Anita Wardell fundraiser following stroke.

Singer Anita Wardell, 62, has suffered a devastating stroke and a fundraiser has been set up HERE.

As one who knows, following the recent loss of my wife, how life-changing a stroke can be I urge those who have loved her singing and her teaching to rally round via the above link.

The photo is from 2016 when Anita hosted a vocal course at the Globe with an excellent concert in the evening. The band that evening were: Anita Wardell (vocals); Robin Aspland (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Tristan Maillot (drums). 

Please show your support for this much loved singer. Lance

This weeks Late Night Chicago Radio with Denny Farrell (Thursday April 18 - Wednesday April 24).

Jonah Jones - Tin Roof Blues.

Don Elliott - Imagination.

Sam Cooke - Lookin' For my Baby.

JATP - Will You Still be Mine?

Diana Ross - I Can't Get Started.

Gerry Mulligan/Monk - Sweet and Lovely.

Tito Puente - Oye Cómo Va.

Louis Bellson - The Hawk Talks.

Buddy DeFranco/Terry Gibbs - Serenade in Blue.

Rosemary Clooney/Duke Ellington - It Don't Mean a Thing.

Harry Carney  - Frustration.

LINK.

What do you do during the day Mr Farlow?

Jazz musicians lead lives so busy that they find it difficult to do anything other than practice, compose, arrange, travel, perform, travel and then start all over again. This leaves little time for any diversions from their dedication to the art.

Nevertheless, there have been some who have used their creative talents in different ways either before, after or concurrent with their musical activities. Here are a few:

Press release: PX Records celebrate first anniversary

The tables have turned on traditional first anniversary gifts, with PizzaExpress choosing to mark the one-year milestone of their successful record label, PX Records, with vinyl – launching record stores in three London locations. 

PizzaExpress Live (PizzaExpress’ live music venues) have always been known for bringing music fans closer to the artists they love – and last year, the brand took that one step further, launching its own record label, live recording the performances and distributing them via PX Records. In celebration of its first anniversary, the label is launching its own record stores located within the brand’s live music venues in Soho, Holborn and Chelsea. 

 

Album review: Osian Roberts - Bop Viveur (Hard Bop Records)

Osian Roberts (tenor sax); Rob Barron (piano); Jeremy Brown (bass); Matt Fishwick (drums)

The album title and the record label give the game away. It does everything it says on tin and more - much more.

Thad Jones' Zec sets off at a rollicking tempo and doesn't falter. The sound of Rollins, the drive of Dexter and the speed of Johnny Griffin heading for the bar across the street all surface during this first track. I love the quote that Roberts rounds  his solo off with and which Barron picks up at the start of his. It will keep me awake until I put a title to it!

Bailey Rudd (drum kit): Minor Creative Project @ Music Studios, Newcastle University - April 17

Postgraduate music student Bailey Rudd presented his Drum Kit, Minor Creative Project recital performance at an unlikely time of day, 11:45am to be precise. Considering Bailey and five of his bandmates working alongside him this morning were out late last night at a jam session, there was a spring in their collective step. 

Bailey's programme notes outlined his dissertation (researching how local, traditional and contemporary jazz scenes survive). Bailey wrote of his recital: This will be a history of the musics that influence the British contemporary jazz scene today. Joining Bailey in his endeavours were no fewer than nine fellow graduates/undergraduates. 

Another jam packed Black Swan jam session - April 16

It starts at seven thirty, doors at seven, it's going to be busy, let's get there for half past six. Turning into Newcastle Arts Centre's courtyard the queue was beginning to form. One whole hour before the down beat, what's going on? The Black Swan jam session is what you could call a success! 

This evening's house trio comprised guitar virtuoso Mr Bradley Johnston, jam session MC, Mr Paul Grainger and post-grad student drummer, Mr Bailey Rudd. Three numbers to set the ball rolling - Bird's Little Suede Shoes, Johnny Green's Body and Soul and Frank Loesser's I've Never Been in Love Before. Nicely warmed up, MC Grainger opened the floor. First up, Jan Spencelayh. Accompanied by John Rowland's tenor sax, Jan sang a classic - You Turned the Tables on Me. Excellent. 

Double album review: Mal Waldron, Steve Lacy - The Mighty Warriors

Steve Lacy (soprano sax); Mal Waldron (piano); Reggie Workman (bass); Andrew Cyrille (drums) 

Another Record Store Day (April 20) release of a previously unreleased live album discovered and produced by Zev Feldman. 

Four forward thinkers of the time who, although stretching boundaries never totally turned their backs on the power of melody thus we have a couple of  pieces by Monk along with Waldron's own compositions and one each from Lacy and Workman.

Four Freshmen and 5 Trombones in Jarrow.

Another find! This time in Jarrow's 'Sally Army' shop. A 10" (22.54cm) vinyl LP by, arguably, the finest and the jazziest close harmony group of the 1950s. What memories I have of hearing this album for the first time in a Wiltshire RAF camp.

The Freshmen are: Ross Barbour, Bob Flanigan, Ken Errair, & Don Barbour whilst the 'bones are five of the west coast's finest - Frank Rosolino, Harry Betts Jr., Milt Bernhart, Tommy Pederson & George Roberts. Backed up by Claude Williamson (piano), Barney Kessel (guitar), Joe Mondragon (bass) & Shelly Manne (drums) this is as delightful as they come.

Russ Morgan Quartet @ Blaydon Jazz Club - Apr. 15

(© Pam)

Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums)

Blaydon Jazz Club's 40th anniversary concert series is shaping up nicely. This evening's concert featured the debut performance of the Russ Morgan Quartet. Other than a recent appearance at Darlington's Opus 4 Jazz Club working in the company of Paul Edis and Vasilis Xenopoulos, it had been a while since drummer Russ Morgan graced the regional jazz scene. His return to the stage here at the Black Bull on Bridge Street was eagerly anticipated and at a little after eight o'clock Pat Metheny's John McKee opened the show.