Total Pageviews

Bebop Spoken There

George Porter Jr.: ''To me, syncopation is like jazz. It wasn't meant for the masses. It was meant just for a hip few". (DownBeat, May 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

18043 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 364 of them this year alone and, so far, 42 this month (May 15).

From This Moment On ...

MAY 2025

Tue 20: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Stu Collingwood, Paul Grainger, Bailey Rudd.
Tue 20: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ Pleased to Meet You, Bridge St., Morpeth NE61 1ND. 8:00pm.

Wed 21: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 21: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public). b Wed 21: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 22: Nuevo Castillo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £5.00.
Thu 22: Anna Reay & Deon Krishnan @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:30-9:15pm. Free.
Thu 22: Pedal Point Trio @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 23: Dean Stockdale Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. ‘Celebrating Oscar’.
Fri 23: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 23: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 23: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 23: Anna Reay & Deon Krishnan @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free.
Fri 23: Joe Steels Group @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. + £1.55. bf. A Northumberland Jazz Festival fringe event.
Fri 23: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 23: Gaz Hughes Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm.
Fri 23: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Witham, Barnard Castle. 8:00pm. £19.00.; £17.00. ‘Time After Time’.

Sat 24: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:15pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 24: Tyne Valley Big Band @ Bywell Hall, Stocksfield. 1:30pm. Northumberland County Show.
Sat 24: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 24: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ The Peacock, Sunderland. 6:00pm.
Sat 24: Dean Stockdale Quartet + Mingus Sings @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:00pm. Admission: see website: www.queenshall.co.uk. Stockdale (piano); Tim Williams (guitar); Gavin Barras (double bass); Gaz Hughes (drums) + Mingus Sings: Sara Oschlag (vocals); Alan Barnes (reeds); Tim Lapthorn (piano); Arnie Somogyi (double bass); Clark Tracey (drums). A Northumberland Jazz Festival event.
Sat 24: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 24: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00.
Sat 24: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:00pm doors). £3.00. + bf.
Sat 24: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 25: Zoë Gilby & Andy Champion: Bandstand Sessions @ The Sele, Hexham. 12 noon. Free. A Northumberland Jazz Festival event.
Sun 25: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: Northern Monkey Brass Band @ Spanish City Plaza (outdoor stage). 1:00pm. Free. A Whitley Bay Carnival event.
Sun 25: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: Catriona Bourne Quartet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. Admission: see website: www.queenshall.co.uk. Bourne (harp), Francis Tulip (guitar), James Owston (double bass), Joe Bainbridge (drums). A Northumberland Jazz Festival event.
Sun 25: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: Struggle Buggy @ The Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. Blues.
Sun 25: Joe Steels Group + Norma Winstone (vocals); Nikki Iles (piano); Mike Walker (guitar); Steve Watts (double bass). 7:00pm. Admission: see website: www.queenshall.co.uk. Steels (guitar); Ferg Kilsby (trumpet, flugelhorn); Ben Lawrence (piano); Paul Susans (double bass); John Hirst (drums). A Northumberland Jazz Festival event.
Sun 25: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 25: Xhosa Cole/Neil Charles/Mark Sanders @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A JNE promotion. Note: Xhosa Cole replaces Nicole Mitchell.

Mon 26: Catriona Bourne Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00. at the door; £8.20. (inc £0.20 bf) online, in advance.
Mon 26: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

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

Tuesday, December 05, 2017

KAPOK @ Jazz Café - November 28

Morris Kliphuis (French Horn, cornet, synth), Timon Koomen (guitars), Remco Menting (percussion, vibraphone)
(Review/photos by Ken Drew) 
Kapok has an unusual line-up for a trio playing jazz. They have a principal line-up of French horn, guitar and drums, but with the addition of synth, vibraphone and second guitar.
The Dutch band are on a 5 venue tour of the UK, and Newcastle (JNE) was 4th on the tour. Formed in 2011 they soon established themselves as one of the most original and exciting live bands in the Netherlands the through their stylistic versatility.  Jazz is at the heart of everything they do, but their performances segue seamlessly through indie, metal, hip-hop and Americana.

Horn player Morris Kliphuis, guitarist Timon Koomen and drummer Remco Menting last year decided to change their sound. They felt that the chemistry between the trio worked well, so they didn’t add extra musicians but decided instead to add extra instruments. Menting acquired a vibraphone, Koomen brought in a baritone guitar and Kliphuis added synthesiser to his horn and cornet.  Having recently explored new approaches, they build around long mesmerising lines, unusual sound combinations, and the subtle use of electronics to broaden the palette – all of this and more being evident tonight.

The first set was a revelation to first-time listeners of the band, like myself. First tune had such a quiet introduction with perfect harmonies from each player, and a nice melody initially on guitar to introduce the piece, passing over to synth, then cornet (Kliphuis on both) using a subtle and perfectly placed FX (echo) to complete the picture.  All three weaving in and out of the melody, along with sound bytes and improvised segments, and Menting initially on vibes moved onto drums for a brief solo percussion part.  Kliphuis moving again from keys to cornet then onto French horn which took the lead. Then a breakout section - very rhythmic drumming increasing in intensity with guitar & synth not far behind and ending with Koomen’s solo. 30 minutes for the first piece! What an introduction by the band - full of dynamics, prepared riffs and melodies, and a fair sprinkling of improv too. 
Next a gentler piece but with more improvisation. French horn intro leading to guitar solo with a gentle accompaniment from Menting. Then a gentle duo section with French horn and guitar with percussion eventually making his presence known through the sounds of running water (shells on drums) - which were chillingly realistic!  French horn now prominent, using FX to produce a higher register 'organ pipe' sound but still to the underlying sound of running water.  Then with the French horn centre stage, becomes increasingly bluesy, leading to cornet and then Menting on vibes to close the piece. What a superb combination of sounds!

After a short interval came The Missing Link - an early piece which came together nicely in the bands early formation, and was recorded on their first album with a Dutch string quartet
A nice long tune with good interaction between French horn and guitar plus lively drums!   Then a change -  a tune with a groove!  Initially, a French horn solo (played with FX, reminding me of Dennis Rollins' lively t-bone sound, despite it coming from a French horn), adding guitar, then into an improvised section followed by guitar focussing on the groove to the end.

Then the third tune, with guitar introduction accompanied by vibes (bowed and struck) revealing a simple but effectively beguiling soundscape. Then in time, slowly fading back into the rhythmic introduction - with a jaunty tune on French horn. Nice!  And finally, the last piece Ho Hop - another enjoyable piece with a groove.  Rapturous applause led to an encore.  A fast-paced tune, lively & bouncy with main tune led by Kliphuis on French Horn, leading to a tour de force from Menting on drums. Great ending!!  Their enthusiasm and dedication on stage is rewarded by excitement and appreciation in the audience.

Overall.  These young musicians really know their instruments and exactly how they want to sound, moving effortlessly between written and improvised sections, covering a nice range of styles and moods too.  The performance was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience, including two passers-by who chanced taking a seat for the second set, and left uplifted, singing (almost) the praises of this remarkable young band. 

Ken.

No comments :

Blog Archive