Emma Fisk and James Birkett @ St Cuthberts Church, Shadforth, Durham - December 8.

Emma Fisk (violin), James Birkett (guitar).

(Review by Steve T)

This is the second Jazz concert I've been to here, courtesy of the Lawrence mother, Allison Fenton, also vicar of the parish. It coincided with a spectacular Christmas Tree Festival, the church lined with nineteen full-size trees decorated in various themes by an assortment of local organisations.

Emma and James are two-quarters of Gypsy Jazz outfit Hot Club du Nord and this duo is something of a spin-off, stepping back a generation presenting the music of  Eddie Lang and Joe Venuti which was so influential on Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, highlighted by the ever charismatic Ms Fisk, who has taken on the role of Jazz historian and educator, setting the scene for each 'tune', observing that Sunshine was recorded the day before Django’s seventeenth [birthday].

This part of Jazz history is largely a mystery to me and I guess many others and I think this is the point and the purpose of the duo, so I'm probably the target audience. 

CD Review: Chicago Stompers - Sing...It's Good for You!

(Review by Lance)

The philological use of vintage musical instruments, instrumentation, and inspired period clothes, together with a unique, peppy and sparkling show, is the most distinctive feature of this ensemble, which has already tread the boards of the most important “classic jazz” events in the world

So reads the words on the band’s website. As this young Italian band played at Whitley Bay in 2008/2009, who’s going to argue?

EP Review: Medeljazz Quartet - Yesternow.

Laurent Medelgi (guitar); Nicolas Fabre (Hammond/Rhodes); Sergio Turetta (bass); Elisabeth Keledjian (drums).

(Review by Lance).

I don't, by and large, review downloads. If someone has forked out postage and packing to send me an album then I will always give then priority in an already overcrowded field.

So why is this EP an exception? Sentiment, I guess. When I read that Michael Steinman of the American blog Jazz Lives had posted enthusiastically about it I knew I had to check it out. 

Alter Ego @ The Fox Inn, Hexham. Dec 6

Keith Robinson (alto saxophone), Niall Armstrong (tenor saxophone & flute), Dave Hignett (trumpet & flugelhorn), Andy Hawking (keyboards), Tony Abell (bass) & David Francis (drums)

(Review by Russell/Photo of Keith Robinson from BSH Archives).

The last night of the tour said, Keith Robinson. The first night (Thursday, December 1) at Durham’s Empty Shop, then, five days later, the tour bus completed its tortuous journey from Durham to Hexham just as the rain began to fall. The Fox Inn, just off the Allendale road, home to Hexham Jazz Club, welcomed Alter Ego, appearing remarkably fresh, making a beeline to the bar.

Jazz Café Jam Session - December 6

Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Russ Morgan (drums) + Gary Brown (bass guitar); Brenda Sokell (vocal); Paul Gowland (soprano); John Pope (bass); Matt Mackellar (drums); Don Forbes (trumpet).

(Review by Lance).

The last Jam at The Caff of 2016 had Alan Law steering the ship in the absence of Admiral Gilligan who's currently cruising in the Antipodes. Law, an admirable pianist himself, avoided any passing icebergs as he took the trio through There is no Greater Love, Close Your Eyes and It Could Happen to You.

First of the stowaways was Gar(r)y Brown on bass guitar who gave us Blue Bossa and Autumn Leaves. He claimed to be a newcomer to jazz - it didn't show!

Saturnalia Festival @ Sage Gateshead

The ubiquitous Paul Edis has reminded me that Sage Gateshead presents its Saturnalia Festival next week on December 12, 13,& 14. As well as the main events (details) there are lots of free events on the Concourse. Participants are students and alumni bands culminating on Wednesday, December 14 with a performance by the Strictly Smokin' Big Band.

Lance.

HTrio @ The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle - December 4

Mark Hanslip (tenor), Otto Willberg (bass), Andrew Cheetham (drums). 

(Review by Steve T/Photo courtesy of Ken Drew)

Having been floored by the unrelenting intensity of the JD Allen Trio, it will be some time before I dare miss another sax, bass and drums trio, and this one a mere fifty mile round trip. 

On the surface, they were the same thing, but in reality were worlds apart. Like the folky regulars downstairs in the Bridge who seemed to spontaneously burst into a version of Sloop John B which couldn't quite decide whether it was skiffle or novelty West Coast boy band; (oops, another sacred cow sacrificed).

RIP Herbert Hardesty

Herbert Hardesty may not be a name familiar to many of us in the UK but those of us with a leaning towards early rock 'n' roll and R'n'B will know the Fats Domino records such as I'm Walkin', When my Dreamboat Comes Home and countless others. If they have a tenor sax solo on them, and they usually did, it's a fair bet that the horn player was Herbert Hardesty who died on December 3 at the age of 91.

As well as Domino, Hardesty also played with Basie, Ellington, Ray Charles and many others. He spent time in the house band of one of the Vegas hotels backing artists such as Ella, Bennett, and Sinatra as well as recording with Hank Jones in New York.

A native of New Orleans, Hardesty also played trumpet and double bass.

Rest In Peace.

Obituary.
Lance.

Kathryn Williams & Anthony Kerr @ The Globe: December 4

Kathryn Williams (vocals, guitar); Anthony Kerr (vibes)

(Review by Ann Alex).

Definitely the most unusual, freshest take on the Gasbook that I’ve heard this year, in fact for a long time. The voice was entrancing, sweet, with strong lower tones and the songs were sung with passion and heartfelt emotion. Ms. Williams is known as a contemporary folk singer and I’d go as far as to say that she brought to the songs a certain folk-like innocence which made this listener feel as if she was hearing the songs for the first time. This was partly achieved because the singer sang in English rather than with American intonation and language, for instance, ‘since my man and I aren’t together’ (not ain’t). The song was definitely the thing in this performance.

Jazz is heading to Staindrop

Teresa Driscoll has drawn my attention to an upcoming gig deep in the heart of the Durham Dales - Staindrop, to be precise.

Sax/piano duo, Ian Millar and Dominic Spencer conclude their 2016 Tour of the Village Halls with a gig at the fabulously refurbished Scarth Hall in Staindrop (DL2 3LD).

The duo have, over the past months and years, taken their music across the land, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and made several appearances in Co. Durham and Northumberland to much acclaim.

The concert starts at 8pm and admission is £10 which includes food. Not included in the price is the licensed bar!

For tickets or more information mail scarthhall@gmail.com or phone 078211 60223.

Lance.