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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!

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

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

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

CD Review: Andy Milne and Dapp Theory – Forward in All Directions

Andy Milne (piano, prepared piano, Fender Rhodes and synths), Aaron Kruziki (soprano and alto saxophones, clarinet, bass clarinet and douduk), John Moon (vocal poetics), Christopher Tordini (acoustic and electric bass), Kenny Grohowski (drums and percussion).
(Review by Hugh Cochrane).
This is Andy Milne's first recording for Whirlwind Recordings. It is Dapp Theory's third release and features guest performances from Ben Monder (guitar), and Jean Baylor and Gretchen Parlato (vocals).
Dapp Theory was formed by Milne in 1998 to “tell passionate stories, promote peace and inspire collective responsibility towards uplifting the human spiritual condition”. The music seeks to explore the truths that exist in universal wisdom, while creatively expressing life’s journeys.
Forward in All Directions chronicles the journey Dapp Theory has taken in its 15 years.
There is certainly a good jazz groove running through this album and Milne and his fellow musicians delight in exploring other creative influences including Appalachian folk, traditional Armenian, heavy metal, funk, hip-hop, pop and classical music.
The CD comes in at just over an hour and consists of ten tracks, each individual in their own way. Photographs, Hopscotch Search Party, Katharsis; are overlain with the spoken “vocal poetics” of John Moon. I personally can take or leave this rap-style addition, but the music's good. The scat vocals of Jean Mondor on Katharsis are a delight, however.
In the Mirror, Darkly, Nice to Meet You, The Trust, How and When versus What, Fourteen Fingers and Headache in Residence are, by contrast, purely instrumental tracks amply demonstrating the musicianship of Andy Milne on keys, Aaron Kruziki on reeds (including douduk), Chrisopher Tordini on bass and Kenny Grohowski on drums and percussion. Ben Monder adds atmospheric guitar on Search Party, How and When versus What and Headache in Residence.
On one level I can appreciate the supreme musicianship demonstrated on this recording. The sleeve notes indicate that this album has been at least nine years in gestation. The product is sold as something on an altogether higher plane – which, I regret, completely passes me by! One cannot however doubt the sincerity and dedication of Milne and other contributors to this project, which has been funded, in part, by a Kickstarter campaign .
The final words are Andy Milne's:
It's a milestone, a celebration, and a reflection of the changing times for artists. My life as an artist, entrepreneur and educator requires me to move in all directions at all times and I derive joy in meeting this challenge.”
Forward in All Directions is released by Whirlwind Recordings in the UK on September 8. Catalogue No. WR4660.
Hugh C.

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