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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

It starts at seven thirty, doors at seven, it's going to be busy, let's get there for half past six. Turning into Newcastle Arts Centre's courtyard the queue was beginning to form. One whole hour before the down beat, what's going on? The Black Swan jam session is what you could call a success! This evening's house trio comprised guitar virtuoso Mr Bradley Johnston, jam session MC, Mr Paul ..read more

Steve Lacy (soprano sax); Mal Waldron (piano); Reggie Workman (bass); Andrew Cyrille (drums) Another Record Store Day (April 20) release of a previously unreleased live album discovered and produced by Zev Feldman. Four forward thinkers of the time who, although stretching boundaries never totally turned their backs on the power of melody thus we have a couple of  pieces by Monk ..read more

Another find! This time in Jarrow's 'Sally Army' shop. A 10" (22.54cm) vinyl LP by, arguably, the finest and the jazziest close harmony group of the 1950s. What memories I have of hearing this album for the first time in a Wiltshire RAF camp.The Freshmen are: Ross Barbour, Bob Flanigan, Ken Errair, & Don Barbour whilst the 'bones are five of the west coast's finest - Frank Rosolino, Harry ..read more

(© Pam)Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums)Blaydon Jazz Club's 40th anniversary concert series is shaping up nicely. This evening's concert featured the debut performance of the Russ Morgan Quartet. Other than a recent appearance at Darlington's Opus 4 Jazz Club working in the company of Paul Edis and Vasilis Xenopoulos, it had been a ..read more