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Bebop Spoken There

Simon Spillett: “ Bebop and hard bop came naturally to him [Tubby Hayes]". Morning Star, March 28, 2024.

The Things They Say!

Hudson Music: Lance's "Bebop Spoken Here" is one of the heaviest and most influential jazz blogs in the UK.

Rupert Burley (Dynamic Agency): "BSH just goes from strength to strength".

'606' Club: "A toast to Lance Liddle of the terrific jazz blog 'Bebop Spoken Here'"

The Strictly Smokin' Big Band included Be Bop Spoken Here (sic) in their 5 Favourite Jazz Blogs.

Ann Braithwaite (Braithwaite & Katz Communications) You’re the BEST!

Holly Cooper, Mouthpiece Music: "Lance writes pull quotes like no one else!"

Simon Spillett: A lovely review from the dean of jazz bloggers, Lance Liddle...

Josh Weir: I love the writing on bebop spoken here... I think the work you are doing is amazing.

Postage

16287 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 169 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (Mar 18).

From This Moment On ...

March

Thu 28: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 28: Gateshead Jazz Appreciation Society @ Gateshead Central Library, Gateshead. 2:30pm.
Thu 28: Richard Herdman Quartet @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 28: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Guests: Josh Bentham (alto sax); Alan Marshall (tenor sax); Neil Brodie (trumpet); Adrian Beadnell (bass); Graham Thompson (keys); Steve Hunter (drums).

Fri 29: FILM: Soul @ The Forum Cinema, Hexham. 12:30pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Fri 29: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 29: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 6:00pm. Free. POSTPONED!
Fri 29: Thundercat @ Newcastle City Hall.
Fri 29: John Logan @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 30: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 30: Pete Tanton’s Cuba Libre @ Whitley Bay Library, York Road, Whitley Bay. 8:00pm.

Sun 31: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay Metro Station. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 31: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields NE30 1HJ. 3:00pm. Free. Lambert, Alan Law & Paul Grainger.
Sun 31: Sid Jacobs & Tom Remon @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. USA/London jazz guitar duo.
Sun 31: Bellavana @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

April
Mon 01: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free.

Tue 02: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Dean Stockdale, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 03: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 03: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 03: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thursday, March 22, 2018

CD Review: Zhenya Strigalev – Blues for Maggie

Zhenya Strigalev (alto sax, soprano sax, alto box, electronics); Federico Dannemann (guitar); Linley Marthe (bass guitar, keyboards) & Eric Harland (drums)
(Review by Russell)
Blues for Maggie is Zhenya Strigalev’s fourth album for Michael Janisch’s Whirlwind Recordings label and it is a winner. The use of electronics could be an issue for some listeners but stay with this album if for no other reason than to be blown away by the virtuosity of all four musicians on Take Off Socks, all twenty minutes and twenty-five seconds of it. This ‘tour de force’ is the fourth track of seven and it opens with guitarist Federico Dannemann playing his socks off over a killer bass and drum groove. You could be forgiven for thinking that that was the highlight, but no, Zhenya Strigalev weighs in on soprano blowing like there’s no tomorrow all the while riding on that bass and drum groove set up and maintained by the brilliant pairing of Linley Marthe and Eric Harland. And that’s it, or so you think until Eric Harland gives a percussion masterclass the like of which has rarely been captured on shellac, vinyl, tape or CD. Blues for Maggie was recorded in concert and in the studio; fortunately, Harland’s epic contribution was in front of an audience at Porgy and Bess in Vienna and there is a palpable sense that something special was happening on the night.  
Happy Professors swings with Dannemann’s deft, fizzing lines referencing an earlier era and this sits perfectly within the album’s overall knowing retro sound – Dannemann pre jazz-rock, Marthe right-in-the-jazz-rock pocket once the province of Jaco Pastorius. Interestingly Linley Marthe had the honour of playing in a late-career line-up of Joe Zawinul’s band. Strigalev plays with energy, enjoyment in making music, and if you can forgive the distraction of his effects (he has invented what he calls his ‘alto box’), Blues for Maggie is certainly one for those who appreciate virtuosi at work.

And who, exactly, is Maggie? Step forward one Maggie Black, inveterate supporter of jazz. She and Strigalev met at a Ronnie Scott's jam session, they hit it off, Black subsequently becoming London's Pannonica to Russian-born Strigalev and her patronage continues to be a key element nurturing touring and recording projects. Legend has it Black 'likes to stay at shows until 3.00am.' Don't we all?! 

Blues for Maggie by Zhenya Strigalev is available now on Whirlwind Recordings (WR4720).  
The album launch is set for March 28th at the Vortex in London. It should be noted that there will be a different line-up on the night to that heard on the CD. 
Russell

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