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Bebop Spoken There

Simon Spillett: “ Bebop and hard bop came naturally to him [Tubby Hayes]". Morning Star, March 28, 2024.

The Things They Say!

Hudson Music: Lance's "Bebop Spoken Here" is one of the heaviest and most influential jazz blogs in the UK.

Rupert Burley (Dynamic Agency): "BSH just goes from strength to strength".

'606' Club: "A toast to Lance Liddle of the terrific jazz blog 'Bebop Spoken Here'"

The Strictly Smokin' Big Band included Be Bop Spoken Here (sic) in their 5 Favourite Jazz Blogs.

Ann Braithwaite (Braithwaite & Katz Communications) You’re the BEST!

Holly Cooper, Mouthpiece Music: "Lance writes pull quotes like no one else!"

Simon Spillett: A lovely review from the dean of jazz bloggers, Lance Liddle...

Josh Weir: I love the writing on bebop spoken here... I think the work you are doing is amazing.

Postage

16287 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 169 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (Mar 18).

From This Moment On ...

March

Fri 29: FILM: Soul @ The Forum Cinema, Hexham. 12:30pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Fri 29: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 29: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 6:00pm. Free. POSTPONED!
Fri 29: Thundercat @ Newcastle City Hall.
Fri 29: John Logan @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 29: True Colours @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 9:00pm. Blues, jazz & swing.

Sat 30: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 30: Pete Tanton’s Cuba Libre @ Whitley Bay Library, York Road, Whitley Bay. 8:00pm.

Sun 31: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay Metro Station. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 31: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields NE30 1HJ. 3:00pm. Free. Lambert, Alan Law & Paul Grainger.
Sun 31: Sid Jacobs & Tom Remon @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. USA/London jazz guitar duo.
Sun 31: Bellavana @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

April
Mon 01: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free.

Tue 02: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Dean Stockdale, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 03: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 03: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 03: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 04: FILM: Soul @ Forum Cinema, Hexham. 2:00pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Thu 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 04: Funky Drummer @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 04: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 04: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Matthew Bourne - Christophe de Bezenac + Spelk @ The Bridge. December 20th.

Matthew Bourne (keyboards) & Christophe de Bezenac (alto saxophone) + Spelk: Chris Sharkey (guitar), Andy Champion (electric bass) & Adrian Tilbrook (drums). Splinter @ The Bridge offered another double bill last night in the form of local heroes Spelk and from Leeds the improvising duo of Bourne and de Bezenac.
Spelk played the first set to a less than full house; perhaps the close proximity to Christmas and the inclement weather deterred some from venturing into town.
Adrian Tilbrook uses a larger than usual kit set-up in this power trio allowing him to meet all eventualities and respond to the musical ideas thrust at him by bassist Champion and guitarist Sharkey.
Andy Champion clearly enjoys this sort of stuff, laying down massive dub-like beats, Tilbrook locks onto the vibe and Sharkey shimmers and shines brightly (the man is a star). This is music of high intensity, demanding intense concentration from all three participants and audience alike. The music is loud and good fun. Yes - good fun! And why not ? I am a paid-up member of the Jazz Police but if you don't like Spelk then close the door, put your slippers on and listen to your Acker Bilk CDs.
The second set by the Leeds based duo of Bourne and de Bezenac emerged as a late contender for gig of the year. Bourne has a background in contemporary classical composition and de Bezenac studied at the Strasbourg Conservatoire and has subsequently worked with compatriot Marc Ducret (guitarist Ducret was on Tyneside in October to take part in the On the Outside Festival), Chicagoan Ken Vandermark (another name known to local gig - goers and soon to be heard again at the Sage in January) and others. Bourne ranged from Keith Jarrett in neo-classical mode to Cecil Taylor by way of stride-like patterns to Bourne himself. Altoist de Bezenac, a member of the sensational trio VD, is a masterful player with a percussive approach infused with squeaks and squawks, his saxophone bickering with and challenging Bourne's keyboard.
A dazzling, virtuosic dialogue ensued between the two. The visual element enhanced the performance; as with much improvisation seeing as well as hearing is an important aspect of the occasion. A third and final set united all five musicians in a magical noise fest. The boys had retired to the bar so it was left to Adrian Tilbrook to get the show on the road. One by one the others joined him on stage. Champion and de Bezenac decided to blow the roof of the place, Bourne capitulated and took the same route. Sharkey, a Nosferatu-like presence, wearing an amused countenance, wound up and unleashed metal mayhem. The sustained, screaming cachophony was quite thrilling.
Gig of the year anyone?
Splinter @ The Bridge reconvenes in January with a co-promotion with Jazz North East presenting the wonderful Paul Edis Sextet on Sunday 17th January, 7.30.p.m.. Russell

3 comments :

Lance said...

The weather did deter me so I stayed in and listened to my Acker Bilk singles. Dreadful - he even dared to play the melody how passé is that?!

Hil said...

I've always been a bebop person but really enjoyed the sheer excitement of this gig. Thanks to my future son-in-law for introducing me to this style of playing...;o)

Russell did you or one of the party sitting at the table with you leave a gents umbrella? if so we have it. If not, well I have acquired a rather handsome gentleman's brolly, to add to my diminished (thanks to my lovely daughter)collection of brollies.

Russell said...

Hi Lance

In reply to Hil's question about the brolly - it isn't mine but I think I know who it belongs to, so if you, Hil, could keep it until next time...

Russell

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