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

Saturday, November 05, 2011

Vibraphonia - Whitley Bay Jazz Party - Saturday

Raymond Grasier (vbs); Andy Schumm (tpt); Steve Andrews (ten/clt); Mike Piggott (vln); Alistair Allen (tmb);  Paul Asaro (pno); Philippe Guignier (gtr); Bruce Rollo (bs); Richard Pite (dms). Frans Sjöström (bs sax).
As most of the audience had arrived and checked in yesterday stewarding was a little less taxing today and gave me the opportunity to hear what I am sure many will regard as one of the highlights of the weekend (unfortunately I missed the Cecile McLorin sessions...). I refer to Vibraphonia - Swiss vibesman Rchard Grasier's tribute to Hamp and Adrian Rollini.
Grasier really is a top class player with technique to match the greats he emulates. But it wasn't just about the vibes - Steve Andrews held his own on both tenor and clarinet, Andy Schumm, lyrical on trumpet, Mike Piggott, a swinging fiddler, nice trombone, guitar, piano with Rollo and Pite putting the boot in to power the ensembles along. Then there was the bass sax of Sjöström who plays the cumbersome instrument with the facileness of a clarinettist. A good choice of numbers - a lovely version of Hoagy's Small Fry stood out - made this most enjoyable.
Lance.

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