WHAT’S ON

Tomorrow the Savannah Jazz Band, Saltburn Community Centre, 01287 624622.

CD REVIEWS

Phronesis/Alive (Edition Records EDN1021)

This stimulating new trio was one of the groups featured in Loop Collective’s Showcase at this year’s Gateshead Jazz Festival. Led by Jasper Hoiby on double bass with Ivo Neame piano and, on this occasion, American drummer Mark Giuliana this live recording captures the same crackling excitement heard in Gateshead.

The music was written by Hoiby but it’s very noticeably a group performance with equally strong contributions from all three musicians.

Chie Imaizumi/A Time of New Beginnings (Capri Records 74104-2)

This talented composer and arranger is new to me although she’s already been picked as the Downbeat Critics’ Rising Star Composer. Since enrolling at the prestigious Berklee College in 2001 she’s worked with many established names and has now gathered a dozen top musicians here including Randy Brecker, Terrell Stafford, Scott Robinson, Gary Smulyan, John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton to perform this programme. It’s wide ranging emotionally but mostly uplifting, from the deeply reflective Fear of the Unknown to the cheerful Many Happy Days Ahead, ending with The Fun and Stupid Song. Strongly recommended. caprirecords.com.