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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

18037 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 458 of them this year alone and, so far, 36 this month (June 11).

From This Moment On ...

JUNE 2025

Sun 15: Lewis Watson Quartet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 15: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:00pm.
Sun 15: Under the Wellie @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 15: Hannah Brine Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 16: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.
Mon 16: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 17: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 18: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 18: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:30pm. Free. Concert performance (open to the public)..
Wed 18: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

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

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’.br/> 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.

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, August 13, 2016

CD Review: Masumi Ormandy - Sunshine in Manhattan

Masumi Ormandy (vcl); Lee Tomboulian (pno/arr); Dean Johnson (bs); Tim Horner (dms) + Paul Meyers (gtr); Houston Person (ten); Freddie Hendrix (tpt); Sara Caswell (vln).
(Review by Lance).
Masumi Ormandy had a dream, a dream that one day she'd record a jazz album. It didn't happen overnight, in fact, Ormandy was 77 before her dreams came to fruition. Prior to Sunshine in Manhattan, the Tokyo born singer taught English at her Pacific Language School. When her passion for jazz singing surfaced she moved from Tokyo to New York and studied with Roseanna Vitro, an esteemed clinician, performer, recording artist, and vocal instructor with 12 albums of her own including a Grammy Nomination.

After 3 months of study, Vitro decided the time was ripe for Masumi to record an album. Her mentor set up the musicians - a dream team with tenor legend Houston Person providing some gutsy solos, Freddie Hendrix blowing some Armstrong inspired licks and Tomboulian chipping in with the arrangements as well as some exemplary piano playing.
Ormandy sings well - not just for a 77-year-old but for an any year old!  Which brings me to the album cover. The photo was either taken 50 years ago or she's related to Dorian Gray!
It's easy listening and I say that without any derogatory connotations. Ormandy's got an appealing voice and it's good to hear Houston Person.
No great surprises amongst the repertoire.
On the Sunny Side of the Street; It Had to be You; They Can't Take That Away From Me; I'll Be Seeing You; Autumn Leaves; Misty; Blue Skies; As Time Goes by; Summertime (natch!) and My Way
Lance.
Available Sept. 12 on Miles High Records.

5 comments :

ElizabethT said...

Thanks, Lance! I would suggest that the treatment of "My Way" qualifies as a surprise in the repertoire. :-)

Lance said...

Certainly does Elizabeth. It's perhaps my least favourite Sinatra number and yet, Masumi does draw something out of it. Perhaps she DID do it her way! The violin helps to make this interesting - As you say, Elizabeth T, a surprise.

Roseanna V said...

Thank you for your review of Masumi's first album. I'd like to note, the cover photo was taken a couple of months ago by John Abbott. John knows how to use lighting for the best images but Masumi really looks and acts 30 years younger than her age. I think it's a testament to good Japanese genes, a healthy diet and doing what you love. She was an inspiration to work with and super fun to produce. Thanks again, so glad you liked the music. Roseanna V

Holly Cooper said...

Thank you, Lance, for this terrific review! Will spread the word now!

David Owen said...

The album opens with "They Can't Take That Away", which is apt given that Masumi has held on to the dream of releasing a jazz album for all her life.
She delivers a delightful and laid back album, which I find I can listen to over and over again.
The standout tracks, in addition to the one already mentioned are "Misty," "It had To Be You" because I love the acoustic guitar which features throughout and "Blue Skies."
A fantastic realisation of a long held dream and dreamy vocals which force you to stop and just listen and relax.

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