When you’re starting a new band, you welcome any opportunity to play live, just to build repertoire and experience.
And so last Saturday night I was out with the new quintet supporting a gospel choir in one of the least explored parts of Tyneside.
I’d never heard a gospel choir live, and I was looking forward to it because I’ve usually liked recordings and films of gospel music.
Oh dear. How can I put this? Pasty-faced white Geordies don’t belt it out like big black mamas. I quickly realised that my expectations had been unreasonable, and I was settling down to enjoying them for what they were when the leader started asking for audience participation - not just singing but clapping, spinning around and praising the lord. I was glued to my seat with embarrassment. I felt so white British – we don’t do that kind of thing – and so profoundly atheist.
Monday, 5 October 2009
Thursday, 17 September 2009
Good night at the Greyhound
Nice gig at a village pub last night, the Greyhound in West Rainton. The first outing for our new quintet – previously we were four. New girl Karen Rann on soprano sax did very well, especially considering the lack of full band rehearsals. She and Jeff Smith on tenor went off into extended improvised duets on Angel Eyes, Beautiful Love, and A Foggy Day. The effect was edgy and unpredictable. A nice change from the usual ‘your solo, my solo’ approach.
We were followed by Off the Leash, a quartet put together just for the night with John Steele (saxes), Paul Beck (piano), Mike Clarke (bass), Stan Praszczalek (drums). They played more modern and fusion than us and even included numbers written by people who are still alive (Herbie Hancock)! For me the high points were a super fast version of Impressions and a haunting This Masquerade.
John has been working in a quiet but determined way to ensure that there are regular music nights at his local pub. There have been a number of setbacks. Last year the pub went into receivership and looked like it was going to be knocked down. But fortunately the new landlord aims to have something going on every night of the week. And slipped in amongst karaoke, darts and quiz are two jazz sessions a month. Well done John.
We were followed by Off the Leash, a quartet put together just for the night with John Steele (saxes), Paul Beck (piano), Mike Clarke (bass), Stan Praszczalek (drums). They played more modern and fusion than us and even included numbers written by people who are still alive (Herbie Hancock)! For me the high points were a super fast version of Impressions and a haunting This Masquerade.
John has been working in a quiet but determined way to ensure that there are regular music nights at his local pub. There have been a number of setbacks. Last year the pub went into receivership and looked like it was going to be knocked down. But fortunately the new landlord aims to have something going on every night of the week. And slipped in amongst karaoke, darts and quiz are two jazz sessions a month. Well done John.
Thursday, 3 September 2009
Simple and complex
Our new quintet got together for a run through some new numbers last night. What with holidays etc, it seemed ages since we had played together, and we were all looking forward to it.
But first we had to have 'a meeting'. We'd been negotiating with the venue to continue to use one of the 20 or so practice rooms that stand empty for most of the time. It have been should be so simple: Music Education Centre with empty rooms + group of musicians who participate in the learning programmes needing space to practice = everbody happy. Three weeks ago we thought we had a deal, but new conditions and provisos have been introduced.
Anyway we talked around in circles for a while and took much longer that we needed to come to a simple decision.
Then we played music, exploring together the new material - the complex rhythms of Afro Blue, the difficult chord changes of Goodbye Pork Pie Hat. It was wonderful. We are clearly much better at making music than having meetings.
I was reminded the wise words of Charles Mingus:
'Making the simple complex is commonplace; making the complex simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity'.
But first we had to have 'a meeting'. We'd been negotiating with the venue to continue to use one of the 20 or so practice rooms that stand empty for most of the time. It have been should be so simple: Music Education Centre with empty rooms + group of musicians who participate in the learning programmes needing space to practice = everbody happy. Three weeks ago we thought we had a deal, but new conditions and provisos have been introduced.
Anyway we talked around in circles for a while and took much longer that we needed to come to a simple decision.
Then we played music, exploring together the new material - the complex rhythms of Afro Blue, the difficult chord changes of Goodbye Pork Pie Hat. It was wonderful. We are clearly much better at making music than having meetings.
I was reminded the wise words of Charles Mingus:
'Making the simple complex is commonplace; making the complex simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity'.
Monday, 24 August 2009
Sophisticated Lady
West Herts Crematorium was packed to capacity last Saturday with family, friends and many of Britain’s best jazz musicians wishing a final farewell to Jackie Tracey.
The simple, non-religious ceremony was moving and dignified. It included three Duke Ellington pieces (Jackie’s favourite composer, after Stan of course). ‘Sophisticated Lady’ played during the period of reflection before the curtains closed. It was a version featuring Harry Carney on baritone. I hadn’t heard it before. It is one of the most sensitive interpretations of a ballad I’ve ever heard and it ends with an incredibly long note – a record breaking example of circular breathing. I’m sure I wasn’t the only person thinking ‘this sophisticated lady will never die’.
The simple, non-religious ceremony was moving and dignified. It included three Duke Ellington pieces (Jackie’s favourite composer, after Stan of course). ‘Sophisticated Lady’ played during the period of reflection before the curtains closed. It was a version featuring Harry Carney on baritone. I hadn’t heard it before. It is one of the most sensitive interpretations of a ballad I’ve ever heard and it ends with an incredibly long note – a record breaking example of circular breathing. I’m sure I wasn’t the only person thinking ‘this sophisticated lady will never die’.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Tribute to Jackie Tracey
I am very sad to hear of the death of Jackie Tracey.
To describe her as ‘the wife of jazz pianist Stan Tracey’ would belittle the important contribution she made to British jazz in her own right, not as a musician but as a manager, producer, promoter and tireless champion of jazz.
Close friends say that Jackie supported Stan through the most difficult times, through poverty and addiction. She saved his career (when he was seriously considering becoming a postman) and probably saved his life.
Jackie took care of business for Stan, and helped many other British jazz musicians get established, especially during the dark days of jazz in the 1970s.
She will be sorely missed by Stan and their children Sarah and Clark and by a great many lovers of live jazz in Britain.
To describe her as ‘the wife of jazz pianist Stan Tracey’ would belittle the important contribution she made to British jazz in her own right, not as a musician but as a manager, producer, promoter and tireless champion of jazz.
Close friends say that Jackie supported Stan through the most difficult times, through poverty and addiction. She saved his career (when he was seriously considering becoming a postman) and probably saved his life.
Jackie took care of business for Stan, and helped many other British jazz musicians get established, especially during the dark days of jazz in the 1970s.
She will be sorely missed by Stan and their children Sarah and Clark and by a great many lovers of live jazz in Britain.
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Extreme Measures
I'm still buzzing from the Extreme Measures gig at the Cluny last night.
Extreme Measures - Gary Turner (ten), Mark Williams (gtr), Ben Gilbert (pno), Stuart Davies(bs), David Carnegie (dms) - is the best band playing original modern jazz in the North East.
This was a fund-raising event for a cancer charity called Maggie's and it was also the last gig of the band with Ben Gilbert on piano. He's moving to London.
He'll be a great loss to jazz in Tyneside, and to me personally, since I have learned so much from his jazz improvisation classes at the Sage.
Extreme Measures - Gary Turner (ten), Mark Williams (gtr), Ben Gilbert (pno), Stuart Davies(bs), David Carnegie (dms) - is the best band playing original modern jazz in the North East.
This was a fund-raising event for a cancer charity called Maggie's and it was also the last gig of the band with Ben Gilbert on piano. He's moving to London.
He'll be a great loss to jazz in Tyneside, and to me personally, since I have learned so much from his jazz improvisation classes at the Sage.
Monday, 20 July 2009
Genesis by Stan Tracey
Last Saturday night at 10.15 I did something I haven't done for a very long time (if ever) on a Saturday night. I listened to the radio - Radio 3 no less.
It was live from the Proms, Stan Tracey and his orchestra playing his 1987 (?) masterpiece Genesis.
I love this piece of music. I first heard it in Durham Cathedral round about 1989. I bought the record (vinyl) a listened to it quite a bit. I haven't heard it for a long time. My record player broke years ago and I haven't bothered to replace it, mistakenly believing that new audio technology is better.
The Radio 3 broadcast gave me the real live thrill. The soloists were outstanding and the ensemble playing of the orchestra (which presumably had just been assembled for this occasion) was incredibly tight.
I had searched the TV listings and was initially annoyed that this concert was not televised as some of the Proms concerts are, but in the event I was glad that I listened on radio. The sound quality was superb and there were no visual distractions. I just concentrated on the music and was transported to jazz heaven.
It was live from the Proms, Stan Tracey and his orchestra playing his 1987 (?) masterpiece Genesis.
I love this piece of music. I first heard it in Durham Cathedral round about 1989. I bought the record (vinyl) a listened to it quite a bit. I haven't heard it for a long time. My record player broke years ago and I haven't bothered to replace it, mistakenly believing that new audio technology is better.
The Radio 3 broadcast gave me the real live thrill. The soloists were outstanding and the ensemble playing of the orchestra (which presumably had just been assembled for this occasion) was incredibly tight.
I had searched the TV listings and was initially annoyed that this concert was not televised as some of the Proms concerts are, but in the event I was glad that I listened on radio. The sound quality was superb and there were no visual distractions. I just concentrated on the music and was transported to jazz heaven.
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