Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

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: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

The Impossible Gentlemen

Gwilym Simcock (pno); Mike Walker (gtr); Steve Swallow (bs); Adam Nussbaum (bs). Basho Records SRCD 36-2.
These gentlemen are impossible to typecast. The opening Laugh Lines - a Mike Walker composition - has contrapuntal lines weaving in and around each other with an almost Bach-like lucidity but with a contemporary feel. Imagine if the Modern Jazz Quartet had discarded their funereal garb and reformed in 2011 wearing sweatshirts, jeans and trainers - the result may have been along these lines.
Simcock has an awesome technique blending yet contrasting with the tasteful guitar directions of Mike Walker. I can't believe I've never heard Walker before this compelling CD. Not only does he solo appealingly but he also wrote 4 of the 8 original compositions. Simcock chipped in with 3 and Nussbaum the final Sure Would Baby.
Steve Swallow and Nussbaum - the transatlantic half of the quartet provide much more than rhythmic support adding their own voices to the ensembles and solos with depth and originality.
The CD is due for general release on June 6 and will also serve as an appetiser for their forthcoming tour which opens at The Sage, Gateshead on June 10.
For more info go to www.impossiblegentlemen.com
Lance.
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