Jazz notes (From York Press)

Jazz notes

2:32pm Friday 17th August 2012 in Music news and reviews By Ron Burnett

J-NIGHT and York Theatre Royal are presenting the York Mystery Soul Festival in celebration of the York Mystery Plays 2012. Tonight’s concert features the Al Morrison Blues Experience, with guest vocalist Juliet Roberts, who had top 40 hits in the UK and USA with the band Working Week. Al’s full-blown blues revue celebrates the music of BB King, T Bone Walker, Ray Charles and more, with two lead vocalists, backing singers, brass and dynamic rhythm section.

Tomorrow night the mighty ten-piece Jazz Jamaica marks the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence with Tighten Up! Vocals are by legendary Jamaican singer Myrna Hague and reggae institution Trojan Records is the inspiration for the music, Prince Buster, Skatalites, et al. Tickets from 01904 632568 and yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Jazz in the Spa runs every Saturday night and the Kid Boyd Jazz Band guests tomorrow night, a great favourite at Boston Spa. The Kid’s usual trumpeter James Lancaster and drummer Rod MacNamara are playing in Henley-on-Thames tomorrow, but he has hit the jackpot with great replacement players. Ken Marley will play bass and John Perry drums, plus vocals by Giselle, “Wife of Brian” (wife of guitarist Brian Herbert). Frank Brooker will front alongside Martin (The Kid). More details from 01937 842544.

With the closing ceremony of the Olympics and the handing of the flag to Brazil, York’s resident Brazilian pianist Zezo Olimpio must have had an emotional moment. He may also have a worrying one in four years time, riffling through his address book to find sofas on which to sleep with all his local musician friends heading for Rio. Meanwhile, catch him with his resident trio at Kennedy’s Café Bar, Little Stonegate, from 1pm on Sunday (01904 620222).

Still on the closing ceremony – Jessie J, Tinie Tempa, Eric Idle and monkey-boy Gallagher all have evidence of performing live, but Fat Boy Slim ? Nice chap, but the cult of the DJ is a bit like going to the cinema and saying “Fabulous film, who is the projectionist?” Jazz Notes continues to be puzzled.

Sunday night jazz is with the Ian Chalk Quartet at the Phoenix Inn, George Street, at 8.30pm and the fabulous Kate Peters follows with her Quartet on Monday night.

The region’s friendliest jam session is a York success story every Wednesday night, fronted by James Lancaster and pianist Chris Moore. Get the word on all Phoenix jazz from 01904 656401 and phoenixinnyork@live.co.uk

Thursday jazz will be with Bejazzled and Mike Riley at the Old White Swan, Goodramgate (01904 540911).