Sage YMP: Jambone, JB CATS, Jazz Attack and Percussion Ensemble @ Sage Gateshead - Dec.14

(Review by Chris K)

The first outing of the 2019-20 term for Sage Gateshead's jazz ensembles at the Winter Festival, and a chance to see the young talent as work in progress.   The ensembles range from 10-19 and benefit from superb tuition, leadership and facilities - so no pressure when they perform at their home venue!

First up were Jazz Attack  (aged 10-16) on the concourse, in fine form and numbers with keyboards and reeds  a plenty but short on brass and especially drums, drafting in leader Paul Edis - is there nothing this man can't  turn his hand to?  A stirring carol, followed by a very slinky rendition of old favourite Chameleon with some great showcases on clarinet, keys and of course bass.  A lively version of Fly Me To The Moon followed before I had to abandon the distant future of jazz to hear the nearer future, in the shape of the older ensembles (aged 14-19) in Hall 2.

Pauline Haley

(By Roly Veitch)

Last night, at Blaydon Jazz Club I received the sad news that Pauline had passed away.

Such a shock.

To those who didn’t know her, I’ll explain.

I knew Pauline from schooldays - we were in the same year. In 1984 I met her in Blaydon and she told me she had taken on the Black Bull which had become very run down. She wanted to put it at the heart of the community with live music (folk, jazz, etc.), a quiz night, a host of community driven activities. That’s exactly what she did and within two or three years she was getting CAMRA awards.

CD Review: Stan Sulzmann & Nikki Iles - Lush Life

Stan Sulzmann (tenor sax); Nikki Iles (piano); Dave Holland (bass).

(Review by Lance)

A delightful workout by two of our most musically sympathetic players and, with bass legend Dave Holland providing the flexible adhesive to hold it together, we have an album that is as easy to listen to as any. However, don't confuse easy to listen to with easy listening - the two are poles apart!

It's music to listen to with a glass in your hand or a cat on your lap. Not whilst reading a book or washing the dishes.

From BATH to the Merry Monk and back again

Friday's lunchtime concert at the Merry Monk was the final one of the year and, indeed, Mick Shoulder's final promotion at the pub prior to a return to the adjacent Bishop Auckland Town Hall. Renovation work at BATH is nearing completion and it is hoped monthly sessions will resume in spring 2020. County Durham correspondent Tony Eales reports a large turn out, in fact there was a record attendance at the comfortable one room pub, there to hear pianist Dean Stockdale play a swinging set of Oscar Peterson inspired numbers in the company of Mick Shoulder, bass and drummer Russ Morgan. 

Russell

Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre - Dec 14

(Review by Russell)

I refer the Rt.Hon. Reader to my previous review (Dec 13)! Friday evening's first night performance couldn't have gone better and this second sold out night more than lived up to the highest of standards set twenty four hours earlier. The Strictly Smokin' Big Band is on a roll with sell out shows here, there and everywhere. Michael Lamb's supercharged outfit is the band of the moment.

Winter Games (Winter Olympics 1988) once again opened the programme and for the next couple of hours or so this Saturday evening show entertained big style. 

Tonight! Alice in Blaydon Wonderland

Blaydon Jazz Club's Christmas party night features the Alice Grace Quartet. Vocalist Alice, fresh from two sold out performances with the Strictly Smokin' Big Band in Gosforth, will be working in the company of Mark Williams, guitar, Paul Grainger, bass and drummer Rob Walker. Alice knows the Black Bull audience likes its GASbook nunbers, throw in one or two tinsel decked Christmas classics and it has all the makings of a cracker of a night. It's a 7:30 start, £7 at the door, and, if you wish, a small contribution to the now legendary buffet would be appreciated. 

Russell

Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre - Dec 13

(Review by Russell)

At the last minute BSH Editor-in-Chief LL couldn't make it hence your reviewer being given the nod to come off the subs' bench. Listening to the Strictly Smokin' Big Band at Gosforth is hardly an arduous task! This was the first of two sold out nights, it's been that way for nine consecutive years! 

An evening comprising timeless GASbook numbers, the work of contemporary composers and arrangers, ancient carols and, of course, perennial singalong favourites performed by the Strictly Smokin' should be on everyone's bucket list. 

A footnote to Zbigniew Namyslowski's visit to Newcastle

(By Gordon Solomon)

The article on the Polish quintet brought back many memories for me. This band actually came to the New Orleans Club in 1968, their tour in the UK was organised on an exchange arrangement with the Polish Jazz Federation, and the Newcastle based band chosen to go in return to Poland and tour for three weeks was the Phoenix Jazzmen. 

Zbigniew Namyslowski Quintet @ Jazz Café Posk.

When the word hit the street that the Zbigniew Namyslowski Quintet was appearing at London's Polish Jazz Café POSK it quickly became the hottest jazz ticket in town. Even up here in the frozen north (Newcastle) fans, remembering his early 1960's appearance at the then Polish owned New Orleans Jazz Club, contemplated heading south.

We left it too late and have only that treasured album - Lola - to cling to.

DUBB's Jazzy Xmas @ Durham Students' Union - Dec 12

(Review by Russell)

The seventh edition of Durham University Big Band's annual Christmas bash followed a familiar pattern - 1) Durham Students' Union Riverside Bar and Cafe was packed to the rafters with demob happy students drinking a 'Big Band Cocktail' (£3.50.), 2) DUBB (that's the big band) resplendent in an assortment of Xmas jumpers, similarly delighted with the arrival of end of term, 3) a set list of swinging big band charts and seasonal favourites.