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Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 2024).

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

17630 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 904 of them this year alone and, so far, 49 this month (Dec. 20).

From This Moment On ...

December

Tue 24: Lindsay Hannon & Mark Williams @ Ernest, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 11:00am-1:00pm. Free.
Tue 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.

Wed 25: Wot? No jazz!

Thu 26: The Boneshakers @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. The 17th annual Boneshakers’ Shindig.

Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free. Business as usual!.
Fri 27: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 27: Michael Woods @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sat 28: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 11:30am. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 28: Fri 20: Castillo Nuevo @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 28: Jude Murphy, Rich Herdman & Giles Strong @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Stepney Bank, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

Sun 29: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 29: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 30: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

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

Monday, February 13, 2017

Madwort Sax Quartet + Noize Choir @ The Bridge, Newcastle February 12

Madwort Sax Quartet Tom Ward (alto sax); Chris Williams (alto & soprano saxes); Mark Hanslip (tenor sax); Cath Roberts (baritone sax) 
(Review by By Steve H/Photos courtesy of Ken Drew). 
Saxophone quartets don’t come round very often so it was no surprise to see a large audience assembled at The Bridge on Sunday night. The structure allows the interplay between the ranges of saxophone – baritone, tenor, alto and soprano to provide a fascinating rhythmic and harmonic canvas. 
All the compositions played on Sunday were written by bandleader Tom Ward although my favourite of the evening After Joshua  was actually based on a Joshua Redmond tune. The band tended to play solos over the top of a backing rhythm provided in the main by the fabulous Kath Roberts on the baritone. Every so often a solo would rise out of the general maelstrom to illuminate the auditorium. Chris Williams, a frequent visitor to Tyneside, excelled on both soprano and alto in this respect. Mark Hanslip, depping for Madwort regular Andrew Woolf, did a sterling job on the tenor.  
My only reservation about this very well received performance was that with 4 great saxophonists on stage I would have hoped for some serious pyrotechnics which never seemed to materialise, having said one of the more tender numbers  On the opening of a dwarf sunflower was also one of the most enjoyable.
Earlier in the evening local group The Noize Choir performed a highly entertaining set. The group use a full range of vocal effects including breathing, coughing, wailing and humming in conjunction with microphones to produce a series of evocative percussive pieces. They literally performed the coolest piece of live music I had ever seen – this took the form of each choir member consuming an ice lolly and transmitting the effects through their microphones. The last member to finish off their popsicle gargled a magnificent solo to complete the number. This memorable performance seemed to be thoroughly enjoyed by all present – eat your heart out Gareth Malone.  
Steve H.


4 comments :

Lance said...

And there was me, sitting at home listening to Stan Getz - sometimes you can win ' em all!

Diane J said...

Really terrific evening - loved both halves. Steve you forgot to mention the Noize Choir's surprising sounds of 11 (home-made by Lindsay) ice lollies being simultaneously sucked and chomped.

stevebfc said...

I did but it seemed to have got lost in the edit!
'They literally performed the coolest piece of live music I had ever seen – this took the form of each choir member consuming an ice lolly and transmitting the effects through their microphones. The last member to finish off their popsicle gargled a magnificent solo to complete the number.'

Lance said...

Sorry Diane/Steve. Not sure what happened but it is now corrected and thank you both for drawing my attention to it.

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