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Bebop Spoken There

Ambrose Akinmusire: “ I am certainly always aware of what the masses are doing. And when I see too many people going one way, I'm going another way - even when I don't know what's over that way". DownBeat, March, 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

Tue 19: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Tim Johnston.

Wed 20: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 20: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 20: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 21: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 21: Castillo Neuvo Trio + Conor Emery & His ‘Bones Band @ The Grove, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:30pm (7:00pm doors). £10.00. (£7.00. student).
Thu 21: Remi Banklyn + Chris Corcoran Trio @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.50. Chicago blues. An International Guitar Foundation promotion.
Thu 21: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Ragtime piano.
Thu 21: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 22: Vasilis Xenopoulos & Paul Edis @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 22: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 22: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 22: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 22: Nauta + Remy CB + Last Orders @ Hoochie Coochie, Newcastle. 8:30pm (7:30pm doors). Free.
Fri 22: Vasilis Xenopoulos-Paul Edis Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £15.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 22: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 23: Jambone @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 6:30pm. Free (ticketed). End of term performance in the Northern Rock Foundation Hall.
Sat 23: Milne-Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 23: Red Kites Jazz @ Rowlands Gill Community Centre NE39 1JB. 7:00pm. Tickets: £12.00. (gibsidecommunityfarm@gmail.com). A ‘Build a Barn’ fundraiser. BYOB, tea/coffee available.
Sat 23: New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £20.00. + bf (book in person at venue - no booking fee!). Featuring pianist Martin Litton.
Sat 23: Pete Tanton’s Cuba Libre @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 24: Musicians Unlimited @ Park Inn, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 24: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 24: Luis Verde @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. Verde (alto sax); Joe Steels (guitar); John Pope (double bass); John Hirst (drums). Alto sax brilliance!
Sun 24: Elsie Franklin @ The Globe, Newcastle. 3:00pm. £10.00. Country blues. An International Guitar Foundation promotion.
Sun 24: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay Metro Station. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 24: Las Vegas Live with the Rat Pack @ The Forum, Billingham.
Sun 24: Ian Millar & Dominic Spencer @ Otterburn Memorial Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00.
Sun 24: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Note start time - 7:00pm.
Sun 24: Bold Big Band @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 25: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 25: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Millstone March 26

(Review by Kath J.)
On the last Thursday of the month, you can be pretty certain to find me at the open rehearsal of The Strictly Smokin’ Big Band, and although some may think I am biased, due to my best beloved playing 1st Tenor, I endeavour for  my reviews to be honest and accurate.
This evening’s lack of singers allowed the SSBB to show off what a contemporary and varied instrumental pad they have and it’s superb to hear the variety of arrangements.  As usual the place was packed out with an attentive audience, some of whom had come up from downstairs when they heard the music start, and so by the time Paul Bream, Chair of Jazz Northeast  arrived towards the end of the first set, there wasn’t a seat to be had.
The Band set away with Catch As Catch Can and the first of several “blisteringly hot” solos from Paul Gowland, now before you think this is the bias coming out, you will note the quotation marks, and indeed that was a quote from another Saxophonist, Mr Steve Summers, who being such a gent was very complimentary of his colleague and indeed is an expert in these matters, as you will see from my own comments later in the review.  Next up was I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’ from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, and the saxophone section were really on a roll.  Have you Met Miss Jones saw solos from the band leader Mr Michael Lamb and from the mellow tenor of Jamie Toms.  The next tune was described as, ‘a bit of an experiment’ by Michael Lamb and to my mind the experiment was a resounding success, with a solo from Paul Gowland it was  Sonny Rollins’ Bag’s Groove
Do Nothing  ‘til You Hear From Me saw Stevie Summers take up the baton of the ‘blisteringly hot’ sax solo and then came another experiment in the form of  Lance’s all-time favourite, Summertime, and wow can Michael Lamb blow that horn… superlative solo!  Nutville exhibited two more of this talented gathering, featuring Graham Bell and Guy Swinton in addition to solos from Michael Lamb and Paul Gowland.    I really loved the rarely-played North Shore Evening with beautifully executed piano sections from Graham Bell and a delightful solo by Paul Gowland.  Next we found ourselves in a Caravan, and stupendous solos from Bradley Johnson, Pete Tanton and dare I say it again… Paul Gowland.  The first set came to a close with Mercy Mercy  Mercy including solo highlights from Steve Summers, Graham Bell and Bradley Johnson.
Half time gave us the opportunity to buy the brand new CD from Bradley Johnson and James Birkett – Together; and yes I did add this one to my collection. In addition, it gave Paul and I something new to listen to on the way home… excellent addition to our Jazz CD collection!
Set two saw the band’s leader on top form again in Ole Man River and one of those more contemporary numbers, Song for AEG featured Jamie Toms again.  A swap of instrument for Steve Summers who picked up his Soprano Sax to solo in Us. Sax Alley came next with soprano sax Steve and tenors Paul and Jamie; this is another favourite of mine… just love those Saxes.  The more contemporary current tunes certainly caught the appreciation of Mr Bream and later he said that for him the number Mr Dudley, which saw a further change of instrument for the versatile Steve Summers on Clarinet and  Pete Tanton on Trumpet, was the business, and for him, this number, along with Song for AEG were the highlight of the performance.   Penultimately we saw Keith Robinson play a spectacular solo during Ya Snooze Ya Lose, and as this was a Big Band it was fitting that with the help of solos from Steve Summers and Pete Tanton, we were left, In The Mood.
Kath.

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