A few bits of news for UK posters

[Bev Stapleton]

The Jazzwise website (http://www.jazzwise.blogspot.com/)mentions:

new Wynton Marsalis album out in March (called The Magic Hour)...

Cassandra Wilson booked for Cheltenham Jazz Festival...

prospect of Django Bates' first album in years...

Iain Ballamy album out in February...

major tour by Tomasz Stanko in Feb...

debut on ACT records by Victoria Tolstoy...

EST back for regional English tour in Feb...

Marrtin Scorsese's Blues series to air on TV...

A few reasons to be cheerful there...especially the Bates and Ballamy. And don't miss Stanko! He was marvellous at Cheltenham last year.

[maygar]

Mentioning Bates/Ballamy, do you remember Loose Tubes, Bev?
One crazy gig at Ronnies spilled out onto the street and into the tiny Italian coffee bar opposite. Their albums are overdue for cd reissue!

[Bev Stapleton]

To my mind Loose Tubes were the highlight of that mid-to-late 80s jazz 'revival' in the UK - Their first two albums in particular were wonderful. I treasure my copies! Definitely deserving of reissue.

I recall hearing them do a late night Prom ending with a great version of Andy Williams' 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You.'

I've seen Bates a couple of times in recent years - once with the standards project he did with Josefine Cronholm, then with the large Delightful Precipice. I just like the manic, Pythonesque side to his music - I found alot of what briefly became popular in that 80s rush just a bit too earnest.

[maygar]

Quite agree Bev. How much of that earnest approach was fostered by the very 'pose' orientated Wire magazine, which documented the period in glossy style?
The best thing about that period was that the interest it created induced a whole load of re-issues, articles etc. A gift from above for those people who had been into the music for ages and watched amused or bemused as Courtney was hauled up on the South Bank show to tell us what a good egg Charlie Parker was...

[maygar]

Bev

The following site is done in part by the guy behind the 2 ...Not Cricket books, they are distributors, and seem to have an amazing choice...

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/improjazz/Catalogue/Catalogue.html

say sorry to your credit card from me !

[Andy D]

Thanks for the info Bev I have just booked my tickets for the EST Gig at Buxton.

Regards

Andy D.

[Bev Stapleton]

You should have a great time, Andy. Both times I've seen them they've been magical - a real case of the CDs not living up to the live experience. A real trio where all three are equal.

Thanks for that site, maygar. I will study it with interest.

[Munch]

Good news re Iain Bellamy album.
Tomasz Stanko as well. I have seen him twice and enjoyed both.

I also dug Loose Tubes, however, Django Bates appeared in my area on a solo gig a good while back and although he played piano and trumpet (cornet maybe, can't recall?) I made for the exit early when he started rambling a bit and rattling a pile of chains.

[tonym]

Thanks.

I know for a fact that Stanko is playing The Wardrobe in Leeds, West Yorkshire, and I'll be damned if I miss that one. I think the guy there said it was Feb. 26th. They usually have the big names in on a Wednesday night though so check the dates with the club.

Also I think the same club is to host Scott Colley in the new year too.

tonym

[Andy D]

I notice that the EST Buxton gig is a double header with Andy Sheppard and John Parricelli also appearing on the same bill, should make it an interesting concert.

Regards

Andy D.

[tonym]

Stanko is on the 25th , not as stated above.

[Andy D]

Stanko is also on at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester on the 20th, I will be there;)

Regards

Andy D.