The Big Easy – “The Big Easy” album review

Amongst a certain cohort of music aficionados there is an interest in a genre known as “electro swing”. Essentially this incorporates the rhythms and atmosphere of early swing giants and fuses them together with contemporary beats to produce, in many cases, an exhilarating and electrifying sound.  The Big Easy, from Leeds, have gone straight back to the early swing sound of Louis Armstrong and Louis Prima and given it a modern yet authentic make over. On this recording the band incorporates Jon Scully on trumpet and vocals, Troy Faid on guitar and vocals, Chris Lloyd on piano, Thomas Maddison on double bass and Laurence Marshall on drums. The mood from the very outset on “It’s the Rhythm in Me” is one of a group of musicians coming together, playing the music they love, and drawing the listener into their world with enthusiasm. Arguably the mood softens on such eternal jewels as “I Don’t Stand a Ghost of a Chance”, but the overall mood is one of unbridled joy and love for the music. “St Louis Blues” is given a laid-back tango feel that helps to infuse new life into a well-known tune.

The production is tight and crisp and allows each player individual voices room to be heard. The soloing is virtuosic without appearing self indulgent, and augments rather than detracts from the melodies. Many could argue that the production is almost too sterile for the type of music that is showcased here, but that is irrelevant if the listener fully contextualises these pieces.  Nina Simone’s  “My Baby Just Cares for Me” is another tune that has been covered and reinterpreted in many ways on numerous occasions, but somehow The Big Easy have given it a prevailing flavour whilst remaining faithful to the original mood. Lovers of popular music who had their interest in swing music piqued by the recordings of Joe Jackson and the like, would be well advised to broaden their acquaintance with The Big Easy. In many ways, without the contemporary vocal, the passive listener would be hard pressed to date this recording at all.

Swing music has infiltrated many peoples lives, whether they like it or not, for many years in films, television and modern sampling techniques, so the music here should not be too unfamiliar to most. As advertised on their website, The Big Easy are available to play pubs, clubs, private parties and weddings. On hearing this release the listener can appreciate how the band can give any event a dose of infectious and enthusiastic playing which not only acknowledges their love of swing, but also brings it to a twenty first century audience in a setting that they can fully understand.  And with a live setlist that can incorporate the music of Dr John, Dusty Springfield, Van Morrison, The Beatles and Mae West, there is a realisation that the musicianship here does not end with swing, but encompasses influences satisfyingly far-reaching. 

Big Easy website

Preview René Marie – 23rd April 2014 Howard Assembly Rooms Leeds

For fans of vocal jazz this has to be a concert ‘not to be missed’, her recent album ‘I Wanna Be Evil (With Love to Eartha Kitt)’ is her 10^th, and was selected #4 Top Jazz Vocal Release of 2013 by NPR critics poll

London Jazz News said ‘If this is what René Marie can do in a studio, the live experience will be quite unforgettable’ and the lucky people of Leeds can see her live in Leeds as one of only two UK dates this year at the Howard Assembly Rooms on 23^rd April.

I have known about Rene Marie for a few years now as she features alongside the some of the best current American Jazz singers, in the US charts and internationally.  I have my tickets booked and hope to see you there.

M

The below is from her press release:

René shares more about her inspiration for the project.

‘Eartha Kitt is one of America’s strongest iconic figures. She was an inspiring artist, a strong woman and an essential activist in different ways. She was homeless when she first moved to New York City yet became a star. She was a sensual and powerful woman in a man’s world at a time when most women were in the background, not front and centre. She was a black actress in Hollywood at a time when most black actors were given subservient roles yet here she was – Catwoman.  She challenged President Johnson on the Vietnam War and paid a price for her outspokenness. She unabashedly shared her sensual self and her fierce self and was just herself – simply Eartha. That alone, I have learned, can be the most radical act, especially if you are a woman. As Eartha states in one of her famous ‘Kittisms’: The price you pay for being yourself is worth it.’

René too is unabashedly herself, winning many fans for her audaciousness but also receiving strong criticism.  Her well-known medley of “Strange Fruit” and “Dixie” wowed many but also stirred the pot on America’s history of slavery and Southern race relations. Her choice to sing the black national anthem, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” (set to the melody of the “Star Spangled Banner”) when the Mayor of Denver John Hickenlooper asked René – one of Denver’s high profile resident artists at the time – to open the State of the City address in 2008 spurred a significant backlash, right wing criticism and even death threats.

Yet René stood strong. Her daring makes her one of America’s most interesting and compelling artists. So do her influences. Her style incorporates a distinctly American mélange of jazz, soul, blues, folk and gospel and an innate theatrical ability to interpret a song deeply and live its truth. An actress as well as a vocalist, René starred Off-Broadway in New York City October 12-13 and 18 and 20, 2013, as part of the All for One Theatre Festival at the Cherry Lane Theatre in a one-woman play she wrote. In typical fashion, she raised eyebrows just with the title itself – “Slut Energy Theory – U’Dean.” The meaning becomes clear and intensely significant as the audience – and critics alike – find themselves transformed by her play about U’Dean, a woman on a painful yet sometimes funny journey from sexual abuse to self-esteem.

René also is a woman of great strength and humour who walked a similar journey. Married at 18, a mother of two by 23 and a Jehovah’s Witness, she only occasionally sang. When her husband of 23 years issued an ultimatum to stop singing or leave, she chose music over the turbulent marriage and self-released her debut Renaissance in 1998 and toured as Ella Fitzgerald in a regional play. She began experiencing a whirlwind of success rarely seen in the jazz world, winning over critics; receiving awards such as the Best International Jazz Vocal CD (besting Cassandra Wilson and Joni Mitchell) by France’s Academie Du Jazz; gracing the Billboard charts multiple times; and becoming a headliner at major international festivals. A gifted songwriter, her previous Motéma release, Black Lace Freudian Slip, features blues-heavy originals. Her label debut, Voice of My Beautiful Country, is an ambitious celebration of Americana and a striking display of her incredible ability to forge connections between songs most would never think to merge.

For René Marie, success means shining attention on important issues in America and on bold artists like Eartha Kitt who helped change America’s landscape for the better. René has become one of those bold artists. It’s hard to believe it all started after she turned 40.

For Tickets

http://www.operanorth.co.uk/productions/har-music-rene-marie

For More about René Marie

www.ReneMarie.com

Or Check her You Tube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/ReneMarieOfficial

 

Krzysztof Urbanski "Urban Jazz Society" at Seven, Chapel Allerton, Leeds 23rd March 2014

Krzysztof Urbanski website

Interview with Benet Mclean

　

Benet Mclean is a jazz pianist, singer, writer and violinist, who I have caught a couple of times playing in London. Ahead of his Wakefield Jazz gig on Friday 14th March I caught up with him for a chat on the email! For more details of the gig please check http://www.wakefieldjazz.org/bands.htm
Some of you might have spotted him playing in Jay Phelps band last week at Seven Jazz Leeds!



MBS - Is this tour an album tour or will there be other material being played in Wakefield?
BM - Everything's gone by in a bit of a blur recently. I've been involved in another project called Projections of Miles which has been good and I've had several dates with my own group in places such as Derbyshire , Lincoln & more. This date in Wakefield marks the end of a string of dates for us . . . I wouldn't quite call it a tour but it certainly has been an interesting ride. We're playing a mix of stuff , some as yet unrecorded too. I would say 60% from the previous albums and 40% new music (to be recorded in the future). We're really excited about the new release on 33 Jazz Records "Benet M. Live @ the 606" and we want to build on the kind of sounds and ideas we got on that album.
　

MBS - You have been a pianist and keys player in other peoples bands in your career has this informed your own music?
BM - That's a good question. Inevitably I think it has. Immediately Kevin Haynes Gruppo Elegua comes to mind. My tenure with Dennis Rollins' Bad Bone & Co was really helpful for me to observe presentation options (if that makes sense?). Knowing there are different ways to present the music. I don't wanna get on the straight-aheader's nerves - but I've never really been to interested in turning up to a gig, having a beer and kinda going on and jamming on standards with pretty much the same formula on every tune. I've always been attracted to different ways of doing things i think. Even some of the people that i was so fortunate enough to have as mentors & musical colleagues when I was a child growing up (such as Yehudi Menuhin, my amazing school music teacher Miss Osborne, Kora player and composer Tunde Jegede & many more) have really had a lasting vibe to me. I feel lucky and feel I'm just as much a fan of music as being a musician - when heroes of mine come and play at Ronnie Scott's in London - myself and a couple of friends alway bring albums of the appearing artist to hopefully get an autograph !
　

MBS - Do you ever sing with a pianist other than yourself?
BM - A few times, yes. I used to sing backing vocals in this 'super-in-vogue' club in London called the Ten Rooms. Celebrities used to be sitting around drinking. The music was loud!! The music was a far cry from the bebop that we love.
　

MBS - This is your third album as a leader, what is the inspiration behind this one?
BM - Yes, I'm excited about this album - it was recorded last year & is a live album recorded at one gig at the 606, also featuring superb saxophonist Duncan Eagles. I'm not as enthusiastic about live albums that feature material sort of collected from the best parts of gigs. You probably get a stronger selection in a way - but I think might lose the "live at the gig" feel of the album. This album is not only from one gig but it's pretty much from one set too . . . it's pretty much our 2nd set from that gig. I have trouble digging my own stuff though - a lot of times I just hear what could have been better.
　

MBS - When song writing what comes first, the lyric, the melody, the rhythm or the Harmony?
BM - For me every time it's different. And I'm not a prolific writer too. If an idea comes to me that seems to be leading to a new song then I get the pen and paper out. But I hardly ever sit down and say "right I'm gonna write something now". If it comes then cool . . . but otherwise i'm cool with that too. I'm also, I guess one of my contemporaries, that never uses a computer at any stage of the writing process & still even handwrite all the parts for the band. I like computers and all . . . but I guess I'm just old fashioned. For me the music writing process is head,heart,time to evolve, then pen,paper.
　

MBS - What makes you want to interpret a particular song?
BM - If it moves me - if it kind of gets inside you.

　
MBS - You have a healthy interest in art, do you paint?
BM - Not so much these days - I have exhibited some of my paintings and drawings in the past. But honestly I don't really see myself as a fully fledged artisan. It's just something I might do if I'm not doing much creative music for a period you dig?
　

MBS - Do you like Marmalade?
BM - Love Marmalade actually. Love it... I wanna get paid in Marmalade for the next gig please

Here is one of Benet's youtube clips paying homage to the great jazz pianists as a taster of what to expect on Fridayhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eGhiqRv-Wg

For more about Benet please check out his web sitehttp://www.benetmclean.com/

Crowd funding and jazz

The modern music world has changed in the last 10 years, with the record deals vanishing, file sharing, music streaming and vinyl coming back!

For a jazz musician or a band to record they are now mostly dependent on self-funding the album, my estimate would be that to record through to having a product will cost the musician in the region of £5k however Tommy Smith recently quoted £18k to produce his last album. Then there are the promotion costs on top, with the average jazz record sales being fairly low, it is unlikely that the jazz musician is going to become a millionaire soon!

There are a variety of ways the musician goes about funding a project, be this directly out of their own funds, from government (ACE) funding, getting loans from family and friends,  pre-sales. This where crowdfunding comes into play, various safe websites have been set up to enable the artist to collect funds from pre-sales, donations and wild and exuberant gifts! This gives the funder (hopefully you) a chance to see the early stages of the process coming together as well as getting something for your money. Who knows in the future this could be the modern way of buying music?

Craig Scott recently funded the production element of his latest cd through one of the sites and now it is Matt Anderson who is looking to generate funds for his debut album as leader. At ‘Jazz Goes To Leeds’ we have the following information for you.

Wild Flower Sextet Launches Crowdfunding Campaign

The Wild Flower Sextet have launched a crowdfunding campaign to support the making of their debut album, which they are recording on February 22^nd and 23^rd in the Leeds College of Music recital room after receiving a place on the Jazz Services Recording Support scheme.

The band, led by Leeds-based tenor saxophonist Matt Anderson, takes its name from a composition by the great Wayne Shorter, and the project celebrates the master saxophonist's music with deconstructed re-workings of his compositions as well as new material. Also featured in the band are young London-based trumpeter Laura Jurd, guitarist Alex Munk and pianist Jamil Sheriff, as well as the ever-popular combination of Sam Vicary and Sam Gardner on double-bass and drums.

The project has received support so far from a number of sources. As well as being awarded a place on the Jazz Services Recording Support Scheme, the band is also being supported by Leeds College of Music who have donated their recital room and Steinway grand piano for the recording. Alongside this, the band has also set up a crowdfunding campaign on Sponsume.com, allowing fans to support the project by pre-ordering copies of the album and signing up for different rewards. These range from mp3 downloads and a bonus disc with live footage and photos from the session to having their names printed in the album sleeve and tune dedications.

The campaign on Sponsume.com runs until the 1^st March, which is when mixing and mastering of the album will begin with a view to an Autumn release, and can be accessed by following http://www.sponsume.com/project/wild-flower-sextet-album.

www.matt-anderson.org.uk

Here are some early studio takes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6dNSdcjinE

Leeds Jazz Listings

Jazz-at-heart gigs 2014

Dominic Marshall Trio

Saturday 22 February 2014 7.30 p.m. £8 (£5 concessions)

Dominic J Marshall: piano; Tobias Nijboer: double bass; Kaspars Kurdeko: drums.

'brings together a great heritage of the past, but also something very fresh and new' - Jamie Cullum

Support: Moysey’s Noisy Sextet

Kasseldown Quintet

Saturday 22 March 2014 7.30 p.m. £8 (£5 concessions)

A new project led by Harry Orme, formed in late 2013 playing all original compositions. With special guest Matt Anderson, who has been making waves performing and recording as a sideman with Jiannis Pavlidis, Jamie Taylor and Jamil Sheriff, as well as leading his own projects. Also, rising stars of the northern scene: Declan Forde (Piano), Sam Vicary (Bass) and Sam Gardner (Drums).

Support: Toby Noble Trio

 Eirik Svela Trio

12 April 2014 7.30 p.m. £8 (£5 concessions)

The trio features Eirik Svela (Guitar), Simon Read (Bass) and John Arnesen (Drums). The band plays firmly within the hard-bop tradition drawing influences from legendary guitarists such as Wes Montgomery and Pat Martino. The trio’s repertoire is a mix of interpretations of standards and some original tunes.

"If I hear anything better all Fringe I'll eat my umbrella" (Audience member, Buxton Fringe)

 Sam Watts Solo Piano

17 May 2014 7.30 p.m. £8 (£5 concessions)

Sam studied at Leeds College of Music before continuing his studies at the Royal Academy of Music with a scholarship. He graduated with distinction in 2013, also winning the Humphrey Lyttleton prize. In November he performed a solo concert in the 2013 London Jazz Festival playing a selection of ragtime/stride piano pieces. This evening he takes us through his influences on solo piano, leaving not a dry eye in the house. http://wattsworld.co.uk/sounds/

 Apollo US presents: Fat Face Trio

7 June 2014 7.30 p.m. £8 (£5 concessions)

Jazz at Heart hosts the first Transatlantic tour by Apollo Jazz Network. Hailing from North Carolina, Fat Face Trio features trumpet, tuba and guitar. Led by trumpet Matt Postle, the group plays a diverse range of music and embraces the challenge of their unconventional line-up. A rare UK appearance from a group which promises unexpected turns and a fresh take on the jazz trio.      

Apollo US presents: Veronneau26 July 2014 7.30 p.m. £8 (£5 concessions)

Launched in 2010, international quartet Veronneau have captivated festivals, concert halls and jazz clubs across North America and Europe. Led by French-Canadian singer Lynn Veronneau, the group play a mix of bossa nova, swing, samba and gypsy jazz performed not only in English but in French and Portuguese, too! The band return to the UK this summer following on from hugely successful festival appearances in recent years.

For more info :

http://www.heartcentre.org.uk/jazz-at-heart

Seven Jazz Leeds springs into action!

Leeds is the place to be for jazz this Spring. Shake off the winter blues with some great jazz! Lots of international stars, and lots of talented Yorkshire bands to see at Seven Jazz’s two venues, Seven Arts and Inkwell Arts in Chapel Allerton. 

Firstly award-winning jazz alto saxophonist and hip hop star Soweto Kinch celebrates the release of his studio double album titled ‘The Legend of Mike Smith’ - the tale of a young MC caught in a very modern world of temptation on January 23^rd at Seven Arts. Then Canadian Trumpeter Jay Phelpes has put together a wonderful trans-Atlantic sextet to perform the music of Miles Davis in his “Projection of Miles” concert for February 20th.  Leeds based jazz singer Louise Gibbs premieres her new “Seven Deadly Sings” on March 6^th, a jazz song cycle scored for voice and septet and a star line up of international musicians such as Tony Kofi, Tim Whitehead and Quentin Collins and then the same month on March 20th Jean Toussaint – the sax playing member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers - returns Seven Arts leading his own quartet.

Australian tenor sax jazz star Brandon Allen with his exciting new quartet on April 3^rd and finally before Easter on 10^th April the superb duo of saxman Tommy Smith and pianist Brian Kellock make it down from Scotland – just before they close the border!

The funky Sunday afternoons provide good entertainment and good value too with some wonderful new Leeds based bands including bassist Simon Read’s Octet, saxman Robin Porter’s Quartet, fresh from this year’s Proms, the piano trios of Jami Sheriff and Declan Forde, guitarists Jamie Taylor and Gary Boyle, saxman Will Howard’s double drum Quintet, and from London the wonderful young trumpet star Laura Jurd.

To get jazz fans in the mood for Le Grand Depart from Leeds we have a couple of groups that recreate the music of Stefan Grapelli and Django Renihardt – Ben Lowman’s Django Project and Matt Holborn’s Gypsy Jazz quartet. And for those who like jazz singers we have welcome returns by Kate Peters and Kevin James!

All this to see enjoy then.  But if you want to join in too, then there is the highly successful Seven Jazz workshop, improvisation group, the Seven Jazz Voices Choir and the Spring Jazz Café and Jam Session on March 30^th!

To find out more – check our website www.sevenjazz.co.uk, or follow us on facebook  www.facebook.com/pages/Seven-Jazz-in-Chapel-Allerton-Leeds-LS7/.

Sela Bar

Continues to run with its Cooler and Tuesday night sessions, most gigs start about 9pm

Feb 4th- Matt Anderson Quartet

Matt Anderson-Sax , Nik svarc -Guitar , Simon Read-Dbl Bass, Sam Gardner-Drums

Feb 11th -Joel Purnell

Joel Purnell-Sax , Nik Svarc-Guitar, Garry Jackson-Bass,  Dave Walsh -Drums

18th Feb -Scott Devine Project

25th Feb -Harry Orme Quintet

Harry Orme-Guitar, Will Howard –Sax, Declan Forde-Piano, Sam Vicary-Bass, Sam Gardener -Drums

4th March-Jiannis Pavlidis  Quartet

Jiannis Pavlidis-Guitar , Matt Anderson –Sax,  Sam Vicary –Bass,   Sam Gardner-Drums

11th March -Svarc/Hanley/Longhawn

Nik Svarc Guitar, Steve Hanley Drum, Martin Longhawn Keys

18th March -Afuri Ko

Hiroshi Fukutomi – guitar, Akiko Horii – percussion, Jim Funnell - keyboards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wVDu5x8nCA&feature=youtu.be

25th March -Bloom Collective

Lorentz Bloom-Guitar ,  Sam Quintana – Bass, Luke Szoltysek- Drums

Apr 1st- Russell Van Den Berg

Russell Van Den Berg-Sax, Garry Jackson-Bass, Dave Walsh-Drums, Nik Svarc-Guitar,  Martin Longhawn-Keys

April 8th - Chillingworth/Svarc/Jackson/Hanley

Michael Chillingworth-Sax, Nik Svarc-Guitar, Garry Jackson-Bass, Steve Hanley-Drums

April 15th-Svarc/Jackson/King

Nik Svarc –Guitar, Garry Jackson-Bass, Si King-Drums

April-22nd- Kristian Borring Trio

Mick Coady-Bass, Jon Scott-Drums

April 29th-Joseph Howell Quartet

Joseph Howell – Guitar, Ian Bumstead -Tenor Sax, Marcus Penrose – Bass, Peter Ibbetson -Drums.

6th May-Cat Daniels Quartet Featuring James Mainwaring (Roller Trio)

Cat Daniels-Bass, James Mainwaring –Sax, Joost Hendrickx –Drums, Guitar -T.B.C

13th May Sam Dunn Trio

Garry jackson-Bass, Steve Hanley-Drums ,

https://twitter.com/SelaBarJazzJam

 Sproggits

A night of new work, improvised music and jazz from young improvisers and composers based in Leeds.

10^th Feb

9pm: Lorentz Bloom Trio

10pm: Kasseldown Quintet // Harry Orme (guitar), Will Howard (tenor saxophone), Declan Forde (piano), Sam Vicary (bass), Sam Gardner (drums) 

10^th March 8:30pm

Tori Freestone – Saxophones, Tim Giles – Drums, Dave Manington – Double Bass

Full details can be found:

http://www.wharfchambers.org/

Howard Assembley Rooms

A couple of big names grace the Leeds stage in April:

Bill Frisell Trio – 5^th April

Rene Marie – 23^rd April

Leeds Jazz Club

Armley Conservative Club  Ridge Road, Armley, Leeds, LS12 3NU

4^th Feb Spirit Of New Orleans

11th Feb Old Fashioned Love Band

18th Feb Frog Island Jazz Band

25th Feb Yorkshire Stompers

4^th March Tessa Smith & The Applejacks

11th March Harlem Hot Stompers

18th March New Orleans Heat Click

25th March Savannah JB

http://www.leedsjazzclub.com/

Jazz at The Grove
This 2 weekly club is still running with dates on Sunday evenings:
Sun, 9 February, 20:00 – 23:00 Zoe Gilby

Sun, 23 February - Krzysztof Urbanski

Sun, 9 March, - Svarc, Hanley, Longhawn

For those of you who fancy a trip out of town a couple of gigs worthy of note

Beverley Beirne quintet – Feb 22 - The Wildman Studio – Ilkley

Beverley Beirne is a jazz singer fast becoming known for her ability to innovate as for her stunning voice. A truly gifted interpreter, she sings a captivating mix of beautifully arranged standards and exciting interpretations from other genres. Beverley's arrangements of well known songs like 'Walk On By' make them her own. She has a wonderful feeling for interpreting numbers into a jazz context yet still keeping the original feel of the song.  

Beverley Beirne – Vocals, Declan Forde – Piano, Simon Reed – Bass, Matt Parkinson – Drums, Ben Lowman- Tenor

http://www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk/

Benet Mclean Band – 8 March - Wakefield Jazz

You may not be familiar with London based Benet Mclean, so let me acquaint you, having  been the keys player in Dennis Rollins Bad Bone company and 3 albums as leader (in his own Name), Benet also is the support act at Ronnies to the reunion of Loose Tubes. Oh and he sings as well!

Benet McLean - piano and voice, Duncan Eagles – sax, Max Luthert – bass, Mark Mondesir – drums

http://www.wakefieldjazz.org/index.html

And the of course Boston Spa:

http://www.jazzinthespa.co.uk/

8 Feb 2014 New Orleans Heat

15 Feb 2014 Spirit of New Orleans

22 Feb 2014 Boston Spa Real Ale Festival with Ron Burnett's Mardi Gras Jazz Band. NB 2.00.pm to 4.00.pm

1 Mar 2014 Frank Brooker's Happy Chappies

8 Mar 2014 Papa Pider's Jazz Band - from Sweden £10

15 Mar 2014 Jump Jive and Wail

22 Mar 2014 Amy Roberts/John Hallam Jazz Five

29 Mar 2014 Richard Leach's Seven Stars of Jazz

5 Apr 2014 Trefor Williams + the Usual Suspects with Christine Tyrrell £10

12 Apr 2014 To be confirmed

19 Apr 2014 Mart Rodger Manchester Jazz

26 Apr 2014 Enrico Tomasso + Roy Williams + Tom Kincaid Trio £10

3 May 2014 Brian Carrick's Algiers Stompers

10 May 2014 Oriental Jazz Band - from the Netherlands £10

24 May 2014 Jeff Barnhart + John Hallam + Jamie Brownfield £10

31 May 2014 Savannah Jazz Band

If anyone has more gigs they would like posting here please let us know and we can add them to these 67 or so!!!