Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 2026)

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

18799 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 663 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 12) 32.

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

From This Moment On

August

Thu 13: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 13: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 13: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free. CANCELLED! Back on Aug. 27.
Thu 13: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: John Settle Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. John Settle (vibes); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 14: Bold Big Band @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00 + bf.

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

Sun 16: Vintage Explosion @ Cliffe Park, Roker, Sunderland SR6 8DB. 5:00-10:30pm. £44.00 (inc. bf).

Mon 17: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thursday, December 14, 2017

CD Review: Andrew Bain - Embodied Hope.

Andrew Bain (drums); George Colligan (piano); John Irabagon (tenor); Michael Janisch (bass).
(Review by Lance).
Sometimes, reading the blurb of an album can fill you full of enthusiasm for the disc, which of course is the whole idea, only to find yourself disappointed after you've cranked up the machine. Conversely, reading the notes can also act as a deterrent. For me, such was the case here.  A concept which seeks to link improvisation with the increasingly topical issues of human rights didn't get me over excited and it was only after one of those nice chaps at Whirlwind suggested I might actually like it that, with some trepidation,  I duly listened. That trepidation was soon cast aside as the record began spinning.
This could have been Herbie Hancock on Blue Note. Funky piano, paint-stripping tenor from Irabagon, sound bass (as ever) from Janisch and amazing drumming from Andrew Bain who also composed all 8 tracks of what he describes as an episodic suite.
Four men converging on a central point via different routes. Colligan maybe takes the scenic route in an old but much cherished Morris Minor, Janisch walks at a leisurely pace as bassmen do. Irabagon storms down the M6 leaving a trail of carnage behind him whilst Bain drives a bulldozer with a Formula One engine.
They all arrive on time.
Lance.
Listen/Buy (Learn more!)

2 comments :

S Tulip said...

Incidentally, a tutor at Birmingham Conservatoire and host of the Cheltenham Jazz Festival Jam Sessions at some posh hotel where you can mix with Soweto Kinch, Gregory Porter and the like.

Russell said...

'Faces'Bain played a brilliant gig with Paul Booth at the Corner House a few years ago.

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