Mini-Big Band at the The Customs House, South Shields, Wednesday May 30

Is this the most unusual band line-up of the year?

Yes, this must surely be it, a very odd but fascinating band! A pianist who also sang, a flute, clarinet (ok so far); but also a baritone horn, a steel pan, and two women singers. This was part of a special concert to celebrate 50 years of Amnesty International.

Dionne Warwick @ The Sage

Dionne Warwick (vcl); Jeff Lewis (dms); Danny De Morales (bs); Todd Hunter (keys); Sam ? (perc); ?? (pno md).South Bank Sinfonia Strings.

Looking much younger than her 72 years (mind you I was back in row P) the diva celebrating 50 years in show business gave a polished and entertaining performance. The hits came tumbling out - there were many and I remembered every one of them!

Walk On By; Anyone Who Had a Heart; You'll Never Get to Heaven if You Break my Heart (honestly!); I'll Never Fall in Love Again (the magnificent rhyming of pneumonia with phone ya!); This Girls in Love With You; Say a Little Prayer For Me; Alfie; Heartbreaker (we all sang along on that one!) Do You Know The Way to San José? What The World Needs Now and so on.

Hall One was close to capacity and at the end the lady was awarded a deserved standing ovation. It wasn't jazz but we didn't expect it to be. It was quality pop singing that will perhaps encourage me to dig out my vinyl.

Lance.

Alexander Stewart w. Alex Webb Trio @ The Sage.

Alexander Stewart (vcl); Alex Webb (pno); Gary Crosby (bs); Andy Chapman (dms).
(Review by Lance)

I felt that the support act to Ms Warwick deserved more than the typical ...earlier on so and so opened the show etc.. this was a strong performance in its own rights.

Stewart is often compared with Michael Bublé and there are similarities. However, just as there once were and still are a thousand Sinatra clones - of which Bublé once was one - the Canadian has now found his own voice and Alexander Stewart is pretty damn close to finding his.

Match and Fuse - WORLDSERVICE Project’s bigger bang

Free festival
15 & 16 June 2012
13 bands from 8 countries
the Vortex, Gillett Square, Dalston N16

WorldService Project have been tearing a path through the UK scene and with their ambitious initiative of Match & Fuse joint adventures in music, in touring exchanges with the brightest, dirtiest young European and Scandinavian bands since September last year. With 4 bi-monthly collaborations already and 1 on the go, in June they kick it up a level, bringing it all together in London for 2 free-for-all days… the first Match & Fuse festival. Powered by the musicians themselves, Match & Fuse has rapidly grown into an open collective with a 5 year plan of tours and festivals: 2012 London; 2013 Oslo; 2014 Rome…

Drummer seeks band

Dave Brown a Bishop Auckland based drummer is looking for jazz gigs. Contact Dave on 07746 101395.

Troyka @ The Central Bar, Gateshead. May 29

Chris Montague (guitar), Kit Downes (organ) & Josh Blackmore (drums)
(Review by Russell)

Schmazz at the Cluny on the South Side! A one-off relocation south of the Tyne to the Central Bar in Gateshead to present Troyka paid dividends - a full house, no less. Well, it helped that guitarist Chris Montague, a Gateshead lad, had the Montague Clan (grand mother et al) in attendance to lend support in numbers. The trio arrived late due to the band bus (aka humble car) breaking down en route to Tyneside. It was agreed to play one long set rather than the regulation two sets. On a warm night make-shift fans were fanned, brows mopped, beers quaffed.

The Sage is number 2 Concert Venue.

LondonJazz lists the the UK's top 100 concert venues (compiled by PRS).

The Sage, Gateshead, is up there at number 2, with Newcastle's 02 Academy number 8 (there are three 02 venues in the top 8), Customs House, South Shields, is 59 and Darlington Arts Centre is in at 80 which is ironic as it is soon to close owing to lack of funding.

London's South Bank Centre tops the list.

Talking about The Sage, don't miss Dionne Warwick there tomorrow night - not least because the support act is Alexander Stewart backed by the Alex Webb Trio.

Lance.

Scarborough Jazz Festival

The full Scarborough Jazz Festival Brochure is now available and this - the tenth - looks to be a good one.

Keep the weekend of Sept. 28-30 free it's a must be there event.

Compered as ever by Alan Barnes the list of performers include Claire Martin, Martin Taylor, NYJO, Abram Wilson, Gareth Williams, Darius Brubeck, Matt Wates, Tim Garland, Sarah Ellen Hughes' Sector 7, to name but a few.

In between sets, in the bar, the Jim Birkett Trio will be present with perhaps a guest or two sitting in. Possibly because of the informality of these sessions guitarist Birkett has dropped James in favour of Jim which augurs well for some nice swinging relaxed jazz guitar.

Once again organiser Mike Gordon has delivered the goods all it needs now is for folks to buy tickets which they can do by following this link.

Lance.

Bird Lives - in Hong Kong

Meanwhile - over in Hong Kong...
Thanks to Colin A for this poster.

The Andy Champion Ensemble @ The Bridge Hotel. May 27

Andy Champion (double bass), Alex Leathard (trombone), Graeme Wilson (tenor & alto saxophones), Paul Edis (piano) & Adrian Tilbrook (drums) + Zoe Gilby (vocals)

In January Splinter at the Bridge offered Noel Dennis the chance to play the music of Miles Davis. The initiative was rewarded with a good turn-out on a bitterly cold night. Fast forward to early summer and another good crowd gathered to hear the music of Charles Mingus. 

Andy Champion picked a few familiar Mingus tunes and asked a few of his musician friends to play them. Better Git It in Your Soul and Pithecanthropus Erectus were given the perfect treatment; Alex Leathard (trombone) and reeds virtuoso Graeme Wilson pitched their solos just right, the rhythm section cooked and on cue the ensemble roared (Mingus-like). The spirit of Mingus and his sidemen – Dannie Richmond, Booker Ervin, Jimmy Knepper, Horace Parlan et al – was in the air throughout two most enjoyable sets. 

The mocking rage of Fables of Faubus and the beauty of Orange Was the Color of Her Dress, Then Blue Silk sketched a portrait of Mingus; the colossal angry presence, the prolific composer, the performer, the man. Was this an exercise in nostalgia? Not at all. This was great music played by some great musicians. Oh, yes - we did get a bit of nostalgia – Nostalgia in Times Square. Oh, Yeah!

Russell

Info on Green Festival wanted.

Can anyone confirm band times for the Newcastle Green Festival in Leazes Park this weekend. I know the Northern Brass Monkey's Band - sorry the Northern Monkey's Brass Band (nee Horn Dogs - they're nee more) are on Sunday at 4:30pm.

Lance.

Corner House Tonight.

Gordon McGregor, clarinet, soprano and alto sax, joins the Vieux Carré Jazzmen tonight at the Corner House, Heaton Road, Newcastle. Showtime 8.30pm; entry £3.00 at the door - and the good news is that the function room bar will be open from tonight and in the future - green shoots of recovery, eh!

Brian B.

Wherever Ye Gan You're Sure to Find a Roly

It's all happening for The Blaydon Aces (Roly Veitch (left), gtr/bjo/vcl, and James Birkett, gtr/bjo) - not only are they appearing tonight at The Cherry Tree (who knows but that they may have Stottie Cake on the menu), The Lit and Phil on June 13 and a revised version of their popular CD Gan Canny featuring original versions of Tyneside songs has been re-released but Roly Veitch will also be interviewed on Radio Newcastle today between 4pm and 5:30pm on the Jon Harle/Anne Leuchar's Drivetime programme - it's 45.20 in.

Okay so it's not jazz but the CD includes some original material and the accompaniment and solos by the two guitarists are worth listening to even if you were born within the sound of Bow Bells!

Lance..

Composer of the Week

Irving Berlin is Composer of the Week. Radio 3, starting today at 12 noon (repeated at 6:30 pm), Monday to Friday.
Russell.

The Groove-A-Matics @ The Magnesia Bank, North Shields/ CD Review "Gotta Use What You've Got"

John Whitehill (gtr); Mick Cantwell (vcl/ten/hca); "Crutch"? (bs); Barry Race (dms). (Photo courtesy of Amanda Morgan).

Winners of the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival Battle of the Blues Competition, the G-A-Ms warmed up with a storming gig prior to their appearance at the actual festival which is held in New Brunswick, Canada, in September.

Regular bass guitarist John Morgan is incapacitated - the reason some previous gigs were cancelled - but dep "Crutch" ensured that this show went on.

Barry Race stokes things up with a relentless, almost hypnotic beat as saxist, harpist, vocalist Mick Cantwell delivers the poetry to a melange of Rock 'n' Roll, Rhythm 'n' Blues, Funk 'n' Soul, "Baby done me wrong" songs interspersed with King Curtis tenor blasts.  Close your eyes and you done left North Shields for the South Side of Chicago and you're listening to Muddy Waters or even Louis Jordan.

On guitar one of those local legends - John Whitehill - proves that he still has it. Blistering blues lines, chordal thrashes and a variety of original compositions that hold their own alongside the covers.

A good gig that, if you missed it or can't make it to Canada in September, can be re-created by grabbing a copy of their CD Gotta Use What You've Got.

Lance.

Diamond Jubilee Jazz Picnic @ Great Whittington

Ray Shenton and his amazing Victory V Jazzmen will be providing the Trad Jazz for Great Whittington's Diamond Jubilee Jazz Picnic on Sunday 3rd June 2012 from 12 noon onwards. The Picnic/Street party will be held in the garden of the repaired Village Hall and the band will play from a covered trailer in the field opposite. Entry is £6 for adults, £2 for kids, under 2's free and just bring a plate of food per person for sharing for the party. There will be a bar providing very reasonably priced drinks. Bring a folding chair just in case we run out of chairs.

The band line up will be John Cowan, trumpet, Jim McBriarty,clarinet, Iain Macaulay, trombone Davies Wilson, banjo, Peter Shenton Bass, Olly Rillands, drums and Ray Shenton on piano and harmonica, together with surprise guests.

Come and celebrate the Diamond Jubilee in style in the beautiful Village of Great Whittington

Ray Shenton.

Wylam Music Course on Great American Songbook

5 study classes at Wylam Institute starts 9:30 a.m. Tuesday 16th October, 2012. 

The popular American Songbook was one of the glories of the 20th Century, now sometimes dismissed as “easy listening” or “show tunes”.

The new 1920s, 30s, 40s, 50s songs of Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers - first written for sheet music, records, theatre, radio, movies – proved enduring for all time.

The lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein, Ira Gershwin, Johnny Mercer, were rich in a word play of everyday speech, flip and witty.

What's in a Name?

For reasons best known to themselves Horn Dogs, that excellent 8 piece New Orleans Marching Funk Brass Band, has changed its name to The Northern Monkey Brass Band.

I'm sure there is some deep underlying logic behind this - is there a band of the same name (Horn Dogs) in New Orleans threatening to sue? Even so it isn't a name that grabs me - I suppose Monkey rhyming with funky might have some PR possibilities but sorry Graham I'm going to have to wait for this one to grow on me.

Mind you, I said the same about Gerry Dorsey when he changed his name and look how he ended up!

Lance.

Randy Brecker w. SNJO and Edinburgh Schools Jazz Orchestra, Queen's Hall, Edinburgh May 25.

Randy Brecker (tpt) w. SNJO - Ryan Quigley, Tom MacNiven, Cameron Jay, Lorne Cowieson (tpts); Chris Greive, Phil O'Malley, Kevin Garrity, Michael Owers (tmbs); Martin Kershaw, Paul Towndrow (alt); Tommy Smith (MD), Konrad Wiszniewski (ten); Bill Fleming (bar); Steve Hamilton (pno/keys); Kevin Glasgow (bs); Kevin Mackenzie (gtr); Alyn Cosker (dms).

This was an incredible evening - a living legend in the form of Randy Brecker, arguably the world's best big band and a youthful ensemble that may one day be playing with them.

The big picture was a tribute to the late Michael Brecker, younger brother of tonight's headliner. All compositions were by Michael Brecker and the variety and the authoritativeness of his writing showed just why he'd won so many Grammys. Big brother Randy displayed an awesome technique both open horned and muted as well as by occasionally incorporating various effects units. Not that this was a case of USA 5 Scotland 1.

Far from it.

Deep Joy Quartet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. Friday 25 May

Paul Dunmall (tenor & soprano saxophones, pipes), Paul Rogers (double bass), Mark Sanders (drums) & Miles Levin (drums)

Drummer Tony Levin died some fifteen months ago. A stalwart of the British modern jazz scene and for many years a committed participant on the European free jazz scene, Deep Joy would have won his approval. Formed to celebrate Levin’s legacy, the musicians hold him in the highest regard. Reeds virtuoso Paul Dunmall and bassist Paul Rogers worked with Levin for many years, notably in Mujiician. Indeed the free-jazz group with Levin behind the traps played a final concert a little more than 100 metres from the Central Bar in Gateshead Old Town Hall before he became too ill to continue working.

Jazz Bar Quartet @ Jazz Bar, Edinburgh. Thursday May 24.

Colin Steele (tpt); Brian Kellock (pno); Ed Kelly (bs); Bill Kyle (dms).

This quartet of stalwarts was put together at the last minute ye,t from bar one, it sounded as if they had been playing together for years!

Colin Steele, last heard in the role of Chet Baker in the play A Funny Valentine, has absorbed much of the tragic American's style. Steele knows his barriers and doesn't attempt to vault them instead works well within them. So many lyrical phrases - and with a tone to die for - made his playing a delight to listen to. On piano, Brian Kellock is right up there with them - there may be better pianists but, off hand, I can't think of any. On bass and drums, Kelly and Kyle kicked  things along swinging like crazy when insanity was called for - Sonnymoon For Two - soothing and tender when gentle cajoling was required such as on the beautiful Blame it on my Youth.

Other moments to treasure were When Lights Are Low, Tangerine, Black Orpheus and But Not For Me which endeth the first lesson.

I'd like to have hung around for the second set but the number 31 bus beckoned.

Nice to meet Kieren Alexander - an Australian - who has sent me some excellent photos of the gig - one of  which is on this page with another three to add - thank you Kieren.
Photos by Kieren (first 4).
Lance.

Dennis Rollins’ Velocity Trio @ The Sage. Thursday 24 May

Dennis Rollins (trombone & electronics), Ross Stanley (organ) & Pedro Segundo (drums)

(Review by Russell)

The Sage Gateshead’s cockpit theatre Hall Two welcomed Dennis Rollins’ latest project featuring in-demand organist Ross Stanley and the much-heralded young drummer Pedro Segundo. Stanley, first to solo (Samba Galactica), met expectations with some smokin’ grooves and a Rollins’ composition – Emergence (Time-Come) – inspired by the revered organist Larry Young set the gig on the right course. 

Stanley and drummer Segundo brew up the proverbial on one tune after another. Rollins’ Caribbean roots became evident in a Bob Marley influenced number - Ujamma - not dissimilar to Jammin’.  

Tommy Smith and SNJO Funding.

As the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra prepares for tonight's Tribute to Michael Brecker concert at Edinburgh's Queen's Hall leader Tommy Smith spoke out against funding cuts which threaten his and the orchestra's future.

The Scotsman article. 

The mini-tour which features Michael Brecker's brother Randy Brecker began last night in Lanark and continues after Edinburgh to Glasgow and Kirkaldy.

Lance.

Melody Maker Update

At last the new link, and so sorry for the mess around, the Melody Maker's now have a new page, and for anyone who would like to ask any questions about the papers here is an e-mail.melodymaker1926@gmail.com
Melody Makers 1920s - 1960s. (over a 1000 pages of jazz and dance music news).
Colin.

Third Granddaughter for Bobby Carr.

James Carr, son of the legendary trumpet player Bobby Carr who is never far from these pages, reports that his (James') partner Gemma gave birth on May 12 to a baby girl - Lily. If Bobby had still been with us this would have been his third granddaughter.

Congratulations!

Lance.

Revised Date For Cancelled Sage Session

As many of you will be aware last night's advertised concert at The Sage  Exploring Music - The Great American Songbook with James Birkett and Katherine Zeserson didn't take place owing to Ms. Zeserson being taken ill late afternoon.

However, a replacement session has been arranged for Wednesday June 20 which will help to alleviate the disappointment felt by Gasbook enthusiasts.

Lance.

D Day Approaches - Daryl's UK Concert Dates

Greetings from Manhattan!

I hope this finds you well and in the swing. My annual 'nooks and crannies' tour is approaching soon. Realize it's tricky in summer but I really look forward to seeing you (all) again if possible. Lucky to book some different spots this year so I'll get to see more of your fine country.

warm regards,

Daryl

JAZZ BRINGS SUMMER TO DURHAM

Two acclaimed musicians who call Durham home will be performing “Jazz on a Summer’s Night” in the City on Saturday 9th June at 7.30 pm. The venue is St Chad’s College on the North Bailey; the tickets cost £12 (concessions £8, students £5) and are available from the Gateway World Shop in St Nick’s Church, Durham Market Place, or on the door.

Prize-winning pianist Paul Edis, who grew up in Durham and attended St Leonard’s School, is recognised as an outstanding young British musician. He will accompany the astounding American vocalist Sandi Russell, who was born in New York City but now makes her home in Durham City. 

A regular performer at London venues such as Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express and the Southbank Centre, Sandi has also appeared at the Gala, the Sage and Northern Stage, but this is a rare opportunity to hear her so close to home. More information about Sandi Russell can be found on her website (given below).

Paul has toured with Sandi’s much-praised one-woman show Render Me My Song (based on her book about African American women writers). He performed with his trio at the first Durham Jazz Festival in 2010, when Sandi appeared with a line-up including Alan Barnes and Alec Dankworth to give a performance that the Newcastle-based critic Lance Liddle described as “Astonishing! This was Tina Turner meets Dee Dee Bridgewater with a touch of Ella and Sassy and a Covent Garden coloratura thrown in.”

On Safari in Pink Lane.

You should have been in Jazz Café on Sunday! Three young Chinese students (girls) screamed "It's a bat!" It wasn't of course, it was a very large Queen Bee. The bee settled between the back of the bench seat and the window. 

Enter the Great White Hunter - Keith Crombie. Alas, even his attempts to encase the enormous insect inside a pint glass failed and it looked like Rentakill or a Rapid Response Squad (they know where the Jazz Café is) may have had to be called in. However, a very brave student managed to get the honeybearer into the glass and whip a CD over the top to stop it escaping whereupon it was subsequently released into the wild - Pink Lane.

When one of the girls said "What happens if it tries to get back in"? Crombie said that he wouldn't let it in as it didn't have a student's union card. 

There are moments when KC does have a sense of humour.

Lance.

PS: I've re-posted it here for the benefit of those not on Facebook.

Tommy Smith (on Facebook).

Randy Brecker is in town - we [SNJO] start work tomorrow on the following music, all composed by the great Michael Brecker, in preparation for our Scottish Tour: 
The Meantime arr. Gil Goldstein
Strap-Hangin arr. Vince Mendoza
Sumo arr. Dave Stamps
Peep arr. Fred Stride
Itsbynne Reel arr. Chuck Owen
Song For Barry arr. Rich Shemaria
Slings & Arrows arr. Vince Mendoza
Never Alone arr. Fred Stride
African Skies arr. Tony Kadleck
M&B arr. Mike Holober
Madame Toulouse arr. Mark Lopeman
Sea Glass arr. Tommy Smith
First date is in LANARK this THURSDAY 7:30pm Greyfriars Kirk
Tommy Smith.
All concerts.

Graham Hardy w. Paul Edis Trio @ The Cherry Tree.

Graham Hardy (tpt/flug); Paul Edis (pno); Neil Harland (bs); Rob Walker (dms).

After his recent incarceration with the Vieux Carré Jazzmen I feared that Hardy may have become a born again revivalist with a Mutt Carey vibrato and a beard. Fortunately, he came through unscathed retaining his Art Farmer, Lee Morgan, Nat Adderley approach although he has added Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans to his repertoire - a number that featured him very effectively using a plunger mute - shades of Cootie Williams. 

Although not Edis' regular trio the unit blended well together on numbers such as My Romance, Stomping at the Savoy, Like Someone in Love, Work Song, the Ellington/Strayhorn piece of exotica Isfahan and the un-deconstructed version of Moanin' (see Matt Anderson Quartet Second Set.)

Whilst sitting in this musical heaven I was waited on by handmaidens bearing Shredded Crispy Duck Salad, Sesame and Soy; Navarin of Spring Lamb with Young Vegetables; and Elderflower and Ginger Jelly, Marinated Watermelon and Strawberries.

And if this wasn't Shangri-la enough, I discovered that the 33A bus from outside of the restaurant links up in town  with the good old number 27.

Next week it's a celebration of 150 years of the Blaydon Races featuring the Blaydon Aces (Roly Veitch and James Birkett).

Lance.

Alan Barnes/Greg Abate Quintet @ Corner House, Newcastle July 12.

Alan Barnes (alto); Greg Abate (tenor); Stu Collingwood (piano); Mick Shoulder (bass); Adam Sinclair (drums)

When we discovered the US sax player Greg Abate last July we just knew we had to put him together with the UK star Alan Barnes. They are a perfect fit and guaranteed to provide North East lovers of mainstream jazz with a great night's entertainment. They were so keen to renew an acquaintance they made some years ago that both agreed to fit in this one-off Northern appearance in the middle of a hectic festival season in the south. Don't miss the chance to hear them.

Backing them are two thirds of the Paul Edis Trio - Paul himself will be at one of Alan's stop-offs, the Swanage Festival, with ACV. He's replaced by one of the North East's most experienced keyboard players.

Capacity at the Corner House is limited so we recommend you to buy your tickets early and avoid disappointment : Alan Barnes has a tendency to fill venues, particularly in the company of such an illustrious front line partner. Tickets are on sale now at J.G.Windows in the Central Arcade, Newcastle.

CORNER HOUSE HOTEL

Heaton Road, Newcastle NE6 5RP

Tickets £12.00 Full Price; £10.00 Concessions; £5.00 Students

Available now at J.G.Windows Music Store, Central Arcade, (Connects Grey Street, Market St., and Grainger St.)  Newcastle. Tel.0191 232 1356. 8:00pm.

Dave Clark

Jazz North East.

Matt Anderson Quartet - Second Set

And so to the second set. Free into Edinburgh, a tune written by guitarist Aubin Vanns, was in the pad the last time the band made it to Newcastle and it was good to hear it again. For one so young Vanns is a most accomplished musician. An intro recalling the majestic playing of Martin Taylor gave little indication of what was to come. Matt Anderson’s tenor work evolved into an intense, yet restrained, post Coltrane sound freeing Vanns to construct yet another immaculate solo. Anderson’s Sfumato (inspired by Leonardo da Vinci) featured first the composer, then Vanns, followed by the superb drummer Sam Gardener. A standard – Moanin’ – was a real surprise. The Blakey drive, press rolls and all were stripped out. Which one of them would take on Lee Morgan’s killer intro? Ha! None of them. This was the coolest deconstruction of one of the great tunes. I don’t know…a young quartet daring to play as they did, secure in their abilities, trusting of one another, a collective sense of time (check out Sam Gardener) – what a band! 

A couple of Anderson originals – The Frozen Ocean and The Song Thief - closed out the set. Bassist John Marley featured on the penultimate number and the last tune of the night highlighted the beautifully modulated work of tenor and guitar. The boys return to the Bridge next month working in a seven piece band led by the fantastic vocalist Kate Peters. Whatever is on the telly that night forget it (record it if you must), you can listen to your Charlie Parker CDs some other time, just make sure you get to the Bridge Hotel on Sunday 10 June to hear the Kate Peters Septet.
Moanin'

Russell

The Matt Anderson Quartet @ The Bridge First Set.

Matt Anderson (ten); Aubin Vanns (gtr); John Marley (bs); Sam Gardner (dms).

This was another WTFWY? gig at The Bridge. The Anderson Quartet play it with a Frigidaire coolness that belies the fire burning at the heart of their compositions and they deserved to be heard by more than the scant few who tackled the stairs to the upper room of this historic pub.

Blues for Wayne (Shorter) got things rolling before kicking in with a couple of pieces from Anderson's specially commissioned Songs of the Ridings - first heard (by me) at last year's Scarborough Jazz Festival - Cold Spell and The Hermitage.

I'd liked to have hung around for the second set but circumstances decreed otherwise. However, co-pilot Russell did and his report follows soon.
Photos.

Lance.

Gig preview: Dennis Rollins’ Velocity Trio @ The Sage Gateshead May 24

(Preview by Russell).
Badbone man Dennis Rollins is a busy man with a busy schedule. The trombone funk master stops-off in Gateshead later this week with his Velocity Trio. The band features Rollins with Hammond star Ross Stanley and the sensational young Portuguese drummer Pedro Segundo. 

Rollins boasts an impressive pedigree; early recognition came as a member of the famed Doncaster Youth Jazz Association which led to an offer from Bill Ashton to continue his jazz education in the ranks of the institution that is the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Rollins’ jazz funk approach led to professional engagements with the seminal big band outfit Jazz Warriors, UK superstar Courtney Pine (a recent and frequent visitor to The Sage Gatesehead), a see-the-world tour with Jamiroquai, funking it up with funksters US3, soul jazz funksters the Brand New Heavies and by no means least his on-going association with the one and only Maceo Parker.

Get Well Soon Paul Grainger

Just wondering how Paul Grainger's doing - anybody know? He went in for an op on his heel earlier this month and I haven't heard any more apart from the fact that it could be, literally six weeks before he gets back on his feet. Bass players like Paul shouldn't be allowed indispositions - they're too precious.
So if someone can keep me informed, or if Paul reads this, let us know how he's doing.
Get well soon Paul - rhythm sections need you.
Lance.

Deco Heart @ The Lit and Phil. Friday May 18.

Lucian Ban (piano); Mat Maneri (viola).

(Review by Russell).

New York’s Downtown scene offers the listener a seemingly endless choice of first rate musicians to get to know and sometimes love. Romanian pianist Lucian Ban, resident in the Big Apple, first appeared on Bebop Spoken Here’s radar last year when he visited The Sage with his Enescu project. Ban and the stellar line-up of musicians in tow gave a gig of the year performance. One of the string players in the band was viola player Mat Maneri. He was known to north east audiences having visited Newcastle on several occasions.

Sweet and Hot on June 4.

John Carstairs Hallam's Sweet and Hot Orchestra are "coming out of the woodwork" for the Queen's Jubilee. The Orchestra was founded in 1993 to play Vintage Big Band Jazz and Dance Music from the late 20's to the early 40's. The band's library is extensive, with about 400 numbers in "the book" and another 5000+ in the garage! 

In recent years the full-size band has given place to a smaller unit, due to the cost of up to 14 musicians. However, nothing less than a Big Band would do for the Queen's Jubilee.

A 12-piece band (reeds: Alan Marshall, Gavin Lee, Jim McBriarty, Sue Ferris; brass: Mick Hill, Alan Smith, Neville Hartley, Don Fairley; pno: Brian Chester; gtr : Roly Veitch; bass : John Carstairs Hallam; dms: Ian Forbes) plus vocalist Ruth Lambert will be playing at the re-opening of the restored Tynemouth Station on Monday June 4.

CD Review: Clara Ponty "Into The Light"

Clara Ponty (piano and vocals) various musicians, and featuring Jean-Luc Ponty and Nigel Kennedy (violins) 

Lyrics mostly by Mike McGurk.  Produced and Arranged by Stuart Bruce and Clara Ponty.

(Review by Ann Alex.)

This is a hard-to-classify CD, it isn’t out and out jazz as there’s not a lot of improvising, (at least I think not) but it’s very pleasing to listen to and I suspect that it will grow in interest the more you play it. The songs would go well with a sub-titled French film, songs that sound more lightweight than they really are, sung in a light sweet voice, with every word crystal clear. To call the music rock or pop isn’t adequate, and the sleeve notes mention elements of pop, jazz, classical, Celtic, West African and folk, as well as influences of such as Debussy and Steve Reich, though I didn’t hear any hints of that latter avant-garde composer.

Watson, Walker and Edis - Lunchtime gig at the Lit and Phil.

This trio first performed a one-off set as part of the ‘Jazzathon’ at the Lit and Phil in 2011 to great acclaim, and indeed it was later voted ‘best gig of the year’ by local jazz blog Bebop Spoken Here.

All three musicians were keen to continue collaborating and to explore the many possibilities of this new ‘baseless-trio’.

With an ever expanding portfolio of compositions, an abundance of technique, innate sensitivity and interaction, the trio draw upon a wealth of experience and influences to perform original and moving music with improvisation and expression at its heart.

Paul Edis – Piano

Rob Walker – Drums

Lewis Watson – Saxophone

Friday June 8. Literary and Philosophical Society, Westgate Rd., Newcastle. 1:10pm-2:00pm. £5/£3. 

Ray Dales' Quartet @ Hoochie Coochie. Thursday May 17.

Ray Dales (alt); Jeremy McMurray (pno); Peter Ayton (bs); Richard Brown (dms).

If  these Teessiders were footballers Middlesbrough would be in the Premier League!

Ray Dales is a sharp-shooting, sure-footed, alto-saxist who soars Birdlike through the changes. Nice round sound with lots of technique that allows the ideas to flow.

On keys, Jeremy McMurray also displays a deft, almost classical, touch using all of the 88 (or in this case 72) notes available. The piano is pounded into submission and the instrument doesn't object at all - just gives an orgiastic moan of musical pleasure.

Peter Ayton fertilizes the growth with bass guitar lines that complement and inspire whilst on drums Richard continues to demonstrate the art of making any rhythm swing.

And there were many rhythms tonight - Calypso, Mambo, Samba, Bossa to name but some.

That this was one of the lesser populated Hoochie gigs was no reflection on the band - those stay away jazz people don't know what they missed (are missing) on a rainy Thursday night in Newcastle.

Next week it's The (New) Narrators.
Lance.