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Bebop Spoken There

Simon Spillett: “ Bebop and hard bop came naturally to him [Tubby Hayes]". Morning Star, March 28, 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

Fri 29: FILM: Soul @ The Forum Cinema, Hexham. 12:30pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Fri 29: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 29: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 6:00pm. Free. POSTPONED!
Fri 29: Thundercat @ Newcastle City Hall.
Fri 29: John Logan @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 29: True Colours @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 9:00pm. Blues, jazz & swing.

Sat 30: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 30: Pete Tanton’s Cuba Libre @ Whitley Bay Library, York Road, Whitley Bay. 8:00pm.

Sun 31: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay Metro Station. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 31: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields NE30 1HJ. 3:00pm. Free. Lambert, Alan Law & Paul Grainger.
Sun 31: Sid Jacobs & Tom Remon @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. USA/London jazz guitar duo.
Sun 31: Bellavana @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

April
Mon 01: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free.

Tue 02: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Dean Stockdale, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 03: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 03: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 03: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 04: FILM: Soul @ Forum Cinema, Hexham. 2:00pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Thu 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 04: Funky Drummer @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 04: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 04: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Monday, April 08, 2013

GIJF: Day 2: The Concourse. April 6.

(Review by Ann Alex)
You could actually have yourself a free festival by watching the concourse performances, and you’d get lots of variety, interest and good music.  On Saturday I heard:
The Grace Ellen Band
This singer is new to me and she did some of the songs which featured in her recent performance at one of the Jazz co-op gigs which take place at the Star pub in Newcastle on Wednesdays.  We heard versions of rock songs such as Sweet Dreams and New Day and standards such as Black Coffee, Fever and Georgia.  The instrumentalists are brimming with talent, I believe some of them are from one of the Sage’s music degrees, so I would have liked to hear more solos from them, to complement the singing.
Dropping Bombs
This is the band from the Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music Degree, who gave a very good account of themselves.  The talent of these young people is quite frightening, which means that the future of jazz is in very capable hands.  They were straight in with a blues, no messing, repeated riffs and short solos, then came a woman singer with Lance’s (un)favourite song Summertime, a gutsy voice, and a skilled trombone solo from David Grey.  Well You Needn’t was exceptional, as I’ve mentioned elsewhere, James Harrison on keys took us for a journey on the A Train, then came another song, and the finale with Caravan.  The sax man swopped alto for flute, a staccato breathy sound well suited to a train of camels, certainly not caravan holidays at Haggerston Castle.  Some good long solos were included to finish a very satisfying set.
The GIJF Scratch Choir
It must be the drink, I’m not certain if these people were on Saturday or Sunday, but anyway here they are.  I guess it was about 40 people, who treated us to 2 songs.  The first was, I think, the title track from Guys and Dolls and contains the line “you can bet that  he’s doing it for some doll”.  The next song, Let It Snow, was almost topical as, outside it certainly was cold enough for it. However, on the concourse, the heat was quite delightful and both songs were performed well with rich lively harmonies and a lovely solo from one of the men.  The style of singing was interesting, closer to the way these songs would have been sung in the original musicals rather than an individual jazz singer’s style. I could have listened to them for far longer, so I wish they’d done more, but what we had was good.
Djangologie
I’ve long wanted to hear this quartet but never been around at the right time, and this is what festivals are for, lots of bands you want to see, all in one place.  Emma Fisk was an absolute whizz on violin, waiting her turn during some of the long introductions, then straight in when James Birkett (guitar) wagged his head towards her, with her lovely high gypsy inspired music, almost like a descant to the others.  This is wonderful, easy, accessible listening, with Giles Strong on guitar as well, and Mick Shoulder on bass to keep them steady.  Tunes played included Minor Swing, Belleville, an original The Autumn Leaf, with pizzicato violin, presumably that was the leaf falling, Sam’s Bounce, another original, a very fast Sheik Of Araby, and the Russian song Dark Eyes a.k.a Ochi Chornya, which sounded like a folk dance and had thrilling runs and phrases by violinist Emma.  Bravo Les Tout Ensemble!
Ann Alex

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