Bebop Spoken There

Joe Alterman: ''All I wanted to do growing up was to sound like Erroll Garner playing "Poor Butterfly." I thought that was the coolest sound I'd ever heard.'' (DownBeat November, 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

19,105 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 969 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Nov. 14) 39.

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

November

Sun 15: Lianne Carroll: Jazz Vocal Weekend Workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 9:30am-5:00pm. Day 2/2. SOLD OUT!
Sun 15: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 15: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ The Waiting Room, Eaglescliffe. 7:00pm. £48.18 (to include dinner); £17.43 (concert only).
Sun 15: Sarah Gillespie & Chris Montague @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £18.00.
Sun 15: Liane Carroll @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £14.00., £12.00., £7.00. Solo performance. SOLD OUT!

Mon 16: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 17: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Jacob Egglestone, Paul Grainger, Joe Deans.
Tue 17: Grammy Season (Laubrock/Seabrook/Lovato/Rainey) @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 8:00pm. JNE.

Wed 18: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 18: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 18: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 19: Papa G’s Troves @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free (donations).
Thu 19: Marina Josephina @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £10.60; £10.60.; £8.50 Early Bird.

Fri 20: Zoë Gilby & Andy Champion: The Music of Duke Ellington @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: Customs House Big Band @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm.

Sat 21: Pete Tanton Duo @ Awesome Frank’s, West Jesmond Metro Station, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £8.00.
Sat 21: Paul Skerritt Big Band @ The Westovian Theatre, South Shields. 7:30pm. £18.00.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Musivate Predicts the Ukulele Could Transform the Face of Corporate Team Building

Music may factor in very few board meetings but it could be a new and crucial ingredient to corporate success according to one teacher who is setting out to change the face of team building forever.
Ukulele teacher, Lorraine Bow has taught several thousand people to play the Hawaiian instrument, including TV presenters Ant and Dec. She founded Musivate to bring people together through music, reasoning that those who make music together cannot be enemies.
Ms Bow said, “Team building as a concept is an incredible tool for managers and stakeholders looking to motivate staff, build closer bonds between colleagues and increase collaboration, productivity and ultimately profitability. But, many CEOs and employees alike feel a sense of dread at the very mention of the word.”
Musivate’s use of the Uke to bring corporate teams together is totally unique. Already finding favour with household names like Google, Comic Relief and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, Musivate is helping brands around the country realise that there is a new, more modern face to team building.
“We’re determined to challenge the outdated notions of team building and have created a truly enjoyable, proven method of building teams using the Uke – it is a novel approach and a marked departure from traditional exercises but the results are genuinely exceptional,” added Bow. “Learning to play an instrument such as the Ukulele is fun and inclusive. It’s a really enjoyable way to spend time and engages participants like few other forms of team building do.”
Easier than most instruments to learn, Ukulele team building participants can be making music together in one hour, giving an immediate return and sense of achievement. The skills learned relate back to the work environment and can help create a more sharing culture of enjoyment that also performs a purpose.
The string instrument actually disguises a range of team building powers. In each Musivate session, the use of the Ukulele means that participants have to listen to each other and work together. The act of music learning also stimulates creativity and can help to break down barriers. By the end of the session, participants are able to play at least one song and can receive a music video to keep the community and team spirit alive long after the event itself.
Musivate have also turned their concept into conference icebreakers and refreshers. Acting as an unexpected and fun way to break up the day, a Ukulele icebreaker or refresher can keep delegates on their toes between presentations and key note speeches, ensuring everyone is involved and paying attention to get the most from the day.
Ms Bow said, “It's always difficult for conference organisers and event managers to keep the attention of their audience and ensure that delegates are absorbing and retaining information. Musivate helps out with a short burst of musical activity that can serve to break the ice with new colleagues or distant colleagues, banishing awkward small talk from the day. The change of pace can also reenergize attendees and help them to refocus so they get more from the main event.”
To find out more, visit http://www.musivate.com

2 comments :

Anonymous said...

So Lance,
when can our team of writers on this blog begin our ukelele lessons for team building, or would you prefer us to use banjos?

Lance said...

Banjos at dawn on the Town Moor.

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