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Bebop Spoken There

Ambrose Akinmusire: “ I am certainly always aware of what the masses are doing. And when I see too many people going one way, I'm going another way - even when I don't know what's over that way". DownBeat, March, 2024.

The Things They Say!

Hudson Music: Lance's "Bebop Spoken Here" is one of the heaviest and most influential jazz blogs in the UK.

Rupert Burley (Dynamic Agency): "BSH just goes from strength to strength".

'606' Club: "A toast to Lance Liddle of the terrific jazz blog 'Bebop Spoken Here'"

The Strictly Smokin' Big Band included Be Bop Spoken Here (sic) in their 5 Favourite Jazz Blogs.

Ann Braithwaite (Braithwaite & Katz Communications) You’re the BEST!

Holly Cooper, Mouthpiece Music: "Lance writes pull quotes like no one else!"

Simon Spillett: A lovely review from the dean of jazz bloggers, Lance Liddle...

Josh Weir: I love the writing on bebop spoken here... I think the work you are doing is amazing.

Postage

16287 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 169 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (Mar 18).

From This Moment On ...

March

Tue 19: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Tim Johnston.

Wed 20: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 20: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 20: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 21: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 21: Castillo Neuvo Trio + Conor Emery & His ‘Bones Band @ The Grove, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:30pm (7:00pm doors). £10.00. (£7.00. student).
Thu 21: Remi Banklyn + Chris Corcoran Trio @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.50. Chicago blues. An International Guitar Foundation promotion.
Thu 21: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Ragtime piano.
Thu 21: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 22: Vasilis Xenopoulos & Paul Edis @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 22: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 22: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 22: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 22: Nauta + Remy CB + Last Orders @ Hoochie Coochie, Newcastle. 8:30pm (7:30pm doors). Free.
Fri 22: Vasilis Xenopoulos-Paul Edis Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £15.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 22: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 23: Jambone @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 6:30pm. Free (ticketed). End of term performance in the Northern Rock Foundation Hall.
Sat 23: Milne-Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 23: Red Kites Jazz @ Rowlands Gill Community Centre NE39 1JB. 7:00pm. Tickets: £12.00. (gibsidecommunityfarm@gmail.com). A ‘Build a Barn’ fundraiser. BYOB, tea/coffee available.
Sat 23: New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £20.00. + bf (book in person at venue - no booking fee!). Featuring pianist Martin Litton.
Sat 23: Pete Tanton’s Cuba Libre @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 24: Musicians Unlimited @ Park Inn, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 24: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 24: Luis Verde @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. Verde (alto sax); Joe Steels (guitar); John Pope (double bass); John Hirst (drums). Alto sax brilliance!
Sun 24: Elsie Franklin @ The Globe, Newcastle. 3:00pm. £10.00. Country blues. An International Guitar Foundation promotion.
Sun 24: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay Metro Station. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 24: Las Vegas Live with the Rat Pack @ The Forum, Billingham.
Sun 24: Ian Millar & Dominic Spencer @ Otterburn Memorial Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00.
Sun 24: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Note start time - 7:00pm.
Sun 24: Bold Big Band @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 25: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 25: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

James Birkett & Bradley Johnston @ The Sage Gateshead. Friday August 24

James Birkett & Bradley Johnston (gtrs)
(Review by Russell).
The Sage’s Friday evenings have drawn large numbers to The Concourse. The keen jazz fan and the casual diner have for the most part happily co-existed in an informal, relaxed setting looking out across the Tyne to Newcastle.
In recent weeks the jazz vocalist, the swinging small combo, New Orleans veterans and promising student musicians have offered something for everyone. This week’s session featured jazz guitar. Master musician James Birkett and student protégé Bradley Johnston  delighted an attentive audience with a select set list referencing many of the greats of jazz guitar (and some of the great composers) from the 1920s through to the present day. Biréli Lagrêne, Luiz Bonfa, Lonnie Johnson, Eddie Lang, Django Reinhardt, Dick McDonough, Carl Kress, Pat Metheny…an impressive list of guitar greats. Gentle Rain, Uma Prece, Oleo, In Your Own Sweet Way, Always and Forever, Skating in Central Park, Nuages, Farmer’s Trust, Wave, Chicken a la Swing, Perfect and Spain…numbers made for two great guitarists.
Birkett has been there, done that and he’s got the t-shirt to prove it. The Sage is familiar territory to Dr Birkett, home ground as it were, holding no fears. So what of Bradley Johnston? Performing in front of an expectant crowd would, no doubt, set the pulse racing of many a seasoned pro. Johnston the student showed few signs of nerves let alone stage fright. Technique, tone, volume, time, taste – he’s got it all (Birkett ain’t too shabby either!).
Many north east readers will recall memorable concert appearances on Tyneside from the likes of Barney Kessel, Joe Pass, Tal Farlow, Herb Ellis and a young Biréli Lagrène. Birkett and Johnston stirred memories and evoked the spirit of these great players. Highlights were many; Johnston excelling on Metheny’s Farmer’s Trust, the duo on John Lewis’ beautiful waltz Skating in Central Park and Chick Corea’s test piece Spain. James Birkett works occasionally with fellow guitarist and academic colleague Rod Sinclair in a guitar duo. Their Suite for Two Guitars  is a challenging work. Birkett and Johnston played the last part of the opus. Johnston did Sinclair proud (watch out Rod!). The student guitarist has added another string to his bow (guitar?) – that of composer. The Sage audience heard the world premiere of James’ Waltz. The future is bright for Bradley Johnston, no doubt about it. I’m sure James Birkett will follow Johnston’s developing career with no little pride and I’d wager a bet that in a few short years Sage patrons will take their seats in one of the main halls to hear the headline act…one Bradley Johnston. Next week - Friday 31st – sees the last in the summer season of Concourse gigs. The Henchmen Jazz Sextet will be there to entertain you from 8.00 pm.
Russell                             

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