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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

17805 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 126 of them this year alone and, so far, 51 this month (Feb.16).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mark Williams Trio @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 23: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Mu Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. CANCELLED!
Sun 23: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 25: ?

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Jamie McCredie @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free. THIS WEEK ONLY JAMES BIRKETT (guitar)!
Fri 28: Luis Verde Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Knats @ Lubber Fiend, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £11.50. (inc bf.). Album launch gig. Support act TBC.
Fri 28: Black is the Color of My Voice @ The Gala, Durham. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman show inspired by the life of Nina Simone, performed by Florence Odumosu.
Fri 28: Great North Big Band Jazz Festival: Musicians Unlimited @ Park View Community Centre, Chester-le-Street. 8:00pm. £10.00. (Weekend ticket £20.00., available on the door). Day 1/3. Musicians Unlimited in concert.
Fri 28: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

MARCH 2025

Sat 01: Great North Big Band Jazz Festival @ Park View Community Centre, Chester-le-Street. 11:00am. £15.00. Day 2/3.
Sat 01: TJ Johnson Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 01: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £25.00. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. Get your funk on! Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 01: Shunyata Improvisation Group @ The Watch House, Cullercoats. 2:00-3:30pm. Free.
Sat 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers. Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free.
Sat 01: Struggle Buggy @ The Peacock, Sunderland. 6:00pm. Blues band.
Sat 01: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 01: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.
Sat 01: Jack & Jay’s Vintage Songbook @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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

Thursday, November 07, 2013

CD Review: Odessa/Havana – Walk to the Sea

David Buchbinder (Trumpet; Flugelhorn); Hilario Duran (Piano) John Johnson(Clarinet, Tenor and Soprano Saxes, Alto Flute); Aleksandar Gajic (Violin, Viola); Roberto Occhipinti (Bass, Guitar (3)); Mark Kelso (Drums, Bata, Percussion); Michael Cohen (Vocal (2); Maryem Hassan Tollar (Vocals (3,5,9); Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo (Congas, Dumbeq, Bata, Chekere (1-3, 7-9); Jamey Haddad (Riq, Frame Drum, Dumbeq (3-6); Bassam Bishara ( Oud (3);  Demetrios Petsalakis ( Oud (5); Elmer Ferrer ( Tres (4).
(Review by Steve H.)
This album is an unlikely fusion of Jewish and Cuban traditions - a kind of Kosher Tapas one might say. The group is led by its two composers -  Canadian trumpeter David Buchbinder  and Cuban pianist Hilaro Duran.
A Klezmer style opening to the album Coffee Works soon embraces all the joys of the Latin oeuvre. Landrico is a  reworking by Duran of a traditional Spanish tune  where an unaccompanied vocal soon develops into a seriously good jazz number. Aventuria Judea is a highly enjoyable lively Latin number with a fine tenor solo from Johnson and some adventurous ensemble playing. Laroza Una  has a spiritual feel to it with superb vocals by Maryem Hassan Tollar .
The title track Walk to the Sea is a cracking trumpet led number with both the Klezmer and Latin influences apparent throughout. Another vocal number La Rosa Dos follows again sung with great feeling by Tollar. Valentin is a melodious trumpet led  ballad. The penultimate track Calliope is a romantic Latin swinging number and the album concludes with Conja an emotional vocal combines with uplifting beats and a great violin solo from Gajic leaves the listener on a high.
This album is a triumph:  a cocktail of genres encompassing Jazz,  Cuban and Judeo Spanish traditions. Think of  Chicken Soup for starters,  Paella for Main course and Flan De Cuba for dessert all accompanied by the odd Mojito or two.  It may seem like a gastronomic no-no but I assure you it is not only fulfilling but also absolutely delicious.
Steve H.

1 comment :

Anonymous said...

Another great review Steve H.

I feel the enthusiasm you have for music as i read this.
I particularly like your references to food and culture, and the coming together of the two.

Keep up the good work.

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