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

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

London Jazz Festival - Gwilym Simcock @ St. James's Church, Piccadilly.

Gwilym Simcock (solo piano).
After being caught up in the hustle and bustle of city folk going about the act of earning their daily bread it was good to relax. Firstly, in the Chandos pubwith a pint of Sam Smith's Old Brewery Bitter and a plate of fish and chips whilst reading a Carmen McRae biography purchased for £2.99. and secondly in St. James's Church, Piccadilly, in anticipation of a solo recital by Gwilym Simcock. I've had occasion to review Simcock several times recently - live with The Impossible Gentleman and on CD with his recent Mercury nominated release Good Days at Schloss Elmau. Much of today's material was from that disc and it stood up as well live as it did on record.
This personable young man has technique to spare and he demonstrated it admirably with the church's wonderful acoustics making this the perfect showcase.
On the CD I quoted Northern Smiles as being my favourite track (ok maybe I'm biased) and the packed church seemingly agreed awarding it the afternoon's biggest round of applause.
Can't wait to hear him again.
Lance.

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