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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 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

17945 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 266 of them this year alone and, so far, 22 this month (April 8).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Sat 12: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 12: Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra + House of the Black Gardenia + King Bees @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 6:30pm (doors). £18.00.
Sat 12: Bright Street Big Band @ Washington Arts Centre. 6:30pm. £12.00. Event includes swing dance taster session, DJ dance session. Bright Street Big Band on stage 7:30-8:15pm & 8:45-9:30pm. SOLD OUT!
Sat 12: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 12: Imelda May @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. £42.20. SOLD OUT!
Sat 12: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 13: Daniel John Martin with Swing Manouche @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00.
Sun 13: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 13: Hejira: A Celebration of Joni Mitchell @ Wylam Brewery, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:00pm doors). £22.50.
Sun 13: Wilkinson/Edwards/Noble + Chojnacki @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £13.20., £11.00. JNE.

Mon 14: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 14: Zoë Gilby Quintet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Only Six Standards.
Thu 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 18: Alexia Gardner @ Fika Gallery, Oldgate, Morpeth NE61 1LT. 7:00pm. Trio (Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy).
Fri 18: Sarah Jane Morris & Tony Remy: The Sisterhood @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00.

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

Thursday, September 15, 2016

CD Review: Jimmy O'Connell Sixtet – Arrhythmia

Jimmy O'Connell – trombone; Andrew Gould - alto and soprano sax; Tim Basom – guitar; Tuomo Uusitalo – piano; Peter Slavov – bass; Jimmy MacBride (drums).
(Review by Hugh)
Jimmy O'Connell moved to New York City from his native Detroit in 2009.  Since that time he has become firmly established as an in-demand trombonist on the scene, sharing the stage with the likes of Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, Paquito D'Rivera and Randy Brecker.  O'Connell has assembled the “Sixtet” from among those who have made a big impact on him, both as a musician and a person.
Arrhythmia, O’Connell’s debut recording, brings together the many influences experienced during his sojourn in NYC.  The opening track, O'Connell's take on trombonist JJ Johnson's Lament, contains lyrical solos from each of the musicians, gently supported by their colleagues.  This approach is maintained throughout the album, O'Connell allowing sufficient space for each constituent musician to solo, but in the context of the musical development of each track.  

Although a studio recording, it has a distinct “live” feel - as I listened, I heard imaginary audience applause after each solo. 
Gray Matter, the first of O'Connell's own compositions, commences with a bass ostinato, setting a framework for each of the soloists to improvise over.  Cedar Walton's Bolivia follows on, maintaining the pace set by the two previous tracks.
The title track, Arrythmia (apparently so named after O'Connell's lifelong heart condition), starts with a bass solo from Peter Slavov, the other instruments joining in sequentially – the bass line forming the “heartbeat” of the piece.  Arrhythmia is slightly less frenetic than the preceding tracks and a bit more laid back.  The class musicianship of this sextet, particularly evident here, is present throughout the album.  This is the longest track coming in at just over nine and one half minutes.
In the Wee Small Hours (David Mann) is the only other “standard” on the album, all the other items being original O'Connell compositions.  This ballad gives musicians and listener a well-earned rest before the pace hots up again with the playfully swinging Millie (named after O'Connell's dog). 
Crayons (the only writing implement available to O'Connell when he finally had the tune he wanted!) follows next. 
Solidarity was originally composed as a closer for the live set, a groove over which O'Connell would speak to the audience, but he liked playing it so much he stuck it at the end of the album too - no talking on this one – but my review copy gave up half way through this track and all I heard was a set of clicks from then on... (a quick clean sorted that).

When presented with CDs to review by BSH, I find they generally fall into one of three categories:  thoroughly enjoy on first listening; unsure on first listening, but the music grows on you, not over-impressed on first or subsequent listening – Arrythmia resoundingly falls in to the first of these categories.  This album is a cracking debut and a pleasure to listen too.  All the members of the sextet achieve a beautiful tone on their individual instruments (yes even the drums – drum solos are muted, but exquisite!).

Arrythmia is out now, released by Outside in Music as a digital download or limited edition (300) CD. 
http://outsideinmusic.bandcamp.com/album/arrhythmia

Hugh.

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