John Bailey Quintet @ The Jazz Café. April 29

John Bailey (guitar), Tim France (tenor saxophone), Richard Iles (flugelhorn), Garry Jackson (double bass) & Steve Hanley (drums)

(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy of Mike Tilley.)

Godin Guitars endorsee John Bailey has a nice line in self deprecation. The truth behind song titles – and their meaning, if any – has been exposed by the amiable Leeds College of Music graduate: Google ‘Song Name Generator’, said Bailey. The home page asks an important question: Feeling lazy? Fill entire form with random data. The end result? An entirely random (meaningless) song title!     

CD Review: John Bailey - Oneiric Sounds

(Review by Lance).
Oneiric means dreamlike and there is an ethereal, almost soporific feel to this interesting album.

Bailey composed all 14 pieces as well as playing some tasty guitar. It's a game of two halves or rather two suites, one featuring Norwegian bass legend Arild Andersen and the other the amazing saxophonist Julian Argüelles.

Based in the northwest, Bailey teaches guitar at the University of Liverpool and some of the ensemble writing has a distinct northern brass band feel about it. This unusual dimension certainly makes categorisation a problem.

CD Review: The John Bailey Quintet - In Real Time

John Bailey (trumpet/flugel; Stacy Dillard (tenor/soprano); John Hart (guitar); Cameron Brown (bass); Victor Lewis (drums) + Janet Axelrod (flute) & Leo Grinhauz (cello) on 1 track.

(Review by Dave Brownlow)

The first album for trumpet player, arranger and  composer John Bailey, who, having spent more than thirty years in the music business “paying his dues” as an in-demand sideman, emerges from the shadows as the leader/arranger of a technically accomplished quintet. The group’s instrumentation provides excellent variation throughout – guitar instead of piano in the rhythm section, with trumpet or flugelhorn and soprano or tenor sax. Flute and cello are added to good effect on Morro Velho.

CD Review: John Bailey - Black Ship Bright Sea

John Bailey (gtr); Richard Iles (flug); Tim France (sax); Gavin Barras (bs); Steve Hanley (dms).

(Review by Lance).

Quoting from the blurb we're told that the music here sits squarely on the border between jazz and classical music. Bailey's compositions, it would appear, deal with the dark and light aspects of life. The aim of the compositions, it seems, is to move the listener through a range of different emotional states from depressing and bleak to uplifting and optimistic.

Not a party record!

CD Review: John Bailey - Can You Imagine?

John Bailey (trumpet/flugelhorn); Stacy Dillard (tenor sax/soprano sax); Stafford Hunter (trombone); Edsel Gomez (piano); Mike Karn (bass); Victor Lewis (drums) + Janet Axelrod (flutes); Earl McIntyre (bass trombone/tuba).

(Review by Lance)

A themed album that is timely scheduled for release on an appropriate date (January 20 - Inaugration Day).

However, before I disclose the theme of the album, let me first say that this a cracker of a disc that doesn't need a theme to help it. Simply the best post bop album since the days of King Dizzy which brings me to the theme of the album...

The Tannery Jam Session, Hexham - May 29

Joe Steels (guitar); Paul Susans (double bass); John Hirst (drums) + John Weaver (trumpet); Bailey Rudd (drums); Euan Hunter (guitar); ? (guitar); Bridget Enever (soprano sax)

The first in a new monthly jam session in Hexham attracted a decent crowd and a handful of musicians looking to sit-in. The Tannery at the bottom of Gilesgate is a two-room community hostelry offering three or four handpulls and a pub grub menu. Advertised as a seven o'clock start, the action got underway some twenty minutes late. The house trio - Tyne Valley residents Joe Steels, Paul Susans and John Hirst - played a couple of numbers before inviting the first of the hopefuls to play a couple of numbers. 

CD Review: Buster Bailey - Memphis Blues

(Review by Russell)

Retrospective, a division of Nimbus Records, has released a corker of an album featuring no fewer than forty seven tracks spanning thirty four years featuring the work of Buster Bailey. In the history books as a formidable technician, constantly in demand during a long career - from WC Handy to Armstrong's All Stars - yet considered by some to have an inferior sound to some of his peers, not least the truly famous Benny Goodman, Memphis Blues will, perhaps, spark a reappraisal of Bailey's place in the clarinet pantheon.

John Petters Remembers Louis Lince (1942 - 2020)

(This obituary was originally posted on Facebook and is reposted courtesy of the author. Thanks to Patti Durham for making this possible - Lance.) It is with great sorrow that the jazz scene heard of the passing of Banjo / Guitarist, Bass Drummer, Parade Marshall, Band Leader, Reviewer, Jazz Historian and Publisher Louis Lince, following a rapidly growing brain tumour, diagnosed just after Christmas. (photo - Ray & Jenny Knight) Louis (John Louis James Lince) came into the world on 22 July 1942 in St. Helens, Lancashire. Like many of his generation, he started out in a Skiffle Group – the Red Devils. Louis came south to London in 1958, working with several bands before leaving music in 1963 to concentrate on a career in Marketing.

Friday/Saturday/Sunday @ The Musicon

Friday March 4.

The Musicon Durham Jazz Festival kicks off tonight with an exciting prospect - Sandi Russell on vocals alongside saxist Alan Barnes and the John Horler Trio (Alec Dankworth, bass and Steve Brown, drums.) Saxophonist Alan Barnes and the John Horler Trio mix standards, be-bop and original compositions to exciting effect. Coupled with the 'formidable vocal force' (The Guardian) of Sandi Russell, this is an evening not to be missed! This musical must starts at 7:30pm at Quad, St Chad's College, North Bailey, Durham.

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Saturday March 5.

4pm-11pm St Chad's College, North Bailey and Music Department, Palace Green A day to meet people! Come and join us if you play jazz or would like to learn. The afternoon starts with workshops (in the music department) and showcases by local bands (in St Chad's College), including the exciting "Off the Leash", featuring Paul Beck (piano), Doug Kennard (gtr), Stan Praszczalek (drums), John Steele (saxes), and Katy Trigger (bass) at 4:00pm. At 7:30pm, there is a performance by the Paul Edis Trio with Vasilis Xenopoulos (saxophone) in St Chad's College, to be followed by a jam session. Free entrance all day. -----

Sunday March 6.

4pm St Chad's College, North Bailey John Etheridge (guitar) John Etheridge has been described by Pat Metheny as 'one of the best guitarists in the world'. With his ability to cross labels and genres, as well as playing his own compositions, he is certain to electrify and enthral. ----- Tickets for Friday and Sunday (for each day): £10.00, Students £4.00, Under 18s £1.00 Free entrance for Saturday Box Office: Tourist Information Centre, Durham Tel: 0191 384 7641

Bailey Rudd (drums): Interim Recital @ Music Studios, Newcastle University - Dec. 15

Early morning, a stage 3 recital in Newcastle University's subterranean Music Studios. The student musician in the spotlight, friend of the Black Swan jam session , Bailey Rudd. On Tuesday, Bailey acted in a supporting role to his friend Jacob Egglestone, this morning guitarist Jacob returned the favour. 

The Black Swan Takeover - March 21

They had been massing on the horizon for some time. It was only a matter of time before they would launch a raid on the Black Swan. MC Paul Grainger decided to launch a pre-emptive strike, a case of getting in your retaliation first. An invitation to three of the student ringleaders to lead this evening's jam session was accepted and here we were, surrounded by a large number of 'bright young things' eager to show what they could do. 

The student house trio - Jacob Egglestone, guitar, Jamie Watkins, bass guitar, Bailey Rudd*, drums - opened with Stella By Starlight. The students would stand their ground for half an hour and more playing a selection of classic and contemporary numbers (In a Sentimental Mood, A Night in Tunisia), Jacob playing all the chords and more, Jamie knocking out pulsating bass lines, Bailey impressing, not least in his use of brushes.

Another jam packed Black Swan jam session - April 16

It starts at seven thirty, doors at seven, it's going to be busy, let's get there for half past six. Turning into Newcastle Arts Centre's courtyard the queue was beginning to form. One whole hour before the down beat, what's going on? The Black Swan jam session is what you could call a success! 

This evening's house trio comprised guitar virtuoso Mr Bradley Johnston, jam session MC, Mr Paul Grainger and post-grad student drummer, Mr Bailey Rudd. Three numbers to set the ball rolling - Bird's Little Suede Shoes, Johnny Green's Body and Soul and Frank Loesser's I've Never Been in Love Before. Nicely warmed up, MC Grainger opened the floor. First up, Jan Spencelayh. Accompanied by John Rowland's tenor sax, Jan sang a classic - You Turned the Tables on Me. Excellent. 

A mid-summer's night Black Swan jam session - June 18

Stu Collingwood (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums) + David Gray (trombone, flugelhorn, vocals); Stuart Turner (guitar); Harry Keeble (tenor sax, piano); Abbie Finn (drums); Shivan Ruddick (trumpet); Paul Ruddick (alto sax); Theo Nolan (drums, vocals); Kate O'Neill (vocals); Edgar Bell (trumpet); Conor Emery (trombone); Bailey Rudd (drums); Debra Milne (vocals); John Rowland (tenor sax); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet); Ian Drever (vocals); Oscar Nolan (vocals)

Midsummer, as the queue began to form in Newcastle Arts Centre's pleasant courtyard, at long last some early evening sunshine. Doors at seven, down the stairs, a front row sofa claimed, a bottle of Styrian Blonde (Great North Eastern Brewing Co.), we were all set for another Black Swan jam session.

Musicon Jazz Festival: 4 - 6 March, 2011

Alan Barnes, Sandi Russell and the John Horler Trio Fri 4 March 7:30pm - Quad, St Chad's College, North Bailey ----- 'A day to meet people' Sat 5 March 4pm-11pm - Quad, St Chad's College, North Bailey ----- Paul Edis Trio with Vasilis Xenopoulos (saxophone) Sat 5 March 7:30pm - Quad, St Chad's College, North Bailey ----- John Etheridge (guitar) Sun 6 March 4pm - Quad, St Chad's College, North Bailey ----- Thanks to Paul Bream for drawing this event to our attention. Lance. PS: Russell informs me that these dates coincide with the Sunderland Big Band Festival - two Festivals within 15 miles of each other...

The Black Swan's Traffic Jam jam session - Dec. 3

Dean Stockdale (piano); Joe Steels (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass); John Hirst (drums) + Luis Verde (alto sax); Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Kate O'Neill (vocals), David Gray (trombone); Abbie Finn (drums); Shivan Ruddick (trumpet); John Rowland (tenor sax); Paul Gowland (alto sax); Shayo (vocals); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet); Liam Oliver (guitar); Bailey Rudd (drums); Paul Ruddick (alto sax); Ian Drever (vocals); Theo Nolan (vocals) 

A four-vehicle accident necessitating the closure of the Redheugh Bridge and ongoing renovation works on the Tyne Bridge (access currently restricted to one lane in either direction) wreaked havoc either side of the Tyne. The Black Swan jam session didn't escape the chaotic situation: MC Paul Grainger's journey took twice as long as usual and house pianist Dean Stockdale, travelling north from County Durham, found himself in a long tailback of traffic. At one point it looked as though we were in for a John Hirst drum masterclass...

Press release: Hammond B3 Master Ron Oswanski Makes Auspicious Debut With December's Moon

An All-Star Project Exploring Music By Kenny Wheeler, Led Zeppelin,

Fred Hersch and Oswanski's Beautiful Originals

Lyrical Post-Bop Featuring John Abercrombie, John Patitucci, Clarence Penn, and Tim Ries

Though Ron Oswanski is one of the most prodigious Hammond B3 players on a jazz scene rife with rising organ talent, he's just starting to introduce himself as a force in his own right. Also an accomplished accordion player,Oswanski has forged a lithe, lyrical and rhythmically charged contemporary sound steeped in the B3's earthy roots but informed by post-bop developments. With his finely calibrated sense of dynamics and expansive harmonic palette, he can burn with the best of them, and then slow things down for an exquisitely crafted ballad. He showcases his multifaceted sensibility on his stellar CD December's Moon, a revelatory debut album featuring heavyweights such as guitarist John Abercrombie, bassist John Patitucci, drummer Clarence Penn, and saxophonist Tim Ries, who produced the project. The CD will be released March 19, 2013 on Tames Records, distributed by Palmetto Records.

Album Review: South Florida Jazz Orchestra - Cheap Thrills: The Music of Rick Margitza

There was a time when a band like the South Florida Jazz Orchestra would, perhaps, have been described as a 'territory' band. And that's what it is, based in the Miami area of the Sunshine State. Bands such as the SFJO perhaps don't travel as much as in the past but that's down to the economics of keeping a large ensemble on the road and its personnel holding down day jobs (often teaching jazz to the next generation).  

The Black Swan jam session - March 5

It's a seven thirty start, roll up five minutes before the down beat and take your seat. Not any more! That was then, this is now! Since before the turn of the year some punters have been turning up earlier and earlier. This evening, fully three quarters of an hour before the advertised start, seats were being occupied at a rate of knots. At a little after seven o'clock seats were at a premium. What's going on?! 

Whatever is going on, it's a remarkably positive story. At the appointed time (7:30pm) the house trio - Joe Steels, Paul Grainger and off-the-bench sub Abbie Finn - got things underway. The packed house soon became a tad noisy, so much so MC Paul Grainger requested conversation be kept to a low(er) level rather than the near-bellowing emanating from some quarters. Alice Grace was in the house - hooray! Bye Bye Blackbird sang Alice. Too marvellous for words...

The Black Swan jam session - June 4

Ben Phillips (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Bailey Rudd (drums) + Luis Verde (alto sax); Edgar Bell (cornet); Liam Oliver (guitar); Lara Hopper (trumpet); John Rowland (tenor sax); Theo (drums); Ben Davies (guitar); Owen Jones (double bass); Stuart Turner (guitar); Becky Tuck (vocals); Anna Heslop (vocals); Martin Waugh (piano); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet); Jamie Watkins (double bass); Ian Drever (vocals); Shayo (vocals); Jo (vocals); Oscar Nolan (vocals); Jack (guitar); Logan (vocals)

Night and Day, Beautiful Love, Blue Bossa, three standards, the house trio (Bailey Rudd answering a last minute call) nicely warmed up. Newcastle Arts Centre's bi-monthly jam session (first and third Tuesdays) adopts a simple formula - trio plus a succession of friends old and new sitting in - and it works. 

This evening the Black Swan attracted the faithful and a fair number of new faces there to listen and/or sit in. The first of those to throw their hats into the ring on Footprints offered up a startling contrast - Luis Verde (blowing amazing alto sax) riding the crest of a wave, Edgar Bell (holding a cornet) a man overboard. Señor Verde, now with the floor to himself, chose to play You Don't Know What Love is. Magnificent, simply magnificent.

The Tannery jam session – Dec. 11

Joe Steels (guitar); Paul Susans (electric bass); John Hirst (drums) + Jon Weaver (trumpet); Bailey Rudd (drums); Chris ? (guitar); Phil ? (keyboard)

My first time at this session in Hexham and what a delight to have on my doorstep.  Hexham is famously the third happiest place in the UK (DETAILS) and the Tannery must surely be a contribution to keeping it there! BSH roving scribe Russell has enthusiastically reported a few times since the jam started in May, but this was my first visit due to circumstances and travels.

Last night’s programme ambled through familiar territory - It Could Happen to You, Blackbird, Ladybird, Autumn Leaves with Black Narcissus (I think!) and Song for my Father to show there is jazz after 1960.