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Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 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

17630 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 904 of them this year alone and, so far, 49 this month (Dec. 20).

From This Moment On ...

December

Tue 24: Lindsay Hannon & Mark Williams @ Ernest, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 11:00am-1:00pm. Free.
Tue 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.

Wed 25: Wot? No jazz!

Thu 26: The Boneshakers @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. The 17th annual Boneshakers’ Shindig.

Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free. Business as usual!.
Fri 27: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 27: Michael Woods @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sat 28: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 11:30am. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 28: Fri 20: Castillo Nuevo @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 28: Jude Murphy, Rich Herdman & Giles Strong @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Stepney Bank, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

Sun 29: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 29: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 30: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

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

Friday, May 02, 2014

CD Review: Holly Hofmann - LOW LIFE The Alto Flute Project

Holly Hofmann (alto flute); Mike Wofford (piano); John Clayton (bass); Jeff Hamilton (drums) + Anthony Wilson (guitar on  4 tracks). (Review by Lance.)
I think I'm correct in saying that this is the first album I've heard where alto flute is featured exclusively. Not an easy task. The alto flute - like the bass clarinet - isn't an instrument for grandiose flourishes. It has to be nurtured, coaxed, almost made love to to release its full potential. That Holly Hofmann succeeds is perhaps not surprising given her mastery of the standard concert flute.
That mastery is transferred to her alto fluting - the sound is full and satisfying without any subterranean excesses. Each note and phrase carefully chosen and perfectly executed. Hofmann says, "I love that this is something people can put on for a long drive, or while they make dinner, and it still holds up as a jazz album." Don't kid yourself into thinking this is some kind of jazzy elevator music - far from it! This is as jazzy an album as any going the rounds. Choicest of material - originals by Metheny, Mulgrew Miller, John Clayton (one a tribute to the late Cedar Walton), Holly herself, John Williams, guitarist Wilson who impresses on 4 of the tracks, a jazz waltz by Ben Schachter and a moving flute/piano duet on The Very Thought of You. Pianist Wofford also happens to be married to Hofmann which perhaps contributes to the obvious empathy between the couple.
Clayton and Hamilton, away from their big band, combine with Wofford to form a dream rhythm section.
This arrived about an hour ago and from the first bar I just couldn't wait to start writing!
My apologies for jumping the queue with this one but, once you've heard it, you'll understand!
Holly Hofmann - LOW LIFE The Alto Flute Project is scheduled for release on May 20 by Capri Records.
Lance. 

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