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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

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.

Tue 31: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 12 noon-2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington (National Trust), Cambo, Morpeth NE61 4AR. 12 noon & 2:00pm. Admission to site £19.00.
Tue 31: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Archie Brown & Friends @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00-8:00pm. Free.

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

Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO) directed by Tommy Smith proudly presents THE INCREDIBLE SOUND OF STAN KENTON

Looks good to me - Lance.
THU 25 APRIL      Edinburgh Queen’s Hall               Box office: 0131 668 2019
SAT 27 APRIL      Glasgow Royal Conservatoire       Box office: 0141 332 5057
SUN 28 APRIL      Stirling Albert Halls                     Box office: 01786 473544
Throughout the fabulous ‘40’s and well into the 1950’s the world was swinging, living and loving to the gigantic sounds of the Big Bands. Few were adored more than the large orchestra led by influential composer, arranger and pianist Stan Kenton (1911-1979). Tommy Smith once more leads The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra through the jazz hall of fame in a series of Scottish concert dates that promise to re-ignite the hottest music of the post war era and beyond.
Stan Kenton’s forty-year career as a bandleader began with his Artistry in Rhythm Orchestra in 1941 and it eventually made him a popular figure. Hit tunes such as Eager Beaver, Tampico and Intermission Riff featured his brash, brassy trademark sound and further consolidated his growing fame.
But it was The Peanut Vendor in 1947 that made him a household name on both sides of the Atlantic. This infectious piece of danceable Latin Jazz proved to be his enduring signature tune, and its bright good natured appeal still speaks to the young and the young at heart alike. 
Kenton consistently used sassy Afro-Cuban stylings and European Classicism in his vast repertoire but by the late 1950’s he had begun to explore more modernist, avant-garde themes. He later returned to his familiar swing roots before becoming a leading jazz educator.
Leading Scottish saxophonist, composer and educator Tommy Smith directs the acclaimed SNJO in a celebration of Stan Kenton’s best known and most riotously expressive originals alongside singular readings of standards such as Love For Sale and Fascinating Rhythm. 
Tommy Smith founded the multi award-winning SNJO in 1995 and it is currently the UK’s foremost jazz orchestra. Its members include the brightest and best of jazz talent living and working in Scotland today.

2 comments :

Lance said...

Can't wait to hear this! I heard the later Kenton Bands but never heard the 40s/50s bands live and I can't think of any guys who could do it better than Tommy and his musicians.
Then we've got them doing Ellington in July at Durham!
Free prescriptions, No Uni Fees, a sponsored SNJO - maybe I'll emigrate (after July). I know there's still Billy Connolly and kilts and the language barrier to contend with but there's also Carol Kidd..

Anonymous said...

And bagpipes to contend with, they're worse than banjos and bodhrans!
Ann Alex

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