DON'T let the busy week of jazz ahead let you forget the big one in York a week today at the National Centre for Early Music. Two legends of British jazz, Peter King and Stan Tracey, play a not-to-be-missed concert. Call before it's too late on 01904 647408.
It is disappointing when the hot band heard live doesn't have the same energy on the CD bought at the gig. Hold on to your hats, then, for Max, Partisans' second CD for the Babel label. This is a stormer.
Partisans have arguably the best drummer around, US-born but UK-based Gene Calderazzo. Very much in the dynamic footsteps of Bryan Spring, Calderazzo alternates sizzling rhythmic fireworks with delicate, feathery touches. Like Spring, Calderazzo also uses a small, basic, jazz drum kit, but his playing style can be similarly balletic.
Partisans is one of the new wave of UK jazz groups which can trace a direct line to middle- and late-period Miles Davis. The saxophone/guitar leads, Julian Seigel and Phil Robson, have also kept an ear open for Sonny Rollins and John McLaughlin and their CVs account for the range of their original compositions.
Thad Kelly (bass) completes the Partisans line-up and the album features guest appearances from Jim Watson (Hammond organ), Thebe Lipere (percussion) and Chris Batchelor (trumpet).
Partisans play Wakefield Jazz next Friday. Coincidentally, versatile bass player Thad Kelly will be at Wakefield Jazz tonight with the Billy Jenkins Blues Collective.
Babel label stable-mates with Partisans, Billy is also promoting a new album, When The Crowds Have Gone. Billy formed The Voice Of God Collective (VOGC) in 1981 and has produced over 30 recorded albums since then in a bewildering range of different styles.
Be warned, Billy Jenkins gigs sell out quickly and if you miss him at Wakefield tonight you can try for returns at tomorrow night's (30th) gig, presented by The Shed at Hovingham Village Hall. Call now: Wakefield Jazz (01977 680542), or The Shed (01653 668494).
Jazz in the Spa presents Trad tomorrow night with New Orleans Wiggle. The venue is the Trustees Hall, High Street, Boston Spa (01937 842544).
Also tomorrow night, Howden Live will welcome Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band. Immortalised by Dexy's Midnight Runners in their 80s hit, Geno, the man is still stomping. Details on 01430 431535.
The celebrated J-night returns to Hull Truck Theatre on Sunday night, 1 May, with Denys Baptiste, A Love Supreme tribute to John Coltrane. Denys made waves in 2003 with his album Let Freedom Ring, a tribute to Martin Luther King. The Coltrane tribute promises to be no less thrilling. The Hull Truck concert begins at 7.30pm, call 01482 323638 for details.
The University of York Spring Festival of New Music tips its hat to jazz with the Enrico Rava Quintet on Wednesday at the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall. This will be the first British tour by the Italian trumpeter, who has made more than 90 albums in a 40-year career.
Inspired by Miles Davis and Chet Baker, Enrico was awarded the jazz world's highest accolade, The Jazzpar Prize in 2002. Mainly known in Britain for his recordings on ECM, the University of York is to be congratulated on managing to bag Enrico for listeners in York. Details from the Box Office 01904 432439.
Updated: 15:40 Thursday, April 28, 2005
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