Preview: Jazz in the Open Air (Monday afternoon)

This afternoon (Monday 17 Oct.) there is a repeat of a half hour documentary looking at jazz performance outdoors. From Louis Armstrong in the 20s to Ellington at Newport to Sonny Rollins under the Williamsburg Bridge to Soweto Kinch's inner city festival beneath a Birmingham flyover, in Jazz in the Open Air (BBC Radio 4 Extra, 2:30pm), Kevin LeGendre considers the development of the open air gig. The programme was first broadcast in 2010.    

Russell

The Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Jazz Club, Middlesbrough October 13

Mark Toomey (alto sax); Jeremy McMurray (piano); Peter Ayton (bass guitar); Mark Robertson (drums).

It is always a pleasure to have this quartet as the guest band comprising, as it does, some of Teesside's top jazz musicians who are all well-known and highly regarded at Dorman’s thus giving Mark Toomey the opportunity to showcase several of his own compositions.

With the emphasis on bebop, the audience were treated to an excellent evening starting the night in fine style with an up tempo It's You Or No One from a Dexter Gordon album with excellent solos all round.

Ten albums by Richie Kamuka

I heard Richie Kamuka at Newcastle City Hall in 1960 as part of the Shelly Manne Quintet (photo from programme) which, in turn, was part of that year's JATP package. With a line-up of Kamuka (tenor sax); Joe Gordon (trumpet); Russ Freeman (piano); Monty Budwig (bass) and Manne (drums) it was a formidable aggregation that laid waste to the theory that the cool guys from the [west] coast didn't swing.

Vasilis Xenopoulos-Paul Edis Quartet @ St Cuthbert's Centre, Crook - Oct. 15

Vasilis Xenopoulos (tenor sax, soprano sax, flute); Paul Edis (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums)

A Saturday evening jaunt into the heart of County Durham. St Cuthbert's Centre in Crook is located on Church Hill and a hill it most certainly is! From the market place it's a few minutes' walk up hill (quicker and easier on the return journey!). We were here to catch the third installment of Vasilis and Paul playing numbers from their 'home' project which is shaping up nicely, so much so an album is in the offing. Joining our duo this evening, bassist Andy Champion, and, from around these here parts, drummer Abbie Finn. 

Album review: Emmet Cohen - Uptown in Orbit

Emmet Cohen (piano); Russell Hall (bass); Kyle Poole (drums); Sean Jones (trumpet; Patrick Bartley (alto sax)

This one had 'play me'  written all over it! Not physically, but with the concept - that of  'bringing the tradition of jazz to the forefront while providing the modern twist needed for the current times.' 

Six of the eleven tracks are by the trio with the horns present on the other five. 

CD Review: Aimée Allen - Love and The Catalyst

Aimée Allen (voice); Toru Dodo (piano); Francois Moutin (bass): Kush Abadey (drums); Tony Romano (guitar track 2); Noah Allen (trumpet track 4)

A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Aimée Allen began singing as a child and has since sung all over the world. In Paris singing lots of bossa nova, and now performing regularly in New York City. Her voice covers a large range and incorporates many tonal variations. On this latest release she leads a group of master musicians who are joined on one track by Aimee's nephew, trumpet player Noah Allen.

The band play well in a style which I'd describe as a wall of sound if it was pop music, but I'm unsure of how it's described in jazz. Rich, full sound with solos from mostly piano or bass, arising out of the whole rather than 'set' pieces, and very satisfying to listen to.

Aycliffe Radio: Jazz Time Sundays 6.30-8.00pm (repeat Tuesdays 8.00-9.30 pm.)

https://www.ayclifferadio.co.uk/listen/

Playlist 16/10/22. (Repeated Tuesday 18/10/22)

 

Request: MJQ, Dale Storr.

Teddy Wilson /Billie Holiday.

What’s on in the NE:  Sue Ferris, Aaron Liddard,  Pete Tanton/Chet Baker.

Jimmie Lunceford.

Birthdays Oscar Peterson/Barney Kessel, Roy Hargrove.

Special Birthday Wishes to Wynton Marsalis – Concert of Jazz in Marciac.

Preview: The Truth about Jazz (Saturday 15)

This evening Clive Myrie presents the first in a four part series on the BBC World Service looking at the history of jazz. A big subject, over the course of four programmes Myrie has the best part of four hours to dig deep into the roots of the music. In this first programme (7:05pm) Myrie visits the home of Buddy Bolden. And then there is the much-told story of Strange Fruit. Russell

Vasilis Xenopoulos-Paul Edis Quartet @ The Traveller's Rest, Darlington - Oct. 14

Vasilis Xenopoulos (tenor sax, soprano sax, flute); Paul Edis (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); Steve Hanley (drums)

Earlier in the day Vasilis and Paul played a duo gig at Durham's Gala Theatre with a focus on 'home'. The theme continued this evening at Opus 4 Jazz Club. Joining our duo, A-listers, bassist Andy Champion and drummer Steve Hanley. A good turn out at the Traveller's Rest suggested word had got around that this gig was definitely one not to be missed. A pint of Theakston's Bitter (cheap as chips), a strip or two of raffle tickets, we were set fair.

Jason Yarde Suffers Massive Stroke in Toulouse (press release)

(© Lance*)

On the evening of Friday 7th October, at Pavilon République in Toulouse, France, while performing with Anthony Joseph, much-loved father, brother, friend and phenomenal composer/musician Jason Yarde suffered a massive stroke on stage.

It was extremely fortunate that paramedics were at the gig and quickly got Jason to the hospital. A bleed was found on his brain. Having caught it so fast, Jason was operated on swiftly in a Toulouse hospital, and as a result, we are relieved to say they are now discussing next steps and his return to the UK. Some may know that Jason also underwent heart surgery in November 2020, so was in a fragile state before the incident.