Jazz @ the Lit and Phil: Cia Tomasso - April 19

(© Richard Morris)

Cia Tomasso (vocals); Jim McBriarty (tenor sax, clarinet); Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (bass); John Bradford (drums)

The Tomasso name seems to have been ever present in the annuls of British jazz for as long as I can remember going back to when Ernie and Freddy Tomasso played clarinet and trumpet with Harry Gold and his Pieces of Eight in the late '40s/early '50s.

Ernie begat Enrico who has long been a well established trumpet/cornet player on the trad to mainstream circuit appearing regularly at the annual Whitley Bay Jazz Party.

The family legacy continued this afternoon at the Lit and Phil when Enrico's daughter Cia held the audience spellbound with her interpretation of songs associated with Billie Holiday and a couple of others - a star was being born before our very eyes!

Knats @ Hoochie Coochie, Newcastle - April 18

Ferg Kilsby (trumpet); Cam Rossi (tenor sax); Chris Outhwaite (keyboards); Stan Woodward (bass); King David Ike Elechi (drums)

From NONUNONU's Chillingham Road gig straight into town to catch the last half an hour of Knats on Pilgrim Street. Three local lads currently studying music in London plus two fellow conservatoire friends were having a blast. Hoochie Coochie was bouncing, the dance floor a throng. Walking into Hoochie Coochie, trumpeter Ferg Kilsby was all guns blazing, founding band members Stan Woodward (bass) and King David Ike Elechi (drums) absolutely killing. 

Some RSD gems and a few other thoughts

Tomorrow (April 20) is Record Store Day. That treasured day when much sort after vinyl is made available and there is some mouth watering stuff.

We at BSH didn't manage to play everything on the old Victrola. We missed out on the 3 LP set by Art Tatum at the Blue Note which, by all accounts, was  something to truly savour. Still, much as I love the music of Art, six sides of Tatum playing standards might have been a middle eight too far (bridge/middle eight get it?).

NONUNONU @ Elder Beer, Newcastle - April 18

Tim Williams (guitar); Andy Patterson (bass); Ruben Sheridan (drums); Callum Connell (tenor sax)

Guitarist Tim Williams first came to the attention of BSH as a member of Dean Stockdale's superb 'Celebrating Oscar' Quartet. On the first occasion at Newcastle's Lit Phil, and later at Hampstead Jazz Club, Williams proved to be a revelation. This evening in the east of Newcastle, we were listening to Williams in an entirely different context. NONUNONU, that's Williams' trio - Andy Patterson (bass) and Ruben Sheridan (drums) - with the addition of tenor saxophonist Callum Connell, is on tour.

Anita Wardell fundraiser following stroke.

Singer Anita Wardell, 62, has suffered a devastating stroke and a fundraiser has been set up HERE.

As one who knows, following the recent loss of my wife, how life-changing a stroke can be I urge those who have loved her singing and her teaching to rally round via the above link.

The photo is from 2016 when Anita hosted a vocal course at the Globe with an excellent concert in the evening. The band that evening were: Anita Wardell (vocals); Robin Aspland (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Tristan Maillot (drums). 

Please show your support for this much loved singer. Lance

This week's Late Night Chicago Radio with Denny Farrell (Thursday April 18 - Wednesday April 24).

Jonah Jones - Tin Roof Blues.

Don Elliott - Imagination.

Sam Cooke - Lookin' For my Baby.

JATP - Will You Still be Mine?

Diana Ross - I Can't Get Started.

Gerry Mulligan/Monk - Sweet and Lovely.

Tito Puente - Oye Cómo Va.

Louis Bellson - The Hawk Talks.

Buddy DeFranco/Terry Gibbs - Serenade in Blue.

Rosemary Clooney/Duke Ellington - It Don't Mean a Thing.

Harry Carney  - Frustration.

LINK.

What do you do during the day Mr Farlow?

Jazz musicians lead lives so busy that they find it difficult to do anything other than practice, compose, arrange, travel, perform, travel and then start all over again. This leaves little time for any diversions from their dedication to the art.

Nevertheless, there have been some who have used their creative talents in different ways either before, after or concurrent with their musical activities. Here are a few:

Press release: PX Records celebrate first anniversary

The tables have turned on traditional first anniversary gifts, with PizzaExpress choosing to mark the one-year milestone of their successful record label, PX Records, with vinyl – launching record stores in three London locations. 

PizzaExpress Live (PizzaExpress’ live music venues) have always been known for bringing music fans closer to the artists they love – and last year, the brand took that one step further, launching its own record label, live recording the performances and distributing them via PX Records. In celebration of its first anniversary, the label is launching its own record stores located within the brand’s live music venues in Soho, Holborn and Chelsea. 

 

Album review: Osian Roberts - Bop Viveur (Hard Bop Records)

Osian Roberts (tenor sax); Rob Barron (piano); Jeremy Brown (bass); Matt Fishwick (drums)

The album title and the record label give the game away. It does everything it says on tin and more - much more.

Thad Jones' Zec sets off at a rollicking tempo and doesn't falter. The sound of Rollins, the drive of Dexter and the speed of Johnny Griffin heading for the bar across the street all surface during this first track. I love the quote that Roberts rounds  his solo off with and which Barron picks up at the start of his. It will keep me awake until I put a title to it!

Bailey Rudd (drum kit): Minor Creative Project @ Music Studios, Newcastle University - April 17

Postgraduate music student Bailey Rudd presented his Drum Kit, Minor Creative Project recital performance at an unlikely time of day, 11:45am to be precise. Considering Bailey and five of his bandmates working alongside him this morning were out late last night at a jam session, there was a spring in their collective step. 

Bailey's programme notes outlined his dissertation (researching how local, traditional and contemporary jazz scenes survive). Bailey wrote of his recital: This will be a history of the musics that influence the British contemporary jazz scene today. Joining Bailey in his endeavours were no fewer than nine fellow graduates/undergraduates.