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Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 2024).

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

17630 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 904 of them this year alone and, so far, 49 this month (Dec. 20).

From This Moment On ...

December

Tue 24: Lindsay Hannon & Mark Williams @ Ernest, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 11:00am-1:00pm. Free.
Tue 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.

Wed 25: Wot? No jazz!

Thu 26: The Boneshakers @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. The 17th annual Boneshakers’ Shindig.

Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free. Business as usual!.
Fri 27: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 27: Michael Woods @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sat 28: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 11:30am. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 28: Fri 20: Castillo Nuevo @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 28: Jude Murphy, Rich Herdman & Giles Strong @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Stepney Bank, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

Sun 29: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 29: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 30: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

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

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Krzysztof Urbanski @ The Bridge

Krzysztof Urbanski (alt/pno); John Pope (bs); Dave McKeague (dms).
(Review by Lance.)
Back in the 1960s a Polish modern jazz quartet led by Zbigniew Namyslowski played a memorable session at the old New Orleans Club on Forth Banks. That was a night that subsequently became legendary and the class of the Polish jazzmen can be heard on the very rare LP recorded around that time - Lola.
Despite this and since then, Polish jazz musicians haven't been at the top of my listening lists.
Tonight all that changed! Tonight may well also become the stuff of legend!
Krzysztof Urbanski, a Polish tenor/alto man, blew some wonderful music that thrilled the pathetically under-subscribed room. What's wrong with you guys/gals who call yourself fans? This was sax playing at its best and you missed it! 
Why weren't you all there?
However, 'Tis Autumn in Newcastle and I'm sure the excuses will be made...
So what you lot missed was the  big, pure sound and the awesome technique that led into On Green Dolphin St. The blues tribute to Billie Holiday that sounded a little like Goodbye. Tenor playing of the first order.
All The Things You Are and the most wonderful version of Sophisticated Lady this side of Ellington were just some of the numbers that helped to make this the night that it was. Urbanski also blew some sizzling alto that fanned the flames and kept the fire burning.
Behind him, John Pope was his usual tower of strength shouldering the burden of providing the harmonic foundation admirably and full marks to Splinter for providing him with the facility to host tonight's session. On drums, McKeague,  a little tentative at first, did what was necessary and the overall feel amongst the few listeners present was one of sheer enjoyment.
This young Polish saxman, who is currently based in Thirsk, is surely going places!
Tremendous !
Lance.

1 comment :

Lance said...

I left the Bridge on a high last night but was soon on a low when I tripped and fell over a raised paving stone! A visit to A and E this morning revealed nothing broken - still bloody painful though.

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