2011

16 December 2011 Nick Browne's "Somethin' Else"

 .. really were - I admit my laziness, but it's that simple - an excellent choice of name for a band and an excellent selection of fellow musicians. All still whippersnappers wrt "moi" but Man! can they play! The JATPjazz faithful had a treat and gave one back with their enthusiasm and rapport of almost unparalleled degree. Do get to see this band - their treatment of Cannonball Adderley is an absolute treat for the lug-holes, so don't delay
Nick Browne - alto, Kim Macari - trumpet, Riley Stone-Lonergan - tenor, tbc - piano, tbc - bass & old fiddlesticks himself Chief Steve Hanley - drums




02 December 2011 - Kim Macari Quartet

I believe I implied that Kim was the 'real deal' and made of tough stuff. Well trouper she is for despite a bout of flu requiring spending the week in bed, Kim blew her own socks off without batting an eyelid whilst entertaining the crowd, mid-tune, with her effusive charm. With the added delights of Riley Stone-Lonergan's bristling sax, the rock-solid bass of Max Sterling and the constantly chirruping and extraordinary percussion of Steve Hanley a rip-snorting evening of jazz came forth reassuring the audience that youth is not wasted on the young. TERRIFIC musicians, STORMING band - Do check them out soon before the bright lights lure them south.
 
04 November 2011 - Eyes Shut Tight


European Jazz Contest IV (2011) Finalists with Paul Baxter receiving a "Best Soloist" award in the process - EYES SHUT TIGHT were simply SUPERB! Unanimously wide grins from all the JATPJAzz Die-hards evidenced one of the premier JATPJazz gigs EVER! Educational committments and relative geography is limiting their performances at present but I strongly advise taking their gigs in if you get the chance - they are simply divine. Paul Baxter’s (b) rich compositions and effortless, glorious application - be it pizzicato or arco, provide sweeping landscapes for the sumptuous talents of rising piano star, Johnny Tomlinson - with his seamless and dextrous transitions of mood, style and pace - and the percussive power, subtlety and intense tune of drum-ace Kristoffer Wright
A whole infintely greater than the sum of the parts!               www.paulbaxtermusic.com 


07 October 2011 - Sarah Bennett / Curt Shaw Quartet

mesmerised a fantastic audience with a terrific variety of jazz but Sarah's latin jazz in native tongue was probably the highlight of a great evening augmented with possibly lesser-known masterpieces from Kenny Wheeler and Norma Winstone
Sarah Bennett - vocals, Curt Shaw - guitar, Richard Keates - bass and Dave Hassell - drums



02 September 2011 - Brian Acton Quartet

well we had ample notice with Trashcan that a brilliant evening was in-store and a good season-opener crowd were thrilled with jazz inspired by the likes of Tom Waits to the American Songbook classics with a marvellous Chet Baker style. Little wonder then that Brian is quickly impressing his name and that of his excellent band on the jazz circuit. It has been said that Brian could sell snow to Eskimos. This I seriously doubt - he's far too HOT! DOOOO check this band out LIVE! PS! - Anyone want a glass of water??
Brian Acton - guitar, vocals
Atholl Ransome - sax, flute
Bruce Reid - d.bass 
Rob Turner - drums                                                                        www.brianacton.co.uk


15 July 2011 - Jazz Extra - Trashcan Collective
Well Brethren and Sistren, the bins of Bradford Irish Club had a PROPER rattlin'. If Bruce's compositions were insufficient in themselves - and they certainly are not! - the ubercool of a most welcome, yet unexpected guest in Brian Acton playing guitar, gloriously singing glorious American Songbook classics whilst simultaneously selling snow to a band of fur-clad (well it is Bradford?) Inuit a-front, the scintillating sax of RCM Alumnus, Dan Berry and the trinkling keys of Nick Fletcher certainly topped-off a wonderful evening of  multi-facetted jazz and a fitting season-closer. Can't wait for Brian's return on 2 September 2011

Brian Acton - guitar, voice
Dan Berry - tenor sax
Nick Fletcher - piano
Bruce  Reid - bass
Rob Turner - drums


01 July 2011 - Joel Purnell Quartet 
 
It's been too long since Joel graced the JATPJazz stage but he made-up for his absence with a belting array of originals and some awesome horn work. I swear the front-rowers pushed their chairs back a tad for fear of conflagration resulting from the fire and embers propelling from Joel's sax. Marvellously supported by the criminally under-appreciated talents of Jamil Sheriff, John Perry and Pete Turner who stepped in so late, he was 'on the dots' - but you wouldn't ave known. A belting evening of top quality jazz, it's great to see Joel plying some trade locally and long may it prevail 'cos he's a thoroughly nice chap to boot. I would politely suggest a natty line in Nomex currently on offer at good outfitters. 
Joel Purnell - sax
Jami Sherrif - piano
Pete Turner - bass
John Perry - drums
www.joelpurnell.com


03 June 2011 - Gary Boyle Qrt
Gary Boyle - guitar, Paul Birchall - keys, Bruce Reid - bass, Jonathan Hartley - drums

Mike Westbrook, Mike Gibbs, Soft Machine, Norma Winstone, Keith Tippet, Eddie Harris, Stomu Yamashta and Bert Jansch certainly were NOT wrong.
Gary, Paul, Bruce and Jonathan blew our jazz cobwebs right-off with a refreshing blast of fusion-tinged jazz, leaving the reformed 'rockers' with grins on their chops just like Gary's here to the right. Perhaps venturing where Angels fear to tread, Gary simply fluttered his wings at the likes of Chick Corea's Windows and Miles' Blue in Green with consumate mastery.. Toss in a spot of Hayabusha, Angola and Beast of Burden and even the impromptu Dobbin's Flowery Vale with Maggie Boyle and you have the Thomas More of Jazz - A Man for All Seasons.



  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWTe-cfNQkE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y4UjvZ4qkU&feature=related 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QVnz0ygaO0&NR=1


                                          HEAVENS TO MURGATROYD !!!! - this young woman is BRILLIANT - the whole piece is TOP DRAWER.Evidence of NYJO's output of excellent musicians and vocalists is amply proved in one example with Sarah. Perhaps it is because of Sarah's talents as instrumentalist (not that she employed these talents here) and vocalist that puts her in, possibly, a unique position for Sarah is one of an extremely small group of vocalists that can sing every number, yet still leave you with the feeling that you've had a terrific night of low down, dirty, instrumental jazz - such is her instinctive empathy for the guys behind her. I find it difficult to overpitch Sarah as a Jazz Vocalist, composer, arranger and leader - she really is all things to all (wo)men. I confess to some ambivalence where 'words' and jazz music coexist, but after the performance of Sarah, Dan, Garry and Dave at JATPJazz I do declare my education continues.
DO go and see Sarah if you get the chance (Friday 13 May @ Wakefield Jazz is your next opportunity round these parts) because the Sarah Ellen Hughes Quartet are right on the money.
Check-out www.sarahellenhughes.co.uk ... ....
Sarah Ellen Hughes- vocals, Dan Whieldon- piano, Garry Jackson - bass & Dave Walsh- drums



15 April 2011 - Jazz Extra - Matt Anderson Quartet


Jazz Yorkshire's Futures Selectee and JY Young Musician of the Year 2010, Matt Anderson - tenor sax, complete with Aubin Vanns - guitar  John Marley - bass and Sam Gardner - drums delivered two great sets of intelligent music which marvelously endorsed their growing reputation for musicianship and composition beyond their years, and again underlining what a great teaching establishment we are privileged to have right on our doorstep in Ledds College of Music - and not content with that alone, helped us celebrate Chairman Steve's 70 th Birthday. - and can students eat?!?!??
Check-out www.matt-anderson.org.uk for up-coming gigs not to be missed


01 April 2011 - MAGIC HAT ENSEMBLE

  kicked-off their latest 28-date UK tour and launched their terrific second album, Made In Gorton, at Bradford Irish Club.
Steve Chadwick - tr, Tony Ormesher - g, Andrzej Baranek - p, Nick Blacka - b, & Rob Turner - d, delivered a truly electric show of their rhythm-reoriented standards with the odd surprising interjection of slower numbers - and what a treat they all were. MHE continue to develop and demonstrate their extraordinary cohesion - they really are one of the most enjoyable bands to listen to and watch and they connect very well with the audience also. So for all you lucky jazz fans out there, yet to witness the thrill of MHE, do check out their website for a date near you soon. You will be most pleasantly surprised and refreshed
www.themagichatensemble.co.uk
www.jellymouldjazz.net/magichat.html 
www.myspace.com/themagichatensemble



04 March 2011 - JJ Wheeler Quintet

flying in the face of the seemingly current conventional wisdom that a UK education ain't worth 'zip' are JJ (Whiskers) Wheeler (d), Charlie (wassup Doc) Portas (ts), Chris (fingers) Maddock (as), Ralph (Donny Boy) Brown (kbs) & Tom (Grandson of Roger ??) Moore (b) =  the JJ Wheeler Quintet. Still completing their studies at Birmingham Conservatoire (with Chris Maddock still not in his final year!?!?), JJ and his pals delivered a stream of marvellous originals accompanied by the odd rearrangement of the non-standard in a manner quite beyond their years. Simply Thrilling! particularly  JJ's homage to the sadly late, yet ever-great Tony Levin, 'Flicking Paint' is a most fitting testimony to Tony's educational legacy - close your eyes and see if Tubby Hayes doesn't strut into your mind's eye - if not, try £pec£aver£ - and 'The life of Cider Mickey'. To those still pondering whether to attend the remaining gigs of the JJ Wheeler Quintet tour, I strongly urge you to think no further - just do it 'cos it's only going to get dearer to see these 'brilliant blooms' of  UK Education. Exceedingly well done to parents, Birmingham Con and these super-talented young guys. Further bucking the current ethos that all teenagers are 'oyks' is the fact that all these guys are such genuine and personable young men - your heart will be warmed even further ....


www.jjwheeler.co.uk 


04 February 2011 - Phil Meadows Quartet

First time at JATP, Phil Meadows Quartet [Andrzej Baranek (p), Max Sterling (b) and Rob Turner (d)] totally blew our socks off - REALLY SERIOUSLY GOOD MAN!  50/50 originals and 'standards', the latter being re-arranged almost out of sight, yet so engaging nevertheless - the former belying Phil's tender years but not his imperious talents as musician and composer nor those of his undoubtedly talented band-mates. The Great BB commented afterwards that it's not often you get a rhythm section so talented and together that they occasionally 'obscure' a pianist of Andrzej's ability. An absolute wang-dang-doodle of a jazz night with a brilliant audience to boot whom I feel sure will join me in thoroughly recommending the Phil Meadow's Quartet to provide an EXCEPTIONAL Jazz night, Anywhere!



07 January 2011 - Jamie Taylor's Java
 

Like the consumate professional he is, internationally renowned guitarist Jamie Taylor arose from his 'man'-flu bed, snorted two long lines of Beecham's All-in-one (other flu remedies are available) and with Jamil Sheriff (p), Gary Jackson (b) and Caroline Boaden (d) thrilled a weather-affected audience of die-hards with jazz of the highest order and no little humour. Sets comprised mainly Jamie's own material with the odd 'unusual', yet most interestingly re-arranged standards. Do catch these folks if you can for top quality jazz

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