Bebop Spoken There

Dominick "Domo" Branch: ''Most people say drummers can't write, they're just time-keepers only beating on things. But I have a very musical brain.'' (DownBeat February, 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

18288 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 142 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 14), 42

From This Moment On ...

February

Sun 22: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 22: Joe Steels Group @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Sun 22: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Harben Kay Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: Joe Steels Group @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Finn-Keeble Group @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00.
Tue 24: Liam Oliver & Shayo Oshodi @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 25: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 25: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 25: Geordie Jazz Jam @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Newcastle University jam session. All welcome.
Wed 25: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 26: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £6.50.
Thu 26: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00 adv.
Thu 26: Mick Cantwell Band @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Blues.

Fri 27: Joe Steels Group @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT! A Blue Patch album tour.
Fri 27: Alan Barnes w. Mick Shoulder Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Trio: Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 27: Radio Hito + Eddie Prévost, Silvain Schmid & Tom Wheatley @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £12.22., £10.10., £8.00.
Fri 27: Giacomo Smith w Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.
Fri 27: Alan Barnes w. Mick Shoulder Trio @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £15.00. Trio: Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).

Sat 28: Boys of Brass @ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R&B Allstars @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. Free.

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, March 06, 2014

CD Review: Emil de Waal+Gustaf Ljunggren; Søren Kjærgaard featuring Elith ”Nulle” Nykjær.

Emil de Waal (dms); Gustaf Ljunggren (gtr/ten); Søren Kjærgaard (pno); Elith ”Nulle” Nykjær (clt).
I have to confess that Scandinavian jazz hasn't, in recent years, always grabbed me. However, when my Danish contact Jesper - a man whose judgement I respect - waxes eloquent I take note - Lance.
Sometimes there is music that just takes one by surprise. And then suddenly you discover that you are not the only one who is taken in by these vibes, the spirit and sound of this recording. It even sounds too traditional to be true. Usually I wouldn’t see myself sitting here getting ready to send you this recording. But What Emil de Waal+ Gustaf Ljunggren and Søren Kjærgaard feat. Elith "Nulle" Nykjær did with ”Danish Jazz Album of the Year” 2013 is astonishing. Here We get so much jazz that they even play some of jazz's greatest compositions. Charles Mingus' "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" and a medley of Ellington's "Such Sweet Thunder", "Purple Gazelle" and ”Very Special”. Stirred up with own compositions this is a 9 track travel into the pure enjoyment of music.
Emil de Waal + choose to ride in a musical track that does not exist. It is a recommended album for those who like music. It has just been awarded “Danish Jazz Album” of 2013 and is among most Danish critics “best of...” in 2013.
I hope you will embrace the music. Music that is so joyful is grounded in the spirit and tradition of what Danish jazz and its legacy is.
Jesper.
I've listened, took note and totally concur with the above. It's traditional and yet it's modern. This is no piss take but a sincere show of respect for the past and also a realisation that the past can also be the present and even the future.
Lance.
Emil de Waal+Gustaf Ljunggren; Søren Kjærgaard featuring Elith ”Nulle” Nykjær is available on itunes and Spotify.

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