Various: Scarborough Jazz Festival 2024

This double CD captures performances from last year’s Scarborough Jazz Festival. CD1 spans 71.45 minutes, beginning with Al Morrison’s Blues Experience delivering a stellar version of Cream’s Sunshine Of Your Love. Next, Family Band presents Tom Rivieré’s composition, Life’s Work, followed by Elaine Delmar’s rendition of Gershwin’s Embraceable You, featuring Barry Green (p), Simon Thorpe (b), and Bobby Worth (d).

Guitarist David Preston’s Purple/Black performs VHS Poem with Jason Rebello (p), Kevin Glasgow (b), and Sebastian Rochford (d). Fergus McCreadie’s trio follows with Fairfield Isle, leading into Alan Barnes’ Copperfield Suite with A New Life. Jazz Samba’s tribute to Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd includes Tom Jobim’s Brigas Nunca Mais, while virtuoso jazz violinist Benet McLean and his quintet perform Monk’s Round Midnight. The set concludes with James Hudson’s interpretation of Pennies From Heaven.

CD2 runs for 61.30 minutes, starting with Nigel Price (g) and his Organ Trio featuring Ross Stanley (org) and Joel Barford (d) on You Don’t Know Me. Hattie Whitehead sings Joni Mitchell’s Coyote with the excellent septet Hejira, whose photo adorns the album cover. Following is Speedboat In Trouble from Tom Smith’s Big Band and Alison Rayner’s quintet ARQ with Looking For A Quiet Place. Dutch vocalist Fay Claassen, accompanied by Barry Green (p) and Emma Rawicz (ts), performs Lennon & McCartney’s Blackbird, before Gareth Lockrane’s Big Band pays tribute to Dennis Irwin.

Jobim’s Favela by the 3D Jazz Trio, featuring Jackie Warren (p), Amy Shook (b), and Sherry Maricle (d), dazzled the Scarborough audience. The festival closes with Duke Ellington’s Come Sunday from Alex Webb and Tony Kofi, celebrating Ben Webster.

This impressive collection from Scarborough 2024 showcases the diverse jazz talent present today.

Nel Begley: Small Flame (self released)

Singer and composer Nel Begley is a graduate of Leeds Conservatoire and Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She teaches jazz and choral singing, performs with the London Vocal Project, and is part of the electronic jazz group Rafe’s Dilemma.

I had the opportunity to see her perform with Rafe’s Dilemma at the Scarborough Jazz Festival in 2021, where her poise and versatile voice captivated the audience. A sample of her singing can be found in Betsy Jane with drummer Katie Patterson.

On her new CD, Begley presents eight varied tracks, including unique renditions of jazz classics like Cherokee and Social Call, contemporary pieces like Rowles & Winstone’s The Peacocks, and two original songs: Small Flame and Spill. She is supported by Harry Brunt (ts), Paul Edis (p), Honey Boulton (g), Luke Fowler (b), and James Law (d). Track details are available here.

Emma Smith: Hat-Trick! (Windsor Castle Records WCR002)

London jazz vocalist Emma Smith has released her third studio album, Hat-Trick!, following The Huntress (2012) and Meshuga Baby (2022).

I first saw Smith perform 12 years ago with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra at Scarborough Jazz Festival. Since then, she has sung with various big bands and has been a member of the Puppini Sisters since 2006. She has collaborated with artists like Georgie Fame and Quincy Jones. In 2021, she performed Cole Porter’s In The Still Of The Night with a big band.

Hat-Trick! features 11 classic tracks, delivered with energy and flair. Accompanied by Samuel Watts (p), Joe Lee (b), and Luke Tomlinson (d), the album includes Matchmaker, Matchmaker from Fiddler On The Roof, a slow version of Old Cape Cod, and a captivating take on The Tender Trap. Full album details can be found on her website here.

Diane Roblin & Life Force: Breath Of Fresh Air (Zsan Records 02415)

Canadian pianist and composer Diane Roblin leads the Toronto-based jazz-funk ensemble Life Force, known in Canadian jazz circles. The band features Kevin Turcotte (t), John Johnson (ss, as), Jeff LaRochelle (ts, bcl), George Koller (b), and Tim Shia (d).

Breath Of Fresh Air is the group’s second album, following their self-titled debut in 2019. The six tracks, all composed by Roblin, blend jazz, funk, and classical influences, drawing inspiration from McCoy Tyner and Herbie Hancock. The last track, Cadenza, showcases Roblin’s impressive solo piano skills. Track details are available here.

The Joymakers: Down Where The Bluebonnets Grow (Turtle Bay Records 24004CD)

The Joymakers, based in Austin, Texas, were formed in 2023 by cornetist Colin Hancock to revive the sounds of the territories for modern audiences.

Their debut album features unique arrangements of lesser-known tracks from the 1920s, such as Crazy Quilt and Down Where The Bluebonnets Grow, along with fresh takes on classics like Jelly Roll Morton’s Wolverine Blues. Hancock describes the album as upbeat and infectious, promising listeners won’t be able to resist dancing. Full details are available here.