Edition Records tour blog

Umbria 14th July Stefano Bollani, Chick Corea Freedom Band and Julian Lage

2010-07-17T15:12:00.004+01:00

Chick Corea Freedom Band

Stefano Bollani
Tomorrows shows feature Nick Battsch's Ronin, Pat Metheny and Enrico Rava

Umbria 13th July Bobo Stenson, Joe Sample with Randy Crawford, Manhatten transfer and Louis Sclavis

2010-07-17T15:02:00.006+01:00

Bobo Stenson

Anders Jormin

Joe Sample & Randy Crawford

Louis Sclavis Quintet

Tomorrow's shows feature Stefano Bollani, Chick Corea Freedom Band and Julian Lage

Umbria 12th July Mark Knopfler, Trio Reinhardt, Bobby Hutcherson & Cedar Walton

2010-07-17T14:51:00.006+01:00

Tonights show features Mark Knopfler in the arena and around midnight at the Morlachi the great Bobby Hutcherson playing with the Cedar Walton trio.

But first in the beautiful oratorio Santa Cecilia we saw the great David Reinhardt (grandson of Django) playing with rhythm guitar and bass. A wonderful player in his grandfathers footsteps and a great band who played with great flair and no little humour too. They were joined by the bass players sister for two vocal numbers at the end - great stuff!

Mark Knopfler

Bobby Hutcherson and the Cedar Walton Trio

Tomorrow's shows feature Bobo Stenson, Joe Sample and Randy Crawford, Manhatten Transfer (again) and The Louis Sclavis Quintet.

Appologies for the stop start nature of the blog due to a severe lack of time and a very flaky wifi internet that is sometimes here and someti

Umbria Sunday 11th July Marcus Miller

2010-07-15T15:50:00.000+01:00

The concert for us this evening featured Marcus Miller doing his Tutu Revisited 'The music of Miles Davis' show.

On trumpet Sean Jones was sensational, never trying to compete with the original and always playing it in his own way and did it beautifully.

Marcus was his effervescent self, again never hogging the show and playing some really groovy , thumping bass.

Tomorrow Mark Knopfler and Bobby Hutcherson with the Cedar Walton Trio

Umbria Jazz Festival Saturday 10th July Roy Hargrove

2010-07-15T13:22:00.008+01:00

After a very long drive from our overnight stop near Parma (home of ham and cheese) we arrived in perugia in time to catch the end of the evening show in the main arena - a band called La Notte Della Taranta from Puglia. Literally the dance if the Tarantula - a frenetic music and dance folk based show - great entertainment !

The midnight show at the Morlacchi featured The Roy Hargrove Quintet - Roy was at his bouncy best and produced some sparkling music - bringing on stage some members of the New Orleans Marching band who do the parade through town twice a day. They ended up jamming at a local bar until 5am!

Diana Krall & Elvis Costello

2010-07-09T02:40:00.004+01:00

Our last night at the Vienne Jazz Festival and two cracking shows to see. Opening the family affair - and as cool and calm as I have seen her was Diana Krall - she allowed us to photograph her from the pit (thank you!!!) - not like last time from the back of the antique theatre.

She played a very laid back set (there was no set list - 'I'll just play what I feel like') and the mood was very much in the calm and thoughtful Diana groove.

Diana played a long set and came back for a great encore which was much appreciated by the sold out crowd.

Next up was husband Elvis and the Sugarcanes - playing country blues/bluegrass music.

It sounded great from the bar

We are off to Italy in a few hours and my next report will come from the Umbria Jazz Festival in a couple of days - see you then!

Mahotella Queens and Angelique Kidjo

2010-07-08T10:40:00.009+01:00

Our penultimate night at the Vienne Jazz Festival and it is Mother Africa night. The Mahotella Queens have been together since 1964 and the three remaining members have a combined age of over 190! However their pulsating rhythmic set blew away all the years and they performed as though teenagers at their first party! With a small band (Guitar, Drums, Keyboards) their songs and dancing made a wonderful spectacle, and all too soon they were gone.

The second half of the evening featured a homage to Miriam Makeba by Angelique Kidjo and guests - Through interspersed narration it highlighted events and moments from Miriams life and featured her best known songs.

The two narrators (above) Angelique (below)

Sayon Bamba

Vusi Mahlasela

Rokia Traore

Baaba Maal

Asa

So to tonight our last night at this wonderful festival and what better way to end than Diana Krall and her husband Elvis Costello!

Mart'nalai and Carlinhos Brown

2010-07-07T11:05:00.010+01:00

Brasil night in the main arena and a capacity crowd (7000+) all ready for some Samba and Bossa Nova to dance the night away to.

The two shows did not disappoint the fans - with the front seats removed and plenty of room for dancing the whole crowd were in carnival mood. Earlier in the evening the parade around town featuring the 'Haricots Noirs' (black beans) a samba group from Lyon had led the way up to the antique theatre in great style.

Mart'nalai (reminding me visually of Joan Armatrading) sang a set of songs in exuberant style, jigging around the stage making use of every inch of space.

Carlinhos, of course, is a born showman and a darling of the new Brazilian music scene, his reggae/rock tinged music is instantly infectious and danceable - he himself leaps all over the stage, the pit and eventually the audience - who of course love him to bits and sing along all to all of his songs.

A great show to watch, photograph and to be part of - enjoy the photos which are in the order they were taken in so you can follow the show!

A night these kids will never forget!

Photographer Emra Islak gets into part mood!

Tonight's show promises another party atmosphere with the Mahotella Queens and Angelique Kidjo - It's African night!!

Sylvian Luc, Michel Portal & Manu Katche

2010-07-06T11:44:00.010+01:00

Tonight's show in the Antique theatre features three different but very complimentary talents.

Michel Portal has been on the jazz scene for a very long time, one of France's elder statesmen of jazz and someone who is always looking for new younger talent to bring tot he big stage.

Playing here with long time keyboards associate Bojan Z, and young and very talented American trumpet Player Ambrose Akinmusire. Ambrose who has already played with some of the best in the field is a prodigious talent, already having won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, and the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition - someone to watch in the future.

Bojan Z on piano

Ambrose Akinmusire
Michel Portal

The band played a great set - complex and sonically dense - but lyrical and always interesting - each solo perfectly placed and tastefully executed.

The evening started with a great little bonus - a three song set by Sylvian Luc , the French guitarist who has played with Richard Galliano, Birelli Lagrene and more recently Manu Katche -

It was an exquisite set - only three songs - but absolutely beautiful! He was later to join Manu Katche for several numbers in his set.

Manu Katche featured an interesting line up to his band. With electric bassist Laurent Verneray, Norwegian saxophonist Tore Brunborg, and Alfio Origlio on piano and Fender Rhodes and guesting on several tracks Sylvian Luc.

The set was more accessible than Portal's and was funky and hip without descending into Kenny G territory - some might say too much so. Tore Brunborg however is a great saxophonist without too obvious a Norwegian overtone to his playing, but enough to make it stand out and offer something different and refreshing within this electric setup.

I do live Fender Rhodes in jazz and this was a prime example of how good that sound can be especially when coupled with solid bass playing as here. A great band paying great music - and Katche was nicely restrained on the kit and one could say, led by example!

Tonight's shows feature the music of Brasil with sets from Carlinhos Brown (he of the white hat) and Mart'nalia.

Festival parade to Celebrate 30 Years of Jazz a Vienne

2010-07-05T10:56:00.005+01:00

On Sunday there were no shows in the arena or clubs - instead we had the spectacle of a huge parade around the town featuring nearly 500 performers - each dressed in costumes depicting characters from the festival's iconic posters - every one designed by Bruno Thery a local artist who was come up with the sometimes bizarre but always wonderful artwork that accompanies each edition of the festival as posters, advertising material and main stage backdrop.

This years poster features a duck with a trumpet in it's mouth and three candles on it's back to represent each decade the festival has been going.

A very quiet man, Bruno Thery watched the parade and proceedings from the crowd - he must have been immensely proud to see his creations brought to life and parading around his beloved Vienne.

The show climaxed with a mass dance of the performers and a Hi-Wire act in front of the Hotel de Ville.

A confetti canon ended the nearly two hour show and the party went on until the small hours in all the cafes and restaurants around town.

Monday night's shows include Michel Portal and Manu Katche in the antique theatre.

Saturday Night: Blues Night

2010-07-04T15:13:00.008+01:00

The blues night at Vienne is always a pleasure - and this year was no exception - three bands all different, but all terrific fun and great shows.

First up were French blues funk band Malted Milk, who come from Nantes. Very polished in performance and show a great start to the evening.

After a short break (and a few spots of rain) we were in for a real treat. Music Maker features a core band with many guest performers. Holding it all together are; Albert White (Guitar), Lil' Joe (Trombone), Nashid Abdul Khaaliq (bass) and Ardie Dean on the kit.

A damn fine band as they are - but song after song introduced more performers to the show - each a unique blues talent and highly entertaining.

Dr Burt

Eddie Tigner

Albert White

Eddie Tigner

Pat Cohen

Lil' Joe

Pat Cohen

Lil' Joe

Tommy Brown

Ardie Dean

Beverly (Guitar) Watkins - what a performer!
If I can even get my hands behind my head when I am her age - let alone a guitar, I'll be very happy!
The ensemble on stage - 'The blues is alright' finale - a must see show whoever they have as guests - the real blues show is here!

Joe Bonamassa - brilliant technician on the guitar, good performer - loves the camera!! Lacking a little in subtlety though - this boy's amps go all the way to 11 and he knows it.

A new guitar for just about every song!

Wring that neck!
Sunday night there is no show but a town parade - more tomorrow!

Friday 2nd July: Chucho Valdes, Monty Alexander

2010-07-04T14:27:00.005+01:00

Tonight's double bill features music from the Caribbean. Later the Afro Cuban Style of Latin piano giant Chucho Valdes but first the Harlem Kingston Express fronted by Monty Alexander.

Playing with two bands - to his left him a Jazz combo (Guitar, Bass drums) and to his right a Reggae band, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Percussion.

The show slipped between the two. often together but incredibly well arranged - 'No Woman No Cry' - starting off to a heavy reggae beat, then into swing, and back through some improv playing to where it had started - much like Monty's career.

Lee Archibald, on jazz guitar
The set (which included a little Michael Jackson too, for good measure) ended with the Banana Boat song including audience participation. It was a joyful celebration of music played to perfection - if you get the chance to see this show please make the effort - I promise it is worthwhile!

Chucho Valdes and youngest son Julian - starting him off young!

Chucho's show while equally impressive was far more intense and demanding for the listener - wonderful weaving patterns between piano sax, and trumpet and as you would expect layers of percussion and vocals.
The show also featured songs from Chucho's sister Mayra and a grand percussive finale that had the audience on their feet and dancing for a good 20 minutes - great show and excellent musicianship all round.

Tomorrow night is blues night!

Thursday 1st June: Joe Cocker, Esperenza Spalding

2010-07-02T10:20:00.008+01:00

Forty-one years ago Joe Cocker made his international breakthrough at Woodstock - that performance 'With a little help from my friends', has passed into legend (along with Carlos Santana's set and Jimi Hendrix's 'Star Spangled banner'). All these years later and with so much history now behind him, Cocker, at heart is still basically the same singer he was then - gutsy, bluesy with his trademark gravelly voice more or less intact.

Drawing on some new, but largely older material the set built nicely to it's inevitable climax - along the way 'Unchain My Heart, 'When the Night Comes', 'You are So Beautiful', 'Summer in the City', 'Leave your hat on', 'Bathroom Window' ending the set with 'A little Help' and then encoring with 'Cry me a River' with an up-tempo version almost gospel in its approach.

With a great band, all seasoned musicians, two bouncy and very watch-able backing singers this was a class show from start to finish.

8000 people left very happy and gave the man from Sheffield a long standing ovation, nothing less than he deserved.

Opening the evening in the Theatre Antique was the lovely Esperenza Spalding. Her career has blossomed over the past few years - last year she played in the Midnight Theatre before 100 people, tonight on the main stage in front of almost 8000. Her smoochy, quirky music with both upright and electric bass verging almost at times into funk, always interesting and her pure voice always interesting, definitely a talent on the way up.

Tonights show features Chucho Valdedes and Monty Alexander

China Moses, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jason Lindner

2010-07-01T11:24:00.010+01:00

A big vocal night tonight with mother and daughter team Dee Dee Bridgewater and China Moses both performing tributes to the vocal stars of yesterday.

China Moses, bubbly effusive and obviously very talented covered the career of Dinah Washington in words and music - adding, where appropriate enough of her own personality to make the show really enjoyable and above all great fun. She has a great voice and she has learned from her mother fantastic stage craft so without hogging the stage she commanded it and kept the pace up to a great climax, a duet with her mother (and pooch).

The encore featured Dee Dee and China (and dog) together on stage - an emotional time for all!

Dee Dee's show was a homage to Billie Holiday which she has been touring around the world - With a fantastic band and arrangements of these so well known songs, the show was as slick and entertaining as her daughters. It is so easy to spot where China discovered her stage craft!

After the vocal extravaganza in the Antique Theatre a total contrast was to be found in the midnight club where another family affair was pounding out boogie woogie piano jazz. Martin Pryker and daughter Sabine (on drums) were very entertaining and the crowd warmed to their Austrian charm and dexterity with this early jazz material.

So after the vocals and the washboard last stop was the Jazzmix tent down by the Rhone where New Yorkers Jason Lindner and his band were playing into the early morning.

Featuring Edition Records very own Mark Guiliana on drums (he is on the next release Phronesis Alive) and the great Colombian Harp player Edmar Castaneda and bass vocalist Panagiotis Andreou this was high energy music from very accomplished musicians. Well worth staying up for!!

Tonights show features Sheffield's finest, Joe Cocker and the lovely Esperenza Spalding

Wayne Shorter & Brad Mehldau

2010-06-30T12:14:00.009+01:00

One of the most anticipated evenings of the festival was tonight - a solo set from pianist Brad Mehldau and then the legendary Wayne Shorter Quartet, featuring Brian Blade (drums), Danilo Perez (piano) and John Patitucci on bass.

Mehldau was gone down the route of no photos at all either in the sound check or during his performance - so I can't share with you any of the images from his show. Needless to say it was a flawless display of solo piano easily matching Keith Jarrett in quality and technique - stand out for me was 'My Favourite things' which he played and explored quite beautifully.

Wayne Shorter has a long and very distinguished career in jazz and in recent years has been exploring long meandering pieces with this quartet - playing fractured shards of notes, whistling and generally overseeing the interplay between the other members.

Us photographers were allowed the first three numbers to take pictures but as the first tune went on for more than 40 minutes most had left long before the end.

The evening was rounded off by another great performance from Regina Carter - this time in the intimate surroundings of the Midnight Club - unmissable!

Tonight it will be Dee Dee Bridgewater, China Moses & Raphael Lemonnier, Martin Pryker and lastly Jason Lindner featuring Edmar Castaneda - can't wait!

Monday 28th June Manhattan Transfer & Regina Carter

2010-06-29T12:28:00.016+01:00

Tonight's double bill couldn't have produced two more different styles - the easy sing-a-long style of Manhattan Transfer and the beautifully crafted African themed music from Regina Carter and Reverse Thread.

Regina had popped up last night along with Liz McComb for the Gospel evening and here tonight she was joined by regular band members Chris Lightcap (Bass) and Alvester Garnett on drums.

The other players with her tonight were Kora player Balla Tounkara and piano accordionist Will Holshouser - this project concentrating on music from Mali and Senegal in West Africa.

Regina is a phenominal player her touch and intonation one of the best of the modern jazz violinists and her ability to hold and keep the audience was more than evident. She was brought back for her encore with a rousing ovation from the capacity crowd!

The main attraction of the evening were Manhattan Transfer who have had a long and eventfull career since their beginnings way back in 1969. With a very slick show and so many numbers that are so well known they kept the crowd dancing until the very end of a long show.

Tonight it is a wonderful double bill of Wayne Shorter and Brad (no photos) Mehldau

Sunday 27th June - Gospel Night

2010-06-28T14:06:00.005+01:00

Tonight is gospel night and the show features singer Liz McComb and an combination of musicians featuring one of my favourite violinists, Regina Carter - cellist Akua Dixon, Calvin Cooke on pedal steel guitar and Phil Makaia on gwokas among others.

Ranging from duets on piano with Bertrand Richard to trio and quartet pieces, obviously all with a gospel theme Liz moved through her repertoire, possibly a little slowly in the first half, very nice but all sounding very solemn and straight.

Harmonising with the rev Harold Johnston, who played Hammond most of the evening (but not enough for me!)

However, thankfully things took off in the second half with the introduction of the Sacred Voices (three lovely ladies doing backing vocals) and the tempo and the material hotted up and Liz really let rip in best gospel fashion rocking the stage the house and most of the photographers in the pit!

The show ended with a great Gwoka flavoured romp with as many endings and restarts as a James Brown concert - the second half was great entertainment and the capacity crowd went home foot tapping and well and truly sanctified!

Monday night features Manhattan Transfer and Regina Carter and Reverse Thread

Jazz a Vienne 2010

2010-06-28T10:53:00.007+01:00

Well here we are again for another series of Jazz Shows across Europe. As always we will start with one of our favourite festivals at Vienne - not far from Lyon and on the banks of the Rhone this is simply a fantastic place to spend time sightseeing and listening to some of the top music from around the globe.

Our festival season started with a great double bill showcasing the talents and musical genres of two completely different classic guitar genres.

First on stage wad Dorado Schmitt and his not inconsiderate family who all have mastered the Manouche style of guitar. This being the 100th anniversary of Django's birth it was a fitting tribute to the man and his music.

Key to this performance were the Rhythm guitar played unerringly all night by Hono Winterstein and accordian player Marcel Loeffler who's comping and soloing were superb.

Top of the bill was the incomparable Paco de Lucia - the master of flamenco. Playing with a n ensemble featuring vocals, percussion and dance this was a spine tingling show brimming with passion and romance. Unfortuantely we were not allowed to photograph 'Farruco' the male dancer who's percussive foot movements were an integral part of the music. De Lucia was lyrical and aggresive and always in control of the music . The show was perfectoy constructed and came to an amazing powerful climax that did make the hairs stand up on the back of the neck - superb!

Sunday night will be Gospel featuring Liz McComb.

Umbria Jazz Festival 15th July

2009-07-16T12:35:00.005+01:00

So after three weeks at the festivals it was time to take a day off and have a look around our lovely surroundings. Perugia is an ancient town, the oldest part perched on top of a hill, with the newer parts spreading down and into the valley below.

With such a long history on every street and around each new corner you will find there is Roman or Etruscan architecture to greet you.

Away from festival time and without the extra crowds just here for the music, Perugia is a great place to relax and take in a still living history lesson.

There are dozens of super restaurants and cafe's to sit and watch the world go by and take in the Perugian way of life.

...and loads of viewing points to enjoy the rolling Umbrian hills, or just pretend to read the paper!

About 30 minutes in the car from Perugia is lake Trasimeno, the oldest and fourth largest lake in italy. Regular boat services take you from the lakeside villages to the island, Isola Maggiore, near the north shore of the lake. Here you can wander along the beach or climb to the church in the middle of the island. There are small cafe's and a selection of restaurants mostly serving fish, caught from the lake, which has been the life blood and history of this lake and it's surrounding towns.

There are several museums that document the lakes history on the island and in the surrounding lakeside towns, they are well worth visiting and inexpensive to look around.

Considering this is a very small island and a huge tourist attraction the costs here are exceptionally reasonable. The ferry costs 6 euros return or 12 euros for unlimited boat travel to and from the island to any of the other towns that offers a ferry service to the island.

This is a great day out and very relaxing after the hectic schedule of the festival, just be careful and take sun and fly protection, as this beautiful place has both in abundance!!

Umbria Jazz Festival 14th July

2009-07-16T12:08:00.009+01:00

Our two shows today featured Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra (as we saw in Vienne last week) with special guest Francesco Cafiso - one of the brightest Alto players around at the moment. The other show was the first in a series of 6 being played by the AACM Great Black Music ensemble.

The Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra played a very similar set to last week in the first half of the show, and then when Cafiso came on, the mood lightened up and there was plenty to smile about. Some great interplay between Cafiso and the other sax players in the orchestra and even a little teasing from Cafiso! - a great show that was enthusiastically listened to by the huge crowd in the arena. For a young man Cafiso does play with great maturity and style.

Over in the Morlacchi George Lewis and the AACM were playing Lewis's compositions in the first of their six shows. A real mixture of players and singers put together a very interesting show of scripted and improvised music - very energetic in places and quite soulful in others a real rollercoaster of a show and with five more to come, a lot to look forward to!

Umbria Jazz Festival 13th July

2009-07-16T11:44:00.009+01:00

Monday at the festival and the first of three shows by Joe Locke, Dado Moroni and Rosario Giuliani. Joe has played at Umbria Jazz for the past four years and his contribution to the festival is now legendary. Playing and recording these three days with two excellent sparing partners in Giuliani on sax and Moroni on piano - this is a vibrant expansive trio with all three sharing the writing duties. The Cd which will come out on Agea will be well worth investigating - the trio are playing very contemplative music with excellent searching solos from all three.

On the main stage we had a very special show featuring two great exponents of the piano. On the left was Chick Corea, a pianist who's carear needs no introduction on on the right Stefano Bollani a hugely talented pianist (he won the jazz musician of the year prize at the North Sea Jazz Festival a few days ago) who is an electric a personality as he is a pianist. His style swings widely from classical to free improv but he never fails to impress or entertain.

playing a mixture of standards and self penned tunes the pair kept a constant conversation of music through the evening, with humour, inventiveness and sheer mastery of the instruments - this was pure magic. It could be said that they never let rip and 'rocked' for want of a better word, but they kept total control of what they were doing and made the music the event, not the players.

The midnight show on the other hand was a riot of up tempo (latin)beat music. Richard Galliano joined by regular companion Gonzalo Rubalcaba on piano, Richard Bona on bass and Clarence Penn on the kit. It may have been past midnight when the show got under way but the sheer vitality of the music had the whole audience swaying with the beat and the excellent soloing from Galliano, Bona and Rubalcaba. A great show, and the audience would have kept the band in the Morlacchi all night had they been allowed!

Umbria Jazz Festival 12th July

2009-07-13T10:43:00.011+01:00

Sunday in Perugia and it is another very hot day in Piazza Italia. Our first show of the day features Brazillian guitarist Guinga. Playing here in a trio with clarinetist Gabrielle Mirabassi and guitarist Lula Galvao. An energetic set of almost chamber music with very nice soloing from Guinga and Mirabassi, who's playing style ( standing on one leg, weaving from side to side) was entertainment in itself!

Guinga

Mirabassi

In the arena at 9.30 was 80's heart throb Mick Hucknall and his band Simply Red who ran through all of their hits with consumate ease.

The midnight show featured trombonist Gianluca Petrella fronting his Cosmic band - a kind of hommage to Sun Ra via John Coltrane. The show was full of energy from the first note, when the band entered the back of the auditorium (which was in total darkness) wearing small spot lights on their heads and played themselves through the audience and onto the stage.

The show got even better with the addition of Paolo Fresu half way through - his trumpet and flugelhorn certainly added a new dimension to the playing and it seemed to come together much better with him on stage. A very energetic but also draining way to end the evening - nothing a huge ice cream on the way down through the old town to the car park could't fix - even at 2.30am!

Now that all the pop and rock acts are over we will be into the jazz proper - tonight it is Chick Corea with Stefano Bollani which promises to be a terrific night especially as the midnight show features Richard Galliano with Richard Bona and Gonzalo Rubalcaba!

Umbria Jazz July 11th

2009-07-12T09:58:00.004+01:00

Our first evening at the Umbria Jazz Festival and he had two super concerts to see.

First in the Arena Santa Giuliana were legendary rockers Steely Dan. A favourite of mine since the early 1970's and one of those bands that I grew up on album after album, but was never lucky enough to see live.

Becker and Fagan are legends of the scene and wrote between them some of the most iconic sounds of at least two decades.

The show was slick, beautifully played and featured most (but not all by far) of the songs you would hope to hear. Sadly, for me though, the show lacked any real spark - the band were distant at time tucked away in their own little world (not helped by the lack of on stage cameras - their choice for the big screens, which meant the one main camera was constantly hunting for a soloist or decent shot) and lack of engagement with their audience.

The midnight show at the Morlacchi featured an all together different proposition. Roberto Gatto and his 'Progressivamente' show. featuring tunes from sources diverse as Pink Floyd and King Crimson this show was full of energy and surprise. Great playing from all on stage especially Fabrizio Bosso (trumpet), Gianluca Petrella (Trombone) and the voice of John De Leo made this a compelling show worthy of the packed audience. No wonder Gatto wore a broad smile all evening!

Tonights show features Simply Red with Mick Hucknell rolling back our ears and Gianluca Petrella's Cosmic Band featuring of of my favourite if not favourite Trumpet player Paolo Fresu.

Vienne Jazz Festival 2009 July 9th 2009

2009-07-12T09:39:00.006+01:00

Ok, we have now driven the 600 or so miles from Vienne to Perugia. We stopped overnight in the beautiful city of Parma and had a fab meal of Parma Ham and the world famous cheese of Parma. Here are a few pictures from our last show in Vienne, featuring Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Centre Orchestra. Wynton will bea appearing here later in the week with special guest Francesco Cafiso, the great italian alto player.

Vienne Jazz Festival 8th July

2009-07-09T11:21:00.007+01:00

Our penultimate night at Vienne and the main show is one we have been looking forward to the whole festival. A tribute night to the great Nina Simone featuring Dianne Revees, Lizz Wright, Angelique Kidjo and Nina's daughter the singer Simone.

However before the main show we had the great pleasure of listening to the Mario Canonge Trio who come from Martinique. A piano trio very much in the Neil Cowley mould (hammering chords, lots of bass pedals) but with a distinctive afro Caribbean lilt to it. Extremely infectious music (just like Neil's) and played with great passion and fun. The sing along with dance actions had the sell out crowd out of their seats and up and down like yoyo's in an instant!

So to the main event. The four singers took turns to sing two songs each in rotation - each with their own distinctive take on Nina Simone classics. Lizz Wright took the sensual hypnotic route whereas Dianne Revees used her strong powerfull voice to full effect - the balance between the four singers was perfect. And what a band - well it was mostly comprised of Nina Simone's own band - percussionist Leopoldo Flemming having joined the band in 1958!

Angelique Kidjo

Simone

Lizz Wright

Dianne Reeves

Band and singers take a bow at the end

Tonight is our last in Vienne and we will be travelling onward tomorrow towards Perugia, stopping in Parma for the night to check out the balsamic, ham and parmigiano reggiano!!

Tonight is Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra which will be our last report from Vienne - Umbria jazz festival has a great set of shows and hopefully with intenet access available where we are staying we will post our reports here.

See you soon!

Vienne Jazz Festival 7th July 2009

2009-07-08T15:13:00.007+01:00

After another day of hot sun and sudden downpours we were again at the main stage for the evening shows. The weather took a turn for the worse just as the first show started.

Photographer Sophie La Roux shows off her new waterproof camera!

The show soon banished any thoughts of rain or cold winds as Kevin Mahogany and his Kansas City Revue hit the stage. With a great band featuring the 'Godfathers of Groove', Red Holloway on Sax, Grant Green Jnr on guitar, Reuben Wilson on Hammond, Bernard Purdie on drums and Kathy Kosina on lead and backing vocals.

This was a slick show of Kansas City blues and soul and Red Holloway stole the show with his super playing and the lead voclas on the final song - great entertainment on a cold wet night.

Next on stage was Barbara Hendricks - singing the blues. Accompanied by Magnus Lindgren and his terrific band, Hendricks ran through the great american blues songbook in fine style.

The midnight show at the club featured on of my favourite artists from Perugia 2 years ago, Esparenza Spalding. She played her set that night in a beautiful renaissance church and played a quiet laid back set of her own tunes. Since then she has changed style considerably and tonights show was full of bite and energy. Her songs have gained a sharp cutting edge and her bass playing is much more agressive and hard hitting. The show went down a storm and I'm sure she has won over a whole new set of fans after her performance here.

Tonight we have four vocalists to look forward to - Dianne Reeves. Lizz Wright, Angelique Kidjo and Simone, (Nina Simone's daughter) who the girls are singing a tribute to.

Vienne Jazz Festival 2009 July 6th 2009

2009-07-08T01:12:00.007+01:00

Monday night at Vienne and in the main arena there are two shows for us. Opening the nights entertainment is Yael Naim who was paying a homage to the music of Joni Mitchell which she did very well. A very good band especially Stephane Belmondo on flugelhorn who blew some sublime solos.

The main event was singer Seal - an excellent soul set which had the sold out crowd on their feet from the first to the last song.

The main jazz event was a real treat. Nasheet Waits 'Equality' band featuring Stanley Cowell on piano. This band is very highly rated and with superb alto player Logan Richardson joined by Waits on drums, Cowell on piano and Tarus Mateen on bass the evening was an electic success of super fast soloing from Richardson and some absoulutely deft touches from Cowell. Waits is a brilliant drummer, tight when needed but with a real touch around the kit and so inventive! A great midninght show.

Tonights show features two versions of the blues, Kevin Mahogany will give us the Kansas Blues and Barbara Hendricks gives us 'Barbara sings the Blues' assisted by the Magnus Lindgren Quartet.

Vienne Jazz Festival 2009 July 5th 2009

2009-07-06T14:44:00.011+01:00

A quiet Sunday at the festival was started by a great dance group 'Danse Hip-Hop' who danced around the streets in the town in their bright colourful outfits.

In the arena first act on was Raul Midon, a singer songwriter in the mold of Ritchie Havens. Original and inventive in both songwriting and playing Raul was an instant hit with the sell out crowd.

The evenings main event was the superb trio of Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wotton. Three bass players of the highest ability who conjured up a show of epic proportions.

Whilst all three are masters of the instrument they proved that they also have the ability to play along and prompt and push each other into some superb improvisational playing.

There was no sign of any egotistical 'I can play faster/longer/louder/better than you' in any of the tunes and at times the solos were beautifully restrained.

Marcus Miller on Bass Clarinet - a great touch!

The band signed a drum skin which Miller then threw into the crowd along with a number of drum sticks and other momentos for the crowd - a lovely touch!

This was one of the best concerts I've heard here and the atmosphere was electric. After the show the three bassists stayed around to sign autographs and be photographed with any number of young bass players who had brought along there instruments to be signed by one or other of their heros.

Vienne Jazz Festival 2009 July 4th 2009

2009-07-05T10:37:00.007+01:00

Saturday in Vienne is market day and the market in Vienne is the biggest in France outside of Paris.And because it is festival time there is plenty of free music on the streets even in the busy market
Saturday is Blues night and of the three bands I saw Joe Louis Walker, as it was the one band I had not seen before - the band did not dissapoint excellent Chicago blues from a really tight and lively band. Excellent soloing from Walker and second guitarist Linwood Taylor.

Linwood Taylor lets rip !

As mentioned yesterday, we were invited to a wedding in the afternoon - Marie & Xavier, who help out at the festival tied the knot with many overseas friends present .

The service
David Redfern & Suzy Reed

Fuji & Marie
Voja Pantic with the happy couple

Marie in a Kimono presented to her by Fuji

Fuji & Mary
Patrick the deputy mayor of Vienne and his wife Regine

A great time was had by all - congratulations to our friends Marie & Xavier!

Vienne Jazz Festival July 3rd 2009

2009-07-04T12:53:00.004+01:00

Friday night at the festival and its Brazillian Night. A sell out crowd were absolutely in party mood and the opening act of Trio Esperanca got the party off to a fine start. The trio consisting of Eva Correa, Mariza Correa and Regina Correa (a kind of latin american Beverley Sisters) sometimes accompanied on piano by Gerard Gambus, but mostly singing unaccompanied got the crowd singing and clapping along in a variety of languages (french, english, portugese and japanese) and were highly entertaining.

The Brizialian ambassador for culture, Gilberto Gil then followed with a great set of south american sounds ably assisted on stage by his son on lead guitar and keys.

A great night of music and in the town similar sounds could be caught at all the free stages turning this roman city in southern france into a little piece of Brazil - just for the night.

So on to saturday - Tonight in the arena and around town it is Blues night - topping the bill Lucky Peterson - but first we must head for Reventin on the outskirts of Vienne for the marriage of Marie & Xavier - VIP's to us visiting journos as the help run the most important building in Vienne - the press bar!!! Exclusive wedding photos on Sunday!

Vienne Jazz Festival 2009 July 2nd 2009

2009-07-04T01:09:00.011+01:00

It always rains in Vienne and this year the heavens opened on thursday afternoon about 4pm - when it rains here it pours - the only saving grace is that it is still incredibly warm and if you are caught out in it, it is akin to being in a luke warm shower (fully clothed!)

Spot the man who thinks he has just seen Chaka Khan coming back on stage!

The evenings shows featured two sides of Roy Hargrove. The first set featured the big band and vocalist Roberta Gambarini - a first rate set of musicians playing some terrific tunes and this was easily the best show of the festival so far. Hargrove really is the man of the moment, both playing and composing.

The lovely Roberta

The second half of the show was Roy with the RH factor featuring MC Solaar equally good but completely different groove and vibe - again illustrating Hargroves huge talents.

And what a show to end with - down at Jazz Mix Frank Lacey playing with Hargroves band doing a tribute to Freddie Hubbard (who played here in 2000). Lacey has never played the trumpet in public before and so this was a first. The show was a great treat with Lacey blowing pocket trumpet and his more usual Trombone brilliantly - the band were hot as they come and the solos from every memebr long and totally enthralling - well done Rezza for getting this on the bill!

Next post will be Brazil night with Gilberto Gil and Trio Esperanca - keep looking!

Vienne Jazz Festival 2009 July 1st

2009-07-02T14:41:00.010+01:00

Wednesday night at the festival and after another really hot day in town we now have three completely different shows. The first set in the main venue is alto saxophonist David Sanborn.

Playing here with a fab tight band led by Rick Peterson on hammond and keys Sanborn is back to his roots playing r&b jazz from the Ray Charles years and earlier and really working the crowd up to fever pitch with the pulsing beat and thumping bass. This was a really cool set and Sanborn was obviously really enjoying the atmosphere and the playing from his band.

Next up was the George Duke trio featuring Chaka Khan - a bit of a dissapointment as although Duke and the trio were super tight and really hot Ms Khan's vocals were a bit at odds with this music and her choice of songs really didn't do her voice any favours - still she looked really good!

Past midnight down at Jazz Mix and we were in for a real treat - Nostalgia77 - Benedic Lamdin's ensemble featuring Lizzie Parks were really setting the crowd alight with Mark Hanslip on saxes and Fulvio Sigurta on trumpets playing some blistering solos balanced agains Lizzies very cool vocals. This is a great band producing some great music and lets hope we see more of them in the UK!

Riaan Vosloo on bass

Benedic Lamdin on guitar

the lovely Lizzie Parks

John Blease on drums

Tonights show features the great talents of Roy Hargove playing alongside MC Solaar in one set and Italian vocalist Roberta Gambarini in the other. Anyone who saw her set at last years Brecon Jazz festival will appreciate how exciting it will be to see her and Hargrove playing together. Pictures sur matin!

Vienne Jazz Festival 30th July

2009-07-01T12:20:00.008+01:00

Tonights show had on offer two of the great piano players of our time. From America the incomparable Hank Jones, 90 years old and still as sharp as a pin and from Europe Martal Solal, a man described as a cross between Cecil Taylor and Victor Borge!. The show was split into three parts. The first part was Martal playing with five other pianists is a specialy composed piece for the festival. Made possible by Bosendorfer (who provided all the pianos) the piece was a fantastic piece allowing for individual improvisation within a loose structure written by Solal.

It worked, and it worked brilliantly.

The second show was Solal and Jones 'in conversation', playing pieces they both knew the pair (with Solal's great rhythym section) exchanged solos and little refelections of past works in a joyful and very warm way. The respect they obviously show to each other never got in the way of little nuances and Jones' little pieces of mischief!

Half of the 6 pianos from the first set.

The full set of 6 pianos and Rhythym section on stage

A truly great and memorable show! The last part of the show featured Solal playing with L'Orchestre de l'Opera de Lyon which was a great piece but not good for photos as the stage was fully packed with orchestra music stands and conductor and from the pit there is very little to see! None the less it was a very good show.

Later, much later, at the Club Mix it was the turn of the Magic Malik Orchestra with Sanne Van Heck on keys. Playing very cool almost 'trance' jazz the swishing swirly sounds with Coltrane and Bach influences, were a perfect wind down from the piano jazz at the main theatre antique. Malik Mezzadri's flute could be heard wafting down the Rhone as we made it back to base for some sleep and recouperation!

Tonights show features Chaka Khan and David Sanborn (thankfully not at the same time) see you tomorrow!

Vienne Jazz Festival 29th June

2009-07-01T00:59:00.007+01:00

Tonights two performances in the Theatre Antique featured 'big' bands. First up were Jason Lindner's Big band from New York - playing some great up tempo east coast jazz - really great big band music
Jason Lindner

The view from the cheap seats!
Next on the bill were Laurent Cugney's enormous band. A well known european big band who have been apart for quite some time but reunited for this special show. Conducted and led by Laurent Cugny the played a varied reportoire featuring music from ONJ, Lumiere and Gil Evans who Laurent toured with in the late 70's. Again a terrific concert with some breathtaking solos from the front line.

Laurent Cugny

My friend Stefano

...and Flavio

David Linx on vocals
Tonights show is a Martial Solal special featuring Hank Jones, L'Orchestre de L'Opera de Lyon and five pianists!

Vienne Jazz Festival 28th June 2009

2009-06-29T12:04:00.006+01:00

The afternoon performances in the Cybele gardens were varied and exciting best of the bunch were the JB Hadrot Trio from Lyon - a terrific sounding piano trio led by Jean-Baptiste Hadrot influenced by EST and Ravel among others the trio's music was always interesting and kept you watching and listening for each turn of phrase and change of direction - a great prospect for the future.

Sunday at Vienne is gospel night and tonights show featured two bands performing together. Gregory Hopkins and the Harlem Jubilee Singers provided the vocals and the music came from the excellent Laurent Mignard Duke Orchestra. Playing the sacred music of Duke Ellington mostly composed in the latter stages of his life this was a vibrant as well as solem exposition of this work - it was much enjoyed by performers and crowd alike.

Tonight it is the turn of the big bands and in particular two favourite Italian friends of ours here at Edition Flavio Boltro (trumpet) and Stefano Di Battista (Sax) who are playing with the Laurent Cugny Enormous Band - see pictures and reports demain!!

Vienne Jazz Festival 2009

2009-06-28T12:29:00.000+01:00

So, here we are again in the lovely town of Vienne, just outside of Lyon for one of France's premiere festivals. The mains shows take place in the Theatre Antique, a Roman ampitheatre perfectly suited to evening concerts.

This years festival was brilliantly kicked off with Africa night featuring three excellent show.

First up was Cheick Tidinae Seck featuring 90 year old piano legend Hank Jones - Hank is playing later in the week but here was guesting with Seck (on Hammond) and his vibrant band.
Round of applause for Hank!

One of the backing singers

Cheick Tidiane Seck
One of Oumou Sangare's backing singers
The middle show features Oumou Sangare a beautiful singer and performer from Mali. Her show was full of movement and joyful life - with a great band and eye catching dancers/backing vocalists.

Don't ask!!
The top of the bill was huge Sengalese icon in France Youssou N'Dour. A superstar in the shores his songs were sung by the audience and he was clapped and cheered at every move. A great show to get the body moving and the heart pumping (even at 12.45am after a long day on the autoroute!)

Tonights show is the Gospel night featuring the Laurent Mignard Duke Orchestra and Gregory Hopkins - and monday features two big - Laurent Cugny and Jason Lidner - so watch this space!!

Cheltenham Jazz Festival Saturday

2009-05-03T10:56:00.001+01:00

Saturday at the festival started with a little photoshoot for Jazz library of presenter Alyn Shipton in conversation with the lovely Henry Grimes. Henry is a very gently spoken man and has a fascinating story to tell which Alyn explores in the interview which will be broadcast later in the month.

The first concert of the day was at the Pillar room and featured The Golden Age of Steam. With two Edition Artists on stage (Kit Downes, organ and Tim Giles, Drums) with the terrific James Allsopp on saxes this is a great new band with a very distinctive and abrasive sound.

Unfortunately due to a power cut at the Everyman Theatre the John Surman/Nikki Yeoh show was cancelled so the next show at the Pillar Room features Henry Grimes, fresh from his Jazz Library interview, playing in his group, the Profound Sound Trio, alongside Paul Dunmall on saxes and Andrew Cyrille on drums. This is a very good improv trio with three of the best known players in the field - a real tour de force and not for the faint of heart!

Back to Jazz library and this time Alyn was interviewing Dave Liebman, who was due to be playing with the BBC Big Band at the Everyman afterwards, unfortunately due to the ongoing electrical fault at a sub station in the street, this show was also very sadly cancelled.

Dave and Phil Robson and some of the band make the most of the sunshine outside the Everyman waiting for news.

So after the sad news of the cancellation of the Big Band concert there was still a brilliant show to see at the Pillar room. Robert Mitchells 3iO featuring Richard Spavin on drums and Tom Mason on bass were stunning. It was a packed audience and Robert and the band won masses of fans with a masterclass in piano trio writing and playing.

With great sighs of reliefs from Tony, Ian and Amy at the festival office power was finally restored to the theatre in time for Madeline Peyroux to take the stage and deliver a sublime set with a totally fantastic band. Great show!

The evening was rounded off with a few drinks at the Hotel du Vin where the jazz party atmosphere carried on into the small hours - very nice to see Tony Levin stepping in on drums in the house band too!

Cheltenham Jazz Festival Friday Night

2009-05-02T10:04:00.000+01:00

It hardly seems possible but here we are again in Cheltenham for the fist big festival of 2009. It really does only seem like a couple of months ago that we here last!

On thursday night the BBC Big band with Guy Barker and his band did a great and at times moving tribute to Billy Strayhorn and his time with Duke Ellington. Madeleine Bell and Ian Shaw were brilliant on vocals and so was newcomer Emma Smith. Guy and the big band were terrific, Alan Barnes playing a couple of sublime solos.

Friday night saw the festival get under way in great style starting with a double bill at the Everyman. First up was Pat Martino, whom we saw in Umbria last year and if anything his set here was even better. Tony Monoco on Hammond was terrific.

The second half of the show featured sax player Julian Arguelles and band featuring guitarist John Abercrombie - this was the first concert for the two of them and it made for some great interplay between the two. Tom Rainey on drums, as ever was as tight and on the button throughout the set.

Hey Julian. this ones a bit hard!
Pat Martino

Meanwhile, over at the Town Hall, and behind closed doors, Hugh Masekela was getting it together with a band put together at the very last minute when unfortunately the flight carrying his own band from South Africa was cancelled at the last minute leaving them at the airport and Hugh with a few phone calls to make. Of course as it worked out the show was a brilliant success, sold out, and Hugh was amazing - it didn't take long to get the capacity crowd singing and dancing along with his african beats. There were a lot of happy faces after this show!

Next up in the Pillar Room at 10pm were Get the Blessing, the four piece from Bristol have made a huge impact since coming on the scene and this show showed exactly why they are one of the hotest new bands on the scene. Sadly the lighting in the Pillar room was so crap that it was almost impossible to take photos - fortunately the were playing later on at the Jazz on 3 show in the Everyman theatre, which is were I headed off to next.

The Jazz on 3 show is now a firm favourite at Cheltenham and Jez and the team had a great line up for the audience, and so it was a little dissapointing bearing in mind these tickets are free that the place was barely half full.

First up on the show was Will Vinson, an alto player that I have not seen before, playing alongside guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel. Very nice it was too, not pushing the boundaries exactly but tight, inventive and to the point.

The next slot was an absolute gem - now it's not often that you will hear me say, 'solo bagpipes', but in the hands of Paul Dunmall it was spellbinding and unmissable. Paul is a terrific improviser and free player (just catch his solo on 'Lazy Blinker' on the Dave Stapleton Quintet album 'When Life Was In Black & White) but this 10 minute performance was quite sublime - The show is broadcast on Radio 3 on Monday night if you want to hear it for yourself.

The penultimate band were the Convergence Quartet, agaim whom I haven't seen before, but they were mightily impressive mixing totally free improv with some lovely written pieces.

Last on but none the less right on the button, were Get the Blessing, mixing treated sax and trumpet with electric bass and guitar the sound is almost perfect. Catchy tunes and thumping beats make them a great live band - well worth the attention they are getting.