Album review: Roy Hargrove, Mulgrew Miller - In Harmony

Roy Hargrove (trumpet, flugel); Mulgrew Miller (piano)

Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver in 1924 followed by Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines in 1928 were probably the first jazz masters to explore the trumpet/piano duo format. Ruby Braff and Ellis Larkins recorded some fine tracks in 1955 and, no doubt, there have been others before and since but, this is the absolute pinnacle!

Ten years ago I heard Roy Hargrove at the Union Chapel and I left worshipping the trumpet player who I thought I'd hear many more times - if only! 

He passed in 2018.

Roy Hargrove Quintet @ Union Chapel, Highbury. London BluesFest 2011

Roy Hargrove (tpt/flug); Justin Robinson (alt); Ameen Saleem (bs); Sullivan Fortner (pno); Montez Coleman (dms). It had been a traumatic day. Delayed train, a heatwave that became a wetwave and a few other inconveniences...

...enter Roy Hargrove. Suddenly all else seemed trivial as the notes peeled from his horn with a bell-like clarity. Aided by the amazing acoustics of the octagonally shaped chapel this was surely the finest trumpet sound I'd ever heard live!

The phrases simply rolled out - no cracked notes from this the coolest looking dude on the planet.

When he switched to flugel for Midnight Sun the results were electrifying and played with such passion.

Alongside, Justin Robinson played post-Parker bop alto full of ideas and no little technique. They played non-stop sans intermission. Roy didn't even announce the tunes but went effortlessly from start to finish. And what a finish as the two frontliners marched around the aisles challenging Gabriel to come and jam.

The crowd responded with a foot stamping standing ovation. Needless to say the band responded each soloing then leaving the stage until only bassist Saleem was left. Saleem, like Fortner and Coleman were the perfect rhythm section with Coleman driving them relentlessly forward as well as soloing with an amazing display of swing and dexterity. Fortner too played some crazy things on piano and Roy, when not reaching for the stars, sang Never Let Me Go.

One thing though - if you're going to the Al Di Meola gig tonight - take a cushion as those pews are damn hard!

Photos.

Lance.

PS it was Doors 7:00pm and start 8:30pm - presumably the same tonight.

RIP Roy Hargrove (1969-2018)

We've become accustomed to our heroes dying - indeed most of mine already have. Fortunately, although the fallen are gone, there are ever new ones to, if not take their place, ensure that they are not forgotten whilst, simultaneously, making their own mark on the music.

Such a player was Roy Hargrove whose name can be rightly added to the trumpet lineage of Louis, Eldridge, Dizzy, Brownie, Miles and beyond. I only saw him once but that was enough to tell me that the future was in good hands. How sad to have to use the word 'was'.

Sam Lightwing Quartet @ the Moor Club, Heaton Moor, Stockport - March 30

© Jeff Pritchard

Sam Lightwing  (alto/tenor sax); Max Rosen (keyboards); Peter Hartley (bass); Callum Montgomery (drums).

The joys of travel when you can't drive never cease! I went to Handforth Station to catch the 5:44pm train to Stockport which was actually on time. The problem was that instead of the normal three carriages they had added some more but I still had to squeeze myself on board into very little space. The overcrowding was due to some earlier broken down trains according to an announcement. Anyway, I  eventually arrived at the Moor Club after a pizza at the nearby Crown pub, ready to listen to Sam Lightwing and  his  quartet - a group of fine musicians.

 

Sue Ferris Quintet @ Gala Theatre, Durham - Nov. 23

Sue Ferris (tenor sax/flute); Graham Hardy (trumpet/flugelhorn); Paul Edis (piano); Paul Susans (bass); Rob Walker (drums).
(Review by Brian Ebbatson - PHOTOS courtesy of Malcolm Sinclair.)

There’s something about Lunchtime Jazz that’s really taken off since Paul Edis started the lunchtime concerts at the Lit and Phil some five and a half years ago, followed later in the year by the Durham Gala series. Now you can virtually find one on almost every week, with Bishop Auckland Town Hall Jazz, organised by Mick Shoulder and Jazz at the Lubetkin in Peterlee started this year by Emma Fisk. Whilst the Lit & Phil is often packed out – even to the extent of some discomfort – the Gala concerts win out for audience numbers, with punters now having to book 2 – 3 months in advance. 

The Gala Studio has recently been partially refurbished with new lighting that gives all of the audience a good view of the musicians and makes for a much clubbier atmosphere. From the beginning the musicians have always commented on the good acoustics, as well as the good response their music elicits from the appreciative audiences. It’s just a shame that the Gala management won’t buy another 20 seats, so the Studio fills to its 120 capacity, and people who turn up on the day aren’t left waiting for returns or worse turned away.

Live stream - Kansas Smitty plays Roy Hargrove's "Earfood". Nov. 7

Giacomo Smith (alto sax); Dylan Jones (trumpet/flugel); Reuben James (piano); Ferg Ireland (bass); Luca Caruso (drums).

When in doubt, Kansas Smitty's will help you out and such was the case tonight - especially tonight!

The Broadway Market mob are recreating legendary albums and tonight, the choice was Roy Hargrove's 2008 album Earfood.

Earfood, the original album, was indeed just that and Smitty's boys added their own ingredients to the recipe - if only they could convert this to mouth food!

Twelve reissues/previously unissued albums of 2021

Twelve outstanding reissues/previously unissued gems from the grandmasters of the magic art known as jazz. They're in alphabetical order - today's number one could be tomorrow's number twelve and no doubt we all have our own permutations. I realise that ten is the norm in these listings but I just couldn't think of who to leave out. Possibly Chick Corea (2018) or Roy Hargrove (2008) as maybe they are too recent but where does one draw the line?

DC Jazz Festival Announces DCJazzPrix™ Finalists (Camilla George is one of them)

(Press release)

The annual competition enters its seventh year of recognizing and supporting top rising jazz band talent from around the globe

WASHINGTON D.C. – June 24, 2021 — The DC Jazz Festival^® (DCJF) today announced the three bands selected as the 2021 DCJazzPrix™ Finalists, all of whom will perform Sunday, September 5, 2021 during the DCJazzPrix Finals at Union Stage, part of the 17^th Annual DC JazzFest. Tickets will be available for purchase starting on Friday, June 25th for $15 and for $20 the day-of-show with standing and seated general admission on a first-come-first-serve basis. The band finalists are the Giveton Gelin Quintet, Camilla George, and Dayramir Gonzalez & Habana enTRANCé. 

Jamie Toms & Lloyd Wright @ The Jazz Café - November 17

Jamie Toms (tenor saxophone) & Lloyd Wright (guitar)

(Review by Russell) 

A first Jazz Café gig as a duo by Jamie Toms and Lloyd Wright. They work in music education, they lead and play in a number of bands, this booking was their Friday night out, the proverbial  ‘busman’s holiday’. The Friday night gig on Pink Lane can be problematic, ie a ‘drinking circuit’ culture prevails and, as the Jazz Café is open to all, there are occasions when some are a tad boisterous, and possibly oblivious to the music. Those there to listen to the music grabbed the prime seats at one end of the bar as the seated duo opened with Lou Marini’s Starmaker.

Montez Coleman (July 23, 1973 - Jan. 14, 2022)

...with Coleman driving them relentlessly forward as well as soloing with an amazing display of swing and dexterity.

The above was written  after I'd heard Montez  Coleman with Roy Hargrove at a memorable concert in the Union Chapel, Highbury back in June 2011. Hard to believe that they both left us at an early age. Hargrove died in 2018 aged 49 and Coleman last Friday (Jan. 14) aged 48.

Album Review: Ambrose Akinmusire - On the Tender Spot of Every Calloused Moment

Ambrose Akinmusire (trumpet), Sam Harris (pianist), Harish Raghavan (bass), Justin Brown (drums)

(Review by Chris K)

The fifth Blue Note recording from this young (38) Californian, already feted as the trumpet player of his generation. 

What does it take to be anointed as the leading contemporary player in the 2020s? 

Expect startling technique, raw power, modern relevance and political messages: after all he played on Kendrick’s To Pimp a Butterfly and has torn it up with Kamasi Washington.  So, is he a “West Coast Get Down” version of his close contemporary, New Orleans born Christian Scott?  Scott is a top player with distinctive style and agenda, but Akinmusire has extra gears. In addition to high energy hip hop, post-bop and free experimental blasts, he also draws oblique lines through the ethereal spaces opened up by Kenny Wheeler and mapped out by the European School. 

Album Review: Walter Smith III & Matthew Stevens - In Common 2

Walter Smith III (tenor sax); Matthew Stevens (guitar); Micah Thomas (piano); Linda May Han Oh (bass); Nate Smith (drums).

The blurb describes it as "... being at once free and highly structured, melodically accessible yet thoroughly contemporary." Come to think of it, I couldn't have phrased it better myself!

Apart from the opening number - Roy Allan - composed by the late Roy Hargrove and played as a homage to him by the two leaders, the remaining tracks were all by either Walter Smith or Matthew Stevens.

Time for a Fix!

Don't get me wrong - I love Newcastle and the North-East but I like a break and, rather than sunbathe on some undiscovered shore, I like to spend a few days (and some dosh!) in our capital city. So, tomorrow I head south.

It's the London Blues Festival although there seems to me to be as much jazz as blues on offer but what's in a name anyway?

Tomorrow night I will be listening and reviewing American trumpet ace Roy Hargrove at Union Chapel (Highbury and Islington on the Victoria Line or number 30 bus.)

Hargrove has won numerous Down Beat polls so I'm looking forward to hearing him for the first time live.

The following evening, at the same venue, guitarist Al di Meola struts his stuff. I recently reviewed Al's latest CD so I know to expect some very interesting material. Both gigs kick off at 7:00pm so I may even manage to catch Yots at The Spice.

Lance.

Michael Lamb Quintet @ The Globe - Live & Live Stream

Michael Lamb (trumpet); Sue Ferris (alto/tenor sax); Stu Collingwood (keys); Mick Shoulder (bass); Tom Chapman (drums).

(Colour photos by Russell/BW by Lance)

It wasn't perfect - thank goodness! If it had been perfect it wouldn't have been jazz it would have been a smoothie or a take on an album that had been welded together over x number of months/years!

This was take one and no time for a second chance - they didn't need it although the opening number did have a degree of uncertainty but hey! this was their first gig in recent times as a band - it was good. It couldn't get any better could it?

You're darn tootin' it could! (which B movie western did I pick that one up from?)

Jazz Time Aycliffe Radio - Sundays 6.30-8.00pm (repeated Tuesdays 8.00-9.30pm)

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

Playlist 06/07/25 (repeated Tuesday 08/07/25)

Seasonal: Louis Armstrong/Ella Fitzgerald.

Memories: Hank Mobley/Jazz Messengers, Lee Morgan/Jazz Messengers.

Peace: Chris Barber/Ottilie Patterson, Tim Boniface, Rosetta Tharpe.

Requests: Amy Winehouse, Dulcie May, Kenny Garrett.

Seasonal: Miles Davis.

Requests: Earl Bostic, Roy Eldridge Oscar Peterson, Roy Hargrove.

Vintage Jazz: Lester Young, Lionel Hampton.

What’s on in the NE: Emma Fisk & James Birkett.

Requests: James Brandon Lewis Trio, Stacey Kent.

Aycliffe Radio is now available on DAB in County Durham & the Darlington Area.

Matt MacKellar Band livestreaming from The Black Swan, Newcastle - April 27

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)

Matt MacKellar (drums); Andy Champion (bass guitar); Ben Lawrence (keys) + Evie Hill (vocals).

A few tech. probs. at BSH HQ meant I didn't make my entrance to the Black Swan's virtual Press Box until 10 minutes after the advertised start time. Fortunately, the band were still on the opener - Continuum - a somewhat introspective piece by Jaco Pastorius that set the mood for the evening. This wasn't going to be a putting the boot in set as much as a time for displaying the more melodic side of the contemporary scene.

Benny Benack III - A guy worth checking out.

(After reading this press release of Benny Benack III, I was curious to discover more - and I'm pleased that I did. Singing or blowing trumpet this young man proves that all of the young talents don't come out of Newcastle. Some even come from across the pond in New York. Check him out here. - Lance.)

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(Press release)

Benny Benack III, a young and multi-talented Pittsburgh native and denizen of the New York jazz scene. He is never one to limit himself. He is both an affable and expressive jazz singer and a formidable, modern-minded trumpeter, and these elements of his musical self are deeply and effortlessly intertwined. On One of a Kind, his debut release, Benack also reveals himself to be a wry and expressive songwriter and lyricist, bringing his boundless musical gifts together in a program that’s steeped in tradition but every bit as restlessly individual as his album title suggests.

Jazz Time Aycliffe Radio. Playlist - Feb. 27

Jazz Time Sundays 6.30pm - 8.00pm (Repeat Tuesdays 8.00pm - 9.30pm.

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

Playlist Feb. 27

Mardi Gras: Louis Armstrong's Hot Five, Red Allen All Stars.

Request: Billy Strayhorn.

Abbie Finn and Harry Keeble make their selections:

Roy Hargrove, Joe Henderson, Gary Burton/Chick Corea, George Garzone, Art Blakey, Seamus Blake.

What’s on in the NE: T J Johnson. (Darlington New Orleans Club)

Request: Kenny Garrett.

Mardi Gras: King Oliver: Dipper Mouth Blues.

New Release: Fergus McCreadie.

Joe Venuti.

CD Review: Don Trudell Plays the Piano.

Dan Trudell (pno); Joe Sanders (bs); Matt Wilson (dms).

(Review by Lance).

There was a time when we, in the UK, knew all of the great jazzmen in the USA. Over the years, other outstanding jazzers have emerged worldwide - Japan, Australia, South America, Europe, if the country has a name you can bet your shirt they have jazz musicians eager to be heard and often capable of competing with the best. We have loads in the UK and, in our own neck of the woods, north east England, we have more than a few who can hold their own at the highest level - you frequently read of their exploits in these pages. 

Album Review: Jun Iida – Bellflower (OA2 Records)

Jun Iida (trumpet, vocals, composer); Zelda Harris (vocals); Chris McCarthy (piano, Rhodes); Masami Kuroki (guitar); Giulio Xavier Cetto (basses); Jongkuk Kim (drums); Takafumi Nikaido (congas)

With Bellflower, his second album, trumpeter/composer Jun Iida (Joon-Ee-da) presents us with a collage of his musical reminiscences, brilliant tonal statements and sensitive musical observations. It gives us ten original tracks, nine of which emanate from Iida’s pen and all superbly performed by Iida and his cadre of outstanding musicians,