04 December 2015 - John Bailey Quintet with Jazz North
In the wake of the John Etheridge Trio North last month, one was even more surprised by the blast of 'fresh air' which the John Bailey Quintet imparted at JATPjazz
John's fingerwork coupled with the tone of his guitar is stunningly good, an aural feast all it's own but it is the way that 'jazz convention' is applied to John's seemingly disparate talent which is such a surprise - it works SO WELL which can only be testamant to the compositional and arranging skills of John and the virtuosity of his bandmates. This bunch of Jazz Japesters really do have something very special as ‘Black Ship Bright Sea’ and 'Heart Horizons' attest : The classical guitar and classical jazz formats melt into one VERY NICELY indeed! Lance Liddle's John Williams parallels are most deservedly drawn
John Bailey - g, Richard Iles - flug., Tim France - sax, Garry Jackson - db, Steve Hanley - dr
johnbaileyguitar.com/
06 November 2015 - John Etheridge Trio North
What a TERRIFIC evening of axemanship, paradiddlism and JAZZ. At the risk of being brief, I will not spoil the glory of this event other than to say a packed, enthusiastic and appreciative audience was a most fitting setting for the KING OF STRING!!
Pat Metheny :was right on the money!
John Etheridge - guitar, Ben Crosland - bass & Dave Tyas - drums
www.johnetheridge.com/
16 October 2015 - Nicola Farnon Trio
Oy! Nostrildamus!! THAT was one of the VERY, VERY BEST JATPJAZZ gigs EVER! One of the top 10 gigs I've ever been in any genre.
And what a band? How does your Bloke do all that with so small a kit?? The light, the dark, the warm summer breeze, the thunder? F'ing Brilliant!
Piero? what is there to say really? Sheffield & it's people are a proper City for sure but it could only be love which confined that beautiful man to the UK? He is utterly 'world class'. We've had some great pianists for sure, but he had the keys stood on-end last night!!
& you? what is there to say, again?? Darling of Darlings, Sir Humphrey was, possibly most typically with his economic yet perfect use of the language coupled with maximum conveyance of meaning, a bit understated in his comments. YOU have got THE LOT!! Right across the piece. NO DOUBT!
So heed not your girlies. You have a life also & you look to be doing an excellent job of it.
I'll post similarly on th'blog when I have my PC back to win7.1
Meantime, most heartfelt thanks and biggest best wishes till we meet again. Love to you, Phil & Piero - THE BEST!!
BrushMush
Nicola Farnon - v, db, Piero Tucci - p, sax & Phil Johnson - d
www.nicolafarnonmusic.com
02 October 2015 - Misha Mullov-Abbado Quintet
Given Misha's parentage (surf away) one might presume that a glorious splendour of musical delight awaits all who listen (New Ansonia : Edition) and witness 'live' the Misha Mullov Abbado Quintet. I presumed somewhat myself but was totally unprepared for the strength and depth of musicianship and the horizon-wide breadth and supreme quality of composition. What a talent Misha is! and add to that the art of Matthew, Tom, Liam and Scott and you can expect siesmic tremors wherever they pitch-up. Shake, shake way, you Guys! TOP MUSIC!! TOP BAND !!
Matthew Herd – as, Liam Dunachie– p, Tom Green – trom, Misha Mullov-Abbado – db, Scott Chapman - d
mishamullovabbado.com
04 September 2015 - Paul Kilvington Trio
Quite how or why the Paul Kilvington Trio, or it's predecessor, Amazonia have avoided being committed to 'record' leaves me (and I do believe last night's JATPjazz audience) utterly bewildered?? This trio are simply EXCELLENT on every conceivable count : composition, musicianship, cohesion, audience-inculcation, improvisation, etc, etc and they completely explode any 'common' assumptions that there is a limit to breadth where trios are concerned - these guys have NO LIMITS!
In the wake of the John Etheridge Trio North last month, one was even more surprised by the blast of 'fresh air' which the John Bailey Quintet imparted at JATPjazzJohn's fingerwork coupled with the tone of his guitar is stunningly good, an aural feast all it's own but it is the way that 'jazz convention' is applied to John's seemingly disparate talent which is such a surprise - it works SO WELL which can only be testamant to the compositional and arranging skills of John and the virtuosity of his bandmates. This bunch of Jazz Japesters really do have something very special as ‘Black Ship Bright Sea’ and 'Heart Horizons' attest : The classical guitar and classical jazz formats melt into one VERY NICELY indeed! Lance Liddle's John Williams parallels are most deservedly drawn
John Bailey - g, Richard Iles - flug., Tim France - sax, Garry Jackson - db, Steve Hanley - dr
johnbaileyguitar.com/
06 November 2015 - John Etheridge Trio North
What a TERRIFIC evening of axemanship, paradiddlism and JAZZ. At the risk of being brief, I will not spoil the glory of this event other than to say a packed, enthusiastic and appreciative audience was a most fitting setting for the KING OF STRING!!
Pat Metheny :was right on the money!
John Etheridge - guitar, Ben Crosland - bass & Dave Tyas - drums
www.johnetheridge.com/
16 October 2015 - Nicola Farnon Trio
OK, let's have a change of tack for reviews?? this is the sms I sent Nicola the day after yet another thrilling performance . .
And what a band? How does your Bloke do all that with so small a kit?? The light, the dark, the warm summer breeze, the thunder? F'ing Brilliant!
Piero? what is there to say really? Sheffield & it's people are a proper City for sure but it could only be love which confined that beautiful man to the UK? He is utterly 'world class'. We've had some great pianists for sure, but he had the keys stood on-end last night!!
& you? what is there to say, again?? Darling of Darlings, Sir Humphrey was, possibly most typically with his economic yet perfect use of the language coupled with maximum conveyance of meaning, a bit understated in his comments. YOU have got THE LOT!! Right across the piece. NO DOUBT!
So heed not your girlies. You have a life also & you look to be doing an excellent job of it.
I'll post similarly on th'blog when I have my PC back to win7.1
Meantime, most heartfelt thanks and biggest best wishes till we meet again. Love to you, Phil & Piero - THE BEST!!
BrushMush
www.nicolafarnonmusic.com
02 October 2015 - Misha Mullov-Abbado Quintet
Given Misha's parentage (surf away) one might presume that a glorious splendour of musical delight awaits all who listen (New Ansonia : Edition) and witness 'live' the Misha Mullov Abbado Quintet. I presumed somewhat myself but was totally unprepared for the strength and depth of musicianship and the horizon-wide breadth and supreme quality of composition. What a talent Misha is! and add to that the art of Matthew, Tom, Liam and Scott and you can expect siesmic tremors wherever they pitch-up. Shake, shake way, you Guys! TOP MUSIC!! TOP BAND !!
Matthew Herd – as, Liam Dunachie– p, Tom Green – trom, Misha Mullov-Abbado – db, Scott Chapman - d
mishamullovabbado.com
04 September 2015 - Paul Kilvington Trio
Starve the Lizards! Stone the Crows! Ay Caramba!
In describing Paul Kilvington as “always outstanding”, Mike Walker (former Amazonia member) is totally SPOT ON! as was PK in his “excited about it - could be explosive !!” premonition - "Jazz Bloody Semtex!" I tell you!
I find that without oxygen, I cannot recommend this trio at an altitude commensurate to their arts - AN ABSOLUTE KNOCKOUT!!
Paul Kilvington – piano, Nord kbd, Frank Grime – db, Steve Gilbert – drums
For a fuller biog, check-out http://www.garyparkes.com/paulkilvington.html
03 July 2015 - Elements' Happy Birthday, Bicat, Old Boy! GIG
Described as “Weather Report on acid” - My Derriere! Elements are THE BAND! They just get better and better, it's unreal. Big Rod huffed, puffed and, barring a short spell of heat-stroke for twas a 'steamer' last eve, blew Glyde House down, flat. 'Steaming Up' the rear were Rod's usual staggeringly talented Fellows : Messrs Hammond and Walsh, however Group Captain Dickie Allweather was unavoidably detained, we know not where or at who's pleasure so up and amply stepped the 'always outstanding' Paul Kilvington. who slotted straight in - Plop!, Rod commenting that he was 'very choosy' about who he brings. This was a JATPjazz night to long remember - the whole place brimmed with anticipation all night long (and all toilets available !!??), all with grins from ear to ear. Catch this band when you can - they don't get out together as much as they'd like but when they do - you're gonna know about it!! The utterly Imperious ELEMENTS : Roomdarkener Rod Mason - s, etc., Paul Kilvington - keys, Richard Hammond - b and Dave Walsh - d. www.roomdarkener.com
myspace.com/rodmasonelements
05 June 2015 - Sally Doherty Quartet
‘Intimate and passionate’, Sally has the most beautiful voice - perfect for the latin she chooses and what a terrific band? Carrying the complex, the quick and the two combined with consummate ease anyone so fortunate, or sensible, to take this band in, is in for a major musical treat. Sally Doherty – v, Paul Kilvington – p, Frank Grime – db,
Caroline Boaden - d.
www.sallydoherty.com/
15 May 2015 - Matt Owens Quintet
Well if the line-up of this band was not sufficient 'heraldry', then the experience of it surely informed such 'innocence'! What a knock-out! It would be grossly unfair to single any individual out for special praise for brilliance abounded across the piece. Ríoghnach's Twitter 'monica' is BustyMinefield - Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread etc but what a character and what a voice - range, grit, angelic beauty, devlish humour - TERRIFIC! and Mister Yates' flugelhorn reached a dexterity rarely, if ever found on the instrument. John Ellis was the consummate pianist everyone is coming to expect these days bringing the keyboard to vigorous life, none of this being possible without the delightful rhythmic bedrock deftly crafted by Matt and Sam. Do get to see this band and it's memebers in their numerous and varied forms - thrilling delight awaits.
Ríoghnach Connolly - v, Neil Yates - tr/whistle,John Ellis - p, Matt Owens - b,Sam Draper - d
www.mattowens.co.uk/
01 May 2015 - Al Wood Quintet
03 April 2015 - Tom Harrison Quartet
A distinct lack of vocabulary has resulted in severe malnourishment of the reptilian; and the severe battering of the corvine populations of Bradford, and yet, on this occasion I am forced to aggravate these conditions. Starve the Lizards! Stone the Crows! the Tom Harrison Quartet are "the proverbial breath of fresh air. To hear tunes you actually know rather than originals that will probably never be heard again gives the band a head start with me. I know there are others who will disagree even though the actual improvisations were as complex as any of the "I wrote this tune in the bath last night" variations so beloved by many of today's emerging jazz musicians.
Harrison successfully incorporates facets of the great modern alto players such as Bird, Cannonball, Ornette and Dolphy welding them into a distinctive style of his own. Sheriff, no stranger to Tyneside is very much the thinking man's pianist producing rich and at times unusual harmonic variations,
Read, a composer and leader in his own right (write?), slots in perfectly soloing effectively without flamboyance.Drummer Lyttle, by contrast, is flamboyance personified - sartorially speaking, he could be Sky Masterson from Guys and Dolls! This panache is magnified after he mounts the drum throne. The most original stickman I've seen/heard yet and I've seen them all!
Hand drumming, sticks, brushes, sometimes a combination of all three, plus various items of percussion such as shakers, triangle, tambourine, drinking glass and God knows what else! And all without missing a beat!" (part of Lance Liddle's excellent, infinitely wittier and more knowledgeable review of the THQ gig at Splinter Jazz, Newcastle on 5 April 2015)
www.tomharrisonsax.com
www.turacomusic.com
06 March 2015 - Tom Green Septet
So now we see / hear first-hand what all the national jazz press fuss is all about! This band are PHENOMENAL! Composition, arrangement, performance? All Top Draw. Do get to see them and don't be surprised to find yourself counting the number of band members, impelled by the incredulity of your ear'oles that are convinced there's a tridectet on stage. Staggeringly GOOD!Tom Green – trom, Sam Miles – ts, Tommy Andrews – t/as, James Davison – tr/fh, Sam James – p, Misha Mullov-Abbado – db, JJ Wheeler - d.
www.tomgreen.org.uk/
06 February 2015 - Wildflower Sextet
An all-star band indeed!!! Absolutely RIPPING Jazz right across the piece playing a glorious tribute to Wayne Shorter, their music tinged thereby, of course, yet no plagiarism here whatsoever with glorious original music of the highest order, punctuated by the occasional 'classic' cover so splendidly massaged, kicked, bent and twisted to their whim. Wildflower Sextet are the most enjoyable of jazz ensemble. Check them out for a thrillingly refreshing jazz blast.Matt Anderson – ts, Laura Jurd – tr, Alex Munk – g, Jamil Sheriff – p, Sam Gardner – d,
Sam Vicary – db
http://tinyurl.com/qcgksu2
16 January 2015 - Last Summer's Tealights
What a terrific band LST are !! - teaming with nuance and intricate harmony and interplay. An ensemble of seemingly dissonant 'voices' which meld together in numerous combinations to such glorious effect, impelled by virtuosic musicianship ans delightful personalities.
Strong melodies, jazz harmonies. Part classical, folk, pop, hymnal, the music is a peculiar, yet highly engaging, hotchpotch of shared influences. Arising from a series of saxophone/marimba duets developed during a Scottish winter : a relatively new project bringing together experienced players from a diverse range of jazz, classical, flamenco and middle‐eastern musical backgrounds. The engaging, the refreshing, the unique LST are :- Joe Browne - s, ts, Hal Hutchison - mar, p, Shirley Smart - c, Demi Garcia Sabat - perc., Nic Breakspear - db
www.lastsummerstealights.com
https://soundcloud.com/lastsummerstealights
02 January 2015 - Zoe Gilby Quartet with Jazz North
I realise that I am a 'soft, old Hector' possibly when it comes to reviewing the wonderful bands we are blessed with at JATPjazz. I do confess to some bias - I would, wouldn't I? I pick 'em! So, a New Year, maybe a new 'style'? ..
The Zoë Gilby Quartet are one ARSE-KICKING Jazz Ensemble! Zoë has such a fresh approach to her vocal composition and interpretation, which allied to her supreme vocal talent and ability must make her one of the premier Jazz Voices around - and I apply no geographical limitations here. Attributed to Zoë's late father - Mike Gilby - great jazz composer and trumpeter, a generous empathy, nay encouragement of the musicians behind her to express themselves liberally and at length - a most important requirement I suggest for a 'complete' vocal artist, and consider that those musicians themselves are of THE HIGHEST MARQUE, then you have a jazz ensemble with EVERYTHING - Beautiful, characterful voice for the Ladies [and 'soppy date' Blokes? ;¬)p)] and the raw, gritty jazz musical power for those cadgers that think words 'get in the way' of jazz.
Judging by the response of a highly appreciative JATPjazz audience who 'voted' with their wallets on CD's in significant number, I think it is impossible to recommend the Zoë Gilby Quartet sufficiently HIGHLY!
Please put your superior descriptive talents to print - Go see them and review. You will be so, so far from being disappointed!
Zoë Gilby - v, Mark Williams - g, Andy Champion - b, Richard Brown - d
Big Thanks to Jazznorth for rostering Zoë as a northernline Ambassador - inspired choice!
www.zoegilby.co.uk
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