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Bebop Spoken There

Béla Fleck: “ And that's the great thing about live performances, you take people on a journey. It doesn't have to be like something else they've heard. It's not supposed to be". DownBeat, April, 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

Thu 28: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 28: Gateshead Jazz Appreciation Society @ Gateshead Central Library, Gateshead. 2:30pm.
Thu 28: Richard Herdman Quartet @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 28: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Guests: Josh Bentham (alto sax); Alan Marshall (tenor sax); Neil Brodie (trumpet); Adrian Beadnell (bass); Graham Thompson (keys); Steve Hunter (drums).

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.

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.

Sunday, May 03, 2009

Tony Kofi and the Paul Edis Trio @ the Highfield Hotel.

Tony Kofi (alt), Paul Edis (pno), Mick Shoulder (bs), Adam Sinclair (dms).
This was my kind of music - updated Charlie Parker and then some. From the opening "Big Foot" to the closing "I Got Rhythm" this was a night to remember not only for Tony K's agile, angular, altoistics but also for the Paul Edis Trio who handled it all with aplomb despite minimal rehearsal time.
On "Star Eyes," Tony blew an extended version of the traditional Parker intro before soaring into cloudland like an uncaged Bird; freed to explore the unknown. "Milestones", not the familiar tune but an earlier piece, had some unusual twists and turns. Likewise, "Bluesette" was far removed from Toots Thielemans' concept but it worked - I think."
What definitely worked was Monk's "Ask Me Now". A beautiful ballad in its own right it should be accorded its rightful place in the gasbook. Tony did it justice - he's arguably the best frontline interpreter of Monk's music since Charlie Rouse. Charlie Rouse was on the original recording of Sonny Clark's "Melody for C" which Tony reprised here brilliantly.
In truth, despite possibly a quote or two too many, all of his solos were gems.
Mention must be made of Adam Sinclair's drumming. He caught everything that Tony threw at him in various exchanges of fours and eights and threw them right back. Personally, I thought they overdid the exchanges but even so it didn't detract from the practioners.
Paul too was on top of his game (when is he not?) and he had a particularly appealing Bachlike interlude on "Rhythm". Mick too, although not featured heavily, had some nice solo touches.
But the night belonged to Tony. At the beginning of the evening he said that he always gives 110% - he sold himself short!
Lance.

2 comments :

Roly said...

Spot on review Lance - great gig.
All credit to the Highfield management for supporting jazz music. The trio did a great job and once again showed their mettle.
Adam's drumming is a delight. Great time and infectious swing, all with a very light touch, a smile and impish humour.
Top drawer all round.
Roly

Russell said...

Hi Lance

As Roly says a spot on review. I couldn't be more impressed with Adam Sinclair's drumming. I got the distinct impression Tony Kofi was similarly impressed.

Russell

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