Chris Barber (April 17, 1930 - March 2, 2021) -

There are legends and there are legends and then there is, or rather was, Chris Barber who died earlier today.

Remembered most recently as the last of the "Three Bs" - Barber, Bilk and Ball - Chris Barber was in the forefront of British New Orleans jazz long before the other two. Along with Humph, Barber's old Boss Ken Colyer and Mick Mulligan they headed what was then called The Revivalist Movement recreating the original sounds of the roots of jazz whilst still maintaining a degree of their own individuality.

John Pope Quintet Livestreaming @ The Globe – Feb. 28

John Pope (double bass); Graham Hardy (trumpet/pocket trumpet); Jamie Stockbridge (alto sax); Faye MacCalman (tenor sax/clarinet); Johnny Hunter (drums)

(Screenshots by Ken Drew)

Jazz North East and The Globe treated us to another amazing live jazz performance on Sunday evening, as they continue their series of livestreams featuring both music and comedy. This week the John Pope Quintet graced us with a mixture of original compositions from their new album Mixed With Glass, a tribute to Ornette Coleman, and even their own adaptation of the song In Heaven by the alt-rock band, Pixies. The quintet’s set was diverse and musically interesting, featuring some shredding solos, swinging melodies, and interesting experimental exploration. Having listened to Mixed With Glass and its experimental qualities, it’s hard to imagine anything new being added in a live setting - yet, the band’s live playing added a whole new layer to known and well-treaded tracks. 

Preview: Jamie Cullum's Piano Pilgrimage

BBC Radio 4 Extra is home to some quirky programmes. Often hidden away in the schedules when first broadcast, Piano Pilgrimage (Wednesday-Friday, 2:30pm) could be one of one them. First broadcast in 2014, this three part series presented by Jamie Cullum focuses on the entertainer's nationwide search for proof of a supposed decline in the popularity of the piano. It's likely Cullum, and others, will be heard tinkling the ivories. The first part goes out at 2:30pm tomorrow (Wednesday). 

Russell

Preview: In Tune with Pat Metheny (Wed. 3)

Guitar hero Pat Metheny is a guest on Radio 3's In Tune (5:00pm, Wednesday). Due to the ongoing pandemic it's a safe bet Metheny's contribution will be by phone/Zoom/other from America.   

Russell 

Ten Best Jazz Songs

Our Editor-In-Chief has requested lists of '10 best of' so here is a list of my ten favourite songs. There are so many to choose from, and if you asked me another day, the list could vary. I have a special interest in lyrics so that affects my choice, and I sing only some of them at jams, though I'm intending to learn all of them eventually. Not in order of preference.

1. Strange Fruit:  The more serious songs first. I soon realised, that not all jazz songs were 'moon and June' love songs. Jazz has its share of protest songs such as Strange Fruit, made famous by the inimitable Billie Holiday. Lynchings as such don't happen now (I hope) but police brutality does, so the song is still heartbreakingly relevant today in these times of Black Lives Matter.

RIP Ralph Peterson Jr.

Drum legend Ralph Peterson Jr. died earlier today (March 1) after a six year battle with cancer.

He was 58.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and many friends in the jazz world

May he Rest In Peace

Lance

DownBeat obituary.

Album review: Celeste – Not Your Muse

This album is available in every format known to man excluding minidisc, i.e. CD, extended CD, vinyl, alternative tracks vinyl, coloured vinyl, cassette, streaming and various bundles of the above. You pays your money and takes your choice as some formats have as few as eight tracks and others have up to twenty one. I have the extended CD with 21 tracks.

Celeste was the BBC's ‘Sound of 2020’ choice and won a ‘Rising Star’ award at the Brits. Previous ‘Sound of’ winners include Singer/Songwriter Adele and professional mitherer Sam Smith.

Kansas in March

Kansas Smitty's here I come!

Russell

Jazz on track

Today's i newspaper reports of a forthcoming BBC Radio 2 show in which former 1500m Olympic champion Seb Coe, now Lord Coe, will talk about his love of jazz and the influence it had on him when competing at the highest level.

Read here.

Lance

Overnight success for Ma Rainey & Billie Holiday

Ma Rainey and Billie Holiday have been honoured at the 78th Golden Globe Awards. To be precise, the overnight ceremony in America included awards for the late Chadwick Boseman (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) and Andra Day (The United States vs Billie Holiday). The Golden Globes were delayed a couple of months due to the pandemic. The late Chadwick Boseman won Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama for his role as Levee Green opposite Viola Davis' Ma Rainey (Davis was a nominee). Andra Day won Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama for her portrayal of Billie Holiday. 

Russell