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Bebop Spoken There

Van Morrison: ''Basically, I'm coming from jazz. Not pop, not rock, not what's commercial. That's where I started, and that's still where I am. I feel the same as I did when I was listening to Louis Armstrong, Lead Belly, Jelly Roll Morton''. (The Northern Echo, 12 June 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

1803759 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 480 of them this year alone and, so far, 58 this month (June 18).

From This Moment On ...

JUNE 2025

Thu 19: Gareth John & the SOS Big Band @ The Forum Music Centre, Darlington. 7:00pm. £25.00. CANCELLED!

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: David Gray's Flextet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 20: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. £21.50. ‘Time After Time’.
Fri 20: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm.
Fri 20: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. Superb Chicago blues band.

Sat 21: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Red Kites Jazz @ Staithes Café, Dunston. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 22: Phoenix 4 @ Wallington, Northumberland. 12 noon-1:00pm & 2:00-3:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington, Northumberland. 1:00-2:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Jason Isaacs Trio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 4:00pm. £18.00. + £1.08 bf.
Sun 22: JazzMain @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: MSK Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00. at the door; £8.20. (inc £0.20 bf) online, in advance.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.

Tues 24: ???

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: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 25: The Magpies of Swing @ The Roxy, Leadgate, Co. Durham. 7:30pm. A Ginger Jitterbugs swing dance event, all welcome.

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

Saturday, March 14, 2015

CD Review: Benny Sharoni - Slant Signature

Benny Sharoni (ten); Jim Rotondi (tpt); Joe Barbato (pno); Mike Mele (gtr); Todd Baker (bs); Steve Langone (dms).
(Review by Lance)
Another absolute dream of an album from across the pond - Boston to be precise. Because of Berklee College, Boston could be said to be the breeding ground of jazz today just as New Orleans was at the turn of the century although, in actual fact, Sharoni only hung around the college for one semester - too free spirited, he said, to thrive while there.
This/these guy(s) deserve to be internationally renowned but, sadly, without sites such as this and others around the world, the chances are probably slight.
Sharoni has a Rollins' sound, albeit not quite as abrasive, that enables him to wander back and forward in time. It's bebop for today and it swings enough to repel any boarders from "The Outside".
Think Blue Note - it's no coincidence that, among Sharoni's originals are Freddie Hubbard's Down Under; Leo Morgan's Ceora (sumptuous, like strawberries and cream on a summer's day) and Ray Bryant's Tonk a number that launches Rotondi into a solo that hits the button without losing its lyricism. Needless to say Barbato and Sharoni are in there pitching.
Listening to the originals, and they really are originals, makes me wonder why they aren't playing festivals and clubs all over the world!
My worthy constituent Russell informs me that The Bodega, a bar  in Newcastle, serves the finest pint of Prince Bishop Ale in town. By coincidence, one of Sharoni's compositions is titled The Bodega! and, take it from me that if the beer is as good as this track, then it will indeed be Nectar +!
Lance.
As a matter of interest - particularly to sax players - the title of the CD Slant Signature relates to a much sort after Otto Link hard rubber mouthpiece from the 1940s which, if you can find one, might set you back a $1000. Sharoni got one for 10 bucks off a street vendor on Cape Cod!

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