Tad Newton and Jazz&Jazz ecstatically announce that the
Tina May Concert is fully booked. 

If you’ve missed out you could always telephone Tad on 01604 858549
in case of cancellations!

Jazz&Jazz aims to capture, share and promote the unique ethos of the early days of jazz. We treasure the origins of jazz, nowadays referred to by some as New Orleans Revivalist Jazz. In the UK and Europe jazz steered a somewhat different path in the much loved Traditional Jazz era of the 1950s and 1960s but it was still based on early New Orleans jazz.

Sammy Rimington recently emailed me: “Hi Peter, You are doing a great job promoting the real traditional jazz and we are sure many other musicians are very thankful for all the time and work you put in.”

Jazz Has Evolved
But over the years, like other art forms, like it or not jazz has “evolved” and diverged into other directions. We have mainstream jazz, modern jazz, avant-garde jazz and improvised jazz.

In recent months, Jazz&Jazz has grown in popularity and these days I receive requests to help promote these different genres of jazz. So occasionally I will, particularly if I consider a musician or band is truly worthy of mention. After all, if they are skilled improvisers, surely they could be lured back to including real jazz in their repertoires.

Jamie Smith UK Jazz Pianist
One such musician who recently contacted me is Jamie Smith, a UK jazz pianist based in Edinburgh. He has released a new solo piano EP entitled “Kinesis – Four Improvisations on Piano”.

To discover more about Jamie and his music take a look at his online Kinesis pdf.

Feedback
I’m sure Jamie would appreciate feedback on his music as would I. Particularly as nowadays I’m receiving more and more requests to feature all types of jazz, bands and musicians.

I am giving serious consideration to the impact this is having on Jazz&Jazz and even ways in which it can help in promoting our core aims. I will shortly announce my conclusions.

Award-winning jazz saxophonist Andy Sheppard and outstanding pianist Joanna MacGregor OBE join forces to create a magnificent live performance of their newly commissioned soundtrack for the silent film Sunrise, F.W.Murnau’s 1927 masterpiece. A story about innocence and experience, about urban and rural American and about love and violence, their performance, especially arranged for Opera North’s Howard Assembly Room, will make a sensational night out.

Made in the twilight of the silent era, Sunrise became a swan-song for the vanishing medium and one of its greatest expressions. In creating their new live score, Joanna MacGregor and Andy Sheppard took inspiration from the music of Tom Waits, Johnny Cash and traditional American spirituals.

‘Inspirational, intense and deeply moving’  The Arts Desk on Joanna MacGregor

Supported by the Opera North Future Fund

Howard Assembly Room,
Opera North Grand Theatre,
46 New Briggate,
Leeds, LS1 6NU

Saturday 26 April 7.30pm • £15

Phone: +44 (0)113 243 9999
Email: [email protected]

Book Now:
www.operanorth.co.uk

Electrifying American jazz singer René Marie will dazzle with her powerhouse vocals and smooth tones as she joins Opera North for a night of songs from her album, Voice of My Beautiful Country. The evening will draw together jazz, soul, gospel and Americana in a stunning one-off concert. Make this a must for your diary.

‘It’s her ability to step inside the song and make the lyrics come alive that sets her apart’ The Arts Desk

“A brilliantly conceived package of Americana, focusing on folkloric material” The Wall Street Journal

“Electrifying and life-enhancing, René Marie draws
together jazz, soul, gospel and Americana to powerful effect. With her incredible range of vocal ability, emotional resonance and strong independent streak, she brings to life original songs, jazz standards and folk songs alike. Her music both celebrates and interrogates American culture and her position within it. With a snowballing career that began only when she was in her 40s, René Marie is an artist of rare honesty and commitment and one of today’s most individual voices.” American Routes

René Marie sings “Meadowlark”
René Marie talks about her album “Voice of My Beautiful Country”

Opera North Grand Theatre,
46 New Briggate,
Leeds, LS1 6NU

Wednesday 23 April 7.45pm • £12.50

Phone: +44 (0)113 243 9999
Email: [email protected]

Book Now: www.operanorth.co.uk

Uri Caine

Two highly influential jazz musicians from across the pond, distinguished trumpeter Dave Douglas and keyboard wizard Uri Caine, unite in a compelling evening of vivacious, fierce and phenomenal playing. 

Jaw-droppingly talented, the duo will treat you to a special selection of songs, hymns and improvisations ahead of their 2014 CD release in summer 2014. Having worked together in various forms for over 30 years, their new album and tour brings out the very best of their collaboration.

True improvisers, you never know where the night may take you so get booking those tickets now.

Dave Douglas

Opera North Grand Theatre,
46 New Briggate,
Leeds, LS1 6NU

Phone: +44 (0)113 243 9999
Email: [email protected]

Friday 2 May 7.45pm
£15

www.operanorth.co.uk

Kent Jazz News is compiled and edited by jazz devotee Harry Stubberfield and is well worth taking the time to read.

It’s packed with news about the jazz scene in Kent and beyond.

Harry kindly supplied me with this pdf of the Spring Issue: AAkjnspring

To receive your personal copy email Harry at: [email protected]

Brian Turnock’s Belgium based New Orleans Z’hulus have been “on the warpath” for 30 years and Welwyn Garden City’s Peartree Jazz Club is pleased to announce them as star guests this coming Monday, 14th April, during their UK Anniversary Tour.

It’s surprising what a bit of top rate promo can do! For instance this from Martin Bennett:

“Blistering session yesterday at The Pear Tree, Welwyn Garden City, organised by Smiffy. A very generous reception given to the band by some very enthusiastic supporters and a gang of onetime neighbours and good friends of mine from when I was living in Essendon, Herts, 40 odd years ago.

“Peter Butler (Jazzers) was in there in the front with a brand new machine that transfers sound and film directly to YouTube. He was delighted with his new toy and as far as I could understand, he has put a lot of the concert on YouTube. I’ll be more exact once I have heard from him. This magical device of his is about the size of the bottom half of a half-pint glass. It could be dangerous!”

Blistering Drum Solo

With that, Martin, you’ve shot The Old Green River’s performance of “The Algiers Strut” to the top of the “Jazz&Jazz YouTube Parade” at the same time as giving Smiffy’s Peartree Jazz Club in Welwyn Garden City a well deserved plug. Also because it features Stuart Smith’s blistering drum solo.

I’ve videoed a selection of YouTubes of equally powerful performances by various bands using my “magical half pint glass” but they will follow later as they take time to process. However, a bit more praise like Martin’s and others too could jump the queue!

By the way, please excuse the step ladder behind the set. I have to have a means of escape should the musicians cut up rough!