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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17719 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 39 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Jan. 15).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio w. Graham Hardy @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. (inc. a welcome drink & table reservation). Book at: www.drinks@thepele.co.uk. A ‘Jazz at the Pele’ promotion.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick TD15 1AS. 7:30pm. Free. Album launch gig.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

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

Thursday, June 23, 2016

CD Review: Mike Jones Trio - Roaring.

Mike Jones (pno); Katie Theroux (bs); Matt Witek (dms)
(Review by Lance).
Yesterday it was 19 discs, today it's 21! Seems like everyone and their grandmother has a CD begging to be heard.
Volunteer reviewers are still required by BSH. No pay but flexible hours and you get to keep the CD whether you like it or not! Having said that, this one is mine and if you want it, flash the cash! 
Mike Jones' previous release - Mike Jones Plays With Others -  was one of my favourite discs of 2013 and this one is up there with it. Don't let the description 'A swinging recasting of 1920's standards' delude you into thinking this is some honkytonky, Charleston bash - far from it!
If your piano idols  include Oscar Peterson and Errol Garner - particularly Garner - then this disc is for you. Sure the tunes are from the pre-prohibition days but the renditions are post 52nd St.,  and, as relevant today as they ever were, - after being given the Jones Trio's treatment.
Yes Sir, That's My Baby - cool laconic and laid back.
If I Had You - Jones, a king uncrowned.
I'll See You in Cuba - a lesser known Irving Berlin tune takes us to Havana.
Home - swingy, medium plus groove. A great tune made even greater!
Mean to Me - one of the era's classic tunes. A fantastic block chord solo. Jones takes the song apart without losing direction. Thiroux brilliant on bass - as she is throughout!
I Found a New Baby - lifts the old Dixie classic to a new level.
Me and My Shadow - swinging like a well-oiled gate.
What'll I Do? - More Berlin and a delightfully reflective solo take.
I Can't Believe That You're in Love With me - another swinger with Witek featured.
Am I Blue? -  It's not a blues but Jones puts enough 'blue notes' into the song to convince you otherwise! Just perfect!
Make a note for Down Beat Poll time - Piano: MIKE JONES. Small Group: MIKE JONES TRIO.
And if there's a section for CD Artwork then DAVID SILVERMAN's The Man!
Lance.
Available July 16 on Capri Records.

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