From This Moment On

AUGUST 

Wed 04: Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting @ Bobik's, Punch Bowl Hotel, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Cross-genre improv night. 

Wed 04: Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis' Jack Johnson album @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Note change of venue.

Thu 05: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Thu 05: Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis' Jack Johnson album @ Forum Music Centre, Darlington. 7:30pm. Online booking at: www.ticketweb.uk. 

Thu 05: Maine Street Jazzmen @ Sunniside Social Club, Gateshead. 8:30pm.

Fri 06 Leeds City Stompers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. 

Fri 06: Guy Swinton Quartet @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Downstairs. Cancelled!

Fri 06: King Bees @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Upstairs. Chicago blues. 

Preview: Tonite at the Globe - it's a knockout!

Tonight (Wednesday) an all-star sextet will be playing music from Miles Davis' 1971 Jack Johnson album. Miles was a big fight fan and when the opportunity arose to work on the soundtrack of Bill Cayton's documentary about boxer Jack Johnson it signalled the trumpeter's headlong rush into the lucrative world of rock music.  

Album review: Kerry Moffit & Turning Circles - What Goes Around Comes Around

Kerry Moffit (trumpet, flugel); Seth Ebersole (alto/tenor sax); Rob Killips (trombone 6 tks), Altin Sinclair (trombone 2 tks); Arlene Pritchard McDaniel (keys 5 tks); Luther Allison (Rhodes 3 tks); Terri Newman (bass); Ian LeVine (drums).

Another nice retro-mod album that slots into that triangular area lying in between bop, hard bop and West Coast. All of the soloists sit comfortably into that, the most fertile of pastures that modern, as opposed to contemporary, jazz has ever known. I find it nothing less than wonderful that musicians of this calibre are still breathing new life into such a tried and tested format - it is a credit to both themselves and their predecessors.

We're Back!

Well, the panic - hopefully - is over! Bebop Spoken Here is back and up and running. Fortunately, it would seem that those who oversee these things (I guess they also do VAR and Hawkeye) have come to their senses and sent me the following message: "Hello, We have re-evaluated your blog against Blogger community guidelines Upon review, the blog has been reinstated. Thank you for understanding". Sincerely, The Blogger team.

Late Night Chicago Radio

This week's Late Night Chicago Radio was as cool as ever. Denny Farrell's laid back laconic style is as soporific a voice as you're ever going to hear other than from a hypnotic therapist and maybe not even then.

Lots of guitars tonight, a couple of Desmonds and some classy vocals - if you can't get to Chicago then let Chicago come to you.

Paul Desmond and Jim Hall got the show on the road with Easy Living. Desmond, of course earned his bread and butter with Dave Brubeck but, on those sides he made with Jim Hall he comes across as so much more relaxed and maybe this was the real Paul Desmond.

Steve Pimlott Quartet @ The Railway, Stockport - August 1

Steve Pimlott (piano); Richard Weatherall (piano); Ed Harrison (double bass) Phil Bennett (drums).

Steve Pimlott brought along a different trio of musicians to the Railway last night than the one he used at his gig at the Tallyrand recently.  It was good to see Phil back in action after his short self-isolation due to being pinged and I’m pleased that Richard elected to play the house upright piano.  He always gets a great sound and I think an acoustic piano blends better with the tenor sax than the electric version.

News Flash!

Just when you thought things were getting back to normal, those who survived the pandemic and were looking forward to their Monday/Wednesday fix of traditional jazz at the home of Dixieland - Cullercoats Crescent Club - the word out now is that they will have to wait another month.

The new dates for the stomping off are Sept. 6/8 when the Jazz in the Afternoon outfit and the Vieux Carré Jazzmen will, respectively, get things happening once more. No doubt they've all been practising diligently during lockdown and the club has, reputedly, ordered in extra ale to meet their increased capacity.

Sunday Night @ The Globe: The Jeffrey Hewer Quartet - August 1

(Photo by Lance)

Jeffrey Hewer (guitar); Ben Powling (tenor sax); Sam Jackson (bass); Steve Hanley (drums) 

This has been a good weekend for post hard bop bands. Keith Loftis on CD, Dave O'Higgins livestreaming from the 606 and, tonight, the Jeffrey Hewer Quartet at the APPJAG winning Globe Jazz Bar. 

A choice collection of classics from the golden era that ran, give or take a decade or two, twixt post Parker and pre Ornette with Joe Henderson, Kenny Dorham and Wayne Shorter providing much of the material that had the 'cats' purring and yet, for some reason, there were no shouts for more - there should have been - I guess Oliver Twist was dining elsewhere tonight.

The Sunday Service - August 1

Adrian Cox (clarinet, vocals); Dave Archer (guitar); Will Sach (double bass)

Preacher Adrian Cox is once again in the country, for how long is another matter! Stints working across Europe have kept our clarinetist busy and today found him in London working with Kansas Smitty's mainstays guitarist Dave Archer and bassist Will Sach. Three great players* working out on material by composers as diverse as Louis Alter, Irving Berlin, Spencer Williams, and one A.
Cox (Upper Street Serenade) made for an effortlessly swinging hour of jazz. 

Preview: The Art of Tatum with Joe Webb - Newcastle & Saltburn!

A recent Kansas Smitty's session featuring pianist Joe Webb playing the music of Art Tatum brought the house down. In the company of guitarist Dave Archer and bassist Will Sach, Joe took on the challenge of trying to get somewhere near the great Art Tatum. Joe, Dave and (London-resident American) Will had so much fun they decided to take the show on the road. At lunchtime on Friday 20 August the trio will be appearing at the Lit & Phil in Newcastle and at Saltburn Arts in the evening. 

Jeffrey Hewer Quartet @ The Globe on Sunday (tonight - August 1)

The Jeffrey Hewer Quartet is an exciting and dynamic jazz band that performs original music and interpretations of jazz classics in a contemporary style.

Expect tunes by legends such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Joe Henderson as well as original music and arrangements inspired by the giants of jazz.

Led by guitarist Jeffrey Hewer, the quartet of guitar, bass, drums and saxophone* brings an intense and lyrical sound as they explore musical soundscapes, bringing a joyful excitement and interplay to their music.

* Jeffrey Hewer (guitar); Ben Powling (tenor sax); Sam Jackson (bass); Steve Hanley (drums) 

Details/tickets