Art Themen - Riverside Arts Jazz

Art Themen

Art Themen - saxophones
Terence Collie - piano
Stuart Barker - bass
Rha Stranges - drums

23rd December 2018
Riverside Arts Jazz, Sunbury on Thames, TW16 5QF

Terence Collie topped a fantastic year for his team at Mood Indigo and Riverside Arts Jazz with a night of glowing embers and perpetual fire from Art Themen. A legend on the UK Jazz scene it seems Themen's energy and verve show no signs of losing their spark, even on such a cold and inclement night as this. Mince pies and mulled wine only added to the half-time ambience, and it is always a welcoming room for any jazz fan. As someone who enjoys the movement and theatre as much as the sound of jazz, it is a pleasure to see the band lit with sensitivity and with an eye for the dramatic.

Stuart Barker

Riverside Arts Jazz is a monthly night fronted by pianist Terence Collie and vocalist Janet McCunn. It is but one jewel in the crown of Collie and McCunn's Mood Indigo empire, and is appreciated throughout West London, Surrey and beyond. Their repertoire includes the music of top international musicians alongside some of the finest players on the UK scene. They have just launched a new Central London jazz satellite at the 1901 Arts Club in Waterloo.

Terence Collie

Terrence Collie has been playing music since he was 10 years old. He has done his formal studies with the Open University and Berklee and has been lucky enough to play with a whole host of musicians over the years (Bobby Wellins, Gilad Atzmon, Dave O'Higgins, Simon Allen, Mornington Lockett, Roberto Manzin, Nigel Hitchcock, Brandon Allen, Vasilis Xenopoulos, Duncan Eagles, Art Themen, Phil Meadows, Tony Woods, Allison Neale, Graeme Flowers, Quentin Collins, Gabriel Garrick, Mark Nightingale, Gareth Lockrane, Jim Mullen, Nigel Price, Femi Temowo, Jo Harrop, Aisling Iris, Sarah Dowling, Noemi Nuti and Anita Wardell). He released his fourth album TC3+ in March 2018.

Rha Stranges

Duncan Eagles and Becky Morse - Janet's Jazz Night

Duncan Eagles

Becky Morse - vocals

Janet McCunn - vocals

Duncan Eagles - saxophone

Terence Collie - piano

Paul Michael - bass

Ted Carrasco - drums

Ted Carrasco

Date - 19th January 2018

Venue - Janet's Jazz Night, Jazz Cafe Posk, Hammersmith, UK.

Paul Michael

Next Janet's Jazz Night

February 9th 2018 - Maciek Pysz and Maxyne Ryan, Jazz Cafe Posk, Hammersmith

Terence Collie

An energised Cafe Posk was treated to a Duncan Eagles inspired set that owed more to his jam busting roots than recent Brit-wave compositions. Eagles cut his teeth on a diet of jazz jams, alongside the best musicians of his generation he honed his skills in the gladiatorial dens of Kingston-upon-Thames and Streatham. Eagles is now a comfortable and polished performer, perfect for nights such as these, but do not miss the opportunity to see him push the boat into deeper waters with his trio Partikel. One tune penned by his own hand is worth two from the Jazz bush.

Becky Morse

You might not know the name nor the voice of Becky Morse, but here is a woman who loves taking risks. It would have been easy to play safe in a challenging environment such as this but Morse eschewed the usual vocal fare. Yes there was a Jobim crowd pleaser but also the more ambitious Spain from Chick Corea. Becky Morse is a woman of many talents, when not singing in London's nightspots she is a script supervisor on some of the UK's best TV and Film productions. If you've watched Mr Selfridge, Line of Duty, Broadchurch, Black Mirror, Silent Witness, Holby City or EastEnders then you'll probably have witnessed her work.

Janet McCunn

The very popular series of Janet’s Jazz Nights are hosted by Janet McCunn and fabulous house band led by Terence Collie  and feature a first set with a special guest instrumentalist followed by a guest vocalist joining Janet for the second set. The third and final set is a jam session so all can come and sing and play. Just put your name on the list! These are fun and friendly social evenings with a Jam Session at the end…all musicians welcome.
More information at http://www.moodindigoevents.co.uk/

The Sound of Blue Note - Riverside Arts Jazz

Paul Jordanous

Sound of Blue Note

Jac Jones - saxophone
Paul Jordanous - trumpet
Terence Collie - piano
Dave Jones - bass
Matthew Skeaping - drums

Date - 10th December 2017
Venue - Riverside Arts Centre, Sunbury-on-Thames, UK

Matthew Skeaping

Future Mood Indigo events
JANUARY
07 Riverside Arts Jazz - Jim Mullen
19 Posk - Featuring Duncan Eagles - saxophone, Becky Morse – vocals
FEBRUARY
04 Riverside Arts Jazz - The Music of Michael Garrick
MARCH
04 Riverside Arts Jazz - "Smokin’ At the Half Note" feat. Nigel Price
APRIL
15 Riverside Arts Jazz - Jo Harrop "Anita O’Day - The Verve Years"

The last Riverside Arts Jazz concert of 2018 defied the sleet and snow to present a warm and sweet night of Jazz. Buoyed by mulled wine and mince pies the packed audience were completed absorbed by a repertoire of tunes prised from the Blue Note vaults. Eschewing the usual Blue Note fayre, they presented a plate of light and delicious amuse-bouche rather than the greedy gorging of a 30lb 'hard bop' turkey.

Dave Jones

Despite the presence of Paul Jordanous, who had jetted in after recently touring with Rag'n'Bone Man, this wasn't a night for showboating nor headliners. It was a performance of balance and poise. The rich warmth that spread through the body wasn't just the Riverside Arts' efficient heating system but a familiarity with the music, the musicians themselves, and a genuine sense of community. Generously fostered by Terence Collie and Janet McCunn.

Jac Jones

Historically, Blue Note has principally been associated with the "hard bop" style of jazz. Horace Silver, Jimmy Smith, Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, Art Blakey, Grant Green, Hank Mobley, Wayne Shorter, Bobby Hutcherson and Jackie McLean were among the label's leading artists. Founded in 1939 by Alfred Lion, Francis Wolff and Max Margulis it continues to be influential to jazz musicians today. Not only does the music live on but also the design, photography and graphic art that helped sell albums throughout the world.

Terence Collie

Terrence Collie has been playing music since he was 10 years old. He is mainly self taught, learning tunes by ear playing along with the record and learning to improvise. He has done formal studies with the Open University and Berklee and has been lucky enough to play with a whole host of musicians over the years in many different genres from rock, soul, funk, blues, reggae, latin to swing. He is currently running and hosting many jazz nights in south west London and playing regularly at some of the best jazz venues in the South of England, both with his own group Prison Break or as a sideman with others. He is also the co-founder of the successful TW12Jazz Festival. He is going to record a trio album in January 2018.

Ant Law - Riverside Yule Jazz

Ant Law

Ant Law - guitar
Terence Collie - piano
Richard Sadler - bass
Paul Cavaciuti - drums
Janet McCunn - vocals
Jenni De Vere - vocals

Terence Collie

Date - 11th December 2016
Venue - Riverside Arts Jazz, Sunbury on Thames, UK
Current album - Zero Sum World (Whirlwind Recordings 2015)

Richard Sadler

Future performance - Ant Law

December 21st, 2016 - Will Vinson/Jason Rebello 5tet @ Ronnie Scott's

December 23rd, 2016 - AL3 @ The Archduke

January 6th, 2017 - Lindsey Webster @ The Pheasantry, Chelsea

January 14th, 2017 - Tim Garland @ The Hive, Belmont (with Jason Rebello, Asaf Sirkis)

Paul Cavaciuti

Described as “An Innovator" by The Guardian, Guitarist Ant Law was a scholar at Edinburgh University and Berklee College of Music. He now lives in London and works extensively with his own quintet, as well as (Grammy-winner and Chick Corea sideman) Tim Garland's “Lighthouse" (along with Jason Rebello and Asaf Sirkis), and with saxophonist/composer Paul Riley and Trio HLK.

For those of you who like their art as much as the music then have a read of our piece about Ant Law's album artwork for Zero Sum World.

http://artofjazz.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/ant-law-iza-turska-zero-sum-world.html

Janet McCunn

Riverside Arts Jazz is a relatively new night on the London Jazz scene. Held on the first or second Sunday of the month it draws a healthy crowd from the banks of the Thames. It is run by local fixers Janet McCunn and Terence Collie, who are also responsible for the TW12 Jazz Festival and Jazz Café Posk.

www.moodindigoevents.co.uk/

Jenni De Vere

Future Jazz at Riverside Arts

8th January 2017 - Tribute to Michael Brecker

Ten years ago following a two-and-a-half year illness, Michael Brecker passed away at the age of 57 in January 2007. As a result of his stylistic and harmonic innovations, Brecker is the most influential saxophonist of the last 30 years and is among the most studied contemporary instrumentalists in music schools throughout the world today. He is also a 13-time Grammy winner. Riverside Arts Jazz pay tribute to him by playing selected tracks from his solo albums. This concert will feature self-confessed Brecker lover and brilliant tenor player Sean Freeman (Level 42).

Inventions and Dimensions at the Ram Jam Club

Duncan Eagles

Inventions & Dimensions
Duncan Eagles - tenor saxophone
Max Luthert - bass
Terence Collie - piano
Will Glasser - drums

Tony Woods

Joined by
Tony Woods (sax), Samuel Eagles (sax) and Matt Bartlett (sax), Dan Redding (guitar), George Bone (piano), Toby Nowell (trumpet), Tracey O'Connor (voice) and many others.

Date - 1st September 2016
Venue - Ram Jam Club, Kingston, 46B Richmond Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT2 5EE

Max Luthert

A return to Kingston's Grey Horse pub is long overdue for the glitterati of the current Brit Jazz scene.

A host of young musicians cut their teeth in the mid and late noughties when Partikel ran their infamous Jazz jam in the main belly of the pub. Last week we saw the launch of a new night called Inventions and Dimensions at the Ram Jam Club, a purpose built venue that sits just behind their original stomping ground.

Will Glasser

Future dates see a mix of national and international visitors to the Ram Jam stage over September, October and November 2016. Starting with Max Luthert's Orbital tomorrow night with the talented Gareth Lockrane on flute.

8th September - Max Luthert's Orbital

15th September - Preston Glasgow Lowe

22nd September - Peter Edwards Trio

29th September - Matt Chandler Quartet

6th October - Samuel Eagles' Spirit

13th October - Partikel

20th October - Toy Rokit

27th October - Penelope Dreaming

3rd November - Andrew Bain International Quartet

10th November - Andre Canniere Sextet

Terence Collie

The first night was a resounding success with some old and new faces gracing the stage. Eagles and Luthert opened with Will Glasser on drums and TW12 Jazz Festival bigwig Terence Collie on piano. They were ably supported by Tony Woods and Samuel Eagles on saxophone, both men play at the club later on in the year. Samuel Eagles will be giving us a first listen to some new tunes from his imminent second album.

Matt Bartlett

It was wonderful to see some of the original jammers coming back to the fray. Toby Nowell gave us a brief cameo before the much loved Jazz Proof (Eagles.D/Redding/Luthert/Bone) reformed in the style of Take That, without their very own Robbie Williams (Louie Palmer) of course. If this was once a springboard for young talent in the noughties then the night didn't disappoint as post-GCSE Matt Bartlett brought his alto to the party. As one of Mornington Lockett's Royal College students he has a bright future ahead of him, as does Inventions and Dimensions if this young man sticks around.

AL.

Mood Indigo - TW12 Jazz Festival

Dawn Cooper

Dave O'Higgins

Mood Indigo

Terence Collie - piano
Dave O'Higgins - saxophone
Richard Sadler - bass
Chris Nicholls - drums
Dawn Cooper - voice
Janet McCunn - voice

Date - 24th July 2016
Venue - Hampton Hill Theatre

Richard Sadler

Future events
4th September -  Riverside Arts Jazz - Celebrating Coltrane feat. Simon Allen

16th September - Jazz Cafe Posk - feat. Quentin Collins, June Bluestone

9th October - Riverside Arts Jazz - "Brubeck/Desmond" feat. Allison Neale

21th October - Jazz Cafe Posk - Roberto Manzin, Weronika Bielecka

4th November Jazz Cafe Posk - Steve Rubie, Anna Clarke

6th November -  Riverside Arts Jazz - Andrew McCormack

11th December - Riverside Arts Jazz - Christmas Party TBA

Terence Collie

Mood Indigo are the talented Jazz outfit brought together under the identically named banner that organises concerts throughout South West London. The events organisation Mood Indigo is the brainchild of Terence Collie and Janet McCunn, the same duo who organise the TW12 Jazz Festival. Regular haunts for gigs include the Hampton Hill Theatre, Riverside Arts (Sunbury), Café Posk (Hammersmith) and the Richmond & Music and Drama Festival, but keep an eye open for pop-up gigs throughout the area. The TW12 Jazz Festival is the most high profile of their events and has been part of the London jazz calendar since 2013.

Chris Nickolls

Furious pulsing piano from the filigree of Terence Collie calls the Caravan, it charts a path between the knife edge of night and day. Wafting faintly from it as it passes is a whiff of chemical inducement, a mix energised by blood and beat. A flowering spew runs from the quartet of Collie, O'Higgins, Sadler and Nicholls into the TW12 audience, an impulsive retch of botanical cascades. There is a bawdiness to O'Higgins, he is the thickset boyfriend and Collie the wispy dame as they dance together. Nicholls is the bartender, running a tight ship and keeping his drinkers from falling over, while Sadler is the jolly at the bar, desperate for a good time. Like the best barflies he exists in a world of his own, generous with his wallet and his bass.

With a name like Things Ain't What They Used to Be and infused by the music the mind bathes in a stream all of its own. Rich roll, chocolate Swiss roll, roly poly, custard and ZX spectrums, block jump games and thick arm-wrestling cricketers.

Janet McCunn

Ellington's Mood Indigo leads us on a chiffon trail through translucent hearts. Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me continues the glide in the hands of vocalist Dawn Cooper, the smooth chrome lines give flight as we see our reflections in the flanks of an automobile. While All Too Soon zings like a cocktail, sharpening the eyes as they stare across the room, you cannot help but focus on our singers delicate wrists, the tilt of her head and an exposed neck that would welcome a kiss.

AL.

Steve Trowell - Composure personified

Steve Trowell - Vocals and bonhomie

Retro waitress

A first visit to Jazz at Retro for Art of Jazz pulled us a cracker that had more inside it than the usual miniature surprise. Faint praise you say, well it was anything but. From décor to Maitre d', music to personality, the ambience had a warm glow that anybody's roasting chestnuts would be jealous of. The party never stops over the yuletide period and this eve of new year's eve was the perfect preparation for the debauchery that followed in the next 24 hours

Jamie Trowell - drums

Local jazz fixers Janet McCunn and Terence Collie run this popular night in Teddington once a month. It has seen a generous sprinkling of talent in 2014 with Gabriel Garrick, Gilad Atzmon, Gareth Lockrane, Ant Law, Rocky Winslow, Hannah Horton, Femi Temowo, Bobby Wellins, Orphy Vibes, Robin Banerjee, Christian Brewer gracing Retro's stage. The responsibility for pulling the final gig of the year together in a swinging fashion was singer Steve Trowell.

David Jenkins - bass

The Retro restaurant was a delight for this artist, a feast for the eyes if that isn't too much of a cliché. Not only did the glow from their feature wall bathe the performers in a honeyed light, it also created a sticky amber that was conducive to conspiratorial conversation and my favourite sport, people watching.

Janet McCunn

The performers were of course centre stage. Steve Trowell possesses that professional edge that both elevates him and allows him to effortlessly rub shoulders with the clientele. It is the stillness of intent that makes it easy for both sketchbook and audience to connect with. 'Nature Boy' in the second set gave us all of him and the band, especially David Jenkins on bass. Drummer Jamie Trowell had a glow even richer than a Rosa Gallica and a welcoming face that belies the physique of a cyclist's credentials below. 

Terence Collie - Piano

My eye invariably rests upon the talents of Terence Collie who I have sketched before with quartet Prison Break at the Southampton Modern Jazz Club. This time it was no exception with a swinging contribution to an upbeat 'Night and Day'. He is co-organiser of the TW12 Jazz festival alongside Janet McCunn, who joined the quartet on stage for two tunes early in the second set. It promises to be an exciting and fruitful 2015 for Collie with both the festival (July 19th) and a new Prison Break album in the offing.

Vincent Gerbeau -
Maitre d' Retro, Teddington

It was not only the band that caught my eye on this evening. I could have spent the whole night sketching flamboyant Maitre d' Vincent Gerbeau. The crackling energy that surrounds the man as he jinked between tables was mesmerising. Hopefully one day soon I'll be able to create a small animated sequence that befits the narrative of his body language. The story of Jazz at Retro continues with Dominic Ashworth, Gareth Lockrane and Nigel Price in 2015.

AL.

Terence Collie the Conkerer

Jac Jones - Tenor Saxophone

All too often we cannot see what is right under our noses and I'm as guilty as the next man. Last month (16/02/2014) I took the long train ride down to the south coast to see South West London's Prison Break at the Southampton Modern Jazz Club. Again it is with regret that I do not venture out enough to hear live music in these rich pockets beyond the M25.

A series of near misses had whetted my appetite for Prison Break, a long list of dates including Terence Collie on piano had evaded me but it was the boss of the SMJC, Ted Carrasco, that persuaded me to go the extra mile and see the quartet. For me it was a 4 tune set that chose equally from their 2 album/e.ps, "And Again" and "Doing Time".

Terence Collie - Piano

Straight-in was Jac Jones, thick and meaty on "Jinxed". An uncompromising gambit and a showcase for a talent that is unassuming, even apologetic in its demeanour. The Bent Brief, where the SMJC resides was modestly full, with an equal share of the sexes it was neither edgy nor buzzing but respectful.

There was more sparkle up next in the lyrical piano of Terence Collie on "One Year On". Smooth and effortless, it was almost a homage to the engineer (and altoist) who originally helped record it at Clown's Pocket Studios, Derek Nash. Repeating melodies on saxophone cast salty waves over us and reminded us that the sea lurked somewhere nearby in the dark. It was Collie who started to shine through. He has a gaze that wilts you at a thousand paces when he is in the zone, the term furrowed brow does not do him justice, more corrugated in its intensity.

John Sam - Drums

My attention was taken by the night's drummer on "Prison Break Blues", whether this says more about his powerful presence than the tune I do not know. Joe Sam has a deceptively subtle edge for a man who looks like he has been in a few scrapes, but with a brow to match Collie you wouldn't want to get caught in a staring contest between the two.

Joe Sam - Bass

The most impressive tune was "Niner Blues" which features the rich and energetic bass of Joe Sam and just enough touch from brother John on drums. Deceptively mysterious with a whiff of North African wonder in sax melody it builds from a gentle Terence Collie solo until it couldn't contain itself any longer. Thrusting and direct by the end, the bass of Joe Sam had an earthy thumping tone like a 5 ton horse chestnut falling from a tree. If this tune was indeed a conker it would be far more than a Niner, it would be pickled in vinegar and baked in the oven before reaching triple figures at least. Collie has every right to prowl the playground with this tune in his pocket and a composition in a head that resembles the bronze patina of a prize nut.

A few more trips are planned to the SMJC this year, I see that Paul Jordanous plays there on the 22nd June. Unfortunately I'll be missing the TW12 Jazz Festival (3rd August) this year where you'll be able to hear Prison Break at their best.

AL.