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Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 2024).

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

17655 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 929 of them this year alone and, so far, 74 this month (Dec. 31).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Wed 01: Jason Isaacs @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 2:30-4:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Wed 01: Revolutionaires @ The Old Barrel (Flatties), Boldon Colliery. 3:30pm. Free. Excellent rhythm & blues.

Thu 02: ???

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: Jason Isaacs @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 03: John Gregory @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar.

Sat 04: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Square, Middlesbrough. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 04: Rivkala @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 04: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £5.00. Xmas party (rescheduled from early December).

Sun 05: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 05: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Americana, jazz & blues.
Sun 05: Papa G’s Troves @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free (donations).

Mon 06: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 07: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 7:00pm. Free.

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

Thursday, November 26, 2009

More on Sonny Rollins at the Barbican.

(This comment, I decided is worthy of a seperate posting - Lance.)
We endorse everything said about the Mark Toomey Quartet at the Cherry Tree. A wonderful evening of jazz and a credit to the local jazz scene.

With reference to the Sonny Rollins Concert at the Barbican, which we and the family had the privilege of being there, it was the best jazz concert I have ever been to, for many reasons.

"The living embodiment of a great tradition" was Geoffrey Smith's description as he welcomed the band to the stage. How many musicians get a standing ovation before they actually get onto the stage, and at 79 years old give a performance with such enthusiasm and most of all, the creativity, was something to be seen (and heard of course)?

The fullness of his tone was all there and the band with him was first/world class. Bob Cranshaw on bass, Clifton Anderson on trombone, Bobby Broom on Guitar, a percussionist called Victor.Y.See Yuen, and a sensational drummer in Kobie Watkins; all having a ball and thoroughly enjoying backing the great Sonny Rollins.

Having said that, Sonny was very gracious and featured all of them throughout the concert, having the great respect for each other reciprocated, not allowing ego's to get in the way of what was great music.

Some of the tunes played were 'Someday I'll find you'', "They say that falling in love is wonderful", "St.Thomas" and of course "Don't stop the carnival", every tune being fully explored and no stone unturned (in improvisational terms), before Sonny would take it out.

He played one set lasting approximately 90 minutes finishing with the aforementioned 'Don't stop the Carnival' and again receiving his second standing ovation of the night lasting many minutes but returned only to give a wave to the standing adulating audience.

Following that, you felt that the audience almost danced out of the Barbican with huge smiles on their faces with the haunting melody of 'Don't stop the Carnival' still ringing in their heads, knowing that they had all seen and witnessed one of the worlds greatest musicians still playing at a level beyond comprehension. Long may the 'Carnival' continue, and we hope Sonny Rollins continues to give the world so much pleasure listening to the sound of genius improvising tenor saxophone.
Ron Ainsborough.
(Photo courtesy of Derek Cogger).

3 comments :

The LondonJazz site said...

Here's my review- it was a great evening

http://londonjazz.blogspot.com/2009/11/review-sonny-rollins.html

Unknown said...

Great reviews and a pleasure to read about the enthusiastic experiences.....and although I wasn't there, I'm sure the whole repertoire was full of melodic, harmonic and rhythmic content - which really is what "music" is all about.

Unlike some of the claptrap that is bandied about as "jazz" these days.

creole2 said...

Sonny Rollins Roadshows.
Vol.1 was great, I've nearly caused a few traffic accidents blasting this out.January 2012 Jazz Journal has a review of Vol.2 just out (almost as good)but for those of us in straitened circs. during the long hard con/dem winter this new issue is immediately available on Spotify for nowt. It'll bring a tear to the throat and a lump to the eye. Go on traddies broaden your horizons!

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