Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

March

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Monday, June 15, 2015

CD Review: Aimée Allen - Matter of Time.

Aimée Allen – vocal, Romero Lubambo – guitar, Toru Dodo –piano & Fender Rhodes, Francois Moutin - bass, Jacob Melchior – drums, Scott Ritchie – bass .
(Review by Debra M)
‘Matter of Time’ is New York chanteuse Aimée Allen’s fourth CD, and brings together her Latin-steeped repertoire of jazz standards with some original compositions.  She collaborated with some fine musicians in this project, including Brazilian guitar maestro Romero Lubambo , who has previously recorded with artists such as Dianne Reeves, Astrud Gilberto,  & Al Jarreau.  He  features in the  title track & in 3 duets, notably Jobim’s ‘Corcovado’.  
The strongest original piece is ‘Soul Cargo’,  a grooving waltz  inspired  by Allen’s travels,  featuring Francois Moutin on bass, and with hand percussion from Melchior.  Standards are given fresh treatment, with a pared down & lively rendition of ‘Close Your Eyes’,  where Allen is accompanied  by outstanding  double bass,  & great brushwork from Melchior .  Moutin again features initially as sole backing for the vocal in Rogers & Harts’ ‘My Romance’, delivered assuredly in 5/4. In a more traditional interpretation, the singer & piano trio led by Toru Dodo really get swinging on ‘Out of Nowhere’.  Allen’s warm, supple & relaxed vocals are well suited to the variety of material, & with the help of some great musicians, she has made a fine album.  
Debra M.

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