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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.

Sunday, November 06, 2016

Early Bird Band @ Jazz Café - Saturday morning, November 5.

Number One wife was nervous watching them without Francis and the new guitarist seemed nervous when he realised we were his parents (sat with his mother). No need, Lord Paul knows his business and, with no shortage of willing pianists in the band, there was no compulsion to put in another guitarist if there wasn't anyone good enough, but there was, and a very different type of guitarist to Francis.
The set began with Yardbird SuiteBen and James inseparable on trumpets before Ben took the solo. A newcomer, Alex Thompson, took the first of a number of great alto solos followed by Lord Paul. On clarinet for the set, the MD exchanged fours with the ever impeccable Matthew Mackellar.
Bye Bye Blackbird followed, the two trumpets really are playing well together now. James took the solo followed by Alex, with Dr Phil displaying a gentle touch - variety and inventiveness making total sense.
With just over twenty in the Caff, mostly, but not exclusively, friends and family, Lord Paul took the opportunity to remind us they'd had a mere ninety minutes rehearsal. It never ceases to amaze me that such young musicians (16-18 yrs) can do this.
Mercy Mercy Mercy by Cannonball, courtesy Zawinul, and fine solos by Ryan De Silva, and Hedges  -the best solo I've heard him (Hedges) play, subtly reflecting back to the melody a couple of times.
Mathew Downey up next on guitar, a nice bluesy feel, spending time at the bass end - he also plays upright bass - which makes for a greater impact when he climbs up the scales. Takes his time more than his predecessor, building it up as he went along and creating a thoughtful, satisfying solo while putting his own stamp on it,. Dr Phil showing why he's a great accompanist too. 
The assembled horns came back in with an almighty sound many big bands would die for! Lord Paul’s flitting about on clarinet adds colour, before it grounds to an ending which Lord Paul admitted they hadn't planned. 
Paul described Sergio Mihanovich’s Some Time Ago as lovely and it was. Lush guitar chords when saxes were joined by brass before Ben took a solo, nice piano fills behind him. Clarinet solo and it ended with 'lines' from the full horn section, impeccably executed.
Blues Walk from the Clifford Brown/Max Roach book, so I'm guessing at a James suggestion, which they played entirely by ear. The restoration of an Early Bird tradition with one bass solo in the final piece, some tasteful comping from the guitarist, leading into another powerhouse performance by the drummer. We're used to never hearing a bum bass note from the Early Birds and this tradition is another which looks set to continue - another pair of size elevens filled.
More from Ryan - Paul's found two cracking alto players - followed by a ‘bone solo and my nomination for the most improved musician in the band.
Following the final performance by the previous lineup, Editor Lance said the horns were slightly under par, and I agreed, but this morning they were spot on, solid throughout and they brought it to a grand finale.
In my estimation they're already ready for a bigger platform and I'm looking forward to seeing them supporting a major local band or travelling musician at a Caff, Globe, College or Church Hall very soon.
Steve T.
Paul Edis (clarinet, MD), Ben Lawrence, James Metcalfe (trumpets), Ryan De Silva, Alex Thompson (alto), Andrew Hedges (trombone), Mathew Downey (guitar), Phil Grobe (piano), Alex Chipsey (bass), Matthew Mackellar(drums).

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