Friday 27 March 2020

Just a few days to go - don't forget to vote!

 
A reminder that the Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2020 need your vote by MIDNIGHT Tuesday 31 MARCH!

The categories are
Jazz Album of the Year 
Jazz Vocalist of the Year 
Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year 
Jazz Ensemble of the Year 
Jazz Venue of the Year 
Jazz Media Award 
Jazz Education Award
Jazz Newcomer of the Year 
Services to Jazz Award
The voting link is here https://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/parliamentary-jazz-awards.
Don't miss out on the chance to support your favourites!

Jazz video sessions at Jazz Leeds


No live jazz at present but to keep your jazz spirits up, Jazz Leeds are offering you two hours from our Jazz Leeds Archives at our regular gig timeof every Sunday afternoon -from 1.30pm
Last Sunday 22 March we showed these artists and bands (links attached)

Next Archive will be on Sunday 29 March and will feature (amongst others) Ashley Henry Trio, Scott Hamilton, John Taylor, Alison Rayner, Andrew McCormack and Jason Yarde. Watch time 1.30pm with the links posted oon our Facebook site https://www.facebook.com/jazzleeds and Twitter site https://twitter.com/jazz_leeds

Come and watch! Check our YOUTUBE site here




Lockdown Jazz Club sessions start at Scarborough


When your jazz club has been running 50 weeks a year for over 35 years, you don't just shut the doors and walk away. So Scarborough Jazz is proud to present... JAZZ LOCKDOWN - the self-isolating jazz club.

Every Wednesday at 8.45pm – the time when live music usually starts at Scarborough Jazz – we’ll be releasing a whole package of jazz goodies on the internet.

Pride of place is an exclusive jazz DJ set courtesy of Dr. Filey Selassie, a bona fide doctor of funk and a familiar face from playing drums at the club. Accompanying that will be a selection of links to jazz content around the web – concert footage, articles and reviews, live streams and more, much of it linked with Scarborough Jazz and all curated by ‘Jazz Thing’ radio show DJ Adrian Riley, chosen to keep you entertained throughout the week now we are all pretty much locked down.

Plus we’ll be regularly sharing exclusive content by local jazz musicians, not least some young faces who would usually be playing support slots as part of our ‘Next Jazz Generation’ initiative.

Bird Lives. And so does Scarborough Jazz.

We hope to be back in our original form when all this blows over, in the meantime stay safe and stay groovy. And log on every Wednesday at 8.45pm.

www.jazzlockdown.club


Manchester Jazz festival cancelled

From festival director Steve Mead


It is with great sadness we announce that this year’s Manchester Jazz Festival (May 21 -25) is cancelled. Along with the rest of the population, our hope is that the situation surrounding the current COVID-19 pandemic improves in the coming months. However it is too great a risk for our staff, artists and partners to embark on delivering large scale events across the city during the worst public health crisis in a generation.

Manchester Jazz Festival formed in 1996 and has now become the city’s longest-running music festival. Our very first festival was cancelled on the day due to the city centre bomb in Manchester, so it is a strange book end to the first quarter century of our history that this, our 25th anniversary, will also be cancelled.

We know this news will come as a disappointment and we’d like to reassure everyone that we will be back in 2021. Those who have bought tickets to this year’s festival will be entitled to a full refund and should contact the booking agent they used to make their original purchase.

In the meantime, we’ll be working on supporting all artists across the North West and beyond. Please stay tuned over the coming months as we switch our focus to digital projects, so we can continue celebrate the work of our extraordinary artists with our loyal audiences.

Some of our partner venues may continue with the festival events they had programmed between May 21 -25. Although these gigs will no longer be part of mjf2020, if they are able to continue we ask you to support these events where you can.

Tuesday 17 March 2020

Jazz carnage in the North - "it's going to be one long hard day"


Sad times for the jazz world-due to the COVID-19 virus. Its been a dreadful day - Ribble Valley, Wigan and Gateshead festivals axed, and whole promoter programmes everywhere, JazzLeeds festival, all gone  just gone, like that. Here is a list of the latest festival and promoter cancellatios

Scarborough Jazz
This is going to be one very long, hard day. Anyone I have given work to please expect an email from me. I hardly need to tell you what the content will be.
Bob Walker   

Bradford JAtP
In the light of the latest Government advice and the effect of that on the jazz scene generally, the JATPjazz Committee have most regrettably and reluctantly concluded that the best, most responsible course of action is to cancel all forthcoming gigs up until the end of May at the earliest.
We should not forget Bradford Latvian Club and Jazz Musicians in general in the current circumstances. In the light of the advice to avoid public gatherings, such venues and maintain "social distancing", coupled with the suspension of Bradford City AFC fixtures, the supporters of which pack the Bradford Latvian Club to the rafters for home games, it is easy to imagine the black holes which have suddenly appeared in their respective balance sheets.
We should also not forget our faithful Members, without whom none of this would happen in any circumstances. We advise that membership duration will be extended by the number of months we are "off-line" such that there will be no disadvantage to Members in terms of annual subscriptions. Of course, those members who would prefer a refund of outstanding subscriptions arising from cancellations, please contact Steve whose details can be found in the brochure.
We hope to be back where we belong at Bradford Latvian Club in the not too distant future and hope you will bear with us in the meantime.
Please stay safe and hopefully virus-free until happier, more normal days return.
We wish you all well.
JATPjazz Committee

Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues
The restrictions as set out the government today, confirm the decision we were about to make as a committee, which is to cancel this year’s Ribble Jazz Fest set for the first weekend in May. Our approach regarding our cancellation will be to airlift our programme forward to May 2021, working through the year once things settle to ensure that is a reality. Even this looks a bit grim right now – but let’s hope.
Sue Bradley

Gateshead International Jazz Festival
I write with a heavy heart to inform you that In light of the most recent Government advice, Sage Gateshead will be closed to the public from today until further notice. The health and safety of audiences, musicians and staff at Sage Gateshead is our priority.
 As such we have no option that to cancel this weekend’s Gateshead Jazz Festival. I know that for some of you this will be a relief and expected and for some of you it will be, as it is for us, a huge blow. We have put an enormous amount of work into the weekend and are devastated.
We won’t be able to move the whole festival to a different period, but we would like to work with all of you to find an alternative dates within 20/21. Under clause 16 of our contract we will enter a suspension period. We will be in touch with each of you individually as soon as we can to discuss this.
My apologies for this hugely disappointing news. With kind regards,
Tamsin Austin

Wigan Jazz festival
As a result of the increasing uncertainty and concerns being created by the coronavirus and taking into account the announcements made by the Government on Monday 16th Marchwe have taken the decision to cancel the 35th Wigan International Jazz Festival due to take place from 9th to 12th July 2020. Wherever possible musicians will be offered performances at the 2021 Jazz Festival.
Updates as to the activities of the Music Continuum will be made on social media, on the websites www.wiganjazzfest.co.uk www.wiganjazzclub.co.uk www.musiccontinuum.co.uk and in the monthly newsletter ‘Jazz Notes

Band on the Wall Manchester
In light of government advice issued on the evening of 16th March, we’re temporarily closing our doors with immediate effect. While we’d love for the show to go on, the health and safety of our customers, artists, staff and their friends and families are of paramount importance.
Therefore, unfortunately all events from 17th March – 18th April are postponed or cancelled. All ticket buyers will be notified via email.
During what is undoubtedly going to be a challenging time across the entertainment, culture and hospitality sectors, it’s important that we as a society and industry support each other. Band on the Wall has been here for over 200 years, and with the support of our amazing customers and partners, we’ll continue to play our role in the UK’s thriving music scene.
We are a small part of the huge, vibrant, brilliant community of venues, artists, promoters, creatives, freelancers, technical teams and front of house staff, and everyone in between, that makes up Manchester’s music community. Together, we’ll come back stronger than ever.
Gavin Sharp

Wakefeld Jazz
We are sad to make the announcement that none of our advertised gigs will go ahead until the COVD19 crisis is over, We are gutted for the jazz musicians affected by the lockdown
Pete Rosser

Sheffield Jazz
Because of the fast-deteriorating Covid-19 problem and associated Government guidance suggesting mass self-isolation in the near future we have decided to cancel all future gigs including Ant Law this cominhg Friday. We will shift the Nikki Iles Orchestra gig to Friday 25 September 2020 and will also be looking to rearrange the subsequent Crookes Social Club gigs and probably also the 30 April Jason Rebello Trio gig which is planned for Firth Hall. Please keep an eye on the Sheffield Jazz website for the new dates, for which your advance tickets will still be valid. If however the new date s inconvenient or you just want a refund as soon as possible please email sheffieldjazzorg@gmail.com and we will arrange a full refund via TicketSource.
We very much regret having to take this step, especially in view of the financial repercussions for the musicians, and we would urge all our audience to try to compensate at this very difficult time for them by buying CDs, downloads and other merchandise from the musicians' websites.
Paul Thomas

Jazz Leeds
With great sadmess we have to announce the cancellation our entire concert and festival season until further notice due to COVID-19. Our gigs at Seven Arts and Inkwell will no longer take place and we are also cancelling plans for the JazzLeeds Changes Festival in July. Our workshops, choir, rush hour jazz and jam sessions are also suspended. Where possible we are re-arranging concerts for the autumn. Do keep in touch via our website (www.jazzleeds.org.uk) and social media pages as we have plans to put some of the concerts on live stream.
Thanks for all your support and kind words. We wish all our musician and venue friend well in this difficult time.
Steve Crocker and all the team at Jazz Leeds


Jazz at the Spa (Boston Spa)
Not unexpectedly, Jazz in the Spa has suspended all gigs till the end of April in the first instance.
Looks like this will go on for quite a bit longer – but no point anticipating the worst case scenario.
Kind regards
Les

Jazz in York
Eagle and Child
Jazz at the Eagle and Child every Thursday has been postponed until further notice. Stay safe everyone we need you to return in numbers when all this blows over
Cross Keys
With much regret it has been decided to cancel the jazz sessions at the Cross Keys until further notice. As soon as the coronavirus situation abates we will reinstate the jazz.Watch this site!
Mal Bramley

Jazz North East Newcastle
For now all Jazz North East concerts and Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music are going ahead. Our next scheduled events are Vula Viel at GJF and then Alter Ego on 2nd April at The Black Swan Bar and Venue. Zoe Gilby 'Aurora' Quintet album launch is at Gosforth Civic Theatre on 23rd April.
Wes Stephenson

Saturday 14 March 2020

Dizzy Club CANCELLED at Huddersfield



Huddersfield Jazz & Café Society are proud to welcome back the fabulous Dizzy Club on Sunday afternoon 22 March

Almost no other band seems to possess the ability to perform in so many varied and diverse venues as The Dizzies.  You are just as likely to find them performing for a club full of twenty-something “cool cats” as to an audience of “traditional” jazz fans.

With a repertoire full of artistic contradictions, their appearance at many different music clubs gives the clue as to why they enjoy such a massive appeal.  Their music often crosses stylistic divides, simply because they are so interesting musically.  With influences from Hot Club, 40s swing, Blue Note Soul and Sinatra (and often with Latin rhythms), this gives them an edge which most bands would die for.

Line-Up:
John Naylor – Vocals & Guitar
Shez Sheridan – Lead Guitar / Lap Steel & Guitar
Mike Fleming – Double Bass & Vocals.
John Watterson – Drums

Social Media:
Website – www.dizzyclub.co.uk
Facebook - facebook.com/dizzyclub


Date: Sunday 22nd March 2020
Time: 2pm - 4pm
Venue: Café Society - Byram Street, Huddersfield
THIS GIG HAS BEEN CANCELLED
THIS GIG CASNCE


Late March North East gigs list



*Lunchtime/afternoon gig
** given the recent virus outbreak it is worth checking that thesegigs are still on...

Mar 14 MGB: Milne-Glendinning Band Prohibition Bar, Newcastle NE1 5DW
Mar 15 Newcastle University Jazz The Globe, Newcastle NE4 7AD
Mar 15 FINNTET Black Bull, Blaydon NE21 4JJ
Mar 17 Darlington Big Band Forum Music Centre, Darlington DL1 1SG
Mar 18 Julija Jacenaite & Alexys de Alfaro Jazz Café Mezzanine, Newcastle NE1 1SG*
Mar 19 Pat Thomas King’s Hall, Newcastle University NE1 7RU*
Mar 20 Andrea Vicari Trio Gala Theatre, Durham DH1 5DW*
Mar 20 Andrea Vicari Trio Traveller’s Rest, Darlington DL3 9ER
Mar 20-22 Gateshead Jazz Sage Gateshead NE8 2JR
Mar 28 Mama Shakers St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington DL3 7TG*
Mar 29 Jazz Sunday Middlesbrough Town Hall TS1 2QJ*
   

Russell Corbett's March North East roundup

From Russell Corbett


One event towers above all others in March. Following a one year hiatus Gateshead Jazz (formerly Gateshead International Jazz Festival) returns to Sage Gateshead over three days (Fri 20-Sun22). Jamie Cullum's opening concert sold out some time ago and by the time you've attended the weekend's closing concert featuring the Binker Golding Quartet an awful lot of jazz will be ringing in the ears. From SEED Ensemble to GoGo Penguin, a late night Judi Jackson show to Theo Croker, Yazz Ahmed, Jasper Høiby's Planet B and Nikki Iles' new star-studded Jazz Orchestra there should be something for everyone although, it should be said, Gateshead Jazz sports a very distinctive contemporary badge.

Five or more top class pianists can be heard across the north east of England during the month; Dean Stockdale plays a duo gig with Edinburgh-based vocalist Louise Dodds at Newcastle's Jazz Cafe (Wed 4, lunchtime), Sam Leak brings his trio to the Globe, Newcastle (Sat 7), King's Hall, Newcastle University presents two free admission concerts - first John Law (Thurs 12, lunchtime) with his quartet followed seven days later by Pat Thomas playing what is certain to be an explosive solo improv set - and Andrea Vicari can look forward to a bumper pay day with a gig at Durham's Gala Theatre (lunchtime) and an evening engagement at Opus 4 Jazz Club in Darlington (both Fri 20).

Elsewhere six big bands catch the eye/ear. The BBC Big Band at the Gala Theatre, Durham (Wed 4) will, no doubt, boast its usual quota of household names, the Customs House Big Band returns to Dorman's, Middlesbrough (Mar 12, free admission) and an intriguing gig at Flat Caps Coffee in Newcastle (Fri 13) features a one-off appearance by NYC-based trumpeter, composer, arranger and bandleader Danny Jonokuchi working with the mighty Strictly Smokin' Big Band. It has the makings of an 'I was there' occasion. Jason Holcomb's new outfit - Newcastle University Jazz - plays a second public gig at Newcastle's Jazz Co-op (Mar 15) and the Darlington Big Band will be on home turf at the Forum Music Centre (Mar 17). Finally, Nikki Iles' recently formed large ensemble makes a swift return to the region following an appearance at Gateshead Jazz with a headline spot at Middlesbrough Town Hall's monthly Sunday Jazz showcase on Mar 29. An enticing triple bill includes the Nishla Smith Quintet and the Tees Valley Youth Jazz Collective.

Recommended one-off gigs include the Tenement Jazz Band (Mar 8, afternoon) at Prohibition Bar, Newcastle, Joe Williamson's Animal Society (Mar 8) at the Bridge Hotel, Newcastle and, all the way from France, Mama Shakers play an end-of-the-month gig at Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club (Mar 28). So many gigs, so little time! Isn't it wonderful?!