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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 2025).

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

17777 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 98 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Feb.8).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Sat 15: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 15: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 15: Elkie Brooks @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. ‘The Long Farewell Tour’.
Sat 15: Milne Glendinning Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 16: MOBO Song @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 12 noon. Free, performances on the concourse. Line-up inc. Jazz Attack (on stage time TBC) & Jambone (12:20pm).
Sun 16: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 16: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: BBC Introducing NE X MOBO Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 6:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Jambone, Knats, Rivkala, SwanNek.
Sun 16: The Shayo Experience @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 16: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. .

Mon 17: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 17: Matt Forster Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00. at the door; £8.20. (inc £0.20 bf) online, in advance.
Mon 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law, Paul Grainger, John Hirst.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, Holystone. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Jazz Milestones - 1975.
Thu 20: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 20: Orange Claw Hammer + Peony @ The Globe, Newcastle.7:30pm. Orange Claw Hammer play Captain Beefheart.
Thu 20: Jeremy McMurray & the Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Featuring special guest Zoë Gilby.

Fri 21: JazzMain @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 21: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 21: Joe Steels Trio @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. TBC.
Fri 21: Emma Rawicz w. Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

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

Monday, December 21, 2009

Matthew Bourne - Christophe de Bezenac + Spelk @ The Bridge. December 20th.

Matthew Bourne (keyboards) & Christophe de Bezenac (alto saxophone) + Spelk: Chris Sharkey (guitar), Andy Champion (electric bass) & Adrian Tilbrook (drums). Splinter @ The Bridge offered another double bill last night in the form of local heroes Spelk and from Leeds the improvising duo of Bourne and de Bezenac.
Spelk played the first set to a less than full house; perhaps the close proximity to Christmas and the inclement weather deterred some from venturing into town.
Adrian Tilbrook uses a larger than usual kit set-up in this power trio allowing him to meet all eventualities and respond to the musical ideas thrust at him by bassist Champion and guitarist Sharkey.
Andy Champion clearly enjoys this sort of stuff, laying down massive dub-like beats, Tilbrook locks onto the vibe and Sharkey shimmers and shines brightly (the man is a star). This is music of high intensity, demanding intense concentration from all three participants and audience alike. The music is loud and good fun. Yes - good fun! And why not ? I am a paid-up member of the Jazz Police but if you don't like Spelk then close the door, put your slippers on and listen to your Acker Bilk CDs.
The second set by the Leeds based duo of Bourne and de Bezenac emerged as a late contender for gig of the year. Bourne has a background in contemporary classical composition and de Bezenac studied at the Strasbourg Conservatoire and has subsequently worked with compatriot Marc Ducret (guitarist Ducret was on Tyneside in October to take part in the On the Outside Festival), Chicagoan Ken Vandermark (another name known to local gig - goers and soon to be heard again at the Sage in January) and others. Bourne ranged from Keith Jarrett in neo-classical mode to Cecil Taylor by way of stride-like patterns to Bourne himself. Altoist de Bezenac, a member of the sensational trio VD, is a masterful player with a percussive approach infused with squeaks and squawks, his saxophone bickering with and challenging Bourne's keyboard.
A dazzling, virtuosic dialogue ensued between the two. The visual element enhanced the performance; as with much improvisation seeing as well as hearing is an important aspect of the occasion. A third and final set united all five musicians in a magical noise fest. The boys had retired to the bar so it was left to Adrian Tilbrook to get the show on the road. One by one the others joined him on stage. Champion and de Bezenac decided to blow the roof of the place, Bourne capitulated and took the same route. Sharkey, a Nosferatu-like presence, wearing an amused countenance, wound up and unleashed metal mayhem. The sustained, screaming cachophony was quite thrilling.
Gig of the year anyone?
Splinter @ The Bridge reconvenes in January with a co-promotion with Jazz North East presenting the wonderful Paul Edis Sextet on Sunday 17th January, 7.30.p.m.. Russell

3 comments :

Lance said...

The weather did deter me so I stayed in and listened to my Acker Bilk singles. Dreadful - he even dared to play the melody how passé is that?!

Hil said...

I've always been a bebop person but really enjoyed the sheer excitement of this gig. Thanks to my future son-in-law for introducing me to this style of playing...;o)

Russell did you or one of the party sitting at the table with you leave a gents umbrella? if so we have it. If not, well I have acquired a rather handsome gentleman's brolly, to add to my diminished (thanks to my lovely daughter)collection of brollies.

Russell said...

Hi Lance

In reply to Hil's question about the brolly - it isn't mine but I think I know who it belongs to, so if you, Hil, could keep it until next time...

Russell

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