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Jazz Alert is a great mailing list which gives a humorous as well as accurate guide to forthcoming jazz events in the region. It is compiled by Paul Bream. To receive 'Jazz Alert' direct to your in-box each week, send an email to info@jazznortheast.co.uk giving 'Jazz Alert' as the subject. I will drop my copy here as they arrive.
Schmazz is a concert series set up by Keith Morris, a local jazz composer and player who was tragically killed by a teenager in a car nearly two years ago. For original jazz it is the place to be. See www.schmazz.co.uk for more information.
Jazz North East is the UK's longest established grant-aided jazz promoter, who have been putting on concerts by leading national and international musicians since 1966. There are listings and artist profiles on their site: www.jazznortheast.co.uk
Jazz Action is "an agency for the development of jazz throughout the North" and it does just that. For more info about the work they do and the Voice of the North Jazz Orchestra see their site www.jazzaction.co.uk.
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THIS WEEK’S GIGS
Only four gigs all week, and two of them have to be on Thursday night! They are equally tempting, so jazz fans could be in the situation of Buridan’s Ass, which, finding itself equidistant between two piles of hay, was immobilized by indecision and thus starved to death.
Time to toss a coin?
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Take it to the Bridge presents
LAURIE BROWN + JAM SESSION
Wednesday 19th August | 8.30pm
The Chillingham | Chillingham Road | Newcastle
Admission £1.00
It takes a fair degree of dedication to lug a set of vibes up the stairs at the Chilli, but that’s what Laurie Brown has started to do on a fairly regular basis, sitting in with Dave Weisser and the rest of the ‘Take it to the Bridge’ crowd. The vibes aren’t as central to modern jazz as they were for a period in the 1950s and ‘60s, but young players like Jim Hart at spearheading something of a revival, so it’s great that Laurie has dusted off his set to bring an added dimension to the Chilli sessions.
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Blaydon Jazz Club presents
PAUL EDIS / ROLY VEITCH QUARTET
Roly Veitch (guitar & vocals); Paul Edis (piano); Neil Harland (bass); Billy Shield (drums)
Thursday 20th August | 8.30pm
Blaydon CIU Club Garden Street | Blaydon NE21 4AG
Admission £4.00 on the door
This is effectively the regular Blaydon house band with Paul Edis replacing regular pianist Jeremy McMurray. Yet with Paul now becoming such a distinctive voice on the North East scene, it’s being advertised (rightly, in my view) as a co-led quartet. It’s also billed as a “one-off get together”, but if the mix works as well as I anticipate, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it turn up elsewhere. So if you get along tonight, you’ll be either (i) in at the beginning of a great new group, or (ii) witness to a unique occasion. Either way it’s worth four quid.
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HORN DOGS
John Wheeler (tenor sax); Graham Hardy & Alastair Lord (trumpets);
Don Fairley & Eddie Bellis (trombones); Paul Susans (sousaphone); Alex Tustin (snare drum); Brendan Murphy (bass drum & percussion)
Thursday 20th August | 8.00pm
Bridge Hotel | Castle Garth | Newcastle
Tickets £3.00 on the door
An earlier ‘Jazz Alert’ carried Graham Hardy’s appeal for a trombonist to join this band, so I don’t know whether to feel proprietorial or guilty about its arrival on the scene. Their unheralded debut was in Bishop Auckland as part of the Durham Brass Festival, and they’re now unveiling their wares to an unsuspecting Newcastle audience at the Bridge Hotel. Drawing on the traditions of the New Orleans marching bands - there has to be some excuse for the sousaphone - as updated by the likes of the Dirty Dozen and Rebirth Brass Bands, funk and groove are more prominent in the mix than jazz. But there’s space for improvisation in many of their charts (and the musicians to take advantage of it), so this could be a thoroughly entertaining gig.
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MIDDLESBROUGH JAZZ & BLUES ORCHESTRA SAX QUARTET
Sunday 23rd August | 1.30pm
Albert Park | Middlesbrough
Free
Yet another sub-set of the Jazz & Blues Orchestra, letting the reeds men off the leash.
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'Jazz Alert' receives financial support from JazzAction, the regional jazz development agency <www.jazzaction.co.uk>, but responsibility for all views expressed rests with the compiler Paul Bream |
NEXT WEEK’S GIGS
Another extremely thin week, as modern jazz promoters continue with their annual hibernation (although Schmazz's two August promotions pulled in their biggest audiences of the year, which clearly contradicts the accepted wisdom that Summer gigs are doomed to failure).
The Harley Johnson Trio on Wednesday would be intriguing even in a busy week: in the absence of anything with a higher profile, it becomes indisputably the gig of the week.
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TEMPERANCE SEVEN
Tuesday 25th August | 7.30pm
Alnwick Playhouse | Bondgate Without | Alnwick NE66 1PQ
Tickets £16.50 | £15.50 concessions from 01665 510785
This kind of cod-jazz, a stilted and sanitized white version of the vital music being created by musicians in New Orleans and Chicago, was highly objectionable when it was originally created in the 1920s. Maybe I've had a humour bypass, but I don't find its survival into the 21st century, albeit as some kind of knowingly ironic joke, any more palatable.
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Bishop Auckland Jazz Record Society
‘HELLO CENTRAL, GIVE ME DOCTOR JAZZ’
Wednesday 26th August | 8.00pm
Ship Inn | Middlestone Village | Bishop Auckland DL14 8AB
Free admission
An evening of jazz recordings featuring all matters medical. Bring your own sample.
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Take it to the Bridge presents
HARLEY JOHNSON TRIO + JAM SESSION
Harley Johnson (keyboards); Jim Crinson (bass); Eric Stutt (drums)
Wednesday 26th August | 8.30pm
The Chillingham | Chillingham Road | Newcastle NE6 5XN
Admission £1.00
Young pianist Harley Johnson has made a number of highly impressive appearances at recent Chillingham jam sessions, but this is the first time he’s appeared with his own trio. He’s obviously a believer in jumping in at the deep end, as this gig is billed as a tribute to Thelonious Monk – but nobody seems in any doubt that Harley will successfully negotiate the rhythmic and harmonic intricacies of Monk’s music.
There are encouraging signs that Dave Weisser’s Wednesday night sessions are starting to fill the void left when the Side Café closed and the North East Jazz Collective lost their showcase Monday night gigs. The NEJC format was to have a named band play a set or two, with a jam session to follow, and that’s increasingly the pattern at the Chilli. When the bands are as promising as tonight’s offering, it’s a development that can only be applauded.
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VIEUX CARRE JAZZMEN
Friday 28th August | 7.30pm
The Boardwalk Restaurant | Watts Slope | Whitley Bay NE26 1BQ
Tickets £12.00 from 0191 251 1988
Billed as a Bank Holiday Trad Party & Hot Buffet.
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MIDDLESBROUGH JAZZ & BLUES ORCHESTRA
Sunday 30th August | 2.00pm
Ropner Park | Stockton
Free
The whole orchestra assembles for the Summer’s final free offering. There are many worse ways to spend Sunday afternoon.
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IT’S THE ‘SCHMAZZ FACTOR’
Mention of young musicians at the Chillingham jam sessions reminds me that promoters Schmazz, who have always been keen to encourage local jazz, are planning a ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition at the Cluny on 4th November. It will be open to new regional bands, with the first prize being the chance to play a live gig at the Sage. There will also be prizes for best composition and best individual performance.
Entries, or expressions of interest, are invited from bands which are “relatively new to the northern scene, unsigned to any record label and playing mainly original pieces, with a strong element of improvisation”. In the event of the organisers being swamped by applications, four bands will be selected (on the basis of submitted demos), with each playing a 30 minute set on the night.
Anybody wanting more information should contact Ian McCorry at <ian@mccorry.org>.
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SAVE THE EGYPT COTTAGE
Before they moved to the Chillingham, Dave Weisser’s weekly ‘Take it to the Bridge’ sessions spent a couple of years at the Egypt Cottage, a Newcastle pub with a long history of putting on music. When fondly remembered TV programme ‘The Tube’ was made at the adjacent Tyne Tees studios, it was to the Cottage that the musicians generally headed after the show – in fact many of the broadcast interviews were recorded in the pub. While those days are now long past, there has continued to be music both downstairs in the bar and upstairs in possibly the most characterful (or grottiest, depending on your concern for hygiene) function room of any Newcastle pub. Extreme Measures gave their first public performance there, and there have been many other great jazz gigs over the years.
But now this legendary venue is under threat from the forces of capitalism, in the shape of developers Buccleuch Properties. They acquired the Tyne Tees site for redevelopment several years ago, but have failed to come up with any spectacularly tasteless money-making schemes, so are now considering bulldozing the whole area – Egypt Cottage included - in order to avoid paying business rates. Doesn’t your heart just bleed for them?
An online campaign group has been set up to try to save the pub: you can join the group, and find out more about how things are progressing, by going to <http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=235479725182>
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'Jazz Alert' receives welcome financial support from JazzAction, but irate Temperance Seven enthusiasts should direct their euphonious blasts towards compiler Paul Bream. |
NEXT MONTH’S GIGS
The sound you can here is that of the jazz scene bestirring itself after the somnolence of Summer.
Some decent local groups early in the month, but for me things don’t
really hit their stride until the 12th, when there’s a choice of Andy
Sheppard at Lanercost Priory or the superb Anglo-American Michael
Janisch Quintet at Live Theatre. The latter is presented by Jazz North
East, whose recent programme has become increasingly adventurous,
although they head into entirely new territory on the 27th with a film
showing (Shirley Clarke’s cult documentary on Ornette Coleman)
preceding a gig by young improv stars Gannets – an inspired double bill.
Newcastle’s other main promoter, Schmazz, pitch in a couple of days
later with an intriguing gig from Scottish violinist Vicky Fifield and
her band Devotion, demonstrating that ‘Hot Club style’ is not the only
way to play great jazz on the fiddle.
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Ashington Jazz Club presents
MAINE STREET JAZZMEN
Wednesday 2nd September | 8.30pm
The Elephant | Newbiggin Road | Ashington NE63 0SZ
Admission £3.00
Take it to the Bridge presents
SCOTTY ADAIR – STEVE WHITFIELD DUO + JAM SESSION
Wednesday 2nd September | 8.30pm
The Chillingham | Chillingham Road | Newcastle NE6 5XN
Admission £1.00
NICK ROSS ORCHESTRA with MATTHEW FORD
‘Sounds of the Glenn Miller Era’
Thursday 3rd September | 7.30pm
Civic Theatre | Parkgate | Darlington DL1 1RR
Tickers £16.50 | £14.50 concessions from 01325 486555
NEW SQUADRONAIRES
Thursday 3rd September | 7.30pm
Middlesbrough Theatre | The Avenue | Linthorpe | Middlesbrough TS5 6SA
Tickets £16.00 | £14.00 concessions from 01642 815181
Saltburn Jazz Club presents
SPLINTER GROUP
Friday 4th September | 7.30pm
Saltburn Commuity Hall | Albion Terrace | Saltburn TS12 1NN
Tickets £7.00 from 01287 624622
Jazz at the Fell presents
VINTAGE HOT FIVE
Friday 4th September | 8.30pm
Gateshead Fell Cricket Club | Eastwood Gardens | Low Fell NE9 6JS
Information from 0191 262 3735
GIANTS OF JAZZ
Saturday 5th September | 2.00 – 4.00pm
Roker Park | Roker Terrace | Sunderland
Free
T J JOHNSON
Saturday 5th September | 10.00pm
Chain Bridge Honey Farm | Horncliffe | Berwick TD15 2XT
Information from 01289 386362
MIDDLESBROUGH JAZZ & BLUES DIXIELANDERS
Sunday 6th September | 2.00pm
Ropner Park | Stockton
Free
T J JOHNSON
Sunday 6th September | 4.00pm
Chain Bridge Honey Farm | Horncliffe | Berwick TD15 2XT
Information from 01289 386362
Take it to the Bridge presents
BUDVIVAR + JAM SESSION
Wednesday 9th September | 8.30pm
The Chillingham | Chillingham Road | Newcastle NE6 5XN
Admission £1.00
LOUNGE LIZARDS + JAM SESSION
Thursday 10th September | 8.00pm
Queen’s Hall | Beaumont Street | Hexham NE46 3LS
Tickets £3.00 on the door
Blaydon Jazz Club presents
BILLY HARPER QUARTET with FRANK BROOKER & ANNE DeVERE
Thursday 10th September | 8.30pm
Blaydon CIU Club Garden Street | Blaydon NE21 4AG
Admission £5.00 on the door
KEITH NICHOLS’ BLUE DEVILS with JEFF BARNHART
Friday 11th September | 8.00pm
Saville Exchange | Howard Street | North Shields
Tickets £11.00 | £10.00 concessions | £5.00 students from 0191 643 7093
ANDY SHEPPARD
+ HIP GRAFFITI
Saturday 12th September | 7.30pm
Lanercost Priory | Lanercost | Brampton | Cumbria
Tickets £15.00 from 016977 41829 or email lanercost@hotmail.co.uk
Jazz North East presents
MICHAEL JANISCH QUINTET
Saturday 12th September | 8.00pm
Live Theatre | Broad Chare | Quayside | Newcastle NE1 3DQ
Tickets £10.00 | £8.00 concessions from 0191 232 1232
Take it to the Bridge presents
ALAN GLEN TRIO + JAM SESSION
Wednesday 16th September | 8.30pm
The Chillingham | Chillingham Road | Newcastle NE6 5XN
Admission £1.00
ANNA REAY BAND
Thursday 17th September | 8.00pm
Queen’s Hall | Beaumont Street | Hexham NE46 3LS
Tickets £7.50 | £4.00 students from 01434 652477
Blaydon Jazz Club presents
BLAYDON JAZZ QUARTET with ROY WILLIAMS & JOHN HALLAM
Thursday 17th September | 8.30pm
Blaydon CIU Club Garden Street | Blaydon NE21 4AG
Admission £6.00 on the door
PHILLIP DYSON
“Ragtime and the Great American Songbook’
Friday 18th September | 7.30pm
Alnwick Playhouse | Bondgate Without | Alnwick NE66 1PQ
Tickets £14.00 | £13.00 concessions from 01665 510785
CLAIRE MARTIN
Saturday 19th September | 8.00pm
The Sage | Gateshead
Tickets £7.00 & £13.50 from 0191 443 4661
Trinity Jazz presents
RAE BROTHERS NEW ORLEANS JAZZ BAND
Saturday 19th September | 8.00pm
Trinity Church & Centre | Gosforth High Street | Gosforth NE3 4AG
Tickets £10.00 from 0191 285 6130
Bishop Auckland Jazz Record Society
THE FIRST TIME I EVER APPRECIATED …
Wednesday 23rd September | 8.00pm
Ship Inn | Middlestone Village | Bishop Auckland DL14 8AB
Free admission
WKM QUARTET
Friday 25th September
Jesmond Dene House | Jesmond Dene Road | Newcastle NE2 2EY
Reservations £37.50 from 0191 212 3000
ZOE GILBY
Friday 25th September | 8.00pm
Boardwalk Café | Watts Slope | Whitley Bay NE26 1BQ
Reservations from 0191 251 1988
JAZZ FOR EVERYONE
Sunday 26th September | 2.00pm
The Sage | Gateshead
Enrolment £12.00 from 0191 443 4661
JAZZ FOR EVERYONE JAM SESSION
Sunday 26th September | 6.00pm
The Sage | Gateshead
Free
KELLY JOE PHELPS
Saturday 26th September | 8.00pm
The Sage | Gateshead
Tickets £13.00 & £15.00 from 0191 433 4661
Jazz North East ‘On the Outside’ present
ORNETTE: MADE IN AMERICA
A Film by Shirley Clarke
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GANNETS
Sunday 27th September | 7.00pm (film) | 8.45pm (gig)
Star & Shadow Cinema
Tickets from Roots Music, or on the door
Film only - £4.00 | £3.00 concessions
Gig only - £7.00 | £4.00 concessions
Both - £10.00 | £6.00 concessions
ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO
Monday 28th September | 8.00pm
The Cluny | 36 Lime Street | Newcastle
Tickets £12.00 from 0191 230 4474
Schmazz @ the Cluny presents
VICKY FIFIELD & DEVOTION
Tuesday 29th September | 8.00pm
The Cluny | 36 Lime Street | Newcastle NE1 2PQ
Tickets £7.00 | £5.00 concessions | £3.00 students from 0191 230 4474
Take it to the Bridge presents
MO SCOTT – ROD SINCLAIR TRIO + JAM SESSION
Wednesday 30th September | 8.30pm
The Chillingham | Chillingham Road | Newcastle NE6 5XN
Admission £1.00
MATTHEW FORD & HIS BAND
Tribute to the Swing Legends
Wednesday 30th September | 7.30pm
The Customs House | Mill Dam | South Shields NE33 1ES
Tickets £10.00 | £9.00 concessions from 0191 454 1234
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NEW ORLEANS / DIXIELAND RESIDENCIES
The weekly 'Jazz Alert' by and large concentrates on gigs which are unique to the week in question - visits to the region by national or international stars, one-off gigs by local musicians, etc.
But an ever-present on the scene are the numerous residencies for bands working in the New Orleans or Dixieland styles that get broadly lumped together as 'traditional jazz'. I don't normally list them in the 'Alert', but I do try every now and then to remind people of what's available. The list below consists mainly of residencies in the Tyne & Wear area - if anybody wants to let me know about regular gigs elsewhere in the North East, I'll certainly include them in a later list.
While some of these residencies have been going for many years now, and have built up a regular loyal audience, others do change from time to time, so it's generally best to check in advance.
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MONDAYS
JAZZ IN THE AFTERNOON : 1.00pm
Cullercoats Crescent Club
1 Hudleston
Cullercoats
Tel: 0191 253 0242
VIEUX CARRÉ JAZZMEN : 8.45pm
Corner House,
Heaton Road,
Newcastle
Tel: 0191 265 9602
RAE BROTHERS NEW ORLEANS JAZZ BAND : 9.00pm
Springwell Village Hall,
Fell Road,
Gateshead
Tel: 0191 416 9747
TUESDAYS
MAINE STREET JAZZMEN : 1.00pm
The Porthole,
New Quay,
North Shields
Tel: 0191 257 6645
RIVER CITY JAZZMEN : 9.00pm
Royal British Legion Club
West Jesmond Avenue,
Newcastle
Tel: 0191 281 0736
MAINE STREET JAZZMEN : 9.00pm (fortnightly)
The Ninepins
Saltwell Road South
Gateshead
Tel: 0191 487 8350
WEDNESDAYS
JAZZ ESQUIRES (swing session) : 1.00pm
The Porthole
New Quay
North Shields
Tel: 0191 257 6645
VIEUX CARRÉ JAZZMEN : 1,00pm
Cullercoats Crescent Club
1 Huddleston
Cullercoats
Tel: 0191 253 0242
RIVER CITY JAZZMEN: 8.30pm
Last Wednesday of the month
The Swan
Choppington
Tel: 01670 826060
THURSDAYS
RIVER CITY JAZZMEN : 9.00pm
Marquis of Granby
Streetgate
Sunniside
Gateshead
Tel: 0191 488 0954
FRIDAYS
RENDEZVOUS JAZZ : 1.00pm
The Porthole,
New Quay
North Shields
Tel: 0191 257 1718
VIEUX CARRÉ JAZZMEN : 1.00pm
Trojan Room
Avalon Hotel
South Parade
Whitley Bay
Tel: 0191 251 0080
SATURDAYS
RENDEZVOUS JAZZ : 8.30pm (1st Saturday in the month)
The Piper
Farringdon Road
Cullercoats
Tel: 0191 253 6951
MAINE STREET JAZZMEN ; 8.30pm (2nd Saturday in the month)
The Coachman
Burnthouse Lane
Off Broadway
Whickham
Tel: 0191 488 7620 |
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