ART, ….. AND ALL THAT JAZZ

ART,….. AND ALL THAT JAZZ

with Norman Warwick

Still in the midst of a run of two or three live concerts a week we are looking forward to the two remaining concerts of the 39^th Annual Canary islands International Classical Music Festival, and a couple of interviews already slotted in for the next few days, as well as a secret garden to find and an investiture to attend, these sidetracks & detours have suddenly become busy main roads for a while. Nevertheless, let´s take the first steps on this week´s wanderings to  learn about ..

ART ….. at The Adsubian Gallery

The Adsubian Art Gallery in Spain is offering the opportunity to learn the art of portrait painting, with our long-standing friend of the Adsubian Gallery, the artist TONI ORTOLA. On Saturday 24^th and Sunday 25^th March at The Adsubian Gallery classes will take place from 9.00 h to 14.00 h for a cost of only 50 euros for the two days.

Toni (left) has an immense talent for detail and capturing the very essence of his subject. It is sure to be a fun and rewarding course and all levels of experience are welcome Gallery staff and he artist look forward to new and former participants.

Toni has told us at sidetracks & detours that his whole childhood was ´surrounded by colours, typography, posters and a lot of creativity. From a very early age I had a space in my parents´pringitng house,  drawing by had the posters and the logos that my father asked me for. I started taking drawing classes from the age of 10 from Saturnino Ortuna, in high school I subsequently got into technical drawing and geometry. At the age of eighteen, due to changed circumstgances I seuddenly started handling the printing presses and all the pre-printing and the printing of the print works passed through my hands. It was at this time that I gathered most of my knowledge about colour. After a whiule I resumed drawing and painting classes, this time with the help of Rosa  Gavilla and Joan Vidal. Since then all my artistic growth has been self taught.

I have exhibited in many different spoaces, at first collectively as a student, and at the age of 32 I showed my first solo exhibition in the cloister of the city Ondara. Then Rafol, La Xara,Kalo, Denia, Pedriguez, gradually leaning towards drawing, always influenced from my position as a graphiuc dersigner. I began my work as a drawing teacher with a group of children from the familkis of Xalo as well as to tattoo artists and graffiti artists of the region, and classes of life drawing in the art workshop in Elena Haros of Denia. As a related activity I was also the organiser of the Ondara and Rafol Painting Day, working with the respective town councils over a period of two years.

The Adsubian Gallery is highly recommended. Friends tell us it is settled in a small and lovely town and we know from our own dealings with the venue that their management and staff are warm and friendly and are definitely arts enthusiasts. Worth a weekend away if you can get there.

 ….. AND ALL THAT JAZZ

compiled by Norman Warwick

from the Jazz In Reading listings

and recommendations from Music That´s Going Places

For the month of February three of the UK´s major jazz listings agencies have informed of almost fifty jazz gigs for readers to choose from.

jir logo Jazz In Reading stages regular events with top-class bands at Reading’s Progress Theatre. See the current programme here

They list jazz events in Reading and the wider area at no charge – simply submit your gig details. The agency also offer an affordable service to further promote events – such as the one above – by email: details here.

Jazz in Reading, using its extensive contacts in the jazz world, is in an excellent position to help you find the right band for your wedding, party or other special occasion.

The Crooked Billet, Newlands Lane, Stoke Row RG9 5PU

Arrive 6.30pm, 7pm latest | Music 7 – 10.30pm

Full regular menu, £30 music cover charge

Alex Steel – keys

Paul Jefferies – upright double bass

Ben Holder – jazz violin

John Coghlan – percussion, chat & stories

Quo re-imagined, performing jazz interpretations of Quo’s hits and rarities along with favourite jazz standards. JC, original iconic Status Quo founder member, recorded the first 14 Quo albums, all those massive 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s hits including ‘Down the Dustpipe’, ‘Caroline’, ‘Down Down’, ‘Rockin’ All Over The World’, ‘Whatever You Want’…
 
At 76, John (right) has decided to leave the stacks of Marshall amplifiers and his hectic Quo touring schedule. John Coghlan’s Quo Re-imagined allows him to explore his love of jazz along with fellow jazzers – double bass, piano and gypsy jazz fiddle.

Their set is not exclusively Quo, includes many of John’s favourite jazz standards and showcases John’s incredible percussion and musical talents (along with plenty of chat and banter from John and the band!)

 
The Crooked Billet has previously enjoyed John Coghlan’s Quo; our chef/proprietor Paul Clerehugh is an honorary member of John’s Quo at their 2016 Crooked Billet New Year’s Eve Hootenanny. We are excited to welcome back John Coghlan’s Quo Re-imagined on Wednesday 8 February.

Purdy’s Pop Up Jazz Club
Henley-on-Thames

February, March & April 2023
Doors 7:30pm | Show 8pm

Freddie Benedict
’50 Years Of Abbey Road’
Saturday 4 February 2023 | 8pm | Doors 7:30pm | £21

More info and tickets here

I am so excited to Invite Freddie Benedict to our club. We first met sharing a stage at the Dubai Jazz festival and although he is a consummate crooner he also masterfully performs a very special show dedicated to ‘The Fab Four’ AKA The Beatles.

After sell-out shows at Toulouse Lautrec performing his show ’50 years of Abbey Road’, he comes to Henley, accompanied by his first-rate trio, to play a hand picked selection of some of the iconic band’s classic tunes.

Freddie first cut his teeth as the lead singer of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. He has performed at Ronnie Scott’s, the Carnegie Hall and the Royal Festival Hall, to name but a few. His silvery fingered trumpet playing style and soft, velvety voice are uncannily reminiscent of the great Chet Baker, so it’s no surprise that he’s burst headfirst into the Jazz spotlight!

Line-up
Freddie Benedict – vocals

Chris Bland – piano

Luke Fowler – bass

Floyer Sydenham – drums
 

Purdy’s New Music Launch Night
Saturday 4 March 2023 | 8pm | Doors 7:30pm | £21

Be the first listening audience to hear Purdy’s stunning new songs from her long awaited upcoming album with sublime musicianship in accompaniment. More info to follow….
 

Saturday 4 March
Doors 7:30pm | Show 8pm
Purdy’s Pop Up Jazz Club
19 New Street Henley-on-Thames RG9 2BT
£21
More info and tickets hereKitty Harrison and Nick Shankland
Saturday 1 April 2023 | 8pm | Doors 7:30pm | £21

“When Kitty sings, music stops to listen” and this is no over-statement!

Stylish London singer Kitty La Roar is joined by pianist/singer Nick Shankland at Purdy’s Pop-Up singing, scatting and free-styling at the drums. The band will be showcasing original compositions from the album Valentine’s Eve, as well as original lyrics to the music of Monk, Ellington, Strayhorn and Sonny Rollins.

Originally inspired by Ella Fitzgerald Nancy Wilson and Sarah Vaughan, Kitty La Roar’s unique talents are not just as silky voiced songstress, scat-singer and drummer: she has an spellbinding ability to freestyle lyrics to melody on the spot, telling stories that are not only relevant to the song she is singing, but often weaving in references to life, love, nature, politics, current events, and even to people in the audience. The band performs highly original songs by Kitty and her pianist Nick Shankland and although the genre is clearly jazz, this unpredictable and eclectic music entrances and engages the audience.

Personel
Kitty La Roar – vocals/drums

Nick Shankland – piano/vocals/bass-keys

Reviews
All About Jazz | Jazz in Europe

Press
“A force of nature” – Michael Feinstein
“Simply mesmerising!” – Rye Jazz Festival
“Chic chanteuse” – The Independent
“Fantastic!” – OK Magazine
“Seductive.. world class vocals” – Penthouse Magazine
“When Kitty sings, even music stops to listen” – Jazz in Europe

Music That´s Going Places have also sent us their listings so continue reading for details of February jazz events in other parts of the UK.

This month sees the return after the Christmas break of Jazz at the Merchants House in Glasgow and Red Door promotions in Linlithgow and the latest instalment of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra’s eclectic current programme.

Saxophonist, piper and whistle virtuoso Fraser Fifield and the ultra-creative guitarist, Graeme Stephen (left) open Red Door’s concerts at St Peter’s Church in Linlithgow on Friday 10th. Fraser and Graeme have developed a great understanding over some twenty years of working together. Their music – melodic, adventurous, daring – defies category but has elements of various folk traditions as well as jazz. 

Drummer Corrie Dick (right) brings his quintet to Jazz at the Merchants House in Glasgow on Sunday 19th. Featuring vocalist-cellist Moidori Jaeger, guitarist James Kitchman, saxophonist Norman Willmore and pianist Tom Gibbs alongside Corrie’s flowing rhythmic mastery, the group will be playing music from Corrie’s new album, Sun Swells. Corrie describes it as utilising key elements such as Scandinavian influences, folk melodies, turbulence, warmth, lyrical imagery and contrasts.

Multi-award-winning singer Georgia Cécile (right) joins the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra at Eden Court, Inverness on Thursday 23rd, Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh on Friday 24th, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Saturday 25th and Perth Concert Hall on the afternoon of Sunday 26th. Georgia won both the UK Jazz Act of the Year and Vocalist of the Year titles at the Jazz FM Awards last October, following her Album of the Year success for her debut, Only the Lover Sings at the Scottish Jazz Awards in 2021. Her concerts with the SNJO will feature a brand new repertoire, continuing her partnership with pianist Euan Stevenson, who co-wrote and arranged the chart-topping Only the Lover Sings. Titled This Is a Communion, the new songs and arrangements will focus on the spiritual, hymnal and melodic elements in Georgia and Euan’s work.

Saxophonist Brian Molley and pianist Tom Gibbs (right) continue their duo partnership at the intimate Quarrymen’s Arts Centre in Newton Stewart on Friday 24th. Longtime colleagues in Brian’s internationally respected quartet, they play original compositions, refreshed standards and pieces gleaned from around the world, with the accent always on tuneful improvisation and audience engagement

photo rob 5 Jazz followers with longish memories will recall the spellbinding gigs that Irish guitar master Louis Stewart always played, whether with his own trio, in the Ronnie Scott Quintet, with Stephane Grappelli or further back, with Tubby Hayes, Benny Goodman, George Shearing and more. Louis died in 2016 and his solo album from 1977, Out On His Own, is re-issued on Friday 24th. For those who missed out on seeing and hearing Louis, this is a great introduction to a musician who formed mutual admiration societies with Joe Pass, Jim Hall and Martin Taylor. Here’s Invitation from the album, which is available from Bandcamp.

Jazz in February listings

Aberdeen
Blue Lamp
Thu 2: Matthew Kilner Qrt with Colin Steele
Sun 5: Rainer Goldbeck Qrt & Aberdeen Jazz Collective (2pm)
Thu 9: Emily Francis Trio
Thu 16: Corrie Dick Band
Thu 23: Szymon Mika & Yumi Ito 

Dundee
Forthill Sports Club
Sun 5: RNLI Fundraiser (1 – 6pm) – East Coast Jazzmen, Havana Swing, Vintage Girls and more

Edinburgh
Jazz Bar
Wed 1: Nonunonu
Fri 3: Freddie King Qnt
Sun 5: Jazzmain
Wed 8: Kevin Barrett
Thu 9: Louise Dodds Qnt feat Elchin Shirinov
Fri 17: Corrie Dick Qrt
Sun 19: Fraser Urquhart Trio
Wed 22: Gary Laidlaw Trio
Thu 23: Paul Mills & Co

The Outhouse
Thu 9, Thu 23: Playtime (tbc)

Queen’s Hall
Fri 24: Scottish National Jazz Orchestra with Georgia Cécile

Traverse Theatre
Mon 13: Kjetil Mulelid Trio

Glasgow
Drygate Brewery
Fri 3: Paul Towndrow Trio

Glad Cafe
Tue 21: Emma Smith

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Sat 25: Scottish National Jazz Orchestra with Georgia Cécile

Merchants House
Sun 19: Corrie Dick Qnt

Greenock
Beacon Arts Centre
Thu 23: Ant Law & Alex Hitchcock

Inverness
Eden Court
Thu 23: Scottish National Jazz Orchestra with Georgia Cécile

Linlithgow
St Peter’s Church
Fri 10: Fraser Fifield & Graeme Stephen

Nairn
Community & Arts Centre
Sat 18: Fraser Urquhart & Georgia Cécile 

Perth
Perth Concert Hall
Sun 26: Scottish National Jazz Orchestra with Georgia Cécile (3pm)

London
606 Club
Thu 2: Ant Law
Fri 3: Bruce Adams & Alan Barnes
Sat 4: Tony Kofi
Wed 15: Emily Francis Trio
Fri 17: Alex Garnett

Ronnie Scott’s
Wed 1 – Sat 4: Buddy Rich Big Band 
Mon 6 – Tue 7: Beats & Pieces Big Band
Wed 8 – Fri 10: Kenny Garrett
Sat 11: Camilla George
Sun 12: Julian Siegel Jazz Orchestra
Mon 13: Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra
Tue 14: Georgia Cécile
Wed 15: Empirical
Thu 14: Rebecca Nash
Mon 20 – Tue 21: NYJO
Thu 23: Xhosa Cole
Fri 24 – Sat 25: Terence Blanchard

As always, this list isn’t intended to be comprehensive – other gigs are available. 

Remember, of course, that whilst live music events are fantastic there is also a wealth of jazz press to read in the regular gloosy magazines, and reviews in your local.

Sidetracks & detours´office staff tune in every week to a mix-clolud session produced in the Uk and presented by a regular contributor to these pages.

Last week we tuned in and heard him conducting an interview with Jenny Bray (left) jazz pianist and piano teacher.

We asked our friendly presenter whether we might publish his interview in full and both he and Jenny graciously allowed us to do so. You can rerad that interview here on Wednesday 1st February to lear about Jenny´s Influences, previous recordings and performances, as well as about her current work recording a new album for next year.

So, If you can´t make it to a live gig, or if you need more jazz on your plate in between live gigs, you may already be aware that jazz is regularly covered here along our Sidetracks And Detours pages.  This week (Wednesday 2^nd February) we publish in full Steve Bewick´s recent chat on his Hot Biscuits mix-cloud programme with jazz pianist and singer-writer Jenny Bray. The jazz teacher and recording artist talks about her time working and playing in America, her recent return to the UK and her recordings to date. Jenny even shares a few clues with us about her live schedule for 2023 and her on-going work on a new album to be available, hopefully, by the early weeks of next year.

A weekly plateful of Hot Biscuits is delivered each week from his mix-cloud by jazz presenter Steve Bewick. His Hot Biscuits come in various jazz flavours and this week´s programme is a live set from the Freddy Garner Quartet at The Creative Space, South Manchester. The show features high tempo jazz from the Quartet with Freddy on keyboards. Also featured on the broadcast is Jack Hylton and his Orchestra, Samara and Carolina Lelis, Gaz Hughes with a feature from his new CD, Paul Booth, Imaani Saleem. The programme closes with World Heart Beat Music Academy. If this sounds interesting then follow Hot Biscuits 24/7 at Steve Bewick’s Shows | Mixcloud