Bebop Spoken There

Emma Rawicz: "In a couple of years I've gone from being a normal university student to suddenly being on international stages." DownBeat January 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

18219 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 73 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 24), 73

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Fri 30: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 30: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 30: Pete Roth Trio @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Feat. Bill Bruford.
Fri 30: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Fri 30: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Northern Edge Coffee, Silver St., Berwick. 7:00pm.
Fri 30: Dan Coulthurst Quintet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 7:30pm (7:00pm doors). £10.00 + £1.00. bf (www.wegottickets.com). Coulthurst (trumpet); Joel Steadman (bass clarinet, flute); Nico Widdowson (piano); Fergus Quill (double bass); Theo Goss (drums).

Sat 31: Darling Dollies @ St George’s Church, Jesmond, Newcastle. 3:00pm. £10.00. Vocal trio.
Sat 31: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

FEBRUARY 2026

Sun 01: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 01: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Quintet + guest Bill Watson (trumpet, flugelhorn).
Sun 01: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: Annie & the Caldwells @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00. adv. Gospel/soul.
Sun 01: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Sun 01: Olly Styles Experience + Jenny Baker @ the Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 02: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 02: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 03: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 03: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 04: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 04: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 05: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject:Times of the Day & Trios.
Thu 05: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Special guest Emma Wilson.
Thu 05: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

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

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

CD Review: Claudia Morris: Secret Love: A Celebration of the Music of Doris Day

Claudia Morris (vocals); Malcolm Edmondstone (piano/Fender Rhodes/arranger);  Andrew Bain (drums/percussion); Julian Jackson (bass); Freddie Gavita (trumpet);  Simon Allen (saxophone); Iain Mackenzie (backing vocals).
(Review by Ann Alex)
This is not an easy CD to review because it is simply so good that there’s not much to say except ‘listen to it for yourself’.  Claudia Morris has a sweet pure toned-voice with excellent diction, you’ll be able to hear every word.  She doesn't imitate Doris Day but has her own distinctive style and she sings in ‘English’, that is, without any trace of Americanisms, which emphasises the universal quality of the songs.The musicians are more than up to the task; they have short solos as the emphasis is on the singing.
My favourite track is the most minimalist one: I’ll Never Stop Loving You – try listening to this without a tear in your eye; it’s just a single chorus of voice, piano and emotional truth.  This track is wisely followed by an upbeat I’ve Got The Sun In The Morning, showing a sensible track order, for people who listen to CDs straight through. The first track, Sentimental Journey, is typical of the whole CD, it opens with voice and light drums, has piano and guitar solos, call and response between voice and guitar, and a little tasteful scat added to the mix.  Other tracks include Orange Coloured Sky; Shanghai; Day By Day; Love Me Or Leave Me; Perhaps, Perhaps; and the final track is a slow version of Secret Love.  Enjoy!
The CD, due for release in September, actually showcases songs from a new musical play, Secret Love, which is set to tour the UK this Autumn.  The play celebrates the life and music of Doris Day.  For more details about Claudia Morris, the CD and the play, go to www.claudiamorris-music.com
Ann Alex.
PS: Worth adding to your Xmas list

1 comment :

Lance said...

Love the line in Shanghai (first DD record I ever bought)
"Why don't you stop me when I talk about Shanghai,
I'm even allergic to rice!"

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