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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17755 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 76 of them this year alone and, so far, 1 this month (Feb.1).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Sat 08: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 08: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 08: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 08: Lewis Watson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 08: Anth Purdy @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. ‘Swing Jazz Guitar’.
Sat 08: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A Newcastle University Jazz Orchestra event. All welcome.

Sun 09: Glenn Miller & Big Band Spectacular @ The Forum, Billingham. 3:00pm.
Sun 09: The New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 09: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Tom Remon & Mark Williams @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 09: Rod Oughton’s Tomorrow’s New Quartet with Ben van Helder @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Line-up inc. Deschanel Gordon.
Sun 09: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 10: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 11: Steve Summers Quintet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Jam session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 13: Student Performances @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 4:00pm. Free. Inc. Olly Styles (tenor sax).
Thu 13: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: Artist Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Hannabiell & Midnight Blue.
Thu 13: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

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

Monday, July 08, 2013

Claudia Morris talks to Bebop Spoken Here about her new show and CD.

(Claudia's replies in bold type.)
BSH: Hi Claudia nice to hear from you again. I loved Twelve O’clock Tales it was so fresh and I still play it which is something I don’t do with too many review CDs.
I'm glad you still play it, that makes me happy!
BSH: You have a background of theatre and singing and now you are combining the two. Tell me about this new project – Secret Love. About Doris Day I guess. My very first schoolboy crush!
I think she had that effect on a lot of boys and men!
BSH: True! Tell me how this project came about.
A few years ago I discovered Doris's voice when a pianist I worked with thought there were similarities vocally between Doris and me. I started listening to her and fell in love with her wonderful voice, I have never tired of it. I then felt compelled to read her biography (which I found fascinating) and watch her movies. I knew I wanted  to tell her colourful  life story and sing her songs. Last year I was also asked by actress Tracy Ann Oberman to sing a Doris Day part in her play for BBC Radio 4. She was so thrilled by my singing of Doris - this was the catalyst I needed to start the project.
BSH: Where did you start? 
I hooked up with writer and director Phil Willmott and asked him to write a play where I would sing Doris's songs and have some actors to play the key men in her life. I wanted to portray her real life story as something in between a musical and a tribute. Also I didn't want to impersonate her, but to be myself. I sought out the wonderful Malcolm Edmonstone as musical director - I knew his work and felt confident that he could capture that wonderful era while making it my own. So you will get a taste of Doris's voice occasionally, but plenty of surprises as well! I feel very lucky to be able to work with such talented musicians and such a great director.
BSH:  I'd like to share a video link with our readers.
Here's a link.
BSH: You must have researched this very deeply. Did you contact the lady herself?
As I said, I read the wonderful biography written by Hotchner in Doris's words.

Lots of movies and 100's of her recordings! I've contacted her management to get permission that's all. I will send her my album 'Secret Love' and hope she likes it....         
BSH: I understand she is quite reclusive these days?
I think at 90 that would be understandable don't you? But actually she's very busy, she dedicated the last twenty years to caring for sick and abandoned animals. Her public life was a life time ago to her, she does shun the spotlight unless absolutely necessary as far as I know.
BSH: Songs, films, Doris was at the top in both genres. Do you place more emphasis on one or the other or do you concentrate on the, lets face it, abusive relationships she had?
The songs play a key role in the play linking to her important relationships, including the abusive ones.
BSH: Did she actually have “A Secret Love”?
You will have to ask the lady herself!
BSH: Her image was always of “The girl next door” is that how it is or do we have to wait for the show to find out?
Her image was so far from the truth, it's sad to think she represented wholesome family values but found it hard to find them in her own life.. all will be revealed in the show!
BSH: What size band will there be in the show?
Piano, double bass and drums the perfect combination and fine musicians!
BSH: You’re taking the show around the country – the nearest we get to it on Tyneside is Consett in County Durham – remind me of the date.
We are touring around the UK, 21 dates in total, starting at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford on 25th September and culminating at the Royal Spa Theatre, Leamington on 29th November - Consett Empire Theatre is on Saturday 13th November. Hope to see you there!!
BSH: Thank you Claudia. Perhaps, if I manage to get there I'll come away with a new (ex) schoolboy crush!
Ha Ha.
BSH: Further details on the show and the album can be found on Claudia Morris’ Website 
Lance.

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