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Posted (edited)
On 7/12/2024 at 8:12 PM, adh1907 said:

That sounds like a good line up for a UK jazz festival. I must look at attending next year. Stroud jazz festival is also getting more interesting by the year. I’ve been to Cheltenham a lot but it’s boring these days. 

One advantage of being retired these days is that you can stay as late at you want Swanage on Sunday before the drive back and then recuperate at leisure the next day !  The post-Sunday torture of previous festivals is avoided.

So much good stuff - Sunday night ended with Zoe Rahman's 'Colour of Sound' Octet, a real surprise for me as she has taken on board influences from Tyner and Hancock mid-sized groups with the use of alto flute/bone/flugel and also added in those Abdullah Ibrahim and Bengali influences. Lovely !  I really liked this group and will definitely be buying the CD (sadly had run out of cash on the day so could not buy one from Zoe herself afterwards). I think this one was the last gig of a UK tour, very fine band of all-stars really (Mark Armstrong, Camilla George, Rosie Turton, Tori Freestone et al).

Norma Winstone with 'The Printmakers' on Sunday afternoon was pretty wonderful, I can't recall hearing Norma sound better. Last year she brought the trio with Mark Lockheart and Nicky Illes and this year expanded it to the full band and to noticeable effect. Again, a group of all-stars - the interplay with Illes, Lockheart and guitarist Mike Walker was superb. Once again I was very impressed with drummer James Maddren - perfect for this sort of group.

Saturday night was dominated for me by Emma Rawicz and her 21 piece (!) Jazz Orchestra in the Mowlem Theratre. Led with such confidence and maturity for a 22 year old, the charts were put together and conducted by Emma and with noticeable Kenny Wheeler, Gil Evans and I think Maria Schneider influences. Very individual though as I believe that she senses sounds by colours (can't recall what that is called). Obviously a huge talent - her tenor playing is top notch too.

Some of the most interesting music, often low-key, was caught in Marquee 2 under the new 'The Sound of Jazz To Come' strand. I caught 'The Other Way' from Bristol on Saturday, who combine jazz with folk and prog rock to interesting effect. Also in Marquee 2 on Sunday were Alyn Shipton recreating the Gerry Mulligan Quartet and 'Matt Stockham Brown's 6161', another Bristol band sounding to me a bit like a combination of Mike Mower's 'Itchy Fingers' with electronica, a sound somewhat akin to 'Get The Blessing'. Some interesting music coming out of Bristol at the moment.

Pleased also to see Greg Abate as special guest with 'The Sound of Blue Note' on Friday night. They did a very nice version of Duke Pearson 'Sudel' with the 3 part harmonies nicely recreated. Had a brief chat with the always friendly Greg A. and bought his first CD with Phil Woods from him. For the most part the weather also behaved and yesterday in particular was a lovely sunny Swanage day - idyllic really, apart from the football result which many there ignored anyway (seeing Zoe Raman's band in the Mowlem was a much better priority).

Also great to see Henry Lowther with his 'Still Waters' band, playing superbly at 83 and with Tori Freestone guesting in place of Pete Hurt, to fine effect. Art Themen also his usual wonderful and inventive self with various groups, always seems to be ageless to me although I recall seeing him with Stan Tracey's Octet about 40 years ago and quite a few times at Swanage.

All promises well for the 35th festival next year !

 

Edited by sidewinder
Posted
1 hour ago, sidewinder said:

Pleased also to see Greg Abate as special guest with 'The Sound of Blue Note' on Friday night. They did a very nice version of Duke Pearson 'Sudel' with the 3 part harmonies nicely recreated. Had a brief chat with the always friendly Greg A. and bought his first CD with Phil Woods from him.

I was lucky to have attended several concerts with Greg & Phil up on the stage. Great shows, even with Phil operating a little hindered due to his emphysema that required oxygen while playing.

Posted
1 minute ago, Kevin Bresnahan said:

I was lucky to have attended several concerts with Greg & Phil up on the stage. Great shows, even with Phil operating a little hindered due to his emphysema that required oxygen while playing.

I have that second CD that they did, with Phil on oxygen.  Very good club recording. The first CD is good too - Greg had just the one copy in his box, with case broken but I'm glad I got it. He's touring the UK at the moment so hopefully I will be able to catch another of his gigs. Swanage did a poll last year of which artist they would most like to see again this year and Greg won hands down.

Posted
On 7/15/2024 at 12:04 PM, sidewinder said:

One advantage of being retired these days is that you can stay as late at you want Swanage on Sunday before the drive back and then recuperate at leisure the next day !  The post-Sunday torture of previous festivals is avoided.

So much good stuff - Sunday night ended with Zoe Rahman's 'Colour of Sound' Octet, a real surprise for me as she has taken on board influences from Tyner and Hancock mid-sized groups with the use of alto flute/bone/flugel and also added in those Abdullah Ibrahim and Bengali influences. Lovely !  I really liked this group and will definitely be buying the CD (sadly had run out of cash on the day so could not buy one from Zoe herself afterwards). I think this one was the last gig of a UK tour, very fine band of all-stars really (Mark Armstrong, Camilla George, Rosie Turton, Tori Freestone et al).

Norma Winstone with 'The Printmakers' on Sunday afternoon was pretty wonderful, I can't recall hearing Norma sound better. Last year she brought the trio with Mark Lockheart and Nicky Illes and this year expanded it to the full band and to noticeable effect. Again, a group of all-stars - the interplay with Illes, Lockheart and guitarist Mike Walker was superb. Once again I was very impressed with drummer James Maddren - perfect for this sort of group.

Saturday night was dominated for me by Emma Rawicz and her 21 piece (!) Jazz Orchestra in the Mowlem Theratre. Led with such confidence and maturity for a 22 year old, the charts were put together and conducted by Emma and with noticeable Kenny Wheeler, Gil Evans and I think Maria Schneider influences. Very individual though as I believe that she senses sounds by colours (can't recall what that is called). Obviously a huge talent - her tenor playing is top notch too.

Some of the most interesting music, often low-key, was caught in Marquee 2 under the new 'The Sound of Jazz To Come' strand. I caught 'The Other Way' from Bristol on Saturday, who combine jazz with folk and prog rock to interesting effect. Also in Marquee 2 on Sunday were Alyn Shipton recreating the Gerry Mulligan Quartet and 'Matt Stockham Brown's 6161', another Bristol band sounding to me a bit like a combination of Mike Mower's 'Itchy Fingers' with electronica, a sound somewhat akin to 'Get The Blessing'. Some interesting music coming out of Bristol at the moment.

Pleased also to see Greg Abate as special guest with 'The Sound of Blue Note' on Friday night. They did a very nice version of Duke Pearson 'Sudel' with the 3 part harmonies nicely recreated. Had a brief chat with the always friendly Greg A. and bought his first CD with Phil Woods from him. For the most part the weather also behaved and yesterday in particular was a lovely sunny Swanage day - idyllic really, apart from the football result which many there ignored anyway (seeing Zoe Raman's band in the Mowlem was a much better priority).

Also great to see Henry Lowther with his 'Still Waters' band, playing superbly at 83 and with Tori Freestone guesting in place of Pete Hurt, to fine effect. Art Themen also his usual wonderful and inventive self with various groups, always seems to be ageless to me although I recall seeing him with Stan Tracey's Octet about 40 years ago and quite a few times at Swanage.

All promises well for the 35th festival next year !

 

Great write up, thanks! I must get there next year. Zoe is really maturing, I think. Emma Rawicz, never seen her with a big band. Will look out for that. Henry Lowther’s lip is keeping well. I remember Art Themen turning up late for a Stan Tracey gig way back and Stan explaining he was delayed due to his surgery work overrunning. 

Posted (edited)
10 hours ago, adh1907 said:

Great write up, thanks! I must get there next year. Zoe is really maturing, I think. Emma Rawicz, never seen her with a big band. Will look out for that. Henry Lowther’s lip is keeping well. I remember Art Themen turning up late for a Stan Tracey gig way back and Stan explaining he was delayed due to his surgery work overrunning. 

It's a great showcase for British jazz plus selected overseas players, I've been going regularly for years since the days when the emphasis was mainly traditional/mainstream plus some modern whereas now with the shift of time and new festival management under Paul Kelly the emphasis is more on modern/contemporary. You can get a 'weekend stroller' ticket - advanced super savers for next year have already sold out (within a couple of days) but the main ticket allocation goes on sale later in the year.

There was so much to see and hear that it took me almost a week to recover !

Not mentioned above but also seen by me this year was a typically good performance by Alan Barnes and David Newton in duo (he gets better and better), Gary Crosby and his Sextet recreating the album 'Mingus Moves' in full and guitarist Nigel Price with Rollins-influenced saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos. I also caught a very good set by Henry Spencer's Quintet with Ant Law, half of the performance by 'Jivin' Miss Daisy' (solid lineup with trumpeter Enrico Tommasso) and a very good set by Clark Tracey's Quintet where altoist Simon Allen was outstanding. Missed a couple of bands including Yeti, Noemi Nuti Quintet and Thokozile so maybe next time with those. Thokozile is coming up with an open-air marquee gig at Corfe Castle courtesy Poole Soundcellar so maybe all is not lost with that one.

Greg Abate will be returning to the UK for more gigs next week so there is more Abate coming up and yet another chance to buy CDs from him !

Edited by sidewinder
Posted
On 7/15/2024 at 6:04 AM, sidewinder said:

One advantage of being retired these days is that you can stay as late at you want Swanage on Sunday before the drive back and then recuperate at leisure the next day !  The post-Sunday torture of previous festivals is avoided.

 

 

I do know what you mean, from the not retired perspective.

It sounds like an event I would enjoy.

Posted (edited)
10 minutes ago, kh1958 said:

I do know what you mean, from the not retired perspective.

It sounds like an event I would enjoy.

Quite amusing that the ones left to enjoy the last late concert, for once, are the retiree contingent, whereas the young ravers are all heading back to their abodes for the Monday toil. 😄

Edited by sidewinder
Posted

Being retired has the added advantage of allowing you to travel and see weekday shows. In the past, if I wanted to drive down to New York City to see a show, I'd have to do it on a weekend, when the hotel prices are much higher. Now, I can head down on a Tuesday, see a few shows and head back Thursday.

Posted (edited)

Last night 2 sets:

Tony Malaby, Tim Berne, Brandon Lopez & Tom Rainey

wowza

5-6 feet from Rainey’s bass drum

yes retirement is awesome!! Got home at 12:30 on a Sunday night

Edited by Steve Reynolds
Posted

Saw 10cc perform their first Stateside show in 46 years(!) this past Wednesday in Montclair, NJ. 

A fantastic evening - Graham Gouldman and the band performed a solid two hour set. Highlights included seeing 'Clockwork Creep' performed, and an acapella 'Donna' and extended version of 'Rubber Bullets' as encores! 

Posted
3 hours ago, SpaceIsThePlace said:

Saw 10cc perform their first Stateside show in 46 years(!) this past Wednesday in Montclair, NJ. 

A fantastic evening - Graham Gouldman and the band performed a solid two hour set. Highlights included seeing 'Clockwork Creep' performed, and an acapella 'Donna' and extended version of 'Rubber Bullets' as encores! 

Sorry, but that's not 10cc. As Lol Creme said in 2012 when asked about Gouldman forming a band he called "10cc":

Lol Creme: I understand Graham's need and want to go on the road and tour but maybe he could call the show, 'Graham Gouldman of 10cc' instead of just 10cc. I feel that as things are, the name is quite misleading to the fans. I know that Eric still gets emails from fans who were disappointed that he wasn't at these "10cc" shows. It really gets under his skin. I've still got a lot of respect for Graham and he was certainly an integral part of 10cc.

Posted
1 hour ago, Kevin Bresnahan said:

Sorry, but that's not 10cc. As Lol Creme said in 2012 when asked about Gouldman forming a band he called "10cc":

Lol Creme: I understand Graham's need and want to go on the road and tour but maybe he could call the show, 'Graham Gouldman of 10cc' instead of just 10cc. I feel that as things are, the name is quite misleading to the fans. I know that Eric still gets emails from fans who were disappointed that he wasn't at these "10cc" shows. It really gets under his skin. I've still got a lot of respect for Graham and he was certainly an integral part of 10cc.

I get your point (and Lol's). Yes, I'm aware of the complicated history of 10cc, and for a myriad of reasons too numerous and confusing to get into here, we will never get a concert 10cc reunion of Kevin, Graham, Lol and Eric. The closest thing to that is when Kevin makes a guest appearance with Graham and the band, which happens every once and a while in England (and is great to see). There actually was an attempt at a reunion for Glastonbury within the past decade, though it ultimately didn't go through. 

Personally, I feel that Graham, being a founding member, songwriter and one-half of the continuing duo that kept 10cc going through the latter seventies and eighties, has the right to use the name (and unlike other bands, it's not like they've fought over the use of the name, as none of the other members have any inclination or desire to tour.) And better yet, they are fantastic live, doing those songs justice and properly crediting Kevin, Lol and Eric for their wonderful songs and music throughout the set. 

I saw no one at the show complaining that they'd felt duped it being Graham's band (and no Kevin, Lol and Eric present). If anything, the fans know enough of the band's history to understand exactly what they are getting - Graham, Rick Fenn and Paul Burgess (both of whom have been in 10cc since the seventies) and several other longtime talented musicians. 

 

Posted

Last night:

Matana Roberts: soprano saxophone & vocalizing

Brandon Lopez: bass

Tomas Fujiwara: drums

stunning 30 minute improvisation followed by a 15 minute piece that might have been a smidge better. Brandon peaking even for him. 80-90% with a bow and only Joelle Leandre, Barry Guy & John Edwards are in this stratosphere. 

Posted (edited)

This past weekend, for the first time I attended Satchmo Summerfest in New Orleans.

The festival is two days long at the National Jazz Museum (the Old Mint).

There are thirteen concerts and five lectures each day, occurring on two indoor and two outdoor tented stages.

On Saturday, my festival day began with a presentation by Catherine Russell (jazz singer and daughter of Luis Russell) and Paul Kahn regarding the history of the Luis Russell composed Back O'Town Blues, which became a staple in the Louis Armstrong repertoire.

After that, there was a concert by the Victor Campbell Duo in the second floor galleries. Victor Campbell is a Cuban jazz pianist now living in New Orleans. To my knowledge he has not recorded as a leader yet; but he is surely one of the more amazing pianists I've ever heard. A dazzling virtuoso who performed a mixture of traditional Cuban piano music and jazz standards--the succession of Over the Rainbow, Summertime and Besame Mucho was just unreal. I had the unusual vantage point of sitting directly behind him this performance. It was an ecstatic experience.

Next, back to the lecture stage for Chris Thomas King's presentation on the 1923 King Oliver Creole Jazz Band sessions. Ricky Ricardi was there and played one of the selections from the new Archeophone release. I wasn't going to get it but now I'm not sure, as the selection he played sounded really clear.

After that, to an outdoor stage for Yusa and Mahmoud Chouki. Yusa is an excellent Cuban singer and guitarist. This was my fifth time to see Morrocan guitarist and oud player Mahmoud, and each of the prior four times has been exceptional. So was this. A stellar concert. This was a little different as Yusa is more Cuban music than jazz, whereas "Mood" blends his Moroccan roots with jazz. The partnership was highly successful.

That was it at the fest for the day. In the evening, I heard Catherine Russell sing her interesting repertoire at Snug Harbor.

On day 2 of the Festival, I didn't hear any lectures, just three concerts.

First, Steve Lands and Kosmic Krew. While this band seems like it is decidedy modern, on this day its repertoire was Satchmo oriented. Steve Lands is an excellent trumpet player, and his band included the fabulous bassist Amina Scott and the another terrific New Orleans pianist, Oscar Rossignoli (who was also in the Yusa/Mahmoud Chouki band)

Next, a band led by the understated guitarist Detroit Brooks, featuring an older band of sextet size, including Jamil Sharif on trumpet and Kyle Roussell on piano. Charmaine Neville also sang several songs, doing her Louis Armstrong imitation..

Next, the Shannon Powell All Stars began the set as a drummer less quartet, with Steve Lands returning on trumpet, the ebullient trombonist from the Preservation Hall band whose name escapes me, Peter Harris on bass, and Kyle Rousell on piano. After one number, it is announced that Shannon Powell is ill and Herlin Riley is his stand in. There follows an unusual combination of modern jazz and traditional New Orleans jazz that, with Herlin Riley on the drum kit, swings so hard it hurts.  I should note that Kyle Rousell is yet another outstanding New Orleans jazz pianist.

Closing  out the day at Snug Harbor again, this tine to see trumpeter Ashlin Parker's Quartet perform. Amina Scottt reappears on bass. She is really good. The other two group members are new to me. This was a lengthy (over ninety minute) and highly enjoyable set. 

That is all. I would definitely consider returning in a future year.

 

Edited by kh1958
Posted

Yesterday I was thinking of meeting some of my fellow musicians and a club owner to discuss some stuff and since there was - as is every night - a live show scheduled I thought to listen to one set. 
The group of that night was a Laura Dubin Trio. 
I must admit I hadn´t heard about here before. 

Well I left after some tunes since I must say sincerly that Laura Dubin does not seem to be my style. 
She must have a very good classical trained technique, holds the fingers in the classical position and plays some kind of chamber jazz with classical elements in it, and very very much piano, only once there was space for a bass solo, the only time I clapped, and the drums also had more a time keeping role, so it seems it was jazz  played for people, who like that kind of jazz, fans of the old Oscar Peterson Trios who seldom listen to else "jazz". So even the audience was more unknown to me, I didn´t see familiar faces. 

Well, nice try, she was more hosting the whole things, just too much talking between tunes, that had very much rococo-or classic elements. I don´t know her, I wish here a lotta success with what she does, she sure attracts an audience....

Posted (edited)

Last night explosive 70 minute set from Tim Berne with Greg Belisle-Chi, John Hebert & Tom Rainey. Rainey 10 days from a hip replacement destroyed atoms. Not a better drummer on the planet. I’m blessed to see him as often as I do. Probably 25 times the last 2 years at least. There is no one like him. Best brush player on the planet. They played a Hemphill piece they never played before and a new Berne piece that went to places I’ve never heard before. Closed with Clandestine B which in an alternate universe would make Tim Berne famous. 

previous 3 shows last week ok to very good

Brandon Ross with Charlie Burnham & Warren Benbow B plus / Benbow lacking in energy & dynamics. Burnham was brilliant with a minor quibble using a bit too much reverb & processing but the dude remains a truly great improvisor. 

Kris Davis with Ingrid Laubrock & Tom Rainey B minus / compositions too restricting 

Brandon Ross with Stomu Takeishi & Qasim Naqvi B / all acoustic Stomu the highlight 

 

 

Edited by Steve Reynolds
  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Yesterday, a rare morning concert from Dr. L. Subramaniam at Windmills in The Colony (far North Dallas). The nature of the group/performance was unclear in the advertisements (Indian classical? Jazz?). It turned out to be a jazz group. L Subramaniam was amazing on violin. The musicians in the group (guitar, keyboards, bass guitar, drums and two percussionists) were unfamiliar to me, except the guitarist I heard with Christian McBride at the Big Ears festival this year. The group was terrific, as were the compositions  performed, including John Handy's Spanish Lady. Great sound in the club as well. The concert was thrilling.

Afterwards in the afternoon, to the Lewisville Grand Theater for some Indian Classical Music from Carnatic veena master Vid. Rajeswari Pariti. Accompanied by a second veena player (her son) and a percussionist, she was pretty awesome on the veena. Another winner.

Posted
2 hours ago, kh1958 said:

Yesterday, a rare morning concert from Dr. L. Subramaniam at Windmills in The Colony (far North Dallas). The nature of the group/performance was unclear in the advertisements (Indian classical? Jazz?). It turned out to be a jazz group. L Subramaniam was amazing on violin. The musicians in the group (guitar, keyboards, bass guitar, drums and two percussionists) were unfamiliar to me, except the guitarist I heard with Christian McBride at the Big Ears festival this year. The group was terrific, as were the compositions  performed, including John Handy's Spanish Lady. Great sound in the club as well. The concert was thrilling.

Afterwards in the afternoon, to the Lewisville Grand Theater for some Indian Classical Music from Carnatic veena master Vid. Rajeswari Pariti. Accompanied by a second veena player (her son) and a percussionist, she was pretty awesome on the veena. Another winner.

That sounds like a pretty terrific day's music

Posted

Yesterday, the Riverfront Jazz Festival in the Dallas Convention Center, presented by the Dallas Black Academy of Arts and Letters..

As usual, it was primarily a smooth jazz/soul festival so I skipped most of it.

However, Sunday afternoon featured Stanley Jordan and Cassandra Wilson playing consecutive sets in the Bruton Theater within the Convention Center (nice venue).

Previously, I had only heard Stanley Jordan solo. This time he appeared with a trio with Kenwood Denard on drums. His set was excellent.

Cassandra Wilson appeared next, backed by two guitars, piano, bass and drums. This included guitarist Kelvyn Bell (I last saw him live in the 1980s with Arthur Blythe), bassist Lonnie Plaxico and drummer extraordinaire Herlin Riley. Her group was fantastic. And in addition, I believe I read some claim that Cassandra's voice was substantially diminished. This proved to be totally false; she still sounds very good. Her Repertoire included Blue Skies, Throw it Away, You Go to My Head, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, Caravan, Saint James Infirmary  and a few others that I did not recognize.

So notwithstanding that most of the festival does not appeal to me, I have to thank TBAAL for the oportunity to hear these two excellent sets of live music in a pleasing setting with good sound.

 

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