Milestones 2009

This was indeed a musical banquet with each course a musiculinary delight.
For starters there was Alter Ego. Hard blowing bop led by Keith Robinson (alto) and spurred on by David Francis' Art Blakeyian drive. Alongside Keith in the front line were Niall Armstrong (flt/ten) and Alex Leathard (tmb) - even without Dave Hignett's trumpet they put the boot in with some powerful blowing. The rhythm section of Giles Strong (gtr), Andy Hawking (pno), Ian Paterson (bs) and David F on drums meant the impetus never faltered.Click here for some stunning pictures from Amanda Knight, Alter Ego finished with a storming "The Soulful Mr Timmons" that said to the world - "Follow That!"...

... And that's just what the Zoe Gilby Quintet did - in spades! I can honestly say that this was the best set I've heard from Zoe for many a moon; this afternoon everything worked. Opening with a sort of a medley whereby "I'm Beginning to See The Light" somehow had "When Lights Are Low" entwined in the middle. They've both got 'light(s)' in the title get it? Anyhow it worked beautifully. A duo number, with Zoe and husband to be Andy on bass, "Nice Work If You Can Get It", was simply magnificent and, although she scatted it was done tastefully and so appealingly that even Angela would have approved!

"That Old Black Magic" also raised a few goosebumps as did the final "West Coast Blues" with solos from Mark Williams (gtr), Mark Jackson, sitting in on piano, Andy 'the bass' Champion, Richard Brown (dms) and last and most definitely not least, "Mister here there and everywhere" Noel Dennis on Geneva trumpet. His solo was really something but then again, aren't they always?

It was asking a lot of the Miles Ahead group to follow Alter Ego and Zoe but they did it brilliantly. A mixture of youth and experience they played some tricky scores expertly and the girl saxes all had good solo spots. Lead alto Caroline Bagley's feature on "You Don't Know What Love Is" being particularly outstanding. As Noel said, "The future of jazz is in safe hands."

If anyone can give me the names I'll carve them here with pride. (Click here for a view from the inside).

By this time the need for some non-musical culinary delights surfaced and they were immediatly satisfied by Hilary who produced ham and cheese & corned beef and pickle sandwiches - with choccy bickies to follow. This seemed to be pretty close to heaven.

The final set of my tenure was Saxophonics - a saxophone quartet. Keith Robinson (alt), Steve Summers (alt/ten), Graeme Wilson(ten) and Niall Armstrong (bar) were the saxes and they played the complex arrangements to perfection. Impossible to fault but perhaps a little too perfect if that is possible. The harmonic richness and the four way counterpoint did make for some intriguing passages but I have to admit I did miss a rhythm section.

By now it was 4:00 pm and I had to depart for pastures new.

Russell will deliver his report on events from here onwards or until the bar closes.

Photos.

Lance.

The mid - afternoon departure of Bebop Spoken Here's Main Man meant someone had to pick up the quill and act as scribe.

Quill dipped, poised and next on the bandstand...Spelk (thanks Lance!). Where to begin? ''Fantastic'' just about sums up this trio. A bit more? Well, three virtuosi playing the most glorious stuff! Improvised yet structured, loud, very loud, embracing straightahead jazz, jazz funk, anarcho - punk, death metal and more. Drummer Adrian Tilbrook generates immense power, Rickenbacker bassist Andy Champion lays down killer riffs and guitar wizard Chris Sharkey produces a bewildering array of sounds via a king - size pedal board. The Georgian Theatre audience loved them. These boys are busy with other projects, Spelk is a rare happening, so, next time, be there.
Nick Pride and the Pimptones provided a marked contrast to Spelk - musically and sartorially. Nick Pride is an accomplished jazz guitarist having worked as accompaniest to many of the region's finest singers. The Pimptones have a love of soul music and with their jazz chops they deliver a set of largely uptempo tunes with band leader Pride taking several vocals amidst well - crafted solos from all; Alex Leathard (trombone & vocals), Graham Hardy (trumpet & flugelhorn), John Wheeler (tenor), Ian Paterson (electric bass & vocals) and Oz Cassidy (drums). For the band's penultimate number, the sharp-suited Pride invited the very elegant Zoe Gilby to return to the stand for one number.
Two thirds of Spelk (Champion & Tilbrook) returned to the stage as one quarter of John Warren's Splinter Group ( for the innumerate reader = 8 musicians). ''Splinter Group'' was the first one from the pad with a superb solo from guitarist Mark Williams and it set the standard. The band, with Graham Hardy as MD, is a joy to listen to, from other John Warren compositions such as ''Lopsided'' to a tune penned by pianist Paul Edis - ''For Bill'' (trumpeter Noel Dennis suggesting it was a homage to Bill Oddie!). All had opportunities to solo including trombonist Chris Hibbard and Graeme Wilson on tenor.
David Carnegie's Extreme Measures returned to the Fringe Festival for a second year and did the impossible - perform an even better set than they did last year! The quintet made one enforced change - with Jamie McCredie absent, Mark Williams stepped into the breach. The guitarist had a busy afternoon (Zoe Gilby Quintet, Splinter Group) yet was on the money from the off. A contemporary jazz outfit exploring modal shifts, this is a band of the highest calibre. Drummer Carnegie is a master musician. A ready smile, one of contentment, is reciprocated from electric bassist Stuart Davies, the same from pianist Ben Gilbert. The frontline fireworks cascaded over the venue; Gary Turner's slow - burning, then scorching tenor saxophone matched by the fizzing fretwork of Williams. Most of the tunes heard here in Stockton were being given a first airing, some of which will be available on the band's second CD due to be recorded later this year. Upon its release do one thing - buy it!
So, to the finale. The Funk Regulators are Teesside's pride and joy. Young Turks blazing a trail of super - charged big soul band classics. All fourteen of them (I think there were 14, the stage was crowded, the place was jumpin') were stars on the night - each and every one of them. A larger than life teenage two - tone rude boy screaming soul numbers with his chanteuse vocalist partner backed by a tight, cookin' band of talented musicians. Tower of Power covers (including ''What Is Hip?), Stevie Wonder's ''I Wish'' and Cream's ''Sunshine of Your Love'' (yes, it worked!) were just some of the tunes rattled - off with aplomb. It was solos all round (screamers from alto and tenor), each one met with thunderous applause from a packed house. Check 'em out www.thefunkregulators.co.uk
A great a day out at the Georgian. Thanks go to MC Noel Dennis, Adrian Tilbrook (of Jazz Action) and the staff at the Georgian Theatre. I can't wait for next year.
Adrian Tilbrook's photos are currently out in cyberspace but have been spotted passing over Ryhope so they shouldn't be too long. They're here! (at the end of the album.)
Russell

MILESTONES at the FRINGE 2009

‘FRINGE MILESTONES’ – bringing the Region’s finest jazz performers together at the Fringe for the sixth year running in partnership with Jazzaction.

In reverse order

20.15 Funk Regulators

Recreating the sound of bands like Tower of Power, Earth Wind & Fire and other funk/soul bands, this 15-piece band is the brainchild of Teesside’s own Richard & Steven Brown and Luke Elliot.

19.15 Extreme Measures

Exclusive original material reminiscent of 60’s modal jazz mixed with contemporary grooves (hip-hop, neo-soul, drum 'n' bass) from this dynamic five piece.

18.00 Splinter Group

A sensational new band featuring eight of the region’s finest players formed by highly acclaimed Canadian born composer and arranger, John Warren.

17.00 Nick Pride and the Pimptones

The brainchild of Nick Pride (jazz guitarist with a passion for Hip-Hop, Soul and Funk), the Pimptones are equally at home in a noisy nightclub or intimate jazz setting.

16.00 Spelk (Sharkey – Tilbrook – Champion)

SPELK (not for the faint hearted!) with Chris Sharkey guitar, Andy Champion bass guitar and Adrian Tilbrook drums. Three virtuoso musicians playing a totally improvised set, so expect the unexpected with references from Slayer to Cliff Richard.

15.00 Saxophonics

Saxophone playing to knock your socks off with new composed and arranged compositions from four of the region’s top professional saxophonists.

14.00 Miles Ahead (Milestones Workshop Group)

A special ensemble formed at this year’s Milestones workshop sessions featuring aspiring local musicians.

13.00 Zoe Gilby Quintet

Growing up in a house bursting with jazz, this accomplished young jazz vocalist has just finished recording her debut album “Now That I Am Real” which is now on release receiving great reviews.

12.00 Alter Ego

Up-tempo swing, Hard Bop, Funk and Latin Jazz from this exciting Newcastle-based jazz ensemble.

http://www.thefunkregulators.co.uk/

http://www.myspace.com/extrememeasures

http://www.jazzaction.co.uk/splintergroup.html

http://www.jazzaction.co.uk/nickpride&thepimptones.html

http://www.myspace.com/zoegilby

STOCKTON RIVERSIDE FRINGE 'Milestones' Jazz Festival Aug 2nd 2009