There are some performers who, without even appearing to try, radiate that indefinable something that makes their every gig something very special. And this evening we have not one, but three such artists.
I first came across Liane Carroll in the early/mid 90's. I had received a tape of a band that were OK, but what really stood out was the singing on three tracks. I didn't recognise the name so I rang around and no one I knew did either. So I called the leader of the band and asked for her contact details (which didn't go down that well as he thought I was going to offer him a gig - still feel badly about that…). I arranged for this singer/pianist to come over to the Club to perform an early set, just to see how it worked out, and the rest, as they say, is history. Since then Liane Carroll has become a fixture here, and I don't think there is a single vocalist working in the UK who would argue when I say that she is unquestionably one of the finest singers this country has ever produced. A powerhouse when she wants to be she can make you cry with a simply sung ballad, and then have you in tears of laughter with her outrageously witty comic asides. These days she is not only a regular at every major Jazz Club and Festival in the UK but she also has an international reputation, with work in the US, South America and Europe on a vast cv. It's fair to say that not only do the musicians and audience admire her but she is universally loved by everyone who works here, to the point where I actually moved the dates of the Festival just so I could include her. Quite brilliant. “Liane Carroll...she seems in some magical way to be made out of music” The Observer...
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There are some performers who, without even appearing to try, radiate that indefinable something that makes their every gig something very special. And this evening we have not one, but three such artists.
I first came across Liane Carroll in the early/mid 90's. I had received a tape of a band that were OK, but what really stood out was the singing on three tracks. I didn't recognise the name so I rang around and no one I knew did either. So I called the leader of the band and asked for her contact details (which didn't go down that well as he thought I was going to offer him a gig - still feel badly about that…). I arranged for this singer/pianist to come over to the Club to perform an early set, just to see how it worked out, and the rest, as they say, is history. Since then Liane Carroll has become a fixture here, and I don't think there is a single vocalist working in the UK who would argue when I say that she is unquestionably one of the finest singers this country has ever produced. A powerhouse when she wants to be she can make you cry with a simply sung ballad, and then have you in tears of laughter with her outrageously witty comic asides. These days she is not only a regular at every major Jazz Club and Festival in the UK but she also has an international reputation, with work in the US, South America and Europe on a vast cv. It's fair to say that not only do the musicians and audience admire her but she is universally loved by everyone who works here, to the point where I actually moved the dates of the Festival just so I could include her. Quite brilliant. “Liane Carroll...she seems in some magical way to be made out of music” The Observer
There exists another singer who can be described in a similar manner, along with a band who are equally as impressive. Over 8 years ago now the great singer Madeline Bell came to do a gig here at the Club. The band she had with her were, unsurprisingly, pretty special and the vocalist she had singing backing and harmonies was terrific. I said to Madeline that he should really be doing shows under his own name and she replied, "Honey, I've been telling him that for years!". So we ganged up on him and persuaded him (well, told him really) that he should do a gig here at the Club. His name was Tommy Blaize and the musicians he brought with him were the same group that had been working with Madeline, and coincidentally were also the core of the band from the TV show “Strictly Come Dancing”. A studio legend, I remember Tommy telling me that first 606 gig was also the first performance he had done under his own name in 14 years, not that you would have ever known! Everyone enjoyed it so much that we thought it would be cool to do another one, and 8 years on the TBB (Tommy Blaize Band as it's now known) with its mix of classic Groove covers and originals continues to entrance audiences on a regular basis. The band has gone from strength to strength, releasing its own CD last year and with the input of bass player Trevor Barry, who has done much to promote and organise the group, has established a reputation as one of the most popular and sophisticated units of its kind in the country. Great band, great players, great guys. “Tommy Blaize…oozes Soul and class” Jazz n Jazz
Guitarist Paul Stacey is one half of musical twins (drummer Jeremy is the other) who have been pushing the boundaries of the 606 programme since the old Club. I first met Paul (and Jeremy) in the mid 80's when, as identical twins, they appeared on the doorstep of the old Club looking for somewhere to play. Their immense talent was obvious from very early on and they soon became an integral part of the scene that was burgeoning around the likes of Mornington Lockett (Sat 22nd), Nigel Hitchcock and Laurence Cottle (Mon 24th). The great Jim Mullen (Wed 19th) once described Paul to me as one of the best jazz guitarists in the country. But, being the restless character that he is, Paul found the local jazz scene somewhat limiting and by the 90's was playing in more mainstream bands such as the Lemon Trees. It was at this time that he also started to work as an engineer and producer from his own studio and by the end of the 90's and in to the 2000's had become an integral part of Oasis, working with Noel Gallagher on various projects, both as a musician and producer. In the mid-2000's he went on the road as the guitarist with the rock band the Black Crowes, as well as playing with rockers Chris Robinson and the Finn Brothers. However, in a twist that makes Paul pretty much unique as a musician and musical stylist, he continues to work in the jazz field with the likes of Claire Martin (Sun 30th), Ian Shaw (Sun 23rd) and Mark Fletcher. He has performed at the Club over the last 30 years or so in a huge variety of settings, but it is probably with his rock/blues band that he has become best known here these days. Playing to packed houses, this band (which also features singer John Hogg and brother Jeremy) has become the stuff of legend! Probably one of the loudest bands we have here(!) it is also one of the most exciting.
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