Brigette Beraha at Jazznights, The Cherry Tree. Sunday 4th March

"If sheer talent were the only ingredient needed for success in music, Brigitte would already be up there with the stars. She has a tremendous future to explore, one which we’ll be watching with great expectations” – Dame Cleo Laine.  No higher brigitte-beraha-quartet-izmirde_634401971863871194recommendation needed!

“Most musicianly singer Brigitte Beraha” performs as both ‘sideman’ and as a leader in an ever-expanding range of projects, from straight ahead jazz- singing jazz standard songs with lyrics, to more contemporary outlets- using her voice as an instrument.

Brigitte has studied Music at Kingsway College, Classical and Contemporary music at Goldsmiths College, and Jazz at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London under teachers and artists as diverse as Simon Purcell, Pete Churchill, Lee Gibson, Scott Stroman, Jason Rebello, Rufus Reid and Stan Sulzman. She has performed and/or recorded with musical luminaries Kenny Wheeler, Chris Brigette birmingham garry corbett 1Laurence, Paul Clarvis, Pete King, Alan Barnes, Liam Noble, John Parricelli, Ingrid Laubrock, Frank Griffith, Julian Siegel, Jonathan Gee, Jim Watson, Anita Wardell, Tim Garland, Tim Whitehead, Malcolm Creese, and rising stars Ivo Neame, Phil Donkin, George Hart, Joe Auckland, John Turville, Chris Hill, Tim Lapthorn, Ben Reynolds, Tim Giles, Jez Franks, Tori Freestone, Dave Manington, Mark Hanslip and Gwillym Simcock. Brigitte has performed and done workshops in the United States, France, Brussels, Switzerland, Finland, Turkey, Nepal and all over the UK, performing regularly in London at top venues such as the Vortex, the National Theatre, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Ronnie Scotts, Pizza Express, the Others, the Spice of Life, and venues run by the Loop and E17jazz Brigette na342collectives.

"Beraha’s long phrases and floating syllables are poignant and effortlessly delivered… For listeners who seek more than classic jazz standard forms, bebop phrasing, and predictable twists, Brigitte Beraha will likely be on the forefront of the international jazz scene in years to come – think lyrical dance in musical form or better yet, don’t think – let the music escort you to the friendly height of weightlessness and the abstract."Matt Jaworski,  4th April 2009

"A crisp and vibrant debut album from this jazz singer from East London, full of tasteful songs, fine playing and thoughtful arrangements.’’Musician, Spring 2005

"Brigitte is someone who concentrates on the music’s core values: imagination, individuality, improvisation. Her voice is undeniably powerful and enviably clear, and this CD should certainly whet appetites for Beraha’s live appearances."Jazz Review, February 2005

"Her debut album is impressive, as one would expect from someone who’s well and truly paid her dues”Humphrey Lyttelton, 2005

"Brigitte to me, bears the qualities of a "true jazz singer", exquisite phrasing, great intonation and a pretty, pure sweet tone. What sets Brigitte apart from others is her amazing improvising skills. She can weave in and out of chord changes in an instrumental fashion, speaking the jazz language. Her ideas are musical and lyrical brigitte railway innand rhythmically exciting. It’s obvious that Brigitte is a musician as well – you can hear in her work that she has listened, transcribed and totally immersed herself in the whole idiom. A great talent!" Anita Wardell

"If sheer talent were the only ingredient needed for success in music, Brigitte would already be up there with the stars. She has a tremendous future to explore, one which we’ll be watching with great expectations” Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth CBE, 24 June 2004

Another Jazznights gig not to miss. 8.00 – 10.30pm   Admission £8
at The Cherry Tree, Knowl Green, Belchamp St Paul, CO10 7BY
Reservations strongly advised on 01787 237653 or reply to this email. Your booking is held until 8pm on the night. Doors open 7.30pm.
Food is available in the bars before performances or can be served at your table during the gig.
"Brilliant atmosphere – the Village Vanguard of the Essex/Suffolk border!"

For details of future gigs go to www.jazz-nights.com


REBOP An amazing gig at Jazznights – The Cherry Tree. A welcome return of this popular repertory six piece band

(Click on images for a larger pictures)

REBOP is a jazz repertory aggregation specialising in the arcane art of bebop and related music. Formed originally as a quintet to examine the repertoire of the modern jazz explosion circa 1944-1949, Rebop is now a six-piece and also features a faithful homage to the Miles Davis Sextet of 1958-59.

Jazznights Rebop 190212 (50)Rebop specialises in the innovative and exhilarating modern jazz that flowered in the mid-1940s in the hands of Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and other great jazzmen. Kevin Flanagan comes from Lowell MA, USA. He has been involved in jazz and blues, both recording and performing. He settled in the UK in 1985, playing with his own group and with musicians such as Dick Morrissey, Alan Barnes, Gerard Precenser, and Dave Cliff. He has made two successful CDs with Chris Ingham as the Flanagan-Ingham Quartet. The sextet are:

Rebop are:

CHRIS INGHAM
Jazznights Rebop 190212 (18)Trained as a drama teacher at Warwick University before succumbing to the music, he played guitar in misunderstood art ‘n’ b combo The Locomotives and was pianist/vocalist in the Flanagan Ingham Quartet who released two albums (Zanzibar and Textile Lunch) and were described by The Observer as ‘one of Britain’s most original bands’. He is jazz piano and jazz voice tutor at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge and can be heard with the bebop repertory quintet Rebop.

As an erstwhile music journalist he has contributed to Mojo magazine since 1996 and has published three books; Billie Holiday, Rough Guide to the Beatles, and Rough Guide to Frank Sinatra.

As a music producer he records regularly for Union Square Music and recently produced the Latin lounge album "The Day Is Done" for Dutch bossa nova diva Saskia, and provided the solo piano soundtrack for the DVD Under Review: Lennon & McCartney. He lives in Suffolk with his family and a Yamaha G5 grand piano

KEVIN FLANAGAN
comes from Lowell, Mass., USA. He initially studied music and philosophy at the University of New Hampshire, and was part of Antares, a free improvisatory group Jazznights Rebop 190212 (25)Athat toured the New England through the mid-70s to early 80s. During this period he was also involved in jazz, blues, and popular music, both recording and performing. He settled in the UK in the mid-80s, and worked on the London jazz and pop scene, playing and recording with members of Pink Floyd, Ben E. King, the Sex Pistols, Jools Holland, Led Zeppelin, B.B. King, Portishead, and many others. By the late 1980s he was primarily involved with jazz, playing with his own group or with musicians such as Dick Morrissey, Alan Barnes, Dave Newton, Gerard Precenser, Don Weller, Dave Cliff, Mark Edwards, Adrian Utley, and the Tommy Chase quartet around the festivals of the UK and Europe, such as Brecon, Edinburgh, Soho, and Bath in this country; and festivals in Milan, Paris, the North Sea festival, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and others. He has put out two successful CDs with Chris Ingham as the Flanagan-Ingham Quartet, and is presently collaborating with Dave Gordon in a series of poetry settings of the Pulitzer-prize winning Beat poet Gary Snyder.

As a graduate of Goldsmith’s University, he specialized in analysis and post-1945 music. This was followed by an MA in composition at Anglia Ruskin University with Richard Hoadley, which resulted in the first SPNM commissioned performance of Like Miles by the London Metropolitan Orchestra. The most recent commission was Mode for Joe II, was performed at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. His PhD in composition was with the composer Martin Butler at Sussex University, and is collaborating with composer/pianist Dave Gordon and poet Maolcolm Guite in the Riprap spoken text series with series of UK poets; Ruth Padel, Grevel Lindop, and Gwnyeth Lewis.

Jazznights Rebop 190212 (5)PAUL HIGGS
has an extensive music career in many fields including performing, composing for film and TV, musical directing for companies such as the Royal National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company, and arranging music for film and TV.  He is particularly sought after as a brass arranger within all mediums and genres of music.

He is most renowned as one of the UK’s leading trumpet players and works both as a performer and session musician.  He has performed for luminaries including Sir Peter Maxwell Davis, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Lulu, Tony Hatch, John Williams, Vic Damone, Nancy Wilson, Brook Benton, Jackie Trent, Al Martino, The Foundations, Danny Williams, Rolf Harris, Johnny Dankworth and Shorty Rodgers.  His session credits include Viva Cabaret, Daytime Live, Pebble Mill at One, Live At City Hall, Wood and Walters, The Tube, Scene Today, In Suspicious Circumstances, The Trial of Lord Lucan and Eleven Men Against Eleven

COLIN WATLING
Colin Watling specialises in tenor sax and offers the full gamut of musical styles in Jazznights Rebop 190212 (32)his performances from soft and mellow, through to boppy and brassy….. and always in great humour.

Colin is rated by many as one of the most exciting tenor saxophonists on the circuit with his melodic, swinging sound. He is a Hertfordshire-based tenor saxophonist playing be-bop material including numbers by Charlie Parker and Cannonball Adderley. Colin is rated by many as one of the most exciting tenor saxophonists on the circuit with his melodic, big fat sound

ROGER ODELL
As one of the founder members and drummer with the jazz-funk group Shakatak, Jazznights Rebop 190212 (21)Roger has toured internationally and recorded numerous CDs, which he continues to do on a regular basis to this day. Musically, his first love was always straight-ahead contemporary jazz, and in the past he has played with many of the great names on the UK scene including Don Rendell, Barbara Thompson, Dick Morrissey, Terry Smith, Joe Harriott and countless others. He produced his own CD "The Blue Window" by Beatifik, which featured top UK saxophonist Mornington Locket, and was released to great critical acclaim. Roger is the author of three technical articles which appeared in the international magazine Modern Drummer, and is an Endorsee Artist for Sabian Cymbals, Remo Drums, Vic Firth Sticks and Hardcases.

ANDREW JAMES BROWN
Andrew James Brown is a minister of religion working in Cambridge UK inspired by the thinking of Epicurus, Lucretius, Spinoza, Nietzsche, Bloch, Wittgenstein and Jazznights Rebop 190212 (9)Heidegger and is a University Chaplain to Cambridge University, Anglia Ruskin University and a Police Chaplain for the Cambridgeshire Constabulary as well as being a highly respected professional jazz double-bass player.

Another full house at Jazznights was enthralled by the exhilarating and powerful mind blowing rendition of this bebop eras finest compositions. Many of which were imaginatively arranged by Kevin Flanagan. The playlist included the following numbers:

1. Bolivia – jazz pianist Cedar Walton’s jazz standard which is probably his best known composition.. A great powerful up-tempo start to the first set of the evening.
2. Junior Mance.s Jubilation which was arranged by Mike Harris of Norwich. This Jazznights Rebop 190212 (19)was played at a medium tempo and again highlighted the individual artistry of the members of the band with extended 4 bar trades between Roger Odell on drums and all the members of the front line.
3. Ghana written in 1960 by by the jazz and rhythm and blues trumpeter Donald Byrd. This was A cross between a medium and up-tempo number again allowing all members to excel with a superb solo from Roger on drums who laid down a nice heavy base line for the band.
4. Milestones which came to fame on the album of the same name recorded in February and March 1958 with the famous line up of Miles Davis, Cannonball Jazznights Rebop 190212 (49)Adderley, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones. A perfect foil for the Rebop sextet who of course specialise in music of that period. This interpretation was arranged by Kevin Flanagan and was played at a much slower rate than normal in a fantastic almost West Coast Cool Jazz style.
5. Parisian Thoroughfare – Bud Powell’s composition from 1958. The up and down scales which are quite dominant in this number gave us an exciting and very different rendition which seemed to echo the horns tooting from the Paris traffic jams.
6. Mamacita the 1963 composition by the tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson which evoked the feeling of the American clubs of that era where they encouraged dancing to the jazz performances. There was no room in the Cherry Tree for that with a full house although  all were just enthralled by the music to want to do Jazznights Rebop 190212 (13)anything else. A great finale to the first set.

Following the Jazznights raffle with four jazz CD’s and a bottle of wine Rebop opened there second set of the evening with:

7. Jeannine by Duke Pearson (who was nicknamed by an uncle who admired Duke Ellington’s music). Personal memories of this tune come from the 1960 Riverside album of The Cannonball Adderley Quintet – Them Dirty Blues. A medium tempo number which again was imaginatively played by Rebop.
8. Speak No Evil which is also is an album by Wayne Shorter, recorded on 24 December 1964 and released on Blue Note in 1965. The music combines elements of both hard bop and and modal jazz.
9. Barbados the 1948 Charlie Parker 12 bar blues which was first recorded with Jazznights Rebop 190212 (47)Miles Davis in 1948. This was played in the traditional mambo style for which it was written which gave Roger the opportunity to keep up that Latin driving beat. The whole number was vigorously supported by all members of the band in this up tempo rendition.
10. On Green Dolphin Street – Another favourite which gave Paul Higgs on the muted trumpet to echo Miles Davis’s memorable version. Paul’s playing excelled on this beautiful tune
11. Blue In Green – the 1959 Bill Evans composition for the Kind Of Blue album (Miles Davis got the credit and royalties at the time although latterly it was accepted that it was a Bill Evans composition). Kevin, Colin and Paul on his green coloured muted trumpet all featured.
12 Charlie Parker’s Crazeology was unfortunately the final number of the evening. (Charlie Parker had a genius for writing songs based on the chord progressions of “I Got Rhythm” and Crazeology was one of them. A superb up-tempo and Jazznights Rebop 190212 (36)exhilarating number featuring all the band and rapid trades between Kevin and Roger.

This evening gig was a complete tour-de-force – an exceptional evening by probably the finest jazz sextet this side of the UK. We await their return. Thank you Roger and Larraine for a great evening

Our venue is at The Cherry Tree Function Suite, Knowl Green, Belchamp St Paul, Suffolk, CO10 7BY. Tel: 01787 237263 Admission £8. Doors 7.30pm. Music 8.00-10.30pm. Reserve your table seating on 01787 237653 or email.  Pay on the night.
Food available and can be served before or during the performance

For more info and future gigs go to www.jazz-nights.com


Julian Siegal gig at Jazznights tonight Cancelled

Due to the atrocious weather condition locally, the gig at The Cherry Tree, Belchamp St Paul has had to be cancelled

Sincere apologies all round but there really was no choice.

Next gig Sunday 19th Feb – REBOP

A welcome return of this repertory band who feature performances of the classic tracks from the Be-bop era of Parker and Gillespie through to the Blue Note time of Wayne Shorter and Donald Byrd. Paul Higgs (trp), Kevin Flanagan (alto) & Colin Watling (ten) backed by a rhythm section led by pianist Chis Ingham.

See www.jazz-nights.com for details


JULIAN SIEGEL (sax) will be at Jazznights Sunday 5th Feb with the Roger Odell Trio and Larraine Odell

Already a past winner of the BBC Jazz award for Best Instrumentalist, Julian is again nominated for 2011. With the new CD "Urban Theme Park" and European tours with his own quartet and as a member of Partisans his reputation continues to grow internationally. "…lissom, free-wheeling saxophonist" John Fordham

Julian-Siegel-2He is an in-demand saxophonist on the UK and European Jazz scene who has worked with many of the top figures in the music. In 2007 he was awarded the BBC Jazz Award for Best Instrumentalist and he has just received the London Festival Fringe 2011 London Jazz Award.

He is currently touring a set of new music with the Julian Siegel Quartet featuring some of the most distinctive voices on the UK Scene, the pianist Liam Noble, bassist Oli Hayhurst and drummer Gene Calderazzo. The band released the album ‘Urban Theme Park’ in 2011 (Basho) to critical acclaim …… "there’s not a moment that doesn’t fizz with ingenuity and imagination" MOJO.

Julian has co-led the influential group Partisans with the in-demand guitarist Phil Robson for the last 15 years. The band have released three albums on Babel records, ‘Sourpuss’, ‘Max’ and ‘By Proxy’……"Intelligent, varied and often dazzling " London Evening Standard

He is a band member of:
Jason Yarde’s Acoustic Bombastic, Robert Mitchell’s Shorter Stories featuring Norma Winstone, Django Bates’ Delightful Precipice, the John Taylor Big Band, JulianSiegel_playingClarinet_198x161_281Stan Sulzmann’s Big Band, Byron Wallen’s Octet, Colin Towns’ Mask Orchestra, Larry Bartley’s Septet, and Hans Koller New Memories Big Band, which has just recorded in December 2003 with soprano saxophone legend Steve Lacy.

He continues to play regularly with:
Django Bates’ Human Chain and Quiet Nights, most recently at the Venice Biennale Festival 2003, Umea Festival in Sweden,and the Sarajevo Jazz Festival 2004.He plays in the quartet of Dexter Gordon’s long time pianist Kirk Lightsey, the Jazz Jamaica Big Band, Mike Gibbs Band, Julian Arguelles Octet, Ingrid Laubrock Band, Dave Green Trio, Andrew Hill Anglo-American Big Band and toured in 2004 with Brazilian legend Hermeto Pascoal UK Big Band.

Julian has worked with:
Vocalists Beverley Knight, Joe Lee Wilson, Eddi Reader, Jacqueline Dankworth, Liz Wright, Juliet Roberts, ex-Count Basie vocalist Dennis Rowland, Keziah Jones, Liane Carroll, Cleo Laine, Terri Walker, Christine Tobin, Anita Wardell and punk rock legend Steve Ignorant (formerly of Crass).

julian1webOver the last decade reedsman Julian Siegel has managed to balance his output between the electrified Partisans combo and his own acoustic quartet. He’s done this in terms of artistic quality, touring frequency and a general accumulation of reputation. Working out of London, Siegel has established himself as one of the key players on the UK jazz scene, hanging on the edge between tradition and experimentation. Mastering much of the saxophone and clarinet families, Siegel carries an assurance that his works will always feature a captivating tonal spread.

At Jazznights, Julian will be playing with the Roger Odell Trio and our resident songbird Larraine Odell at The Cherry Tree, Knowl Green, CO10 7BY. Reservations advised on 01787 237653 or email info@jazz-nights.com . Admission £8. Music 8pm-10.30pm. Sitting-in spot open to all. Food is available before or during the performance. Check www.jazz-nights.com  for details including location & map.


JOHN ETHERIDGE gig at Jazznights with the Roger Odell Trio and Larraine Odell on Sunday 22nd Jan 2012

(Click on pictures for larger images)

John Etheridge rightly enjoys a glowing reputation throughout the jazz world and beyond and has been described by Pat Metheny as, "One of the best guitarists in  the world". He is a prodigiously gifted and creative player whose approach to music can only be described as ‘eclectic’ as he refuses to accommodate or even Jazznights John Etheridge 220112 (28)acknowledge artificial musical boundaries. His range is well illustrated by his years of touring and recording with the iconic Stephane Grappelli while simultaneously doing likewise with the legendary jazz-fusion group, The Soft Machine. John is equally at home on acoustic and electric guitar and his willingness to engage with so many styles is matched by his ability to excel in any of them. He has played with John Williams, Yehudi Menuhin, Dizzie Gillespie, Herb Ellis, Mundell Lowe, Nigel Kennedy, Pat Metheny, Birelli Lagrene, Barney Kessel, Vic Juris and countless others. John’s ability as an outstanding composer is sometimes overlooked but he is often under pressure from Jazznights John Etheridge 220112 (29)audiences to feature more of his own material.

Tonight he was playing with the Roger Odell Jazznights trio and what a gig that was, the whole band thoroughly enjoyed playing with each other and this really came over through out the gig. The full house also gave rapturous applause in recognition of a unique and superb evening.

The band were:
Jazznights Roger Odell 220112 (4)Roger Odell Drums
Roger was one of the founder members and drummer with the jazz-funk group Shakatak and the forerunner band Tracks. Roger has toured internationally and recorded numerous CDs, which he continues to do on a regular basis to this day. Apart from a great power drummer he is also a prestigious arranger.
Bernie HodgkinsElectric Bass. Inspired by an uncle, who played and recorded with Django Reinhart and Stephane Grappelli in the legendary Quintet de Hot Club of France, Bernie grew up in a Jazz-oriented family. Their influence led him to Jazznights Bernie Hodgkins 220112 (3)become a respected bass player behind such people as Matt Munroe, Dickie Valentine and Dennis Lotus, in the early stages of his career. Bernie is particularly acknowledged as being one of the few players to bring an authentic, driving jazz feel to both the double bass and the bass-guitar, and for his fluent and creative soloing. Tonight Bernie was playing his his electric  bass. guitar.
Jazznights John Etheridge 220112 (15A)Simon Brown – Piano
A highly respected and popular jazz pianist who is equally known for his arranging skills. He is always in demand to play many gigs with other bands when he is not playing with jazznights or his own trio, quartet and quintet at ‘Jazz at the Green Man’ in Rackheath, Norwich.
Larraine Odell – Vocals
Beginning her professional singing career with the group CMU with whom she recorded two albums, Larraine performed at numerous venues throughout the UK and Europe, including the Purcell Room, RFH, Boxford Fleece & Ronnie Scott’s.Larraine possesses a unique smouldering tonal quality and a subtle jazz phrasing style that has elicited great praise from two of her own vocal mentors, Mark Murphy and Sheila Jordan. “A sensitive singer who exudes a fine-honed jazz sensibility with every phrase” Jazznights Larraine Odell 220112 (13)

Larraine Odell opened her first set with:
1. The Lamp Is Low (1939) is a song based on Ravel’s Pavanne (Pavane pour une infante défunte (Pavane for a Dead Princess) written for solo piano by the French composer Maurice Ravel in 1899 when he was studying composition at the Conservatoire de Paris). Consequently the credits include music by Peter De Rose, Maurice Joseph Ravel and Bert A Shefter with lyrics from Mitchell Parish. Larraine sang this notable version at a medium tempo with solos from Simon Brown and Bernie Hodgkins.
2. The Thrill is gone (1931) with music by Ray Henderson and lyrics from Lew Brown. It has been recorded by Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Kenton, Chet Baker, Julie London, and Stan Getz to name but a few. Larraine version was beautifully sung at a slow tempo and the arrangement was by Roger Odell.
3. Love For Sale – Cole Porter’s 1930 song has had many different interpretations through the years and tonight was no exception with another Roger Odell Jazznights Larraine Odell 220112 (8)arrangement played as a very swinging medium tempo, Roger using symbol
play rather than the sticks and brushes. Larraine gave an exemplary performance.
4. Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Mercer’s 1939 I Thought About You (was among the first tunes that lyricist Johnny Mercer collaborated on with composer Jimmy Van Heusen) ended Larraine’s shorter than usual set for the evening. Bernie Hodgkins gave an inspired solo intro to the number followed by Simon Brown  which ended with 8 bar trades between Roger and Bernie. This was another number illustrating Larraine’s great versatility as a jazz singer.

John Etheridge then joined the trio to open his first set with:
Jazznights John Etheridge 220112 (15)5. Jimmy Smith’s Sugar opened  at a medium tempo with John’s backing by Simon Brown on a Roland keyboard (Hammond Organ mode) rather than the piano which fitted superbly with Bernie’s electric bass and of course John’s Martyn Booth Signature electric guitar. A wonderful opening to the first set.
6. A very swinging We followed at a an up tempo rhythm in which John showed his great dexterity on the guitar bringing in all members of the band including very fast trades with Simon Brown. An astounding number
7. Ann Ronell’s well known 1932 Willow Weep For Me (Ann Ronell dedicated “Willow Weep for Me” to George Gershwin, the composer who helped her get herJazznights John Etheridge 220112 (13) start in the music industry) followed in a complete contrast to the last  number. This was played at a very bluesy slow tempo ably supported by all the Jazznights Trio.
8. Duke Ellington’s In A Sentimental Mood was introduced by the Duke on April 30th, 1935 and has remained as a very popular standard jazz ballad ever since. Played tenderly and uniquely by John this was a superb ending to his first set.

Following the interval and the Jazznights raffle ( 3 jazz CD’s and a bottle of wine)  we had the traditional sitting in spot which is open to all musicians who have an  Jazznights Harry Green 220112 (20)opportunity to play with the Jazznights Trio. Tonight we had two of our local artistes at separate sitting in spots:
9.  Our local 14 year old Harry Greene  played his electric guitar with the trio to great appreciation by John Etheridge. Harry also plays acoustic guitaer as well as alto and tenor saxophones.

10. John Etheridge then returned to play two solo numbers:
One of Charles Mingus best known compositions the 1959 Goodbye Pork Pie Hat AKA Theme For Lester Young. Mingus wrote it as an elegy for saxophonist Lester Young, who had died two months prior to the recording session. Very interesting to Jazznights John Etheridge 220112 (31)hear John’s variations on such a well known standard.
11. M’Sanduza is a South African composition which is featured  on his 2009 album John Etheridge Alone! Live which of course is a solo album by John. Full of intricate but yet melodic African melodies featuring both his plectrum and finger picking styles.

12. The second sitting in spot featured Hannah Horton on the tenor Jazznights Hannah Horton 220112 (26)saxophone. She leads her own quartet playing both tenor and baritone and can be seen at many clubs in the local; area. Tonight she played Pat Metheny’s James with John Etheridge. A lovely medium tempo arrangement blending the two of them seamlessly – although it is not the first time that Hannah has played with John.

13. John then continued his set with the trio playing a very bluesy version of Rodgers & Hart’s 1934 Blue Moon.Jazznights John Etheridge 220112 (38)
14.
Next we had a superbly melodic rendition of a well known standard – what was that name again?  which was splendidly played and supported by Simon on the Roland, Bernie on the bass and Roger on the brushes.
15. An amazing finale featured a very fast presto  version of Caravan (which was composed by both Duke Ellington and Juan Tizol.

An evening to greatly appreciate a true master of his instrument. John Etheridge rightly enjoys a glowing reputation throughout the jazz world and beyond Jazznights John Etheridge 220112 (30)and has been described by Pat Metheny as, "One of the best guitarists in the world" – that sums it up. "A virtuoso on acoustic and electric guitars." Time Out "World class fretwork" Guitarist Magazine. One can now appreciate how true those statements were.

For further details of Jazznights and future gigs (which include Alan Barnes, Simon Spillett, Lewis Wright, Art Theman, Trudy Kerr, Tina May and in two weeks time Julian Siegel (sax) Already a past winner of the BBC Jazz award for Best Instrumentalist, Julian is again nominated for 2011. Go to www.jazz-nights.com

Our new venue at The Cherry Tree Function Suite, Knowl Green, Belchamp St Paul, Suffolk, CO10 7BY. Tel: 01787 237263 Admission £8. Doors 7.30pm. Music 8.00-10.30pm. Reserve your table seating on 01787 237653 or email.  Pay on the night.
Food available and can be served before or during the performance


Sandi Russell from the USA at Jazznights with the Roger Odell Trio and Larraine Odell – Sunday 8th January 2012

(Click on pictures for larger images)

A wonderful evening for the first Jazznights gig of 2012 at The Cherry Tree, Belchamp St Paul in Essex for the great USA diva Sandi Russell. A full house (make sure you book for future gigs) thoroughly enjoyed the jazz as well as the food and liquid refreshment  at The Cherry Tree.

As a native New Yorker, Sandi Russell has sung in many of Manhattan’s most prestigious clubs: Greene Street, Grand Finale, Reno Sweeney, The Ballroom, Sweet Rhythm and Mikell’s. She has worked with jazz luminaries such as Lionel Jazznights Sandi Russell 090112 (9)Hampton, Roy Eldridge, Ellis Larkins, Beaver Harris, Earl May, Don Pullen and Jean Toussaint. In London, Sandi Russell regularly performs with Dave Newton, Steve Brown and Andy Clyndert at Pizza Express and Pizza on the Park; she has also appeared at Ronnie Scott’s, the Riverside Studios, the Purcell Room and the Voice Box on the South Bank. Last night she sang with the Jazznights Roger Odell Trio to rapturous applause.

The band were:
Roger Odell DrumsJazznights Roger Odell 090112 (5)
Roger was one of the founder members and drummer with the jazz-funk group Shakatak and the forerunner band Tracks. Roger has toured internationally and recorded numerous CDs, which he continues to do on a regular basis to this day. Apart from a great power drummer he is also a prestigious arranger.
Bernie Hodgkins5 String Double Bass Inspired by an uncle, who played and recorded with Django Reinhart and Stephane Grappelli in the legendary Quintet de Hot Club of France, Jazznights Bernie Hodgkins 090112 (3)Bernie grew up in a Jazz-oriented family. Their influence led him to become a respected bass player behind such people as Matt Munroe, Dickie Valentine and Dennis Lotus, in the early stages of his career. Bernie is particularly acknowledged as being one of the few players to bring an authentic, driving jazz feel to both the double bass and the bass-guitar, and for his fluent and creative soloing. Tonight Bernie was playing his his 5 string double  bass.
Simon Brown – PianoJazznights Simon Brown 090112 (33)
A highly respected and popular jazz pianist who is equally known for his arranging skills. He is always in demand to play many gigs with other bands when he is not
Larraine Odell – Vocals
Beginning her professional singing career with the group CMU with whom she recorded two albums, Larraine performed at numerous venues throughout the UK and Europe, including the Purcell Room, RFH, Boxford Fleece & Ronnie Scott’s.Larraine possesses a Jazznights Larraine Odell 090112 (4) Aunique smouldering tonal quality and a subtle jazz phrasing style that has elicited great praise from two of her own vocal mentors, Mark Murphy and Sheila Jordan. “A sensitive singer who exudes a fine-honed jazz sensibility with every phrase”

Larraine Odell, Jazznights resident songbird  opened the first set of the evening singing:
1. You Stepped Out of a Dream from 1940 – Music by Nacio Herb Brown and Lyrics from Gus Kahn. This was first introduced in the film Ziegfried Girl – one of the biggest film hits of 1941. Larraine gave a very swinging interpretation.
2. Cole Porter’s 1936 I’ve Got You Under My Skin followed. This quite an unusual song as it has no verse. It became a signature song for Frank Sinatra and, in 1956 was recorded by Peggy Lee on her famous Black Coffee album. Larraine’s  version had a lovely slow tempo with an excellent introduction from the drums of Roger Odell playing an African based rhythm with the mallets. Roger also arranged Jazznights Larraine Odell 090112 (4)the music – as he did with all Larraine’s songs.
3. The Lamp Is Low (1939) is a song based on Ravel’s Pavanne (Pavane pour une infante défunte (Pavane for a Dead Princess) written for solo piano by the French composer Maurice Ravel in 1899 when he was studying composition at the Conservatoire de Paris). Consequently the credits include music by Peter De Rose, Maurice Joseph Ravel and Bert A Shefter with lyrics from Mitchell Parish. Larraine sang this notable version at a medium tempo.
4. The1955 Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most (Music by Thomas J Wolf Jr and Lyrics by Frances Landesman came next. This song was Frances’s exploration of T. S. Eliot’s "April is the cruellest month…" This was sung beautifully and sensitively by Larraine – another great arrangement by Roger Odell.
5. Cole Porter’s 1938 Get Out Of Town ended Larraine’s superb set with a great up- tempo finale.

Jazznights Sandi Russell 090112 (10)Sandi Russell’s first set included:with a very different version of
6. A very different version of the 1959 My Favourite Things by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. This was a very jazzy and unusual version which introduced Sandi’s excellent scat singing ability which went down a storm!
7.  Day Dream (1941) with music by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn and lyrics from John Latouche which was so contrasting as it was sung at a really slow tempo.
8. Devil May Care(Words and music by Bob Dorough and Terrell P Kirk JR).another unique Sandi Russell version of this well known Jazz standard
9. Ray Noble’s 1934 The Very Thought Of You (vocalist Al Bowlly first introduced Jazznights Sandi Russell 090112 (11)this tune in 1934) was a sang as a beautiful ballad by Sandi
10. Abbey Lincoln’s Throw It away. A very passionate interpretation of a lovely song which ended Sandi’s excellent first set.

Following the interval and the raffle ( 3 jazz CD’s and a bottle of wine)  we had the traditional sitting in spot which is open to all musicians who have an  opportunity to play with the Jazznights Trio. Tonight we had no less than three of our local artistes:
11. Terry Reed played a great medium to up-tempo version of George Shearing’s Lullaby Of Birdland on the piano.

Jazznights Terry Reed 090112 (17) Jazznights Geoff Harriman 090112 (22)

12. The very popular Geoff Harriman on harmonica playing a very fine version of the 1954 Erroll Garner number Misty


Jazznights Kevin Flanagan 090112 (29) Jazznights Kevin Flanagan 090112 (33)

13.  Thirdly We had that that superb tenor saxophonist Kevin Flanagan playing two numbers:
Isham Jones’s 1936 There Is No Greater Love played at an up-tempo version with power drumming from Roger Odell. The two work so well together as they are both regular members of Rebop.
14. Another standard followed with Alone Together . Kevin Flanagan can be seen again at Jazznights when Rebop feature on the 19th February at Jazznights.

Sandi Russell’s last set contained the following numbers:
15. Forget Him by Valerie Brown with a great intro from Roger with his mallets introduced Sandi followed by the rest of the band at a medium tempo.
16. A Hoagy Carmichael song Leave Me There at a slow tempo
17.Up-Tempo number by Thelonius Monk featuring Sand’s scat singing.
18.A very gentle and beautiful version of Hoagy Carmichael and Ned Washington’s 1937 The Nearness of You showing the Jazznights Sandi Russell 090112 (30)great versatility and mastery of Sand’s voice.
19, A great vocal version of Miles’ Davis’s All Blues at a medium tempo. All Blues and it certainly was!
20. There could not have a been a greater and fitting finale to Sandi’s evening at Jazznights than  an up-tempo vocal version of Ellington’s Take The A Train

A Quote: "Miss Russell gave an exuberant, even astonishing display of vocal pyrotechnics” We cannot add any greater accolad3e. A wonderful evening.

The next Jazznights session is on Sunday 22nd Jan with  JOHN ETHERIDGE (guitar). John Etheridge rightly enjoys a glowing reputation throughout the jazz world and beyond and has been described by Pat Metheny as, "One of the best guitarists in the world". He is a prodigiously gifted and creative player whose approach to music can only be described as ‘eclectic’. Stephane Grappelli to Soft Machine!!

For further details and future gigs go to www.jazz-nights.com


Jazznights at NEW venue Sandi Russell from USA with the Roger Odell Trio and Larraine Odell – Sunday 8th January 2012

8 – 10.30pm  Admission £8 at the
The Cherry Tree, Knowl Green, Belchamp St Paul, CO10 7BY
Table booking advised – telephone 01787 237653

"Miss Russell gave an exuberant, even astonishing display of vocal pyrotechnics– this was Tina Turner meets Dee Dee Bridgewater with a touch of Ella and Sassy (Sarah Vaughan) and a Covent Garden coloratura thrown in to the melting pot." Lance Liddle, ‘Bebop Spoken Here’. "An extraordinary singer" Lionel Hampton.

sandi_1Harlem-born and classically trained, Sandi Russell is now living in Britain, where she has established herself as one of the most brilliant and versatile jazz singers of her generation. Often compared with the great divas – Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan – Sandi has her own unique vocal style, distinguished by dramatic range and resonance.

Whether interpreting Ellington, Monk or Porter, whether scatting or recreating ballads and blues, Sandi Russell is an exciting performer of exceptional musicality. ‘If you thought Billie Holiday took phrasing to its hair-raising limits’, said Humphrey Lyttleton recently of Sandi Russell, ‘think again!’. Sandi’s last sizzling album can be sampled on her website and she is about to release a new CD combining original material with movingly inventive interpretation and improvisation.

As a native New Yorker, Sandi Russell has sung in many of Manhattan’s most Sandi's press photoprestigious clubs: Greene Street, Grand Finale, Reno Sweeney, The Ballroom, Sweet Rhythm and Mikell’s. She has worked with jazz luminaries such as Lionel Hampton, Roy Eldridge, Ellis Larkins, Beaver Harris, Earl May, Don Pullen and Jean Toussaint.

In London, Sandi Russell regularly performs with Dave Newton, Steve Brown and Andy Clyndert at Pizza Express and Pizza on the Park; she has also appeared at Ronnie Scott’s, the Riverside Studios, the Purcell Room and the Voice Box on the South Bank. Other venues include The Sage, Gateshead, where she opened the 2007 International Jazz Festival, Durham’s Gala Theatre, Sheffield’s Lyceum and London’s Victoria Palace, as well as many arts centres and universities throughout the U.K.

Extensively interviewed for Voice of America, the BBC’s Look North and Women’s Hour, Sandi Russell has had her own television special for Public Broadcasting in the USA and regularly appears on talk shows, jazz stations and local radio and TV in the UK. In Britain, France and Italy, she has presented her one-woman show ‘Render Me My Song’ to great acclaim.

Sandi's photos for CDSandi Russell has made two previous CDs: Live at Pizza on the Park with the Jon Pearce Trio (1998) and Incandescent with the Dave Newton Trio (2003). She has just completed a new album entitled Sweet Thunder with the Dave Newton Trio, featuring Georgie Fame, David Murray, Guy Barker, Jim Mullen and Alan Skidmore.

As well as performing, Sandi Russell, along with the University of Durham (Musicon) and hosted by St. Chad’s College, has organised the first two jazz festivals of Durham City, UK. The participants thus far:
Sandi Russell/Alan Barnes with the John Horler Trio, John Etheridge, John Taylor,Louise Gibbs and Five Pieces of Silver, the Omar Puente quintet and the Paul Edis Trio with Vasilis Xenopoulo

For further details and future gigs go to www.jazz-nights.com


Crissy Lee’s Hybrid at The Bell, Clare on Sunday 11th Dec 2011

In a change to the previously published program the final gig at The Bell featured this great drummer and her band Hybrid playing a range of music from jazz to funk Jazznights Crissy Lee  290511 (3)and everything in between. Famously associated with her big band Crissy demonstrates that she is equally at home in a smaller setting

Crissy Lee is widely acclaimed as being the UK’s and Europe’s finest female drummer, with a career spanning 50 years. Crissy was only 17 when she joined the Ivy Benson All Girls Band, appearing with performers including Dinah Washington, Frank Sinatra Jnr, Fats Domino, Caterina Valenti and Tom Jones. Five years later she left to form her own band, The Beat Chicks, working with singers including Lulu and Eartha Kitt, and securing the support slot on the Beatles’ first Spanish tour in the early 60s, even flying with them in their own private jet!

Jazznights Crissy Lee 290511 (31)Her recent appearances as the “all-singing, all-drumming heartbeat” of The Skinnerettes – the resident band on the Frank Skinner Show – have once again put Crissy back into the spotlight proving that one can still have something to offer even when you are a little more mature!!

This proved to be a great final gig for Jazznights at the Bell before moving to is new Venue in the New Year at The Cherry Tree, Belchamp St Paul in the beautiful Stour Valley on the Suffolk/Essex border.

The writer was unable to make this gig and thanks Norman, a regular Jazznights member who  made the following notes:

Crissy Lee’s band Hybryd consisted of :
Crissy Lee – drums
Bernie Hodgkins – Bass Guitar
Martin Dobson – tenor sax, soprano sax ands flute
Matt Hodges – Piano
Martin Donald Guitar

The Playlist was a s follows:

Coming Home
All Blues
Wave
Doxy
Moonlight In Vermont
Blue Bossa
Sugar
The Masquerade Is Over
There Will Never Be Another You
Cantaloupe Island
Put It Where You Want It

A great gig and this leads us into the New Year and remember that WE’RE ON THE MOVE! From January 2012 Jazznights presents the best in modern jazz at: The Function Suite, The Cherry Tree, Knowl Green, Belchamp St Paul, Suffolk, CO10 7BY.

For further information and future gigs at the new venue go to www.jazz-nights.com


Jo Fooks (tenor sax) at Jazznights with the Roger Odell Trio at The Bell , Clare, Sunday 27th Nov 2011

(Click on the pictures for larger images)

Jazznights Jo Fooks 271111 (26)Continuing the Humphrey Lyttelton connection this month the other great saxophonist who first came to prominence with his band is featured. A former Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year, Jo now fronts her own band with whom -+she has just released her second CD "Playin". "Jo will be a star!" Ian Carr.

"Anyone who can turn the humble Brussels Sprouts into an inspiration for jazz shows a refreshing level of originality, and this is born out in Jo’s confident and assured tenor playing as much as in her original themes. Jazznights Jo Fooks 271111 (32) – Alyn Shipton, radio broadcaster Pasted from

Jo Fooks, born in Edinburgh, began learning the saxophone at 15. In 1992 she won ‘The Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year’. Inspired and encouraged by local Edinburgh musicians, Jo went on to study saxophone at the Guildhall School of music in London (1995-99). She also studied at the Berklee School of music in Boston after receiving a full fee scholarship for the summer jazz programme.
Apart from Jo the band were this evening:
Roger Odell Drums
JazznightsRoger Odell 271111 (10)Roger was one of the founder members and drummer with the jazz-funk group Shakatak and the forerunner band Tracks. Roger has toured internationally and recorded numerous CDs, which he continues to do on a regular basis to this day. Apart from a great power drummer he is also a prestigious arranger.
Andy Noble –Keyboards
Andy regularly plays with the Albert Garza Trio, Ben Greenslade-Stanton Fuerza, Carl Orr’s Dangerfunk and the Jazznights Trio as well as other bands in and around London and East Anglia . and is already Jazznights Andy Noble 271111 (23)establishing himself as one of the most sought after keyboard players in London performing with all types of artist from pop to salsa and obviously Jazz
Bernie Hodgkins5 String Double Bass Inspired by an uncle, who played and recorded with Django Reinhart and Stephane Grappelli in the legendary Quintet de Hot Club of France, Bernie grew up in a Jazz-oriented family. Their influence led him to become a respected bass Jazznights Bernie Hodgkins 271111 (35)player behind such people as Matt Munroe, Dickie Valentine and Dennis Lotus, in the early stages of his career. Bernie is particularly acknowledged as being one of the few players to bring an authentic, driving jazz feel to both the double bass and the bass-guitar, and for his fluent and creative soloing. Tonight Bernie was playing his his 5 string double  bass.
Larraine Odell – Vocals
Beginning her professional singing career with the group CMU with whom she recorded two albums, Larraine performed at numerous venues throughout the UK and Europe, including the Purcell Room, RFH, Boxford Fleece & Ronnie Scott’s.Larraine possesses a unique smouldering tonal quality and a subtle jazz Jazznights Larraine Odell 271111 (8)phrasing style that has elicited great praise from two of her own vocal mentors, Mark Murphy and Sheila Jordan. “A sensitive singer who exudes a fine-honed jazz ensibility with every phrase”

Larraine’s set consisted of:
1. The 1940 You Stepped Out of a Dream (Music by Nacio Herb Brown and Lyrics by Gus Kahn) from Ziegfried Girl the film starring Lana Turner. It was a centrepiece in the 1941 musical Ziegfeld Girl, where it was sung by Tony Martin and accompanied an iconic image of Lana Turner walking down a grand staircase. English pianist George Shearing recorded a version of this tune on one of his earliest sessions before he settled in the US where his career took off. Larraine gave a  beautiful version of this which was sung at a Jazznights Larraine Odell 271111 (13)medium tempo.
2. the 1933 Close Your Eyes with Words and Music by Bernice Petkere (She was dubbed the "Queen of Tin Pan Alley" by Irving Berlin.) was sung as a slow to medium tempo Bossa Nova. Both Andy and Noble and Bernie Hodgkins supported Roger’s driving Bossa rhythm.

3.The 1956 Too Close for Comfort with Words and Music by Jerrold L Bock, Lawrence Holofcener and George Weiss followed as an up-tempo very swinging vocal innovatively supported by Bernie.Jazznights Larraine Odell 271111 (16)
4. The 1934 ballad For All We Know (Music by J. Fred Coots and Lyrics by Sam M. Lewis). The Nat ‘King’ Cole Trio’s 1949 recording brought this tune back into the mainstream 15 years after it was written. This was eloquently sung at a very slow tempo about 60 beats beats per minute!
5. The 1932 Cole Porter’s Night and Day ended Larraine’s great set at a medium to fast tempo. All arrangements of Larraine’s numbers were by Roger Odell.

Jo Fooks opened her first set with The King which was based on the Count Basie theme Jumpin’ At The Woodside at a very up-tempo rate. Jo with most of the numbers she played , gave plenty of space for all members of the trio to express their own interpretations. Jo followed with the first of her own compositions: the Brolly Dance which featured on her latest album “Back For More” .
Jazznights Jo Fooks 271111 (37)From the same album, Jo played a very bluesy Teaching Blues at a medium tempo – another Jo Fooks composition which she composed after a ‘bad’ teaching period.

Following the interval and the Jazznights raffle of 3 jazz CDs Jo Fooks continued with Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend is a song introduced by Carol Channing in the original Broadway production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1949), which was written by Jule Styne (who also wrote the scores for such famed Broadway musicals as Funny Girl and Gypsy) and Leo Robin. It was based on a novel by Anita Loos. This was a great up-tempo opener which included 4 and 8 bar trades between Jo, Andy Noble and Roger Odell. Jazznights Jo Fooks 271111 (25)
The song Only Trust Your Heart (1964) is a jazz standard, usually played bossa nova, published by MCA Music Publishing, written by American music legends Benny Carter and Sammy Cahn although this evening it was played as a medium tempo samba. Following a composition that Jo finished writing this morning!  Jo played a lilting lullaby – Little Ava – an original slow ballad named after a young girl in Jo’s family.
Following an exciting up-tempo version of Crazy Living, Jo continued with Charlie Parkers Doomsday in a very up-tempo manner. Jo then asked Larraine Odell to join her and they then played and sang Corcovado (known in English as "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars") the bossa nova song written by Antonio Carlos Jobim. The English lyrics were written by Gene Lees. (The title refers to the Corcovado Jazznights Jo Fooks 271111 (40)mountain in Rio de Janeiro) This made for a superb combination and it would be great if they made an album as a quintet. Tea For Two ended this superb gig with a very up-tempo version. This evening was a marvellous affirmation that apart from being a great and justly lauded master of the tenor saxophone she is a wonderful and very talented composer. We look forward to seeing Jo back at Jazznights at the earliest opportunity. All thanks to Roger and Larraine Odell for organising Jazznights as a showcase for British jazz talent. Our thanks as well to  our very knowledgeable and articulate Master of Ceremonies Donald Muir

This was a great gig and sadly was the last at the The Bell Clare with the Roger Odell Trio before Jazznights moves to a new venue at Belchamp St Paul. The last gig at Clare will be the Chrissy Lee Hybrid band as Roger will once again touring with Shakatak in Malaysia, Thailand and Kazakhstan!

See www.jazz-nights.com for further details of the new venue for 2012 and future gigs.


Karen Sharp made a very welcome return to Jazznights with the Roger Odell Trio at the The Bell, Clare on Sunday 13th November 2011

(Click on images for larger pictures)

Karen took up the tenor saxophone whilst studying composition at the Royal Jazznights Karen Sharp 131111 (47)Northern College of Music. A friend introduced her to a recording of Dexter Gordon and she was instantly hooked, quickly joining the college jazz band and finding regular work in a busy soul band based in Liverpool. Since relocating to London in 1999 Karen has become a busy freelance musician working alongside many top class British and American musicians such as Scott Hamilton, Sir John Dankworth, Cleo laine, Danny Moss, Alan Barnes, Barbara Lea, Dick Sudhalter, Mark Nightingale and Ellyn Rucker

Twice winner of the British Jazz Awards Saxophone category, she is perhaps best known for her work with the Humphrey Lyttleton band with whom she toured and recorded for more than 3 years. Equally at home on tenor or baritone sax she is Jazznights Karen Sharp 131111 (45)currently working and recording with her latest quartet which features one of the UK’s finest pianists, Nikki Iles. Classic straight ahead Jazz. “..a class A player” Humphrey Lyttleton; “Her sound is warm and full, her improvised lines bold and clear, and her compositions full of surprises. Her style, I suppose, would come under the heading of ‘modern mainstream’, but that doesn’t do justice to her originality of approach.” Observer; “..a star in the making” Jazz Journal International. She has toured internationally including performances at the Ginza Festival, Tokyo and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

Karen Sharp’s return visit showed that she is undoubtedly one of the U.K’s best tenor players and together with one of the finest trios that the East of England has produced for many a year and accompanied by our resident songbird – Larraine Odell.

Apart from Karen, the personnel  were:
Roger Odell Drums
Roger was one of the founder members and drummer with the jazz-funk group Shakatak and the forerunner band Tracks. Roger has toured internationally and Jazznights Roger Odell 131111 (53)recorded numerous CDs, which he continues to do on a regular basis to this day. Apart from a great power drummer he is also a prestigious arranger.
Steve Cook – Double Bass
Steve has a wonderful rounded tone with great clarity.Jazznights Steve Cook 131111 (49) He has played with Mike Westbrook, Mike Kilpatrick’s Duke Ellington Orchestra, Barbara Thompson, Soft Machine, Seventh Wave and Gil Evans big band at Ronnie Scotts
Simon Brown – Piano
Jazznights Simon Brown 131111 (56)A highly respected and popular jazz pianist who is equally known for his arranging skills. He is always in demand to play many gigs with other bands when he is not teaching jazz piano or playing with the  Jazznights Trio
Larraine Odell – Vocals
Beginning her professional singing career with the group CMU with whom she recorded two albums, Larraine performed at numerous venues throughout the UK and Europe, including the Purcell Room, RFH, Boxford Fleece & Ronnie Scott’s.Larraine possesses a unique smouldering tonal quality and a subtle jazz phrasing style that has elicited great praise from two of her own vocal mentors, Mark Murphy and Sheila Jordan. “A sensitive singer who exudes a fine-honed jazz sensibility with every phrase”

Larraine sang for us:
1. I Could Write a Book (1940 with Music    by Richard Rodgers and Lyrics by Lorenz Hart). This sung at a medium tempo with solos from Roger, Steve and Simon.
2. Out Of This World with Music by Harold Arlen and Lyrics from Johnny Mercer. (It was introduced in the film Out of This World (1945) by Bing Crosby dubbing in for the voice of the main character played by Eddie Bracken.) This was played at a slowJazznights Larraine Odell 131111 (28) to medium tempo and showed off Larraine’s lovely and mellow mellifluous style for this type of song.
3. The 1937 Where or When – music from the pen of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart which was at a medium tempo with solos from Simon Brown and Steve Cook
4. The1955 Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most (Music by Thomas J Wolf Jr and Lyrics by Frances Landesman came next. This song was Frances’s exploration of T. S. Eliot’s "April is the cruellest month…" This was sung beautifully and sensitively by Larraine in 3/4 waltz time – another great arrangement by Roger Odell month…" This was sung beautifully and sensitively by Larraine – another great arrangement by Roger Odell. The writers Jazznights Larraine Odell 131111 (36)favourite number of Larraine’s set.
5. That’s All (1952) Words and Music from Bob Haymes and Alan Brandt.( Nat “King” Cole introduced the song in 1953, and although his was a popular version it did not make the top 20 songs that year. It was Bobby Darin’s 1959 album That’s All that put the song on the musical map). Unusually, this was sung at an up-tempo rate with a power drive from the trio. A great finale to Larraine’s set.

Karen Sharp opened her first set with:
6. medium to up-tempo B Flat Blues with  solos from Simon Brown and Steve Cook with 4 bar trades played out between Simon, Karen and Roger Odell on the drums.
7. Bright Moments composed by Roland Kirk from his 1973 album of the same Jazznights Karen Sharp 131111 (55)name played at a medium to up-tempo rate. Karen’s first solo even sounded as though it could have been Roland Kirk – although Karen just played the tenor of course without playing the other 3 or 4 instruments at the same time!
8. We’ll Be Together Again composed by Carl Fischer in 1945. Many jazz musicians have recorded “We’ll Be Together Again,” the title cut of an album from guitarist Pat Martino. The Adderley brothers, Cannonball and Nat recorded it as well. Apart from many vocalists as it was originally brought to the public attention by the Frankie Laine Version. This had a slow and very melodic intro with just Karen and Simon . This was a great example of Karen’s flexibility and control of the tenor. An ending to her first set which just made the audience want more immediately!

Jazznights Karen Sharp 131111 (67)Following the interval and the Jazznights raffle of 3 jazz CDs and a bottle of wine, Karen opened her second set with:
9. Cole Porter’s 1938 Get Out Of Town at a medium to fast tempo with Karen playing extremely lyrically and involving trades with Roger, Simon and Steve who also excelled with the use of his sliding ;left hand on the bass.
10. Johnny Green’s 1930 Body And Soul – surly one of, if the not the most played of all the Jazz standards. Karen’s version was so sensitive and melodic as well as soulful  – a beautiful and very significant version – superb
11. Sail Away is a composition and album by jazz trumpeter and composer Tom Harrell, which was originally recorded by him in 1989. a lovely medium tempo number featuring Simon Brown, Steve Cook either side of a superlative solo from Karen.Jazznights Karen Sharp 131111 (65)
12. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing with music by Sammy Fain which is featured on Karen’s new CD "Spirit". A Beautiful medium tempo number featured an extended solo from Roger Odell.
13. Cherokee (Indian Love Song). Although written by Ray Noble in 1938, it wasn’t really considered a vehicle for jazz improvisation until Charlie Parker’s arrival in New York in the early 1940’s when it was picked up by one jazz musician after another, and today it is affectionately referred to as a jazz warhorse. This was played as a very fast swing number with great interplay between Karen and Roger.
14. Jimmy Rowles 1960′s Looking Back was an unusually slow, lyrical and tender offering from Karen Sharp and was a great climax to a wonderful gig – one to be remembered.

Phil Collins remarked on a BBC Radio 2 show "….an extraordinary talent." – IMHO quite a litotes as she is a superb master of the tenor saxophone and as mentioned, at the top of the tree in U.K jazz..

For further information and future gigs go to www.jazz-nights.com