Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 2026)

The Things They Say!

This is a good opportunity to say thanks to BSH for their support of the jazz scene in the North East (and beyond) - it's no exaggeration to say that if it wasn't for them many, many fine musicians, bands and projects across a huge cross section of jazz wouldn't be getting reviewed at all, because we're in the "desolate"(!) North. (M & SSBB on F/book 23/12/24)

Postage

18799 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 663 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 12) 32.

Reviewers wanted

Whilst BSH attempts to cover as many gigs, festivals and albums as possible, to make the site even more comprehensive we need more 'boots on the ground' to cover the albums seeking review - a large percentage of which never get heard - report on gigs or just to air your views on anything jazz related. Interested? then please get in touch. Contact details are on the blog. Look forward to hearing from you. Lance

From This Moment On

August

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

Sun 16: Vintage Explosion @ Cliffe Park, Roker, Sunderland SR6 8DB. 5:00-10:30pm. £44.00 (inc. bf).

Mon 17: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 20: Edson Angus Quartet @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 20: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Fri 21: Andrzej Baranek Trio @ The Lit & Phil. 1:00pm. £8.00. Andrzej Baranek (piano); Josh Cavanagh-Brierley (double bass); Dave Walsh (drums). SOLD OUT!
Fri 21: David Gray Flextet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 21: Errol Linton & His Band + Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. Excellent blues double bill.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

If Shirley Horn Had Been Born in Tokyo...

Our local library were holding a CD sale so, having a restless pound coin in my pocket, I bought a disc by the Michiko Ogawa Trio; "It's All About Love". I'd never heard of the lady but the tunes were good and there was the added bonus of having Harry Allen on tenor so I thought, in for a yenny in for a pound.
A wise investment.
As expected, Harry Allen blew some stomping tenor especially his extended solo on the opening track, "You". However, the surprise was Ms Ogawa who plays some belting two-handed piano varying from stride to swing and, as if that wasn't enough, throws in some delicate, almost wistful vocals. "This is all I Ask", written by Gordon Jenkins, is a particularly poignant reading.
My pound couldn't have been better spent if I'd bought a lottery ticket and hit the jackpot. An exaggeration, I know, but only a slight one.
If you don't believe me, check the disc out on Google.

4 comments :

Anonymous said...

You have a very nice blog.

Lance said...

Thank you Aiko.

Anonymous said...

"This is all I ask" is indeed a lovely number. Gordon Jenkins is one of my fave arranger/writers. That number first took my attention when sung by Harry Nilsson, I think the LP was called " A little touch of Schmilsson in the night. "Kevin drew my attention to it way back. Not only is he my beloved son but at times I do wonder who is the parent and who the offspring such is our togetherness, particularly in music tastes.

Lance said...

I picked up that Nilsson LP in a charity shop quite recently. I seem to remember there was a tv program built around it many years ago. And you're right - "This is All I Ask" is on that disc. I'll have to check it out again. Nilsson was quite a character; he died fairly young (51.)

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