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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

17655 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 929 of them this year alone and, so far, 74 this month (Dec. 31).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Tue 07: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 7:00pm. Free.

Wed 08: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 08: The Tannery Jam Session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 08: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 08: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Thu 09: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: John H Hammond.
Thu 09: FILM: Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 2:35pm. Documentary (dir. Johan Grimonprez) ‘about jazz, (de)colonial history and activism featuring Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone and Dizzy Gillespie’.
Thu 09: Happy Tuesdays @ Ye Olde Cross, Ryton. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 09: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. Ragtime piano. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 09: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. A Tees Hot Club promotion. The session now monthly, next one Thursday 2nd Feb, then first Thursday in the month thereafter.

Fri 10: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 10: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 10: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 11: Jason Isaacs @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 11: Under the Wellie @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 12: The New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 12: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 12: King Bees @ The Tyne Bar, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. Superb Chicago blues band.
Sun 12: Dave Bottomley @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar.
Sun 12: Jack Pearce Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 13: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 13: Raymond MacDonald & Andy Champion @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00.

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, July 30, 2016

Paul Edis Sextet @ Ushaw College - July 29

Paul Edis (Piano); Graham Hardy (Trumpet, Flugel); Graeme Wilson (Tenor, Flute, Baritone); Chris Hibbard (Trombone); Mick Shoulder (Bass); Adam Sinclair (Drums).
(Review by Steve T).
My mission, which I chose to accept, is to complete this review without the need to Read More.
Tangle Foot (four bottles), the splendour of Ushaw College, Lord Paul, another five of the hottest musicians from Edinburgh to Darlo and a little over thirty keen Jazz souls spread across all tables, which isn't half bad for mid-summer.
The Timothys to the delight of the four Early Birds there, Adam clattering his kit like I don't think I've heard him before. 
Cluster Fluster and I hear Duke and Mingus but its writer hears Gil Evans. For formal composition, are there three better in the Jazz idiom?
Ravelations, get it? Ravel, Debussy! Via Trane, a hint of Favourite Things during a splendid tenor solo, already rich with Trane, and McCoy Edis responds.
Inevitably, more Mingus influence on Ah Hum which Paul cites as one of his best albums, but to these ears, it's the best Jazz album I know that isn't by Miles.
Some more Mingus in Paul’s sketch of Spain, Knight Errant, mixed seamlessly with influences from Miles and Gil Evans, Chick Corea and more Ravel.
Angular, Administrate This featuring, I think, the most powerful muted horn playing I've ever heard. Graham’s mute and particularly Chris' trombone are crucial in bringing the Mingus sound to the sextet; for me the most under-rated of all the Jazz giants.
Mr Hipster, Eastern and I could barely keep it together for Missing You so I don't know how Lady Kate, for whom it was written, managed.
Lost in Translation sounds like classic American TV cop show and left me suspicious that part of Pauls' secret is he's ambidextrous.
Blues for Dad proved an excellent finale, Micks' sumptuous bass solo taking possibly the strongest applause of the night, Adam still on all cylinders and a great head from the assembled horns.
Incredible I thought during the gig, not just one but two musicians on stage - well, carpet - who can play their own music exclusively, which can compare favourably with anything coming out of the UK or Europe.
Did I make it? I blew it didn't I!
Steve T.

1 comment :

Hugh said...

Read more?
Yes, a joy to read though, Steve.

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