Jazz in Yorkshire becomes NorthernJazzNews in 2014!

As of January 2014, we will be launching a new look and name for the blog. We will move from being Jazz in Yorkshire to NorthernJazzNews.

In just over a year, the site has seen a number of changes. The breadth of the news we report on has broadened, shifting focus from solely Yorkshire to the whole of the North. We've swelled our ranks by doubling the blog team (from one to two...) and have seen our readership and subscribers grow, too.

From January, the current domain name will becoming a landing site which will suggest 3 options -

1) Visit the new NorthernJazzNews site
2) Visit the Norvol website (Norvol is the organisation for jazz promoters in the North)
3) Visit the Jazz North website (the development agency which supports Jazz in the North)

For the time being, we will continue to maintain the gig guide and we will announce any changes to this as and when they happen.

We'd like to thank our readers for the supporting the site so far and we hope you continue to visit in 2014. Merry Christmas!

Northern Musicians 'Ones to Watch' in Jazzwise

                                 Tori Freestone, 'one to watch' in 2014

At this time of year, Jazzwise asks a number of journalists and other industry professionals who they think we should be listening out for in the new year. This year, the list contains 4 Northern jazz musicians.

Jon Newey (Jazzwise) cited Roller Trio as his ones to watch, describing them as 'one of the most powerful and imaginative forces in UK music.'

Daniel Spicer (Jazzwise/The Wire) chose Mwamba/Kane/Blackmore, a trio featuring Leeds-based Dave Kane. 'A high-functioning group-mind dedicated to generating spontaneous beauty.'

Alyn Shipton chose Yorkshire-born, London-based tenor saxophonist Nadim Teimoori who 'plays with a maturity way beyond his 23 years.

And finally Steve Rubie from the 606 club suggested LCoM alumnus and former lecturer Tori Freestone, a musician he feels is 'starting to really find her sound and is well worth watching in 2014'.

You can find the full article in the newest edition of Jazzwise, out now.

Jesse Bannister to release new album and tour 2014

Saxophonist and composer Jesse Banister has announced that 2014 will see the release of his new album, Play Out, and a tour with his new group featuring Zoe Rahman, Seb Rochford and Kenny Higgins.

From the Raestar Ventures press release...

In Play Out ....Jesse explores the improvisational nature of Indian and Jazz music through fascinating creative partnerships that cross musical and geographical borders with Zoe Rahman an established star herself on the contemporary jazz scene described as ‘one of the finest young pianists in Europe’ (The Observer) and performs saxophone/percussion dialogue with the powerfully original drummer, Seb Rochford. Bassist Kenny Higgins brings his dynamic groove style to the collaboration. At its heart lies Bannister’s distinctive sound, honed from years of absorbing influences from Indian classical music, jazz and contemporary compositions.

For more details, see Jesse Bannister's website.

Leeds Pianist Declan Forde Becomes YLMP Featured Artist 2014 - 2016

Photo by Alavon Peacock 2012

Leeds-based pianist and recent graduate of Leeds College of Music Declan Forde has been awarded the position of being Yorkshire Live Music Project's Featured Artist for three years beginning in the New Year.

The YLMP Featured Artists scheme was established in 2011 to support young and emerging classical and jazz musicians in the first five years of their full-time professional performing careers.

For more about Declan and his upcoming gigs and work with YLMP, click HERE.

News Of The Death Of Horace Silver Confirmed As False

It is with enormous happiness that the jazz community receives the news that legendary pianist Horace Silver is still with us. Reports were made this morning that Silver had passed away aged 85, but these have now been retracted and confirmed to be in error. Apologies have been issued to Silver and his friends and family for this unpleasant mistake.

Seven Jazz launches Spring/Summer 2014 programme

 

                                         Tommy Smith/Brian Kellock

Seven Jazz have announced their 2014 spring/summer programme and it is packed full of regional, national and touring groups playing a wide range of styles.

Newcastle's Top Jazz Dance Party Hosts End Of Year Special

On the 29th December, Swing Tyne will be hosting a special end of year Sunday Night Stomp at Hoochie Choochie. Running 7.30 til late, there'll be plenty of time to shook, shimmy and shake to the sounds of TJ Muller and his newly-formed Honky-Tonk Jazz Band as well as DJs playing trad, gypsy jazz, big band swing, jump jive and more.

Free entry.

Hoochie Choochie
54 Pilgrim Street
Newcastle
NE1 6SF

JATP moves into new home

                                Magic Hat Ensemble at JATP (photo credit: Mark Beirne-Smith)


Jazz at the Priestley in Bradford, a club that schedules a renowned programme of jazz from local and touring groups, have moved from their venue of recent years, the Irish Club on Rebecca Street in Bradford. They will now host their gigs at Glyde House, Glydegate, Bradford. BD5 0BQ.

The move means that their January gigs scheduled for 3rd January and 17th January will now take place at the new venue.

Good luck to Martin Powell and the team on the move! 

RIP Jim Hall 1930 - 2013

Only days after the passing of Stan Tracy, the jazz community is left reeling with the awful news that guitarist Jim Hall passed away yesterday. Hall died aged 84 in Manhattan Hospital after a short illness.
Jim Hall was a  true jazz legend and a father figure of jazz guitar, and in fact this was the title of his debut solo album, released in 1957. It is said that one can judge a man by the company he keeps, and if that is the case one can give Jim Hall the highest judgement as it was his wonderful collaborations that defined his career as much as his work under his own name. These collaborations included work with such giants as Sonny Rollins (Jim appeared as a special guest at Sonny's 80th birthday concert 3 years ago), Bill Evans, Ben Webster and Gary Burton among many others.

An astounding musician who will be missed greatly by the entire community.

Durham University Big Band To Play Charity Gig

Tomorrow night, Wednesday 11th December, Durham University Big Band will be playing a concert in aid of Durham Food Bank.

The band will be playing a set of swing, latin and funk as well as arrangements of popular carols in the Riverside Café of Durham University Student Union from 8pm. Free entry, with contributions to Durham Food Bank greatly appreciated.

'Jazzlines' Announces Birmingham Concerts For The New Year

Jazzlines, a programme of jazz performances in Birmingham run by Town Hall Symphony Hall along with Tony Dudley-Evans and Mary Wakelam, has announced a series of gigs in the new year that showcases some of British jazz's young, innovative talent as well as international artists.

RIP Stan Tracey 1926-2013

                                          Photo Credit: William Ellis


Beloved pianist and composer Stan Tracey has passed away aged 86. Tracey had been a pillar of the British Jazz community for decades, being awarded a CBE for his work. His most famous recording was a suite inspired by Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood.

Our condolences to the Tracey family and to Stan's many friends and colleagues.

Stan Tracey Interview - The Guardian 2006

A Call for Photos of E.S.T

In celebration of the 10th Gateshead International Jazz Festival, a set of photos is being collated to span the history of the festival. However, it has arisen that there are no photos to be found from the performance of the now defunct, but once trend-setting, piano trio E.S.T.
Although photography is banned at the festival a 'photo amnesty' has been announced, as the organisers appeal for any photos taken of E.S.T by audience members at their appearance at the first Gateshead International Jazz Festival in 2005.

If you have any photographs from this concert, it would be much appreciated if you would get in touch via the email address below:

jackie.thonpson@sagegateshead.com

Jamie Taylor launches new album at Sela Bar, December 15th

Top UK guitarist Jamie Taylor is to launch his new album with his quartet, Outside Line, on December 15th at The Cooler at Sela Bar in Leeds.

The band, which features tenor saxophonist Matt Anderson, bassist Garry Jackson and drummer Dave Walsh, have played together across the North and recorded their debut album in February of this year.

John Surman Wins British Composer Award

The Annual British Composer Awards Ceremony was held this week, and the award for Contemporary Jazz Compostion was won by multi-intrumentalist and composer John Surman with Lifelines, 'a choral piece 'which blends folk and jazz into a convincing and original portmanteau'.

British Jazz Stars Lead Weekly Night in Birmingham

'Yorks' is a trendy bakery/coffee shop in Birmingham about which I have heard only good things, and the newest addition to it's long list of attributes is a weekly jazz night, lead by the fantastically talented pair: trumpeter/bassist Percy Pursglove and drummer Andrew Bain.

How Do We Get More Gigs? Event in York, December 16th

Following the success of previous events in Leeds, Newcastle and Manchester Jazz Festival, Jazz North is to host another How Do We Get More Gigs session in York on December 16th.

The event, aimed at professional jazz musicians with at least 3 years gigging experience, will focus on areas including booking gigs and relationships with promoters, jazz media and receiving press coverage, EPKs and more. It also provides a prime opportunity to network amongst  industry professionals and other musicians.

The panel of speakers for the York event include Fran Hardcastle (artist management and bookings), Sebastian Scotney (editor of LondonJazz and jazz journalist) and Tony Dudley-Evans (jazz promoter at Jazzlines, Birmingham).

The event will run from 2pm until 5pm. It is free to attend but places are limited and booking is essential. To secure your place register online at www.jazznorth.org/how-to-get-more-gigs/ 2pm-5pm, Monday 16th December Lady Anne Middleton’s Hotel, Skeldergate, York, YO1 6DS (SatNav postcode: YO1 6DU)

Northern Line Group 'Jamil Sheriff Trio' To Play Matt and Phreds.

Jazz North 'Northern Line' ensemble The Jamil Sheriff Trio, featuring Jamil Sherrif (piano/composition), Pete Turner (double bass) and Dave Walsh (drums), will be performing at Manchester's 'Matt and Phreds' on the 11th December.
Expect dramatic, engaging compositions and fantastic ensemble and solo playing from this accomplished trio.

'Excellent northern pianist who brings together a range of classic, contemporary and urban approaches' - The Times.