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Bebop Spoken There

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The Things They Say!

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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

Tue 19: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Tim Johnston.

Wed 20: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 20: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 20: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 21: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 21: Castillo Neuvo Trio + Conor Emery & His ‘Bones Band @ The Grove, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:30pm (7:00pm doors). £10.00. (£7.00. student).
Thu 21: Remi Banklyn + Chris Corcoran Trio @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.50. Chicago blues. An International Guitar Foundation promotion.
Thu 21: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Ragtime piano.
Thu 21: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 22: Vasilis Xenopoulos & Paul Edis @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 22: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 22: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 22: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 22: Nauta + Remy CB + Last Orders @ Hoochie Coochie, Newcastle. 8:30pm (7:30pm doors). Free.
Fri 22: Vasilis Xenopoulos-Paul Edis Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £15.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 22: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 23: Jambone @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 6:30pm. Free (ticketed). End of term performance in the Northern Rock Foundation Hall.
Sat 23: Milne-Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 23: Red Kites Jazz @ Rowlands Gill Community Centre NE39 1JB. 7:00pm. Tickets: £12.00. (gibsidecommunityfarm@gmail.com). A ‘Build a Barn’ fundraiser. BYOB, tea/coffee available.
Sat 23: New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £20.00. + bf (book in person at venue - no booking fee!). Featuring pianist Martin Litton.
Sat 23: Pete Tanton’s Cuba Libre @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 24: Musicians Unlimited @ Park Inn, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 24: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 24: Luis Verde @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. Verde (alto sax); Joe Steels (guitar); John Pope (double bass); John Hirst (drums). Alto sax brilliance!
Sun 24: Elsie Franklin @ The Globe, Newcastle. 3:00pm. £10.00. Country blues. An International Guitar Foundation promotion.
Sun 24: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay Metro Station. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 24: Las Vegas Live with the Rat Pack @ The Forum, Billingham.
Sun 24: Ian Millar & Dominic Spencer @ Otterburn Memorial Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00.
Sun 24: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Note start time - 7:00pm.
Sun 24: Bold Big Band @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 25: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 25: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

I WENT TO CHURCH ON FRIDAY – TO HEAR THE JAZZ RASCALS

Jazz fans who weren’t at the Unitarian Church in Newcastle on Friday evening to hear Elaine Binney and the Jazz Rascals have missed an absolute treat. I wasn’t sure whether to pray or hum a tune as I entered the elegant early 20th century church (a listed building), but, along with about 80 other fans, I soon forgot about all that as this live album recording kicked off with Take 5. Guitar, drums and bass played rhythmically, punctuated by strong cuts across from Elaine’s violin to start this number. Elaine explained that this band was different; they relied more on melody rather than improvisation. All I can say is that what they did was really good to listen to, and exciting, with more improvisation than Elaine had suggested. Classically trained Elaine, very much the leader of the band, looked smart in black trousers and waistcoat, white blouse, and black and white trailing belt. The violin wore a matching long black and white streamer, very cool. Elaine gave us lively chat between numbers, mostly to exhort us to pre-order the album! Peter on guitar sang wonderfully freely on 4 of the pieces; the original Swan Like; Autumn Leaves; Stormy Weather (this version had effectively simplified words); and a very tender version of You Are So Beautiful. The band’s other original numbers were Jokers and Kings; Treaty of Trianon and January Blue. There was a very strong melodic feel, but with enough improvisation to add interest, four very capable musicians, led by the violin which was luscious, or tricky or jagged as necessary. Other standard items were Summertime; and Work Song; which was dedicated to all the nine to five workers.
After the actual recording ended, the band decided that we should have some relaxing fun, which we did with a lively upbeat version of Ain’t Misbehavin, with lovely call and response between the violin and the rest of the band. If I had a complaint it would be that I’d have liked numbers to last longer with longer solos, but I suppose this was due to the constraints of recording. There is to be a full concert when the album is released later in the year – I can’t wait! Ann Alex.

2 comments :

Lance said...

...and not forgetting bass and drums who were right on the money...

Unknown said...

I was there and have to say it was brilliant. I thought Elaine was excellent, but special mention must also be made for the band who were all exceptional. Big up the rascals and much love to J Bizzle, some killer fills and solos!

Rich...

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