Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''We knew back in the day that Emmet [Cohen] had it.'' (DownBeat July, 2026)

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

18721 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 585 of them this year alone and, so far this month (July 18) 49

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

From This Moment On

July

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 23: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 23: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 23: Side Café Orkestar @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free. Balkan, Hot Club, Klezmer.
Thu 23: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Fri 24: Lindsay Hannon Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £9.00.
Fri 24: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 24: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 24: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 25: Sing Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00-5:00pm. £27.50. Tutor: Alexia Gardner. Cheek to Cheek - Ella Fitgerald. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 25: Red Kites Jazz @ Costa Café (within Next), MetroCentre, Gateshead. 2:00-3:00pm. Free.

Sun 26: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 26: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Table reservations (0191 261 8000). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 26: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sun 26: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: Bright Street Big Band @ Sandhaven Amphitheatre, South Shields. 3.30-5.30pm.
Sun 26: Jo Harrop & Jamie McCredie @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £14.00., £12.00., £7.00.
Sun 26: King Bees @ Luckies, Jesmond, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. Chicago blues.

Mon 27: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 28: Liam & Shayo @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free. Liam Oliver (guitar), Shayo Oshodi (vocals).

Thursday, April 11, 2013

CD Review: Thought Fox – My Guess

Lauren Kinsella – voice; Colm O’Hara – trombone; Tom Gibbs- piano; Mick Coady – double bass; Simon Roth – drums
Diatribe Records DIACDO13. UK Release May 6, 2013
(Review by Debra M.)
Coincidently following on from the recent Jazz Words at the GIJF, a session devoted to poetry and Jazz, is the UK launch of debut CD from Thought Fox , a band which takes its  name and inspiration from a Ted Hughes’ poem.
The 5 piece ensemble, led by London based, Irish vocalist and composer Lauren Kinsella, emerged a few years ago, winning   the Music Network Young Musicwide  Award 2010 - 2013.
A central feature of their music is the close link between Kinsella’s instrumental vocal lines with Colm O’Hara’s trombone, either in harmony or an octave apart, where the warm low toned  horn compliments her light supple voice.  Throughout the album there is extensive improvisation, some of it  free form,  which returns to a melody or groove, often separated by distinct changes in  time or dynamic. This is particularly effective in Malin’s Chai, which begins with the trio in 5 time,  who are  joined by trombone & vocal, and then takes  an abrupt change in mood and tempo, with  dreamy lyrics, sung with  sinuous notes & some gorgeous vocal intervals. The band then reverts to the initial groove, with solos from piano and trombone, changing back for the lyrical interlude.
The first track Nightlight also works particularly well, opening with a funereal bass and piano, which progresses to a spacious ensemble  improvisation, evoking a late night sound scape. In several of the tracks Kinsella scats with peculiar, Scandinavian-like sounds, possibly an influence of her time spent in Sweden.  Her lyrics can be poetic and insightful, for instance in Arrival / Departure - “What are these strange lives,…what is this strange place?”- a song apparently about the bewilderment of a new born  encountering the world.  Colm O’Hara is an ideal foil in this project, and he plays a number of understated, absorbing solos. There are also excellent contributions from Tom Gibbs on piano, Mick Coady on double bass & Simon Roth on drums.
Thought Fox have shown they are worthy award winners with this intriguing debut album. The UK launch is on May 8 at The Vortex in London.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYQ8FE5C9BY   Video of Prime of Life by Thought Fox
Debra M.
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