Jason Moran: James Reese Europe - The Harlem Hellfighters: The Absence of Ruin.

(Screenshots by Ken Drew)

An emotional meditation by Jason Moran on James Reese Europe and the Harlem Hellfighters. The black American army unit attached to the French army in WWI. The band credited with introducing jazz to France and, ultimately beyond.

Moran cleverly integrated songs associated with the band and compositions of his own. The pianist made it work brilliantly not least with his own stride cum ragtime cum Cecil Taylor type playing. It was an eyeopener,

Despite the fact that most of the songs were over 100 years old - they had to be as Europe was murdered by one of his own band members in 1919 - the solos were very much of today and occasionally tomorrow.

Rachael & Alex playback Paul & Gerry. Two of a Mind @ Kansas Smitty's - Jan. 21

Rachael Cohen (alto sax); Alex Garnett (baritone sax); Will Sach (bass); Jas Kayser (drums).

(Screenshots by Ken Drew)

Another of KSTV's playback sessions. This time, recreating a recording made by Paul Desmond and Gerry Mulligan in 1962 with Alex as Gerry and Rachael as Paul.

A minor gem helped along, not least, by the two sax players' verbal interplay between tunes and the musical interaction when the chips were down. They bounced everything off each  other both in words and in music but when they got down to business it was the real deal.

Luca Manning live streaming from Ronnie's: a Tribute to the Iconic Jazz Divas - Jan. 21

Luca Manning (vocals); Matt Carter (piano); Seth Tackaberry (double bass, bass guitar); Tom Potter (drums)

(Screenshot of Luca by Russell. Full band shot by Ken Drew)

2020 APPJAG Jazz Newcomer of the Year award winner Luca Manning opened this evening's Iconic Jazz Divas show with Love for Sale. Manning's ace young band - Matt Carter, piano, Seth Tackenberry, bass, and award-winning drummer Tom Potter - swung like veterans. 

If I Knew Then, à la Sarah Vaughan, superb, followed by Underneath the Apple Tree, first known to our vocalist listening to Carmen McRae, pianist Carter excelling as soloist and accompanist. Manning loves Nancy Wilson and always includes Never Will I Marry - not a bad idea! 

Keith Nichols (1945-2021)

Pianist Keith Nichols died today (Jan. 21). A noted authority on ragtime and early piano styles, Nichols was born in Ilford, Essex in 1945. As a young child he played piano and accordion, becoming a national junior champion on the latter instrument. From running bands at school to becoming a world-renowned performer and scholar of 'classic' jazz, Nichols did it all with panache and a great sense of humour. 

To list Nichols' achievements would run to several pages, in summary: student years at the Guildhall, performing with and/or arranging for Digby Fairweather, Harry Gold, the Midnite Follies Orchestra, a first visit to America working with Dick Sudhalter (playing Carnegie Hall), and, one to dine out on, recording an album with Bing Crosby. 

Malcolm Griffiths (1941 - 2021)

More sad news as we report the passing of trombonist Malcolm Griffiths one of the great all-rounders of British jazz indeed, given his connections with Gil Evans and Buddy Rich, his talent was recognised well beyond these shores.

I remember vividly the first time I heard that unique trombone sound. Mike Westbrook's Release. An amazing 1968 album that seamlessly integrated avant-garde, bebop and big band swing. It was on Flying Home that Malcolm burst from the ensemble with as gutsy a sound as ever came out of New Orleans. Kid Ory with the technique of J.J. Johnson. In his  Jazz Journal review, Steve Voce wrote, "...Flying Home, for instance, is played with an intensity that makes the Hampton versions sound like teatime with Donald Peers."

JASON MORAN – THE HARLEM HELLFIGHTERS - Free Stream – premiere 22 January (5pm GMT)

(Press release)

Serious have partnered with the Kennedy Center in Washington to bring streaming of the ground-breaking event that we co-commissioned in 2018, at no cost, from 5pm GMT on Friday 22 January, running through until the end of February.   

Jason Moran creates an original response to the extraordinary story of James Reese Europe and the Harlem Hellfighters - bravery, race issues, and the explosive arrival of jazz in war-torn Europe. 

‘We won France by playing music which was ours and not a pale imitation of others, and if we are to develop in America we must develop along our own lines.’ 

(James Reese Europe, 1919).

John Russell (1954 - 2021)

Improvising guitarist John Russell passed away on January 19 after a long debilitating illness. A much-loved and well-respected forward-looking musician he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

As I never experienced his playing first hand it would be unfair of me to comment instead I'll direct you to an emotional tribute from his friend and former colleague saxophonist Evan Parker, posted on LondonJazz News and a BSH review of a MoPoMoSo gig at Summerhill Bowling Club that featured both Parker and John Russell.

Lance

Evan Parker on LondonJazz News.

2013 review of MoPoMoSo on BSH,

Album review: Jeff Benedict Big Big Band - The Weather is Here, Wish You Were Beautiful

If I only heard Cheek to Cheek I'd want this album! The sax section on the Berlin classic is absolutely phenomenal. They whiz through the complexities of the parts only slightly slower than the speed of light and twice as fast as any big name band's sax section I've ever heard.

Having said that, the rest of the album isn't half bad either. How could it not be with Ellwood and Benedict, when not training for the saxophone Olympics, blowing killer solos? 

Kansas Smitty's play Hoodoo Man Blues and more - Jan. 20

Jalen N'Gonda (guitar, piano, vocals); Dave Archer (guitar); Will Sach (double bass); Jas Kayser (drums)  

(Screenshots by Ken Drew)

What a turn up for the books...Jalen N'Gonda singing and playing guitar and piano, no harmonica! Snatch it back and hold it, yes, this was Junior Wells, followed by Ships on the Ocean, the opening two tracks from Junior Wells' album Hoodoo Man Blues. Fabulous vocals, decent rhythm guitar, JN leaving the lead stuff to Buddy Guy, sorry, Dave Archer. 

Exam Board Reinstates Jazz on Curriculum

Jazz is back on the A-level curriculum and Courtney Pine has been reinstated after the powers that be did one of the U-turns that are so fashionable these days although, on this occasion, it's a turn for the better!

However, as our correspondent Chris K points out, it's still no good if schools don't teach A-level music in the first place. 

Details.

Lance