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Bebop Spoken There

Béla Fleck: “ And that's the great thing about live performances, you take people on a journey. It doesn't have to be like something else they've heard. It's not supposed to be". DownBeat, April, 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

Thu 28: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 28: Gateshead Jazz Appreciation Society @ Gateshead Central Library, Gateshead. 2:30pm.
Thu 28: Richard Herdman Quartet @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 28: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Guests: Josh Bentham (alto sax); Alan Marshall (tenor sax); Neil Brodie (trumpet); Adrian Beadnell (bass); Graham Thompson (keys); Steve Hunter (drums).

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.

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.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Reis Demuth Wiltgen @ The Recital Room. October 15

 Michel Reis (piano), Marc Demuth (double bass) & Paul Wiltgen (drums) + Taube: Jamie Stockbridge (alto saxophone), Mike Parr-Burman (guitar) & Adam Stapleford (drums)
(Review by Russell/ Photos by Ken Drew.)
A piano trio led by Michel Reis or three musicians collaborating as equals? Reis, double bassist Marc Demuth (double bass) and drummer Paul Wiltgen contribute compositions to recording projects and their in-concert performances are all about
the collective, collaborative experience. 
The Luxembourgian three are schooled musicians; early years classical training, jazz competition entrants and college graduates (variously Luxembourg, Holland and America) and a globe-trotting schedule from their American (Big Apple) and European bases. The Recital Room in the music department of Newcastle University hosted the first north east appearance of the trio. The dedicated few turned out on the night the England football team’s World Cup qualifying hopes were played out on free-to-air television. Pianist Reis had the good fortune to have one of the department’s Steinways at his disposal. He made good use of it. Technique in abundance, allied to a clear ‘conception’ as the Americans would say, Reis’ approach was that heard in many a contemporary jazz piano trio; repetition, gradual development of motif, swing invoked sparingly. Melodic and percussive, the trio’s telepathic understanding clearly evident, a cinematic feel swept through several new compositions – No Stone Left Unturned to Marc Demuth’s Straight Circle – offering space for group improvisation. Bassist Demuth stood between Reis and Wiltgen regulating the pulse, to his left, Wiltgen’s drumming was of the highest order – tight, compact, blistering left hand no more than an inch above the snare all night. CD sales were many, the trio deserving of a higher profile in Britain. A festival appearance would do the trick – Sage Gateshead perhaps?

Earlier, three Newcastle University music students played for thirty five minutes (one through-composed piece) holding the attention of Jazz North East regulars. The opening salvo thrilled (Chris Sharkey would have approved!). Guitarist Mike Parr-Burman, playing a beautiful Gibson, went on the attack, for all of a couple of bars before settling into a groove, churning-out big chords, loud chords. Altoist Jamie Stockbridge bided his time, seeking an opening. He blew hard, he blew short phrases, battling to be heard. His Zorn-like brevity could, perhaps, have been adopted by the trio. Several shorter, varied pieces could have further showcased their undoubted talents. Drummer Adam Stapleford, a listening drummer, worked well with his fellow students and they are sure to be seen - and heard - on the scene in future. Watch out for the name – Taupe (not Taube!).      
Photos by Ken Drew.           
Russell

3 comments :

Anonymous said...

Great review of a really interesting night - but weren't they called Taupe, not Taube?

Russell said...

I've just picked up on the typo. You're right Taupe. I'll ask the BSH editor to amend the text.

Lance said...

It will be done!

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