Jazz notes

3:09pm Friday 4th July 2008

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DID you enjoy the jazz/world music element of Glastonbury on TV, ticked away in nocturnal hours? The shock/horror media coverage of Amy Winehouse and her wayward and wobbly demeanour should not detract from her undeniable talent.

Let’s hope she can keep herself together, a true original.

More puzzling was the band Ethiopique, which contained only two black musicians. It was Buena Vista Social Club, Cuban/Latin American jazz, with vibes and timbales, saxophones and trumpets, hardly Ethiopian instruments. Still, very enjoyable.

Big congratulations go to the Garforth Arts Festival this weekend – how do they do it? The Playground Party tomorrow features all manner of goodies throughout the day, including media favourite Richard Hawley’ band and the ground-breaking Jazz Jamaica . Go to www.garforthartsfestival.co.uk for more details, or phone 0113 336 8619.

Saturday night Jazz At The Spa has Djangology, with the exciting atmosphere of Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France (01937 842544). Two guitars, violin and double bass combine on a visit to the Trustees Hall.

The new Sunday afternoon sessions at the Old White Swan, Goodramgate, York, run from 5pm to 8pm and have been astounding so far. A treat this Sunday will be guitarist Pat McCarthy, who brings a band fronted by demon saxophonist Rick Woolgar. Phone 01904 540911 for details.

Rob Lavers is a York treasure. As a much in-demand saxophonist/flautist, we should grab his every gig in his home City of York. There is much opportunity to relish his exemplary artistry at the moment. He has established residencies at Kennedys Cafe Bar, Little Stonegate, York (01904 620222), on Sunday afternoons (1pm to 4pm) and the Tuesday night jazz club from 8pm.

Rob takes a busman’s holiday on Wednesday, when he guests at Scarborough Jazz. The venue is the Cask, Cambridge Terrace, Scarborough (01723 379818).

Scarborough’s Easy Band has been a training ground for many successful musicians. On Sunday night, Helmsley Arts Centre hosts the band in a programme of big band jazz and swing, directed by Ralph Alder (01439 771700).

Wednesday is a big jazz night in York, with the jam session at the Black Swan, Peasholme Green (01904 679131) packing them in. Your alternative choice for Wednesday is John Addy’s Some Like It Hot at Ye Olde Starre Inne, Stonegate (01904 623063), a band of right royal jive mothers.

Thursday’s band at the Old White Swan, Goodramgate, York, be the Mardi Gras Band (01904 540911).

There is a significant group of record labels which produce eclectic oddities alongside their jazz output, but you are always prepared to give them a listen for their hidden magic.

Rykodisc, Dreyfus, Lonehill, Babel, Nonesuch, Jazzland and CMP are just some to be recommended for wide-ranging and rewarding music.

ECM is the leader in the field, promising high quality, regardless of the influences of musicians from the genres of world, classical and jazz.

In hot pursuit of ECM is another German label, ACT Records.

You may be familiar with the jazzers Jan Lundgren (piano/keyboards) and Lars Danielsson (bass/cello), but Lundgren’s new release, Magnum Mysterium (ACT Records), follows in the footsteps of Jan Garbarek’s improvised embroidery around the voices of the Hilliard Ensemble.

If you came to jazz via the Garbarek/Hilliard phenomenon, Magnum Mysterium will not alarm. Jazz fans are more conservative if there is no ding-dinga-ding rhythm to bang your feet to.

Lundgren’s pastoral piano extemporisations are set against the immaculate voices of the Gustaf Sjokvist Chamber Choir. The 16th Century composers William Byrd, Monteverdi, Gabrieli and others provide the armature on which it all hangs.

So, not jazz as we know it, Jim, but there are some deliciously uplifting and contemplative improvised sounds.

Lose yourself in the choir and the occasional solo human voice against electronic or acoustic keyboards, solo double bass or cello. Step into the unknown and enjoy, you have nothing to lose but your personal prejudice.