Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

CD Review: Matt Ridley Trio - Thymos.

Matt Ridley (bs); John Turville (pno); George Hart (dms) + Jason Yarde (alt/sop); Attab Haddad (oud); Vasilis Sirikis (perc).
Released yesterday (October 14), Thymos is an ambitious undertaking by bassist Ridley, an album blurring the line between genres, fusing the modal and rhythmic elements of Middle-Eastern music with the harmonic complexities of jazz. So the notes tell me and I think they're right.
Turville has talent a plenty to deal with most things and he does so admirably. Leader, composer, arranger Ridley is at the epicentre laying down the harmonic base (not a typo). His soloing is impressive too utilising the whole of the scale length to produce imaginative improvisations. Drummer Hart on some tracks is mega busy (not a crit, it's what the mood demands!) He  is also sensitive and sympathetic on an introspective number such as The River.
Homage to Kenny Wheeler has Yarde in scintillating form soaring like, dare I say it? - a Yardebird!
The Eastern influence is pronounced in the traditional Sari Gelin (arranged Ridley) that has Yarde on soprano wailing over the Haddad's oud and Sirikis' additional percussion. A compelling track that completely captures the flavour Ridley was looking for. (Rooney's just scored for England and Turville has also scored on the title track!)
Hijaz brings back Yarde, Haddad and Sirikis for more eastern excitement - belly dancers and snake charmers will like this disc as will those in less exotic occupations such as jazz bloggers. Hang on, I must retract my previous statement - any belly dancer shaking her bits to this could end up without any bits! As for the poor snake the RSPCR would surely have to be called in. However, us jazz bloggers are made of sterner stuff and we will be booking our next holiday in Istanbul or Cairo and inviting the trio plus guests to join us!
Matt Ridley Trio - Thymos. is available on Whirlwind Recordings WR4643.
Also live at Maltings Theatre Berwick-upon-Tweed with Jason Yarde. (November 20).
Lance.
PS: We're going via Brazil!
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