’ professional life. 

Tomorrow night @ The Jazz Café - June 14.

There's no excuse you can make to miss the Dominic J. Marshall Trio at the Jazz Café tomorrow night on account of the football. Unless, of course, you're Austrian, Hungarian, Icelandic or Portuguese.

All other breeds are recommended to visit the Caff for the Dominic J.Marshall Trio.

Check him out in words here or here or here.

Or listen.

Lance

Dominic J. Marshall Trio - Jazz Café, 25 Pink Lane, Newcastle NE1 5DW. 8:00pm. £7 (£5 in advance).

Jazz Co-op @ The Globe: Indigo Jazz Voices: Preview

You’ll be missing a treat if you don’t go!  Get yourselves along to the Globe this coming Thursday (16^th) to hear the Indigo Jazz Voices singing a varied selection of Jazz Standards, Blues and Bossa, accompanied by Steve Glendinning, who is a veritable wizard of the guitar. Don’t miss out on the magic of the up and coming voices of Jen Errington, Jenny Lingham, Minnie Fraser, Carrie McCullock, Barry Keatings and your scribe Ann Alex. Songs that you’ll hear include Speak Low, performed as a bossa this time; Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered; and Green Dolphin Street. Admission is free and the music begins at 7.30pm

Ann Alex.