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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 2025).

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

17923 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 244 of them this year alone and, so far, 91 this month (March 31).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Thu 03: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Women in Jazz.
Thu 03: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 03: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. A Tees Hot Club promotion. First Thursday in the month.

Fri 04: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 04: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 04: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 04: Ruth Lambert Quartet @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00.
Fri 04: Tom McGuire & the Brassholes @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £20.00.
Fri 04: Nicolas Meier’s Infinity Group + Spirit of Jeff Beck @ The Forum, Darlington. 7:30pm.

Sat 05: Tenement Jazz Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 05: Sleep Suppressor @ Head of Steam, Newcastle. 5:30-6:00pm.
Sat 05: King Bees @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 6:00pm. Free.
Sat 05: Raymond MacDonald & Jer Reid @ Lubber Fiend, Newcastle. 6:00-9:30pm. £7.72., £1.00. (minimum donation). MacDonald & Reid + Objections + Yotuns.
Sat 05: Jeff Hewer Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 05: Kamasi Washington @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. £33.00.
Sat 05: Vermont Big Band @ The Seahorse, Whitley Bay. 7:30pm. Tickets: £10.00 (from the venue).
Sat 05: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 06: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £7.50.
Sun 06: Learning & Participation Showcase @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm (1:00pm doors). Free. Featuring participants from Play More Jazz! Play More Folk! Blue Jam Singers & more.
Sun 06: Joe Steels Group @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00. Ferg Kilsby, Joe Steels, Ben Lawrence, Paul Susans, John Hirst.
Sun 06: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 06: Paul Skerritt @ The Hooch, Quayside, Newcastle. 6:00pm.
Sun 06: Leeway @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 07: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 08: ???

Wed 09: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 09: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 09: Tannery jam session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm.
Wed 09: Anatole Muster Trio @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £17.50., £12.50. concs.
Wed 09: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED?

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, August 15, 2012

CD Review: The Fred Hersch Trio - Alive at the Village Vanguard.

Fred Hersch (piano), John Hebert (bass) and Eric McPherson (dm).
(Review by David Brownlow).
A Two Disc album recorded “live” at the Village Vanguard in February 2012 by Hersch's current Trio.  
Hersch, a gifted musician, who’s already achieved much in a career that includes working with  Stan Getz, Lee Konitz, Art Farmer, Joe Henderson, and Norma Winstone among others, currently divides his time between teaching, writing, touring, recitals and raising awareness in the jazz community of the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The material on the CDs is drawn from a wide spectrum of jazz - 4 pieces from the G.A.S., 6 jazz classics and 7 originals. For example, the re-harmonisations of Alec Wilder’s Moon and Sand and Hammerstein/Kern’s The Song Is You are particularly exquisite – Jarrett-esque in style. The pianist also tackles compositions by Bird, Monk, Rollins, Miles and Russ Freeman with original, fully integrated trio renditions in vigorous, creative and lyrical style. Among the originals,  Hersch pays homage to Ornette, Paul Motian and Wayne Shorter in a more “contemporary” piano trio style, which repays repeated listenings.
The leader's own playing often incorporates devices taken from his one-time classical background such as “contrary-motion” figures, simultaneous improvisations with both right and left hands, elements of “fugue development” and playing melody in the left hand with right hand accompaniments – all difficult to do!
Also, his “touch” at the keyboard is glorious – he really makes the piano “sing” reminding me of Jarrett again. In my opinion, these attributes together with his sophisticated harmonic sense, strong rhythmic playing and vast technique make Hersch a formidable player.
Bass and drum duties are handled more than competently in a style reminiscent of some of the Bill Evans trios.
The Fred Hersch Trio - Alive at the Village Vanguard is due to be released on September 11 by Palmetto Records to coincide with the Trio’s current tour of the U.S., U.K. and Europe - nearest venue to Newcastle is Leeds!
Available for pre-order here.
A thoroughly enjoyable album which for me at times invoked the Whitney Balliett comment “The Sound of Surprise”.   
Recommended.
David Brownlow.

1 comment :

Lance said...

Just had a listen to the album and I totally agree with you David, it's an absolute gem. The mellow version of "Doxy" is something else whilst the implied version of "I Fall In Love Too Easily" is positively sensuous!

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