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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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, August 08, 2011

Elaine Binney and the Jazz Rascals at Blyth Beach Bandstand Sunday August 6 2011

Elaine Binney (violin), Keith Mills (bass), Eliza Lawson (vocals) Jae Brooks (drums) What a refreshing change to hear this exciting new young band. Afternoon weather conditions at Blyth Bandstand resulted in the concert being moved to a room in the nearby Marine Centre.
Elaine built up a great rapport with the audience and at one stage during the Michael Jackson number Smooth Criminal, a little girl did a spot of impromptu Irish dancing for us!
Weather conditions also featured in Autumn Leaves, Stormy Weather and Over The Rainbow.
Great tempos from the rhythm section followed with Work Song, Unsquare Dance and Take Five. Also of note were the pleasing arrangements of Summertime, All Blues and Watermelon Man. The bands two original numbers Swan Like and Jokers and Kings were performed with a commitment which was amazing to behold. I recommend this band to anyone wanting to listen to a fresh new approach to jazz. One thing is certain Elaine is no Django/Grappelli copyist – she has a wonderful style of her own!! Photos.
John Taylor.

1 comment :

Lance said...

Looks like Elaine has changed one of her Rascals. I'm told Eliza Lawson has a great voice.

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