WHAT’S ON: The Graeme Stephen Sextet + 1 is at Gateshead Old Town Hall tonight, 0191-433-8420.
CD REVIEWS: The Dominic Norcross Quartet/Here Goes (Fflach CD320N) What a pleasure to hear such an enjoyable new saxophonist, taking a break from a commercial recording career and now leading his own nicely balanced quartet with John Davies guitar, Wayne Warlow bass and Nigel Williams drums. The songs are all Dominic’s own although there’s a comfortable feel about all of them. I particularly enjoyed the slower numbers like 6/8 Ballad (on tenor) and Wee Willy Wee (baritone) which show off his warm tone particularly well. More details on dominicnorcross.com.
Sachal Vasandani/We Move (Mack Avenue Records MAC1046) Having been a semi-finalist in the 2004 Thelonious Monk Institute Competition and more recently toured Japan with Sheila Jordan, Sachal Vasandani has obviously established his jazz credentials. On repeated listening to this mix of standards and originals I found many subtleties and much to admire but not yet a distinctive or original voice.
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