THE phone of the week features York drummer Eddie Hick as part of Gilad Atzmon’s band in this month’s Jazzwise magazine. Eddie was bagged by Gilad while still a student at Leeds College of Music and is on a whirlwind three-month UK tour with Atzmon’s Orient House Ensemble.
A rare sighting of Eddie in York will be with the Kate Peters Band at the City Screen Basement next Friday, joining the fleet-fingered John Marley (bass) and award-winning guitarist Alex Munk. An extra helping of superb jazz comes with Paul Baxter’s Eyes Tight Shut on the launch of their new album, Evolution, making a double bill of quality York jazz from 8pm (01904 541144).
Super sax Snake Davis is making a rare visit to the region and tonight’s gig at Wakefield Jazz is probably sold out (try wakefieldjazz.org) but you may be lucky tomorrow night at the Shire Hall, Howden Live (01430 431535).
Also on Saturday night, Jazz In The Spa has old style traditional jazz with New Orleans Heat (01937 842544).
Stylish Sunday jazz begins with Brazilian pianist Zezo Olimpio’s Trio at Kennedy’s Cafe Bar, Little Stonegate, York, at 1pm (01904 620222). We must enjoy Zezo’s talents while we can, since he may not always be in York.
Over the next few days, he will also be busy with the Andy Hillier Jazz Trio at two jazz dinner dates at the Dean Court Hotel.
Charismatic frontman and trombonist Andy has been called to tour with the London Rhythm Boys, a band led by John Sutton, ex-drummer with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra and Chris Barber Band.
Andy has asked your writer to stand in on Tuesday in the trendy Bistro Bar, The Court, and saxophonist Frank Brooker for Thursday in the elegant DCH Restaurant.
On Sunday night in York the place to be for jazz is the Phoenix, George Street, with Ian Chalk’s Quartet at 8.30pm. Meanwhile, the high-energy Blue Flies will be tearing it up at the Roman Bath, St Sampson’s Square around the same time (01904 620455).
The email from Miles Gilderdale claims that drummer Fatha (Trevor King) frequented the baths during the Roman occupation of York. “Perhaps you imagine him clad in a toga, engaged in dynamic conversation about the state of the Empire,” writes Miles. “Sadly, you would be mistaken – he was a latrine slave, but he has a good laugh about it now.”
Traditional jazz has returned to the Bell Hotel in Driffield on Tuesday nights, with the Jazzbos Quartet, a guitar, clarinet and trombone line-up fuelled by the agile tuba of Vince Turton. On Tuesday in Harrogate, swing singer Mike Westerman will be with the Watermelon Men at the West Park Hotel.
The Phoenix will feature the celebrated jam session on Wednesday night with James Lancaster and Chris Moore (01904 656401).
Scarborough Jazz also runs on Wednesdays at the Cask, Cambridge Terrace and next week’s guest will be saxophonist Mick Donnelly (01723 500570). A great favourite with Cask audiences, Mick has toured with Sammy Davis Jr, Sting and Shirley Bassey among many others.
The big Special Sausage Dinner night at the Old White Swan, Goodramgate, York, on Thursday has trumpeter Greg Wadman and saxophonist Martin Boyd leading the six-piece band (01904 540911).
A new blues band , Blues Saloon, debuts at the Victoria Vaults, Nunnery Lane on Thursday at 8pm (01904 654307), with stalwarts Dave Smith (bass) and Keith Jackman (drums).
The Leeds College Jazz Orchestra has disbanded, but drummer Colin Byrne is striving to keep it going and is looking for adult musicians over 18. Beginning on January 13, rehearsals will be from 7pm to 9pm on Thursday at the new Heart Building, Bennett Lane, Headingley, Leeds. More information from Lesley on 07913 349864.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here