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Bebop Spoken There

Billy Boy Arnold: “As long as you don't think old you're good.” - DownBeat, December, 2023.

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...

Postage

16051 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 15 years ago. 1058 of them this year alone and, so far, 12 this month (Dec. 6).

From This Moment On ...

December

Sat 09: Prudhoe Community Band @ Central Station, Newcastle. 10:00am - 12 noon. Charity fundraiser.
Sat 09: Durham Alumni Big Band @ Number One Bar, Skinnergate, Darlington. 1:00pm.
Sat 09: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 09: Hayley's Little Big Band @ Middleton & Todridge Village Hall, Morpeth. 7:30pm. £12.00., £6.00.
Sat 09: Paul Skerritt @ Slaley Hall, Hexham NE47 0BX. 7:30pm. From £42.00.

Sun 10: Musicians Unlimited’s Xmas Party with Zoë Gilby Quartet @ Park Inn, Hartlepool. MU 1:00-3:00pm; Zoë Gilby Quartet 4:00-6:00pm. Tickets: £7.50.
Sun 10: Alan Law, Paul Grainger & Abbie Finn @ Darlington Market, Market Square, Darlington. 1:00pm. Free. A ‘Christmas Market’ outdoor gig. Wrap up warm!
Sun 10: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00-4:00pm. Free.
Sun 10: Funk Soul Sista @ Stack, Seaburn. 5:00-7:00pm. Free.
Sun 10: Beth Clarke @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 10: Hayley's Little Big Band @ Whittingham Memorial Institute, Alnwick. 7:30pm. £12.00., £10.00.
Sun 10: Tele-Port @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Line-up inc. Zhenya Strigalev.

Mon 11: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 11: Interim Final Recitals @ Newcastle University. Details TBC.

Tue 12: Stu Collingwood Organ Trio @ Forum Music Centre, Darlington. 7:00pm. £10.00.

Wed 13: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 13: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 13: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 13: Bold Big Band @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm.
Wed 13: Giles Strong Quartet @ Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm.

Thu 14: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 14: Hot Fingers @ The Lubetkin Theatre, Peterlee. 7:00pm. £10.00.
Thu 14: After Hours Student Jazz Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 14: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. . Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 14: Niffi Osiyemi Trio @ Harbour View, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 14: Mo Scott ‘Little Mo’s Festive Appearance’ @ The Schooner, Gateshead. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 14: Tees Hot Club w. Kevin Eland, Josh Bentham, Garry Hadfield, Adrian Beadnell @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 9:00pm.

Fri 15: Paul Edis @ Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 15: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 15: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 15: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms, Monkseaton. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 15: Paul Skerritt @ Black Horse Inn, Crook. From 7:00pm.
Fri 15: Paul Edis: A Jazzy Christmas @ St Cuhtbert's Centre, Crook. 7:30pm. £15.00. SOLD OUT! Waiting list open.
Fri 15: Zoë Gilby Trio @ Seventeen Nineteen, Hendon, Sunderland. 7:30pm. £12.00. POSTPONED!
Fri 15: Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 8:00pm. First night of two.
Fri 15: Darlington Big Band @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 15: Baghdaddies @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £14.00.; £10.00.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Christoph Stiefel Inner Language Trio @ Lit & Phil. October 11

Christoph Stiefel (piano), Arne Huber (double bass) & Kevin Chesham (drums)
(Review by Russell).
 Jazz North East’s piano gigs at the Lit & Phil usually work well and this one, presented in association with the library, was no exception. Swiss pianist Christoph Stiefel had fulfilled a prestigious CD launch engagement at London’s Pizza Express before heading up north to play a gig at Zeffirelli’s in Ambleside. Next morning the trio, much impressed with the scenery, took to the Lakeland hills. Driving cross country Stiefel and co. arrived late afternoon in good fettle keenly anticipating their first appearance in Newcastle.
Stiefel makes much use of isorhythms (the repetition of rhythmic patterns). A significant factor in successfully deploying this technical device in trio format – and avoiding monotony – was to have a superb drummer capable of responding to Stiefel’s prominent left hand. Kevin Chesham was the man; subtle, responsive, polyrhythmic brilliance. Bassist Arne Huber chewed gum and looked disinterested. He wasn't of course – he simply had it down. The material - all Stiefel originals -  showcased the new album Christoph Stiefel Inner Language Trio Live! and a few newly composed numbers (including Titanic). Major highlights – In and Out of Order, Pensar Positivo and Isorhythm #2 (Stiefel has composed numerous Isorhythm pieces) drew spontaneous applause and the odd holler. Late into the night on their departure, the Swiss trio said how much they had enjoyed the gig and next time would welcome the opportunity to have a little more time to see Newcastle. Stiefel praised the Lit & Phil’s piano (it stayed in pitch throughout the performance). 
Note the new CD recorded live at three venues in Europe (Basho Records) features a largely different line-up. The Lit & Phil’s next concert is this evening - Friday 12 October – featuring ex-pat American vocalist Sandi Russell working with Paul Edis (piano) and Mick Shoulder (double bass). Jazz North East’s next offering - Sons of Kemet - is a joint promotion with Splinter on Sunday 14th at the Bridge Hotel.
Russell                

2 comments :

Dave Parker (on Facebook) said...

My wife and I tried to go to this concert but we are unable to get in. We were astonished to discover that the Lit and Phil does not have a ramp (even a temporary one) to allow wheelchair access to the ground floor. The members and management of the Lit and Phil society, which has a tradition of liberalism and inclusion, should be ashamed that they have failed to address this equality issue. It is 17 years since the first Disability Discrimination Act was passed.

Chris Calver said...

Response to Mr and Mrs Parker re access to the Lit and Phil.

The Literary and Philosophical Society apologises profusely and unreservedly to Mr and Mrs Parker for finding that wheelchair access to the building is at present very difficult. Over the years many schemes have been put forward to reduce or eliminate this difficulty.
Due to the Grade II* listing of the 1825 Greek revival style building the access problem has taxed the ingenuity of many committees and individuals over all the 17 years mentioned. The present stone steps were last altered in 1909, and, unfortunately, the nearly 1metre difference in height from pavement access to inside ground floor level has meant a ramped solution is not possible.
However the good news is that the Society has today, 16th October 2012, received planning and listed building approval from the City for plans submitted earlier this year. The scheme includes a wheelchair lift similar to that at the Hancock Museum, and redesigned shallower front steps which will be level with the fully accessible ground floor incorporating suitable modern facilities.
As we are an entirely independent organisation with small monetary reserves, our ongoing appeal for more than £1 million includes money to pay for and implement the necessary alterations. This will be given added impetus in 2013 which is our 220 anniversary year.
We thank Mr and Mrs Parker for the recognition that our society is liberal and inclusive and assure them that the hard work and diligence continues in order to improve our physical and intellectual access.

Chris Calver
Vice Chairman

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