Friday, July 08, 2022
Pete Gilligan & Friends @ the Prohibition Bar - July 7
Pete Gilligan (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Tom Atkinson (drums) + guests
It had been a long time since I'd heard Pete and, judging by tonight's performance, too long!
Stopping off at the Prohibition Bar en route to his current base in Laos he played some of the best jazz piano heard at that venue since, well er since he played there when it was the old Jazz Café or 'The Caff' as it was affectionately known. Fans and fellow musicians turned out for what was a truly tremendous evening...
Pete Gilligan & Friends @ the Prohibition Bar - July 7
Pete Gilligan (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Tom Atkinson (drums) + guests
It had been a long time since I'd heard Pete and, judging by tonight's performance, too long!
Stopping off at the Prohibition Bar en route to his current base in Laos he played some of the best jazz piano heard at that venue since, well er since he played there when it was the old Jazz Café or 'The Caff' as it was affectionately known. Fans and fellow musicians turned out for what was a truly tremendous evening...
Sunday, June 06, 2021
Julija Jacenaite @ The Prohibition Bar - June 5
Julija Jacenaite (vocals); Alan Law (piano)
...As ever, Julija poured heart and soul into her performance. Her accompanist, pianist Alan Law, the perfect foil to Julija, looking ever-more professorial with specs perched on the end of his nose. Whatever Julija chose to sing, Alan obliged with the right chord, the right phrase, our Lithuanian vocalist reaching ever-greater heights. Cheek to Cheek (Mask to Mask sang Julija), Wonderful World (Louis' anthem a song for our times!), Cole Porter's lyric You'd be so nice to come home to found favour with a war-time audience, how strange that it should resonate in these pandemic times! Julija and Alan closed their set with There Will Never be Another You. Prohibition Bar is back in business, be sure to check the listings for more jazz gigs down on Pink Lane. Russell
Julija Jacenaite @ The Prohibition Bar - June 5
Julija Jacenaite (vocals); Alan Law (piano)
...As ever, Julija poured heart and soul into her performance. Her accompanist, pianist Alan Law, the perfect foil to Julija, looking ever-more professorial with specs perched on the end of his nose. Whatever Julija chose to sing, Alan obliged with the right chord, the right phrase, our Lithuanian vocalist reaching ever-greater heights. Cheek to Cheek (Mask to Mask sang Julija), Wonderful World (Louis' anthem a song for our times!), Cole Porter's lyric You'd be so nice to come home to found favour with a war-time audience, how strange that it should resonate in these pandemic times! Julija and Alan closed their set with There Will Never be Another You. Prohibition Bar is back in business, be sure to check the listings for more jazz gigs down on Pink Lane. Russell
Thursday, April 15, 2021
It's a lovely day, lovely day, lovely day...- April 15
Last heard pre-pandemic working with Julija Jacenaite at Newcastle Arts Centre, Alexys de Alfaro took advantage of today's glorious weather to entertain shoppers at Monument in Newcastle. Alexys' set list (does a busker have a set list?) included Bill Withers' Just the Two of Us and Daft Punk's Get Lucky.
Russell
It's a lovely day, lovely day, lovely day...- April 15
Last heard pre-pandemic working with Julija Jacenaite at Newcastle Arts Centre, Alexys de Alfaro took advantage of today's glorious weather to entertain shoppers at Monument in Newcastle. Alexys' set list (does a busker have a set list?) included Bill Withers' Just the Two of Us and Daft Punk's Get Lucky.
Russell
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Jam Session @ The Black Swan - Feb. 11
...The Girl From Lithuania is something else! in the course of a few bars she is a jazz singer, a dramatic actress, a dancer, a you name it, every note, every word, every movement is meaningful. At times maybe a touch over the top but, with the bewitching hour approaching, who cares? The bewitching hour passed and Julija was now into what could well be her signature tune - Stormy Weather! The weather outside was stormy but I hardly noticed...
(Review/photos by Lance)
Jam Session @ The Black Swan - Feb. 11
...The Girl From Lithuania is something else! in the course of a few bars she is a jazz singer, a dramatic actress, a dancer, a you name it, every note, every word, every movement is meaningful. At times maybe a touch over the top but, with the bewitching hour approaching, who cares? The bewitching hour passed and Julija was now into what could well be her signature tune - Stormy Weather! The weather outside was stormy but I hardly noticed...
(Review/photos by Lance)
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Julija Jacenaite & Alexys de Alfaro @ Jazz Cafe Mezzanine - January 22
Julija Jacenaite (vocals, piano); Alexys de Alfaro (guitar, vocals) + Irene Birkett (vocals); James Birkett (guitar)
It was to be an afternoon of four quarters. Vocalist Julija Jacenaite opened on piano with original material from her days back home in Lithuania. Part classical, part playful composition, this unexpected selection revealed another side to JJ...
(Review and photo of Irene Birkett & James Birkett by Russell / Photos of Julija Jacenaite & Alexys de Alfaro courtesy of Mike Tilley)
Julija Jacenaite & Alexys de Alfaro @ Jazz Cafe Mezzanine - January 22
Julija Jacenaite (vocals, piano); Alexys de Alfaro (guitar, vocals) + Irene Birkett (vocals); James Birkett (guitar)
It was to be an afternoon of four quarters. Vocalist Julija Jacenaite opened on piano with original material from her days back home in Lithuania. Part classical, part playful composition, this unexpected selection revealed another side to JJ...
(Review and photo of Irene Birkett & James Birkett by Russell / Photos of Julija Jacenaite & Alexys de Alfaro courtesy of Mike Tilley)
Alexys de Alfaro (guitar); Julija Jacenaite (vocals, piano) + Irene Birkett (vocals)
A musical partnership born on Tyneside comprising a Peruvian and a Lithuanian could be a first. If so, the pioneering duo - guitarist Alexys de Alfaro and vocalist/pianist Julija Jacenaite - could/should make hay before other Peruvians and Lithuanians spot a gap in the market! |
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Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Jam Session @ The Black Swan - June 11
Last week at the Dun Cow Jam, singers and drummers were the dominant force. This week, at the Black Swan, the drummers were still queuing up but, with one notable exception, the singers were absent and it was the horns who took centre stage.
The vocal exception was the tornado that is Julija. Dynamic! Dramatic! Theatrical! JJ doesn't just sing the song she lives it! You'd be so Nice to Come Home to and Summertime... (Review by Lance)
Jam Session @ The Black Swan - June 11
Last week at the Dun Cow Jam, singers and drummers were the dominant force. This week, at the Black Swan, the drummers were still queuing up but, with one notable exception, the singers were absent and it was the horns who took centre stage.
The vocal exception was the tornado that is Julija. Dynamic! Dramatic! Theatrical! JJ doesn't just sing the song she lives it! You'd be so Nice to Come Home to and Summertime... (Review by Lance)
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Julija Jacenaite & Alan Law @ Jazz Cafe Mezzanine - May 22
Julija Jacenaite (vocals); Alan Law (piano)
Julija Jacenaite thanked the audience for choosing to spend a couple of hours on the mezzanine floor in Newcastle Arts Centre rather than be out and about on a glorious late spring/early summer afternoon. Our Tyneside resident Lithuanian composer/singer/vocal tutor sang a selection of songs in, variously, English, Lithuanian and Portuguese in the company of the ever-affable pianist Alan Law...(Review by Russell)
Julija Jacenaite & Alan Law @ Jazz Cafe Mezzanine - May 22
Julija Jacenaite (vocals); Alan Law (piano)
Julija Jacenaite thanked the audience for choosing to spend a couple of hours on the mezzanine floor in Newcastle Arts Centre rather than be out and about on a glorious late spring/early summer afternoon. Our Tyneside resident Lithuanian composer/singer/vocal tutor sang a selection of songs in, variously, English, Lithuanian and Portuguese in the company of the ever-affable pianist Alan Law...(Review by Russell)
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Julija Jacenaite & Steve Glendinning @ Jazz Cafe Mezzanine - March 13
Julija Jacenaite (vocals) & Steve Glendinning (guitar)
Natural light flooded through the first-floor windows at Jazz Cafe Mezzanine as Newcastle Arts Centre's recently opened performance space presented the first in a new - fortnightly Wednesdays - afternoon gig series at Jazz Cafe Mezzanine. An all-seats-taken crowd materialised to listen to two sets by Julija Jacenaite and Steve Glendinning...
(Review/photo by Russell)
Julija Jacenaite & Steve Glendinning @ Jazz Cafe Mezzanine - March 13
Julija Jacenaite (vocals) & Steve Glendinning (guitar)
Natural light flooded through the first-floor windows at Jazz Cafe Mezzanine as Newcastle Arts Centre's recently opened performance space presented the first in a new - fortnightly Wednesdays - afternoon gig series at Jazz Cafe Mezzanine. An all-seats-taken crowd materialised to listen to two sets by Julija Jacenaite and Steve Glendinning...
(Review/photo by Russell)
Wednesday, March 06, 2019
Jam Session @ the Black Swan - March 5
James Harrison (keys); Paul Grainger (bass); Russ Morgan (drums) + Graham Easthope, John Rowland, Ian White (tenor); Julija Jacenaite (vocals).
Julija, the lark from Lithuania, has been absent for some time so it was a pleasure to have her back to belt out Cry Me a River. John Rowland joined her for You'd be so Nice to Come Home to and Wave. Ms. Jacenaite will be back for a lunchtime duo gig with Steve Glendinning in the Mezzanine Café section of the building on March 13...
(Review/ Photos. by Lance)
Jam Session @ the Black Swan - March 5
James Harrison (keys); Paul Grainger (bass); Russ Morgan (drums) + Graham Easthope, John Rowland, Ian White (tenor); Julija Jacenaite (vocals).
Julija, the lark from Lithuania, has been absent for some time so it was a pleasure to have her back to belt out Cry Me a River. John Rowland joined her for You'd be so Nice to Come Home to and Wave. Ms. Jacenaite will be back for a lunchtime duo gig with Steve Glendinning in the Mezzanine Café section of the building on March 13...
(Review/ Photos. by Lance)
Friday, June 15, 2018
Alan Law and Julija Jacenaite @ The Jazz Café - June 14
Alan Law (piano); Julija Jacenaite (vocals)
...JJ arrived and opened up with Summertime. Although I inevitably cringe when I hear this most-oversung song, I have to confess that, after JJ takes it around the block, summer is long gone and has morphed into a totally different, maybe even a newly discovered season. Perhaps this is what, say, Spring is like on Jupiter or Mars or Lithuania?
Love me or Leave me, Mood Indigo and Girl From Ipanema followed before finishing off the set with Norah Jones' I Don't Know Why I Didn't Come... (Review by Lance)
Alan Law and Julija Jacenaite @ The Jazz Café - June 14
Alan Law (piano); Julija Jacenaite (vocals)
...JJ arrived and opened up with Summertime. Although I inevitably cringe when I hear this most-oversung song, I have to confess that, after JJ takes it around the block, summer is long gone and has morphed into a totally different, maybe even a newly discovered season. Perhaps this is what, say, Spring is like on Jupiter or Mars or Lithuania?
Love me or Leave me, Mood Indigo and Girl From Ipanema followed before finishing off the set with Norah Jones' I Don't Know Why I Didn't Come... (Review by Lance)
Wednesday, June 06, 2018
Jazz Café Jam Session - June 5
Bradley Johnston (guitar); Paul Grainger (bass); Tim Johnston (drums) + Ray Johnson (trumpet); Marcus Tham (piano); Ian Forbes (drums); Julija Jacenaite (vocals); Matthew MacKellar (drums); Chira ? (vocals); John Pope (bass); Joe Davies (trumpet); Michael X (alto); Hazem Mohammed (drums); Chris ? (drums); Ifede Osiyemi (vocal); Pete Gilligan (piano)
... A legend in the making took centre stage - Julija Jacenaite. Julija, who has just released her first album of original compositions (see previous post for review) played safe with Duke Ellington. Not that this lady ever plays safe! Her Take the A Train threatened to come off the rails at every bend but never did. Introducing Mood Indigo, the Lithuanian singer said, "This one's as slow as summer comes to England". In other words, pack your Factor 30 and head for the Baltic Sea instead of Majorca. We didn't and by the time the tune ended the temperature in the Jazz Café was semi-tropical. There would be more from JJ later... Photos. (Review by Lance)
Jazz Café Jam Session - June 5
Bradley Johnston (guitar); Paul Grainger (bass); Tim Johnston (drums) + Ray Johnson (trumpet); Marcus Tham (piano); Ian Forbes (drums); Julija Jacenaite (vocals); Matthew MacKellar (drums); Chira ? (vocals); John Pope (bass); Joe Davies (trumpet); Michael X (alto); Hazem Mohammed (drums); Chris ? (drums); Ifede Osiyemi (vocal); Pete Gilligan (piano)
... A legend in the making took centre stage - Julija Jacenaite. Julija, who has just released her first album of original compositions (see previous post for review) played safe with Duke Ellington. Not that this lady ever plays safe! Her Take the A Train threatened to come off the rails at every bend but never did. Introducing Mood Indigo, the Lithuanian singer said, "This one's as slow as summer comes to England". In other words, pack your Factor 30 and head for the Baltic Sea instead of Majorca. We didn't and by the time the tune ended the temperature in the Jazz Café was semi-tropical. There would be more from JJ later... Photos. (Review by Lance)
Tuesday, June 05, 2018
CD Review: Julija Jačėnaitė - Moon Moods
Julija Jačėnaitė (vocal) w. Kęstutis Pavalkis (piano); Driezhas (thunder & lightning); David French (shakers); Alan Law (piano); Steve Glendinning (guitar); Alexys Alfaro (guitar); Joel Brown (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Paul Gowland (alto); Giedrę Kilčiauskienę (vocal); Vytis Smolskas (piano); Katy Trigger (bass); David Manasse (vocal)
...this album of Julija's originals will tide me over till then and, indeed, long after.
Since I first heard JJ at the Jazz Café back in the Crombie days and more recently when she reappeared on the scene, I've been a fan of her delivery - emotional, sometimes dramatic, but always sung from the heart. Now I find she has those same qualities and more as a songwriter. The 12 originals are varied, melodic and, despite several of them being multi-lingual, very accessible... (Review by Lance)
CD Review: Julija Jačėnaitė - Moon Moods
Julija Jačėnaitė (vocal) w. Kęstutis Pavalkis (piano); Driezhas (thunder & lightning); David French (shakers); Alan Law (piano); Steve Glendinning (guitar); Alexys Alfaro (guitar); Joel Brown (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Paul Gowland (alto); Giedrę Kilčiauskienę (vocal); Vytis Smolskas (piano); Katy Trigger (bass); David Manasse (vocal)
...this album of Julija's originals will tide me over till then and, indeed, long after.
Since I first heard JJ at the Jazz Café back in the Crombie days and more recently when she reappeared on the scene, I've been a fan of her delivery - emotional, sometimes dramatic, but always sung from the heart. Now I find she has those same qualities and more as a songwriter. The 12 originals are varied, melodic and, despite several of them being multi-lingual, very accessible... (Review by Lance)
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Preview: DJAZZ: The Durham City Jazz Festival
It’s back, June 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, Durham City’s new jazz festival returns for a second year! Last year’s inaugural DJazz long-weekend festival made an instant impact and the good news is the event will once again take place in many of Durham’s finest, and quirkiest, venues beginning on Friday 1st running through until late Sunday 3rd. A flaming June feast of jazz whets the appetite with the cold weather well and truly behind us. No fewer than thirty-three concerts will feature familiar regional names, familiar national names, and, perhaps, a few not so familiar [...] Penkta valanda, paskubėkite išgirsti, kaip Julija Jacenaite dainuoja Claypath Delicatessen...
(By Russell)
Preview: DJAZZ: The Durham City Jazz Festival
It’s back, June 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, Durham City’s new jazz festival returns for a second year! Last year’s inaugural DJazz long-weekend festival made an instant impact and the good news is the event will once again take place in many of Durham’s finest, and quirkiest, venues beginning on Friday 1st running through until late Sunday 3rd. A flaming June feast of jazz whets the appetite with the cold weather well and truly behind us. No fewer than thirty-three concerts will feature familiar regional names, familiar national names, and, perhaps, a few not so familiar [...] Penkta valanda, paskubėkite išgirsti, kaip Julija Jacenaite dainuoja Claypath Delicatessen...
(By Russell)
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Julija Jacenaite & Alan Law at The Dun Cow, Jesmond - April 18
Julija Jacenaite (vocals/piano); Alan Law (piano) + George Sykes (tenor)
...An original, Mood 3, The Girl From Ipanema, introduced in English, sung in Portuguese by a lady from Lithuania and much appreciated by a couple at my table who were from Norway!
Jazz - the international language.
Some might say that Cry me a River has been done to death. maybe, but tonight it got the kiss of life. This was the most incredible version ever - Julija's intermingling of song, spoken word, scat, gestures and facial expressions was pure jazz theatre. Away from the tear-jerking River, Cheek to Cheek bounced along nicely and the set ended with Love me or Leave me Nobody left!.. (Review by Lance)
Julija Jacenaite & Alan Law at The Dun Cow, Jesmond - April 18
Julija Jacenaite (vocals/piano); Alan Law (piano) + George Sykes (tenor)
...An original, Mood 3, The Girl From Ipanema, introduced in English, sung in Portuguese by a lady from Lithuania and much appreciated by a couple at my table who were from Norway!
Jazz - the international language.
Some might say that Cry me a River has been done to death. maybe, but tonight it got the kiss of life. This was the most incredible version ever - Julija's intermingling of song, spoken word, scat, gestures and facial expressions was pure jazz theatre. Away from the tear-jerking River, Cheek to Cheek bounced along nicely and the set ended with Love me or Leave me Nobody left!.. (Review by Lance)
Sunday, November 05, 2017
The Julija Jacenaite Trio @ The Globe: November 4
Julija Jacenaite (vocals, shakers); Steve Glendinning (guitar); Paul Grainger (bass)
This is my Gig Of The Year, no question about that. It was a brilliant performance by Julija, who also brought out the best from the musicians, who are among the best anyway. I’d seen this lady give great performances at the Jazz Cafe Tuesday jams, dramatic, soulful renditions of songs with which she wowed the audience, but tonight the full force of a totally engaging personality was revealed. Not only did she give wonderfully inventive versions of the songs, but she had the audience joining her in a couple of choruses, she mentioned many audience members by name, she told us all that she was grateful to be performing for us, and she added humour to some song interpretations, even causing Paul to be somewhat embarrassed in a fun way. I’ve rarely seen such effective musical chemistry as there was between Steve on guitar and Julija’s vocals. I feel sorry for people who weren’t present last night, especially women singers, who could learn loads from watching the performance... (Review by Ann Alex/Photo courtesy of Huang Wei Ting)
The Julija Jacenaite Trio @ The Globe: November 4
Julija Jacenaite (vocals, shakers); Steve Glendinning (guitar); Paul Grainger (bass)
This is my Gig Of The Year, no question about that. It was a brilliant performance by Julija, who also brought out the best from the musicians, who are among the best anyway. I’d seen this lady give great performances at the Jazz Cafe Tuesday jams, dramatic, soulful renditions of songs with which she wowed the audience, but tonight the full force of a totally engaging personality was revealed. Not only did she give wonderfully inventive versions of the songs, but she had the audience joining her in a couple of choruses, she mentioned many audience members by name, she told us all that she was grateful to be performing for us, and she added humour to some song interpretations, even causing Paul to be somewhat embarrassed in a fun way. I’ve rarely seen such effective musical chemistry as there was between Steve on guitar and Julija’s vocals. I feel sorry for people who weren’t present last night, especially women singers, who could learn loads from watching the performance... (Review by Ann Alex/Photo courtesy of Huang Wei Ting)
Monday, August 14, 2017
Matt MacKellar Trio with Julija Jacenaite @ Empty Shop - August 13
Joel Brown (keyboards), Paul Grainger (double bass) & Matt MacKellar (drums) with Julija Jacenaite (vocals)
Lithuanian born, Newcastle resident, Julija Jacenaite is a welcome addition to the north east’s A- list of, almost exclusively, female jazz singers. Misty, All of Me, a premiere of a Jacenaite-penned number titled By the River, our vocalist worked hard to generate a late night jazz club atmosphere in a sun-dappled, white wall room. Summertime (note to BSH Editor, calm your apoplexy!) given a new treatment with a drum ‘n’ bass/funk groove worked surprisingly well as Jacenaite’s energetic, dynamic performance engaged the audience. JJ never gives less than 100%, immersing herself, body and soul, in the tune at hand. None better than Angel Eyes, a drama played out before our very eyes. The boys in the band (‘boys’ being an accurate description of two young men making a name for themselves – pianist Joel Brown, 17, and drummer Matt MacKellar, 18) were given more than enough space to do their thing. Joel improvises a solo for fun, frequently glancing at the man at the helm, Mr Paul Grainger, seeking reassurance, and receiving it. A smiling PG indicates that all is well. To our bassist’s left, Matt had everything covered and, for good measure, knocked out a superb solo on There Will Never Be Another You. (Review by Russell)
Matt MacKellar Trio with Julija Jacenaite @ Empty Shop - August 13
Joel Brown (keyboards), Paul Grainger (double bass) & Matt MacKellar (drums) with Julija Jacenaite (vocals)
Lithuanian born, Newcastle resident, Julija Jacenaite is a welcome addition to the north east’s A- list of, almost exclusively, female jazz singers. Misty, All of Me, a premiere of a Jacenaite-penned number titled By the River, our vocalist worked hard to generate a late night jazz club atmosphere in a sun-dappled, white wall room. Summertime (note to BSH Editor, calm your apoplexy!) given a new treatment with a drum ‘n’ bass/funk groove worked surprisingly well as Jacenaite’s energetic, dynamic performance engaged the audience. JJ never gives less than 100%, immersing herself, body and soul, in the tune at hand. None better than Angel Eyes, a drama played out before our very eyes. The boys in the band (‘boys’ being an accurate description of two young men making a name for themselves – pianist Joel Brown, 17, and drummer Matt MacKellar, 18) were given more than enough space to do their thing. Joel improvises a solo for fun, frequently glancing at the man at the helm, Mr Paul Grainger, seeking reassurance, and receiving it. A smiling PG indicates that all is well. To our bassist’s left, Matt had everything covered and, for good measure, knocked out a superb solo on There Will Never Be Another You. (Review by Russell)
Thursday, July 27, 2017
JJ's Back in Town
The Matt MacKellar Trio with Julija Jacenaite
...Julija Jacenaite, Lithuania's gift to the world of jazz, appears at the railway arch speakeasy as part of her quartet. JJ has been causing a sensation in recent weeks at the local jam sessions and the question everyone is asking is "When can we see her on a gig?"... Lance
JJ's Back in Town
The Matt MacKellar Trio with Julija Jacenaite
...Julija Jacenaite, Lithuania's gift to the world of jazz, appears at the railway arch speakeasy as part of her quartet. JJ has been causing a sensation in recent weeks at the local jam sessions and the question everyone is asking is "When can we see her on a gig?"... Lance
Monday, July 29, 2013
Jam Session @ The Bridge
Alan Law (pno); Jonathan Marriott (dms); Katie Trigger (bs); + Fiona Findon, Ann Alexander, Julija Jaicenaite Jolie (vcl); Paul Gowland (ten); Sarah Travena (sop); Chris Finch (pno); Simon Stephenson, Dan Stanley (gtr); Graham Archer (bs) - apologies if I've missed anyone!)
...With Chris Finch on piano, our own BSH correspondent Ann Alex, cast her journalistic hat aside for her subtly sweet vocal tiara. Bye Bye Blackbird and Secret Love were her chosen vehicles - she did us proud but, waiting in the wings, was Julija Jaicenaite Jolie...
Julija kicked ass! The blonde bombshell's Angel Eyes was absolutely amazing and with the band rocking their sox off it lifted the game to an astronomical level. Alright, OK, You Win and There Will Never be Another You brought the evening to a close and what an evening it had been. Special mention to the rhythm section and to Gowland and Travena who simply played as good as anyone I've ever heard in The Bridge at 9:55 pm on a Sunday night in July this year - or in any other month of any other year!
A JJJ gig would be good.for next season. Photos. Lance
Jam Session @ The Bridge
Alan Law (pno); Jonathan Marriott (dms); Katie Trigger (bs); + Fiona Findon, Ann Alexander, Julija Jaicenaite Jolie (vcl); Paul Gowland (ten); Sarah Travena (sop); Chris Finch (pno); Simon Stephenson, Dan Stanley (gtr); Graham Archer (bs) - apologies if I've missed anyone!)
...With Chris Finch on piano, our own BSH correspondent Ann Alex, cast her journalistic hat aside for her subtly sweet vocal tiara. Bye Bye Blackbird and Secret Love were her chosen vehicles - she did us proud but, waiting in the wings, was Julija Jaicenaite Jolie...
Julija kicked ass! The blonde bombshell's Angel Eyes was absolutely amazing and with the band rocking their sox off it lifted the game to an astronomical level. Alright, OK, You Win and There Will Never be Another You brought the evening to a close and what an evening it had been. Special mention to the rhythm section and to Gowland and Travena who simply played as good as anyone I've ever heard in The Bridge at 9:55 pm on a Sunday night in July this year - or in any other month of any other year!
A JJJ gig would be good.for next season. Photos. Lance
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Super Sunday @ The Jazz Café
Sarah Travena (sop); Pete Gilligan (pno); Ray Truskett (bs); Eric Stutt (dms).
Alan Law (pno/alt); Lindsay Hannon (vcl); Julija Jacenaite (vcl)
...Alan moved over to piano and a new star appeared in The Galaxy - Julija Jacenaite. A Lithuanian lady, Julija really made her mark. Don't ask me what the song was - maybe it was called For You - if it was it was for me for you and for everyone who heard it. It was blues it was ballad it was rock with a Tina Turner like intensity. As earthy as anything I've heard in the last 100 years - let's hope she sticks around Newcastle. Lance
Super Sunday @ The Jazz Café
Sarah Travena (sop); Pete Gilligan (pno); Ray Truskett (bs); Eric Stutt (dms).
Alan Law (pno/alt); Lindsay Hannon (vcl); Julija Jacenaite (vcl)
...Alan moved over to piano and a new star appeared in The Galaxy - Julija Jacenaite. A Lithuanian lady, Julija really made her mark. Don't ask me what the song was - maybe it was called For You - if it was it was for me for you and for everyone who heard it. It was blues it was ballad it was rock with a Tina Turner like intensity. As earthy as anything I've heard in the last 100 years - let's hope she sticks around Newcastle. Lance
