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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.

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?

Thu 10: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.CANCELLED!
Thu 10: Magpies of Swing @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00. A Globe fundraiser (all proceeds to the venue).
Thu 10: Exhaust: Camila Nebbia/Kit Downes/Andrew Lisle @ Jesmond URC, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:30pm doors). £13.20., £11.00. JNE.
Thu 10: Jeremy McMurray & the Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Feat. guests Ray Dales & Jackie Summers.

Fri 11: Zoë Gilby Quartet @ Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 11: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 11: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 11: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 11: John Rowland Trio: The Music of Ben Webster @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00. Rowland (tenor sax); Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass).
Fri 11: Imelda May @ The Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 11: Shunyata Improvisation Group @ Cullercoats Watch House. 7:30-9:00pm. Free (donations).

Sat 12: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 12: Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra + House of the Black Gardenia + King Bees @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 6:30pm (doors). £18.00.
Sat 12: Bright Street Big Band @ Washington Arts Centre. 6:30pm. £12.00. Event includes swing dance taster session, DJ dance session. Bright Street Big Band on stage 7:30-8:15pm & 8:45-9:30pm. SOLD OUT!
Sat 12: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 12: Imelda May @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. £42.20. SOLD OUT!
Sat 12: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 13: Daniel John Martin with Swing Manouche @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00.
Sun 13: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 13: Hejira: A Celebration of Joni Mitchell @ Wylam Brewery, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:00pm doors). £22.50.
Sun 13: Wilkinson/Edwards/Noble + Chojnacki @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £13.20., £11.00. JNE.

Mon 14: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 14: Zoë Gilby Quintet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

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, April 20, 2013

CD Review: Busk ACV

Andy Champion (double bass), Graeme Wilson (tenor & baritone saxophones), Paul Edis (keyboards), Mark Williams (guitar) & Adrian Tilbrook (drums)
(Review by Russell)
Andy Champion’s ACV is a mighty powerful unit. In concert the listener experiences the quintet’s vital energy. Busk, the band’s new CD, reveals Champion’s widening palette as composer. Eight tunes (seven written by Champion, one from the pen of Graeme Wilson) share common characteristics; distinctive melody, restraint, considered solo contributions and the melding of dark material and a collective levity.
The opening track - Nutmeg State - introduces several constants on the CD; the single instrument intro from out of the ether (Mark Williams, guitar), cohesive group interplay, sparkling solo flights. Graeme Wilson never wastes a note, exemplified by masterly tenor on Degree Absolute, Champion’s bass lines variously direct, cajole, explore and engine room partner Adrian Tilbrook sounds as good as ever behind the kit - tight, yet light of touch. Wilson’s tune She Said it Ugly does what so many of the tunes on this recording do; single instrument intro (Paul Edis, piano) followed by statement of theme (Champion, Wilson), authoritative solo (Wilson’s tenor), Tilbrook’s in-the-pocket drumming and the collective return to the head.
The band leader has taken the opportunity to include a ballad - Second Season - on this Babel release and it reveals another side to Champion the composer - gentle, reflective (Wilson’s superb breathy solo work), writing to accommodate the first-rate musicians at his disposal. ACV like to have some fun and Giant Mice could be said to be typical Andy Champion. Paul Edis leads off with some electronic wizardry, Champion sets the pulse, Tilbrook goes with it and the dovetailing lines of Wilson (robust baritone) and guitarist Williams are the fruits of a well-honed gigging band.
An indication of a good tune is that it sticks in the mind. So many of the tunes on Busk have this effect. One such is Never Ever (Edis’ haunting hook), another - What’s For Breakfast? - features outstanding playing from all. It works well on this recording and in concert Champion and co invariably tear it up! The closing track - Dust Red - takes it out with assured, beautifully relaxed playing. The title refers to a wonderful aspect of the fragile renaissance of the former steel works’ town of Consett, County Durham (check out Consett Ale Works). The production credits go to Chris Sharkey and studio engineer Adam Sinclair at Blast Recording, Newcastle upon Tyne. The photography is by the talented Robert Laing and the superb cover illustration is by John Say. Busk is set to become an award-winning release of 2013. Busk by ACV is available on the Babel Label, BDV 13117. The official release date is Monday May 13. Place your order now - www.acvband.co.uk or www.babellabel.co.uk .                                                    
Russell.







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