CD Review: Jason Rebello – Anything But Look.

Jason Rebello – keyboards, bass, backing vocals; Troy Miller – drums, guitar, percussion; Pino Palladino –  bass; Karl Rasheed-Abel – acoustic  bass; Paul Stacey – guitar; Jeremy Stacey – drums; George Rebello – drums; Miles Bould – percussion; Tim Garland – flute, bass clarinet.

Guest vocalists – Joy Rose, Omar, Jacob Collier, Xantone Blacq, Will Downing, Sumudu Jayatilaka, Alicia Carroll, Aja Downing.

(Review by Debra M.)

 Since his emergence in the late 1980’s, pianist Jason Rebello’s musical versatility has taken him all over the world, playing and recording with mainstream artists such as Sting, Jeff Beck and Peter Gabriel.  ‘Anything But Look’, an album of soul infused jazz,  pulls together his many influences,  and features his new trio of Karl Rasheed-Abel on acoustic  bass & Troy Miller on drums, plus a host of guests.

Jason Rebello Trio - Live Stream @ Ronnie's - Oct. 8

Jason Rebello (piano); Tim Thornton (bass); Jeremy Stacey (drums).

There may be better ways to spend a Thursday evening indoors although, these days, I can't think of any. No, a live stream from Ronnie's is just about as good as it gets particularly when the Jason Rebello Trio are taking centre stage.

I was, initially, a little hesitant when he announced the second number with those dreaded words "this is another composition of mine ..."

Album review: Tim Garland & Jason Rebello - Life to Life.

Tim Garland (tenor, soprano, sax/bass clarinet); Jason Rebello (piano).

The duo format in jazz, indeed in all forms of music, has always been a challenge for the participants. It can be a mismatch, a contrast of egos or, in this case, two like minded souls who draw inspiration from each other.

Garland spent several years locally as a Professor at Newcastle Uni whilst living down the coast in a lighthouse (as one does!)

During this period he played many prestigious concerts at Sage Gateshead as well as gigs at the Bridge.

CD Review: Clare Teal w. The Hallé Orchestra - Twelve O'Clock Tales

(Review by Lance).

Ahead of Teal's Doris Day tribute at York's Theatre Royal (tomorrow, June 18) comes this timely reminder of what a class act Clare Teal is. Few singers on either side of the Atlantic can handle a lyric as effectively as she can. Put Teal in front of the Hallé Orchestra, give her some arrangements by Guy Barker, Grant Windsor and Jason Rebello, have a few jazzmen hovering in the wings and the ingredients are all there for a first class album.

Jason Rebello Line-Up

For those still undecided on whether or not to attend the Jason Rebello gig at Hoochie on March 7 the line-up below may well tempt you!

Joy Rose Vocals; Xantone Blacq Vocals/Keys; Troy Miller Drums; Karl Rasheed Bass; Jason Rebello Keys/Jokes.

Only £10!

Lance.

Jason Rebello to play Hoochie Coochie

Only a week before Gregory Porter plays his sell-out gig at Hoochie there is a rare Newcastle appearance at the same venue by outstanding British pianist Jason Rebello on March 7.

Rebello who, over the years (he's still only 44!), has appeared with Wayne Shorter, Gary Burton, Sting and many others was last here in 2013 with Madeleine Peyroux at Sage Gateshead.

The above only hints at Rebello's diversity. Jazz, Soul, Latin, Funk are all in his bag with perhaps a few surprises. I'm not yet sure who's in his band but you can bet your life there'll be no passengers on stage.

To hear him in the intimacy of Hoochie is an opportunity not to be missed and for a mere £10 is surely the Sale of the Century! Put it in your diary now!

More details.
Lance.

Steinway Festival @ Pizza Express, Dean St., Soho. March 21.

Jason Rebello & Dave Newton - Gabor Cseke & James Nagy - Alex Wilson & Cesar Correa +  Will Fry (perc.); Elpidio Caicado (bs). (Piano duos).
(Review by Lance.)

With Dave Newton and Jason Rebello opening the batting we knew this was going to be a mighty fine way to treat a couple of Steinways! Dreamy and reflective they meandered down Green Dolphin Street building it up then gently letting it down. This was no cutting contest but a respectful mutual admiration society as they bounced phrases off each other. Katie's Song, written by Newton for his daughter, is a gorgeous theme that exudes the love that surely inspired it.

Jason Rebello @ Hoochie Coochie March 7.

Jason Rebello (keys); Xan Blacq (keys/perc/vcl); Karl Rasheed-Abel (bs); Troy Miller (dms); Joy Rose (vcl).
(Review by Lance).
You've got to hand it to Warren, El Supremo at Hoochie, he rarely fails to deliver and tonight he delivered and delivered good! Next week's Gregory Porter gig - that's right GP at Hoochie - is forecast by many to be the Gig of the Year but on tonight's performance Gregory will have his work cut out!

Madeleine Peyroux @ Sage Gateshead. November 25.

Madeleine Peyroux (vcl/gtr); Jason Rebello (keys) + string quartet, bass, guitar, drums.
Take These Chains From My Heart sang Ms Peyroux in the slightly laconic, laid back manner that had drawn a goodly throng to Hall One. We weren't disappointed. The sometimes controversial songstress was in good voice. Randy Newman's Guilty kept the momentum flowing with the string quartet used to great effect.
The guitar came into play for Bye Bye Love followed by a drinking song then Born To Lose. This was a really depressive plea from the inner soul and I wondered if perhaps they shouldn't have erected safety nets in case anyone on Level Two decided to jump. It was that kind of song. Peyroux herself confessed that there weren't many happy songs on the set list!
One of them (happy songs) was I Hear Music which, apart from the chanteuse's vocal, featured solos all round including an impressive piano blast from Jason Rebello. Rebello also impressed on Hammond B3 during Careless Love.
The show concluded with Walkin' After Midnight and This is Heaven. Come to think of it, listening to Peyroux was pretty much like being beyond the pearly gates - Heaven indeed.
Earlier, singer/songwriter/guitar/vocalist Josephine had the daunting task of providing the opening support slot. The girl did good.
Lance.

Tim Garland Quartet @ Sage Gateshead - May 4

Tim Garland (ten/sop); Jason Rebello )pno); Ant Law (gtrs); Asaf Sirkis  (dms).
(Review by Lance).

A stonker of a gig! Whew! Four of the UK's finest going for Gold and getting it! The opening Bill Evans composition, Re Person I Knew, set the mood for the evening which was beautiful. Ant Law, a man of many guitars, chose a 12 string for this number and, it blended perfectly. I have to confess that, until that moment in time, I'd regarded 12 string guitars as only slightly less allergic to my ears than banjos. Not anymore - at least not in the hands of Ant Law (I wonder if he also plays banjo?)

Rebello played plenty piano whilst Sirkis  produced every sound imaginable from his exotic kit.

Garland? Simply an object lesson in tenor playing (and later, soprano).

Bebop Spoken Here talks to Jason Rebello.

BSH: Hi Jason looking forward to hearing you up in Newcastle. Last time you were in the region I think was with Madeleine Peyroux at Sage Gateshead is that right?

That's correct. I really enjoy playing with Madeline, she is a wonderful singer and a lovely person to be around. We get on very well.

BSH: You produced some fine Hammond sounds that night that really brought the gig to life.

Her music is quite reflective and sad, but I am a fiery Aries, full of beans, and it's hard to resist the energy that flows when I play. I have to restrain myself sometimes when I play with her so as not to spoil the vibe but when I do get allowed to play, I enjoy it to the full.

BSH: You’ve also, I note, sold out Ronnie’s on March 15. Quite an achievement when you think of the calibre of artists who play there. You must have something good going on with this latest venture.

It's a great band, and the music is exciting and funky. I think people are enjoying what we do. It's uplifting stuff.. 

BSH: A new album and a single out is that right?

Yes, the new album "Anything but look" is out, with a blend of jazz, funk, soul and latin. The new single is "New Joy" which features the wonderful singing of Joy Rose. (Incognito)

BSH: Tell me about the band. Troy Miller was here last month with Natalie Williams and he’s back with you. Joy Rose also seems to be  a name that’s getting noticed.

Well Troy is an incredible musician, and he injects so much life into the music. Karl on bass is funky and a great acoustic bass player too. Xan is a superb singer and keyboard player and we work well together. Joy, I have worked with for over twenty years, and you would be lucky to see a singer with as much soul, passion and funkiness as Joy..

BSH: I see you’re at Bristol the night before couldn't get two gigs much further apart!

Yes, I'm doing a two piano gig with an amazing piano player, Ivo Neame. 

BSH: This sounds like it’s going to be a night to remember at Hoochie

Well I think it will. The band is on fire at the moment, and the music is uplifting people, so I'm very much looking forwards to it..

Jason Rebello can be heard at Hoochie Coochie this Friday (March 7) On stage @ 9pm. £10.

More from Ronnie's.

A collage of shots taken by Ken Drew watching the Jason Rebello Trio's live stream from Ronnie Scott's last Thursday (Oct. 8).

Jason Rebello (piano); Tim Thornton (bass); Jeremy Stacey (drums).

Nice one Ken.

Lance

‘The Jazz Ambassadors’ Original Score - Digital Release

(Press release)

Release date: Sunday 25 November 2018

Rezzonator Music is delighted to announce the original music score to the award-winning “The Jazz Ambassadors” documentary will be available to download on all digital platforms and streaming via Apple Music and Spotify from 25th November 2018.

A THIRTEEN/Antelope South/Normal Life Pictures co-production, in association with BBC, ZDF and Arte, “The Jazz Ambassadors” tells the extraordinary story of America’s plan to win hearts around the world and counter the Cold War with the USSR in 1956 with the help of America’s most influential jazz artists. Over a period of ten years, performers including Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Dave Brubeck, along with their racially-integrated bands, travelled the globe to perform as cultural ambassadors and became ‘America’s coolest weapon in The Cold War’. 

Ambleside Days – A Contemporary Jazz Festival - August 30 - September 2

(Review by Hugh C.)

WOW!  Another very special festival.  Derek Hook and his team triumphed again, bringing together a lyrical constellation of musicians, plucked from the jazz firmament, for this, the second Ambleside Days Festival.  The festival ran over four successive days, with the same arrangements as last year:  a one hour concert at 7.30pm followed (after a half-hour interval) by a 90-minute performance by a different ensemble.  Many of the musicians were involved in more than one of the performances over the duration of the festival.  Gwilym Simcock (piano) and Mike Walker (guitar) popped up in many different ensembles and were also heavily involved in organisational aspects of the festival. 

Ambleside Days Festival 2019: Tim Garland Weather Walker Trio & Gwilym Simcock, Mike Walker and Friends @ Zeffirellis – August 31

(Review by Hugh C)

As in the manner of the so-called “Beautiful Game”, this event was again in two halves.  The stage was set for two gigs with the Steinway grand to the left, double bass and guitars centre stage, two drum kits and percussion on the right.

Tim Garland Weather Walker Trio

Tim Garland (saxophones, electronics); Jason Rebello (piano); Yuri Goloubev (bass). 

Despite the name of the trio, much of the set, although Garland’s material, was not from the Weather Walker CD.  Bright New Year, from Garland’s album One, featured soprano saxophone.  Rebello on piano and Goloubev on bass took alternate solos, the other subtly underpinning the soloist on their own instrument.  Ensemble passages were the focus for saxophone. 

One token standard followed (Garland emphasised the importance of playing the standards in his early days as part of Ronnie Scott’s house band):  Irving Berlin’s How Deep Is the Ocean? – or as Garland jested (“doing his bit for climate change”) “How deep is the ocean now?”  Goloubev’s solo bass introduced the rhythm with subtle references to the melody, then added to by Rebello on piano and finally the full tune with Garland on tenor. 

Tim Garland @ the 606 Club - August 28

Tim Garland (tenor/soprano sax/bass clarinet); Jason Rebello (piano); Ant Law (guitar); Conor Chaplin (bass); Rod Youngs (drums)

Another sizzler from the 606. Relaxed social distancing meant a truly full full house and the band responded accordingly. Tim Garland is well-remembered in the north east from his ten year tenure as a Professor of Composition at Newcastle University during which time he made various appearances across the river at Sage Gateshead where, brilliant as they were, often leaned towards the pretentious.

No such leanings tonight at least not in the first set which I enjoyed via livestream. Straight down the middle, no holds barred modern/contemporary jazz.

Tim Garland Quartet @ Sage Gateshead – October 21

Tim Garland (tenor, alto saxophones, bass clarinet), Ant Law (guitars), Jason Rebello (keyboards), Asaf Sirkis (drums, percussion).

(Review by Steve Tolstoy/photo courtesy of Pam Young).

It was clear from the off this was something of a homecoming for Tim Garland. Turns out he used to teach music in Newcastle, lived in Whitley Bay for a time and recorded at Sage Gateshead while they were still finishing off the roof. This was home turf and it showed in his relaxed demeanour and infectious enthusiasm.

It was also obvious that this wasn’t a headliner and his band, but a real live super-group. His excitement at them ‘kicking your (his) ass each night’ was palpable, overflowing regularly through the night, whooping and clearly into their solos, leading the applause as he provided genuine backing with his various percussion objects. When you consider he played with Chick Corea for seventeen years, that these musicians plainly still blow him away ought to tell you something.

CD Review: Tim Garland - Songs to the North Sky

Disc 1: Lighthouse. Tim Garland (tenor/soprano); Jason Rebello or John Turville or Geoffrey Keezer (piano); Asaf Sirkis (percussion);  Ant Law (guitar); Kevin Glasgow (elec. bass).

Disc 2: Songs to the North Sky. Garland (tenor/soprano); Sirkis (percussion); John Patitucci (double bass/Elec. bass); Neil Percy (tuned/classical percussion); Magdalena Filipczak (violin); Royal Northern Sinfonia Strings).

Tim Garland, long-time resident of a Whitley Bay lighthouse, former Composer-in-residence at Newcastle Uni and a collaborator with Sage Gateshead on many projects including Songs to the North Sky, has a strong affinity with the north east despite his Kentish Roots.

The Clare Teal Five @ Gala Theatre, Durham - Oct. 25

© Patti

Clare Teal (vocals); Jason Rebello (piano); Dave Archer (guitar); Simon Little (bass, vocals); Eric Ford (drums)

A Clare Teal gig is always something special. A guaranteed evening of fun, jazz singing of the highest standard, an A-list band and an ever-changing repertoire. Last night was no exception with all the boxes ticked and, of course, that essential ingredient to any jazz gig - the sound of surprise.

We got that last one in abundance.

The material, whilst still containing the bricks and mortar of those Gasbook classics that we love and cherish, has been updated to include a few of the better pop and rock songs albeit in a jazzy/bluesy vein - shades of Postmodern Jukebox.

The feature, Trailblazers was a good addition with its tribute to Annie Ross on Wardell Gray's Twisted and to Peggy Lee with A Good Day. When Clare mentioned Peggy Lee I cringed and thought 'not another version of Fever or Black Coffee!' Fortunately I was wrong and A Good Day made for a very good day indeed.

Clare Teal @ the Gala Theatre, Durham - Feb. 14

Clare Teal (vocal); Jason Rebello (piano); Tim Thornton (bass); Ben Reynolds (drums).

(Review by Lance)

After the final do-wa-do-wa-do-wa brought the classic Ellington number - and the show -  to a close the capacity audience at Durham's Gala Theatre stood up as one and ovated in appreciation. Deservedly so, Clare Teal had just wowed them as she invariably does with her warm and, often funny, show.

I use the word funny as, should she - God forbid - ever give up music a  career in stand-up would pay the bills. Not that that is likely, after last night's performance. Her jazz chops are still the tops even though Barnsley's First Lady appears to be dipping her toes into more contemporary material.

Good on her! However, whatever she touches the jazz element is never far away.