OF ALL the different styles of jazz, nothing seems to capture the public’s ear more than a great vocalist performing classics from the American Songbook.

The people of York are very fortunate as there are many chances to hear their favourite standards sung beautifully on an almost weekly basis.

Mike Westerman is that rare entity in the Yorkshire jazz scene – a male vocalist. He joins the Andy Cholerton Trio at the Red Lion Hotel in Poppleton this evening at 8.30pm. The Pavilion Hotel on Fulford Road hosts jazz duo Bejazzled at 7pm in their cosy bar area.

Kate Peters is the chanteuse readers may be the most familiar with as she performs around the city’s jazz venues regularly. Her popular and long running residency at The Phoenix Inn, George Street continues on Monday evening at 8.30pm.

The Phoenix Inn also has two great instrumental sessions on offer this week. The aptly named Firebird Quartet will be playing classic swing and contemporary grooves from 8pm on Sunday. Professionals and amateurs alike are invited to join the resident band for the jam session on Wednesday at 8.30pm.

Fans of traditional jazz can head over to Boston Spa Jazz Club on Saturday at 8pm to hear the Maine Street Jazzmen. Hailing from the north east, the band play good time, melodic jazz which is sure to get your foot tapping.

Kennedy’s Bar, Little Stonegate welcomes a new guest to join the rhythm section on Sunday at 1pm. Guitarist Neil Corkery joins myself on bass and Paul Smith on drums. Rounding off the week are two great swing gigs at The Victoria Vaults on Nunnery Lane; Tuesday, One Foot In The Groove will play in the style of the classic organ quartets, followed by the gypsy jazz jam session on Wednesday. Both gigs start at 8.30pm.

 

Album Review: Verneri Pohjola, Bullhorn

Edition Records have been releasing a steady stream of compelling jazz albums in recent years and Bullhorn is no exception. Verneri Pohjola may not be a name on the tip of the casual jazz fan’s tongue, but this could soon change. Pohjola, a Finnish trumpeter, has composed a set of catchy and majestic melodies which are carefully laid over well crafted harmonies and hypnotic grooves.

His band of fellow countrymen do the compositions great justice which will not have been easy. Melody comes through strongly in both compositional and improvisational contexts. This cleverly disguises the complexity of the harmonic and rhythmic structures. Although Pohjola writes excellent chord sequences, it is tracks such as Girls Of Costa Rica with its repetitive bass figure which grabbed this reviewer’s attention.

I’m sure the words Finnish Jazz will have some readers imagining the sound of a reverb soaked trumpet playing in a cathedral or some such stereotype. There is an atmospheric element but Bullhorn has much more to offer. It will have you whistling and nodding your head just as much as many of its American counterparts.

John Marley