Theres no better way to keep a cool head while working than a little bit of smooth jazz. The problem with many online smooth jazz stations though is that there are lots of ads many of which are not related to the music and are quite loud and brash breaking the flow of the music and indeed your feeling of calm.

In my search for some smooth jazz today while working on some C I came accross an online station with great smooth jazz but with ads only centred around the same genre. No shouting, bells, whistles or other such rubbish, just simple music orientated ads for the very music you’ve tuned in to listen to. The ads are almost indistinguishable, its the best kind of radio advertising I’ve found to date, and although there is a fair bit of it, its certainly bearable compared with the kind live365 and others use. The music is really good too. If you’re programming or doing some other kind of occasionally stressful work, I’d recommend checking this station out, its called smoothjazz.com

I’m on the radio tonight at 8pm, University Radio York. You can tune in on AM in York or worldwide online - please feel free to join me as with other presenters I talk about some the amazing jazz and blues thats been playing in Leeds recently, not to mention my take on the line-up for the forthcoming North Sea Jazz festival. I’ve got some interesting selections lined up, including some superb piano jazz recommended to me by Matt along with some great blues from Robert Cray and Tracey Chapman. Miss it, miss out

I was browsing around the internet the other day and stumbled accross the website for the North Sea Jazz festival, this year being held in Rotterdam. It didn’t take long for me to decide I really wanted to go! A breakdown of the lineup is as follows:-

Friday 14th July: Herbie Hancock Quintet, Al Jarreau, Jason Moran Trio
Saturday 15th July: Van Morisson, Tracy Chapman, Madeline Peyroux, Tower of Power,
Sunday 16th July: Chris Botti, Dizzy Gillespie TM All Star Bigband, Paul Weller

Some absolutely amazing artists and groups there, and all in one place too, its just too much for me to resist. The setting also looks to be really good fun as well, its the festival’s first time in Rotterdam. For full info you can see the website here. James really wants to go as well, so we are currently working out a plan for travel and accomodation, and make our preparations to enjoy one of the greatest jazz festivals of the year! I’ll keep everyone posted

UPDATE: Tickets for the event have now been reserved and flights have been booked - I’m definitely going to the festival!

Just a quick heads up to all you jazz fans out there; tonight James Goodhead makes his return to University Radio York with the first installment of Jazz Blues Fusions in this 3rd and final term or the academic year. James has assured me that none but the highest quality jazz and blues will be played so be sure to listen in - I know I will be

Well, as can be expected from what is fast becoming an institution at URY, Jazz Blues Fusion went well last night. If you didn’t catch the show, then you can do so on the URY listen again service.

It was great to get so many e-mails from listeners, and special thanks to Katy Main for listening in her car on the way to fencing and texting me about it - I got your text when I switched my phone back on after the show and your commitment to the cause is commendable!

Being on the show really got me in the mood for Roy Ayers on Friday though; hearing “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” blasting out in the studio and across the airwaves reminded me about just how good his music really is and how much fun its going to be to dance the night away down at the wardrobe on Friday. If you haven’t got your tickets yet and you have the time/money, then now is the time (no pun on Snake Davis there by the way ) as there are still some left. Kudos to Fabiano for tracking down the opening track in the film Welcome to Collinwood, thats on the show as well in the “Song from a film” feature and also makes the show stand out.

Next term James will be conitnuing the show I am happy to say, with Fabiano playing an ever increasing role and taking the show into next year. Lets see if Jazz Blues Fusion can be made one URY’s longest standing shows on the airwaves apart from the flag ship shows!

Oh, and while on the subject of good music, James recommended to me a show on URY that went out 2 hours after Jazz Blues Fusion; its a new show the supposedly great music. You can listen to that show here

Just to give all Jazz, Blues and Fusion fans the heads up that I will be back in my old seat tomorrow night at 8pm on University Radio York presenting Jazz Blues Fusion. For the first time EVER in the history of the show, James Goodhead and I will share the presenters role and the desk to bring you some of the best music we can muster for the end of term in York.

I will be playing some interesting selections I have had gathering dust on my desk for a moment like this to be played, and James will continue his regular features. Also returning to the show for a special appearance will be the gig guide, this time covering the coming week and all of the Easter univeristy holidays so you won’t be short of good jazz when Jazz Blues Fusion goes off the air for the holidays.

You can tune in live from 8pm tomorrow night by going to URY’s listen live page and following the instructions. Enjoy the show, and remember to send us plenty of e-mail into the studio!

What a night! Last night I met up with James and some of his friends, over from York and headed out to my favorite jazz and blues venue in Leeds, The Wardrobe. The venue as I have mentioned before is split between a cafe bar on the top floor serving food, and a club downstairs. Last night was particularly special as there was a live band upstairs and downstairs, and with my membership I got to swap between the two as I fancied, all for £5!

Upstairs there was a superb blues band, The Lightnin Rods, the lead singer from which is pitured on the left. I arrived slightly early and the band hadn’t yet started, but I was glad I didn’t miss the start, because they were an amazing combination. Although a blues band “on the tin” they had some very funky rhythms under their hats, the trumpeter and keyboard player especially served up some amazing jazz / funk style melodies. The blues focus was not lost however, and when the group came back after a break they got stuck in with some real low-down blues that soon had me tapping my foot and feeling the bluesy vibes!

Many groups attempt covers, but this band seemed to almost re-write things, and I must say do an outstanding job of it too. My favorite songs of the whole night were their version of “Got my Mo Jo working”, originally by Jimmy Smith, and “Compared to what” most recently recognised as being performed by Al Jareau. For a free entry event, this group are well worth a look. The Wardrobe is like a semi home for them, and they have had many gigs there in the past and are bound to return - keep a look out - I will certainly be returning to see them play again!

If this performance wasn’t enough, as soon as the last track was over, I made my way down into the club, situated below the cafe bar in the wardrobe, where Bourbon Y Tequila, a 9 piece latin jazz band were playing late into the night as part of The Wardrobe’s semi-season of fortnightly latin jazz gigs. The group are pictured playing live on the right.

Normally I only listen to latin jazz in small doses, and the sum total of my knowledge  on the genre consists of a few tracks by Pete Rodriguez! It didn’t stop me from quickly getting into the rhythm of the music and latin beats however, and after a couple of swift drinks at the bar, I was soon dancing my heart out and cheering the band on for more at the end of every number.

The musicianship of the group was very impressive, and the well timed vocals and precussion was complimented perfectly by an amazing brass section, most enjoyable to listen to as well as dance to. This style I’m sure will be replicated by other latin acts soon to play at the wardrobe, so its worth heading down there to check out whats on.

If the latin band wasn’t enough there was also a DJ for when their set finished, spining some superb heavy latin and salsa beats on the decks, great fun to dance along to, so much so I was almost loathed to leave when the night came to a close.

Best night out I have had in ages is the only verdict I can give to this wonderful musical infusion!

On Wednesday night I went out to see African jazz group Dada at the Wardrobe. Their style is influenced heavily by traditional African music, and in a live setting is most enjoyable to listen, and dance to! Like much music of its type, it is very expressive and contains many messages, although these are easily glossed over due to the danceable quality of the music and the fact the vocals are in Ga, the native language of the people of southern Ghana.

For me it has been a while since I have heard music of this type, several years in fact, and it was very enjoyable to take a trip though this arena once more. Many qualities seen in other types of music, especially blues, shone through in their performance, and the precussion was excellent. Many of the pieces reminded me of “jazzed up” versions of tracks by Paul Simon. I’m not entirely sure why, but possibly because Paul seems to have a leaning in his music to the African culture.

I would certainly recommend seeing this group live if you see them advertised at a venue. As far as the Wardrobe goes as a venue, the club is excellent, combining plenty of seating and a large dancefloor, the latter close to the bar which is always good when you work up a thirst after dancing to a number. I shall certainly be heading back there for other gigs and events in the near future!

My stand in for James on URY for Jazz Blues Fusion went very well, and I got through some really good music, some of which I have always wanted to get out on air, just have never had the chance. Fabiano joined me for the duration of the show, and we finally got the phone working and had a live phone-in with James, which was pretty cool.

Music wise we went accross the board, but focused mainly on blues for the first half, and then smoother music for the second. If you weren’t listening in on the night, it’s well worth catching it again on URY’s listen again feature. Enjoy

While the show went fine, my journey home was less than perfect. I stopped off at a campus bar to have a drink with Fabiano before heading to the station. While I was on my way, it started raining, hard. I arrived at the station drenched only to find that the 11:20 had just gone and I had to wait for the 00:26. After a cold hours wait on the platform, still soaked to the skin (the waiting rooms were all shut) the train arrived and I slowly dried out on the way to Leeds. I stepped off the train in Leeds just about dry, when I hear the drumming of rain on the stations tin roof. You guessed it, another soaking for me as a spashed though town and waded ankle deep in muddy puddles along the canal tow-path on my way home. Very soggy I ended up getting to bed at around 1:40. All in a nights work ‘eh.

Just a heads up to all my loyal fans; I will be on URY tomorrow night at 8pm, covering Jazz Blues Fusion for James. This is because he is out with his girlfriend and I refuse to allow the show to miss a week

Please do listen in, I have some quality music lined up from all walks of jazz, blues and fusion, and have selected something for everyone. It’s a special day for many, and that won’t go unmarked; I have a few really special tracks all ready to go which have never been played on URY before. And for those of you who are staying in trying to avoid the chaos that is the 14th, I’ve got some good stuff lined up for you too

Hope you can join me!