Apart from the many great musicians who are no longer with us there are also a whole lot of places that saw the birth of the music and its growth. As I thought of the many cities and venues my imagine ran riot and I visualised jumping into an old police box and being transported back in time to where it all happened. Here are are some of the places...Storyville (for the music - honest!) Hear ..read more

© Ken DrewGuido Spannocchi (alto sax); Danny Keane (piano); John Pope (bass); Steve Hanley (drums)The moral of the story re last night's gig at the Globe is that, just as you can't judge a book by its cover, nor can you judge a band by listening to a few bars on YouTube.I made just such an error of perception when I concluded it was going to be a long haul until the final coda.I was wrong - boy ..read more

Sue Ferris (tenor sax); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Ben Lawrence (keyboards); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums)It's the new thing at Central Bar - doors at 1:45pm with hardly a soul to be seen, by the two o'clock down beat the first floor room is all but standing-room only. This month's session featured Sue Ferris' excellent quintet playing Horace Silver. Not an album ..read more

Maurice Summerfield kindly, and yet sadly, sent me the news that guitar great John Pisano passed away on Thursday at the age of 93.A true legend whose technique and musicality enabled him to be at home in most settings irrespective of the context. For jazz fans perhaps it was his duets with Joe Pass (see above YouTube clip of Alone Together) that he will be remembered by as well as with countless ..read more

Jeff Barnhart (piano, vocals); Anne Barnhart (vocals)Following a most successful lunchtime concert at St Augustine's Parish Centre, Jeff Barnhart wasn't about to leave town anytime soon. Two minutes' walk from the venue lies one of our American visitor's favourite pubs. The place was more than busy and the arrival of Mr B's entourage made it all the more so. A pint or three later it was time to ..read more

Playlist 05/05/24. (Repeated Tuesday 07/05/24)Seasonal: Stan Getz, Blossom Dearie, Nat 'King' Cole.Requests From Graham Hardy Gala Gig:  Ushaw Ensemble, Oscar Peterson/Clark Terry, Kenny Barron, Immanuel Wilkins.What’s happening in Scotland: Makote Ozone,.Memories: Maynard Ferguson, Mary Lou Williams, Keith Jarrett, Red Nichols,.British Modern Jazz: Mike ..read more

Jeff Barnhart (piano, vocals); John Hallam (tenor sax, baritone sax, clarinet); Keith Stephen (guitar, banjo); Bruce Rollo (double bass, vocals)The Mr Men's annual visit to Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club attracted a large crowd to St Augustine's. Pianist Jeff Barnhart was just about over jetlag, this Larchfield Street engagement the first in his spring UK tour itinerary. As always, joining the ..read more

Mark Toomey (alto sax); Jeremy McMurray (piano); Alan Rudd (double bass); Paul Smith (drums).A night of jazz standards and original compositions. All delivered with the passion and excitement that is always guaranteed with this group which isn't surprising comprising as it does some of the best jazz musicians in the Teesside area. It also gave Mark  the the opportunity to ..read more

Following on from their debut concert in Saltburn last year, the band has gone from strength to strength delivering stunning performances throughout the area including a standing ovation at a sell out concert in Stokesley earlier this year. Lead by trumpet ace Kevin Eland, the concert promises to be of the same high standard with some great arrangements and knockout soloists, many of ..read more

Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums)The sun shone today. Sunny Bishop Auckland suggested the best of spring is just around the corner. Auckland Castle, a tourist attraction at the best of times, today looked a picture, a magnet for the many culture vultures milling about town. Those in the know queued at the door to the Old Library, eager to part with a mere ..read more