Claire Martin

Often labelled as being ‘The First Lady of British Jazz,’ Brighton’s London-born musician, Claire Martin’s resume is certainly an impressive one, and she’s bringing it all the way up to Northumberland, for the Hexham Jazz Festival (Hexham Abbey), for an evening that is, surely, not to be missed. A recipient of numerous jazz awards, more than numerous albums, performed on most continents, and of course an OBE back in what was a highly-productive, exciting 2011, continues to impress in a career that already spans more than three decades, and shows no signs of abating. “It was certainly an interesting decision, but has been an absolute privilege, to be a jazz musician,” began Claire, when looking back on her early days in the industry, in the late eighties.

“It is certainly both a specialist, yet rewarding game in which to be in, and it’s been nice to have been recognised, over the years, for what I do.

“Playing Ronnie Scott’s, at the start of my career (21), it’s always been a favourite venue of mine and I’ve been delighted to grace their stage.

“As for performing across the globe, I’ve not really done Africa yet and, although I’ve done some weird and wonderful performances/places, I’d like to maybe perform somewhere hot, the Bahamas maybe,” she adds, giggling, thinking of those hot, Caribbean beaches, and summery drinks. Right now however, as well as a number of dates on her native,

British soil, she’ll have to make do with the Scandinavian, cold snap, of Sweden, where she heads to during this month April 11-21. She doesn’t mind though, already stating she enjoys performing, pretty much anywhere really, and which includes her own, curated, Ilford Manor Jazz Festival, where she’ll perform with the Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, in early July.

“My band-mates are Swedish, and that’s helped us make a good impact in Scandinavia, so I’m looking forward to heading over for a mini-tour, in Sweden,” adds Claire, with that beautiful smile she possesses.

“Being the curator at the Ilford Manor Jazz Festival though, that’s a really great occasion, set in a beautiful home, and both an incredible place and setting.

“So, this year, will be the second one there, and I’m guesting with the Ronnie Scoot’s All Stars. “I’ve performed there previously, and was delighted when they agreed to let me put on a festival –after all, if you don’t ask, you don’t get.”

Then there’s the albums, of which there’ll soon be another to add to her collection of masterpieces. The last, which came out in early 2020 (we all know what was happening then), saw her providing vocals on Callum Au’s ‘Songs and Stories’ whereas the next, ‘I Watch You Sleep,’ with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, alongside that of American conductor, arranger, pianist, Scott Dunn, is a Tenth Anniversary commemoration for the Oscar nominated composer, Richard Rodney Bennett.

“Putting albums together is certainly harder now, with the social media side being an extra hat in which to wear, and another job for any of us to do,” explained Claire.

“Overall though, the albums I’ve got are all pages in a diary, about how I was at any given time, but choosing one, specific album, then the New York one is certainly a favourite, a standout for me, and an honour.

“They all resonate though, for whatever reason, and the latest is my new favourite because of it being so fresh, and new.

“The upcoming album (I Watch You Sleep), Scott Dunn is a dear friend of Richard’s, as I was, so this has been something in the making for a few years.

“I’m really glad we’ve got it done, so we can remember our friend on something which is both really special, and personal, and for which yes, the stars aligned for.

“Performing with an orchestra though, that was something different for me and which I’ve not done before, but it’s similar to my music, in a way, just more luscious and elaborate.

“The current album, (Songs and Stories) that’s Callum Au’s baby, and he hired me to do the vocals on it, so I really have him to thank for that.

“We’ve only just done the launch though, which has been weird, but that’s down to all else happening.” She’s not resting on her laurels either though, far from it. Time ‘off’ because of things happening globally in recent times, afforded time to look at ‘other’ projects, and, in doing so, put the wheels in motion for a new business.

“Now, looking to the future, I’ve started, with some close friends, a production company, ECN Music,” concluded Claire.

“It was just launched at the start of this year, and I’m now looking more at the production side of the industry, that’s my way forward, and my thinking for the future.”

Catch Claire Martin at the Hexham Jazz Festival this May, 12-14, where she’ll be performing on the Sunday (14 May) evening, at the Queen’s Hall Theatre, ticket information via HERE https://www. queenshall.co.uk/events/weekendrover-0?fbclid=IwAR18kLA3lsVjx gc0UjhAR1XENdl1_bNMgwYXoZ9DS-XYopJv5AJQh4mnVDs Images courtesy of Kenny McCracken

“My real passion is standing on stage, performing; nothing beats that.” Ronan Keating, March 2023. A career spanning three decades, as both a solo artist, and as lead singer of one the worlds’ biggest boy bands, you can’t really get much bigger than the Irish sensation that is, Mr Ronan Keating. Having started out alongside Keith Duffy, Michael Graham, Shane Lynch, and the late, Stephen Graham, in the early-nineties, fronting the now iconic pop band, Boyzone, Ronan Keating’s career soon shot to, well, super-stardom. Numerous singles, albums, and compilations later, it’s perhaps hard to fathom that, back then, when they released ‘Working My Way Back to You (May 1994),’ and the smash hot, ‘Love Me for a Reason (November 1994),’ both from their debut album, ‘Said and

Done’ (the former of the two on the Ireland only release), the band formed by talent manager, Louis Walsh, would go all the way. The lads themselves, certainly didn’t.

“Where’s the time gone, thirty years, it’s bananas really,” began Ronan, speaking to NE Online, ahead of his Newcastle Ladies Day appearance on Saturday 29 July.

“We certainly weren’t thinking about longevity when we started out; to be honest, we weren’t even thinking five years, just the next record.

“But then, everything went crazy overnight, and it, well, snowballed, and it’s all been crazy ever since. “The music we have done, looking back now, it carries you back there, because you perform it all the time.”

There’s been two, stellar runs, in which Boyzone had enjoyed in the music industry, their first running until the turn of the millennium, and the second, between 2008 and 2019 (return announced late 2007), finishing at the London Palladium, having just celebrated their 25th anniversary.

Of the comeback, it was tinged with sadness, co-vocalist, Stephen Gateley, passing away, at the age of 33, in October 2009, as hearts broke around the world; the band though, they carried on, in his name.

The band’s 2009, ‘Better’ tour, was to be the last in which they had with all five members, and a new album, ‘Brother,’ was released in early 2010, their fourth, studio release.

All told, there’s been seven studio albums, nine compilation albums, and a plethora of music videos and singles, between 1994 and 2018, whilst Ronan himself, as a solo artist, has added another dozen studio, four live, one com- pilation, and again, singles and videos galore.

He did say that “thirty years, it’s bananas,” the number of releases just solidifies that statement; a self-titled, debut, solo album, back in 2000, featuring the hits, ‘Life is a Rollercoaster,’ and, ‘When You Say Nothing at All,’ kept that star shining brightly. His last album, as a solo artist, so far, came in 2021, with the release of ‘Songs from Home,’ although he does love a collaboration, a duet, as his 2010 release, ‘Duet,’ shows.

“We’ve taken the albums as they’ve come,” explained Ronan. “None have us have thought about it; even as a solo artist, we know there’s been big records, and Boyzone certainly had plenty of hits. “I’ve done, and enjoyed doing, duets with international artists, but you also miss the camaraderie you get in a band.”

Among the tracks on his ‘Duet’ album, Ronan is seen to collaborate with the likes of Elton John and Lulu, Brian McFadden (Westlife fame) and LeAnn Rimes, to name a few.

He’s also dueted with his wife,

Storm (Sharyn Uechtritz), in the past few years, when, honouring Valentine’s Day, in 2021, they produced a stunning, acoustic rendition of Ronan’s 1999 hit, ‘When You Say Nothing At All.’

“Storm, her talent is just insane,” beamed Ronan.

“I just love working with her, and it makes sense to do so.

“As a solo artist, it’s easier than in a band, although the process is still similar, but different, at the same time.”

Having known each other since 2012, the pair wed three years later, going on to have two children, adding to Ronan’s three from his marriage.

The youngest of the bunch, she arrived in the early days of the pandemic, and has been an inspiration, a guide, for Ronan, and for Storm, to push on through. He adding of her arrival: “We just stuck together (during covid). “We had a baby girl, early on, and that was great, and she certainly helped us through, which means that we’ve a future which looks good, and very busy.”

With jobs aplenty, forever keeping Ronan busy, including his work on Magic, where he’s been for over five years, the music legend is looking forward to yet another year performing to the masses, and providing the soundtrack to many an individuals’ life.

“It’s certainly shaping up to be another, busy year,” concluded the legendary popstar.

“On paper, this year is looking busy, ridiculously busy, but we also know that, things can change; but for me, I can’t wait to get out there.”

Ronan Keating will be appearing at the Newcastle Racecourse

Gainford Group Ladies Day, on Saturday 29 July, tickets to which are available via https://www.newcastle-racecourse.co.uk/whats-on/ the-gainford-group-ladies-day-ftronan-keating

Keep up-to-date with everything in Ronan Keating’s world via his socials, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ronankeatingofficial and Twitter https://twitter.com/ ronanofficial and via his website at https://www.ronankeating.com/

We have double the fun now as we have teamed up with Cineworld Boldon and the new Cineworld Dalton Park to give you a quick run down on a few films that are coming soon and really have got us excited.

Plus make sure you check out their Facebook page to keep up to date with their daily competitions and updates. Boldon and Dalton Park

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3

03 May 2023

Running time:

150 minutes

In Marvel Studios “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” our beloved band of misfits are looking a bit different these days. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

Cast:

Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Karen Gillan, Chukwudi Iwuji, Will Poulter, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana,

Elizabeth Debicki, Sean Gunn, Pom Klementieff, Maria Bakalova Director:

The Little Mermaid

Release date: 26 May 2023

Running time: 120 minutes

“The Little Mermaid” is the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea and, while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.

Cast:Javier Bardem, Art Malik, Melissa McCarthy, Noma Dumezweni, Jacob Tremblay, Jonah Hauer-King,

Director:

CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE TRAILER

Spider-Man: Across The SpiderVerse

Release date:

02 June 2023

Running time: 100 minutes

Miles Morales returns for the next chapter of the Oscar®winning Spider-Verse saga, Spider-Man™: Across the SpiderVerse. After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn’s fulltime, friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of SpiderPeople charged with protecting its very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must redefine what it means to be a hero so he can save the people he loves most.

Cast:

Rachel Dratch, Oscar Isaac, Jake Johnson, Daniel Kaluuya, Jason Schwartzman, Hailee Steinfeld,

Jorma Taccone, Greta Lee, Shameik Moore, Shea Whigham, Luna Lauren Velez, Brian Tyree Henry, Karan Soni, Issa Rae Director:

CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE TRAILER

Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts

Release date: 09 June 2023

Running time: 150 minutes

Returning to the action and spectacle that first captured moviegoers around the world 14 years ago with the original Transformers, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will take audiences on a ‘90s globetrotting adventure and introduce the Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons to the existing battle on Earth between Autobots and Decepticons. Directed by Steven Caple Jr. and starring Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback, the film arrives in cinemas in 2022.

Cast: Peter Cullen, Peter Davison, Peter Dinklage, Ron

Perlman, Michelle Yeoh, John DiMaggio, Pete Davidson, Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Tobe Nwigwe, Liza Koshy, Cristo Fernández, David Sobolov, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Director: Steven Caple Jr.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE TRAILER

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Reading, for me, has always been something in which I’ve enjoyed, however, I do go through phases where, sometimes I can read, endlessly, and others, not much at all. I have my go-to books, those in which I can just pick, and while away a few hours here and there, and you’d probably be surprised as to what those books actually are. Now, since getting my eyesight tested late last year, I’ve been reading pretty much non-stop again, which is great, except I’m actually finding myself reading a completely different genre of book than I have done previously.

Yes, I’d read a John Grisham, or a Colin Forbes, but, on the main, it would usually be more of your fantasy, with the occasional horror, thrown into the mix, that would tickle my fancy, now though, there’s a few crime thrill- ers trickling though. I think I mentioned in the last issue that I usually have a couple of books on the go at any one time, that’s not changed. At present, I’ve got I’d say three on the go, two which I’d class as being a ‘long read,’ they aren’t necessarily big in size, you just have to have the frame of mind, and time, to sit down and digest the contents a lot more.

I picked both of them up before a recent trip to Nottingham, and I’ve been dipping in-and-out; they are ‘Motherlands: In Search of our Inherited Cities’ by Amaryllis Gacioppo, and ‘Sherpa: Stories of Life and Death from the Forgotten Guardians of Everest,’ by Pradeep Bashyal & Ankit Babu Adhikari. And yes, I purchased another three whilst I was away, two NFL books, and another for my Germany collection – I have a few, little collections, having amassed, it changes over the years. Anyway, my reading of thrillers, the past month or so has seen a couple read, and yes, they’ve surprised me, and in differing ways.

‘A Promise to Kill,’ by Erik Storey was about a loner, a drifter, who wandered into an American town where the local Indians people had been overrun by a gang of hardcore bikers who’d stole, to order, military merchandise; as you can guess, chaos ensued.

‘The Cottage,’ by Lisa Stone, brilliant read and, at times, I couldn’t put it down. Surprised me, and at times, it freaked me out. Let’s just say, check out your cottage surrounds when you’re alone in the woods – ending was a few surprising twists to the tale as well, genetics, mutations, it had it all. The next was a pretty quick, decent, kidnapping style thriller read, ‘The Body in the Stairwell,’ by Nick Louth. Gripping for sure, and at times I wondered how/ where, the book title was actually going to come into it. Then there was the lengthy read that is ‘What Are You Afraid Of?’ by Alexandra Ivy; you can tell why she’s a NY Times Bestselling Author, this was certainly a suspense from start to finish, and enjoyable with it. Lots of the proverbial twists and turns, a family torn apart by death, and a serial killer with the ultimate twist you never saw coming – and no, it’s not that either…

At present though, I’ve recently started a book entitled ‘Frenzy’ by John Lutz, I’ll discuss that, next time. However, I often find it difficult to go between one read to the next, and yet I never seem to have problems purchasing new ones, like the latest addition to the over-flowing collection. Having worked in the hospitality industry myself in the past, I’ve a respect for chefs and sommeliers, and a recent release I’ve had my eye on for some time is now on my bookshelf, ‘Albert Roux: My Life in Food. A Memoir.’ This

Well-educated, and wellread has, somehow, led Geordie born Dr Peter Wynarczyk to embark, in his later years, on a funny tale of north-east football, in the lower reaches of the beautiful game, the lovingly titled – Players Number Six: The Ballad of Pork and Mutton FC.

It’s took some time his getting there, in fact, if you went back seven or eight decades, you may not even find the name in amongst the peoples of Blaydon, Ashington, or South Shields; his father, he’s from what was, back then, Polish