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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

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.

Tue 31: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 12 noon-2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington (National Trust), Cambo, Morpeth NE61 4AR. 12 noon & 2:00pm. Admission to site £19.00.
Tue 31: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Archie Brown & Friends @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00-8:00pm. 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

Thursday, June 07, 2018

DJazz: The Durham City Jazz Festival: The Riviera Quartet - June 2

Pete Tanton (trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals); Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums)
(Review by Russell)
Pete Tanton’s Riviera Quartet made a return visit to Empty Shop to play a gig at this year’s DJazz weekend. Bassist John Pope wasn’t available on the night so Tanton gave Andy Champion a call. You could say that was a good move. 35c Framwellgate Bridge was full to overflowing to hear the amiable American play trumpet, lots of flugelhorn, and sing. Yes, Pete Tanton sings! The Rivieras offer something different, serious chops, yes, but, more than that, a distinctive sound, all the more distinctive with the recent addition of Tanton’s sweet vocals.

It was late last year at Empty Shop that BSH encountered an example of the ‘sound of surprise’ – Pete Tanton’s vocals. A plaintive, wistful quality to his vocals, they are, at risk of mixing metaphors, another string to the trumpeter’s bow. Tanton and guitarist Mark Williams are the Rivieras’ principal composers and on this festival gig, the set list was drawn from the band’s recently released CD.

Turf War (a waltz), Barbados (if only!) with Tanton’s lyrical flugelhorn leading the way, the level of musicianship exhibited by all four musicians of the highest order. Lately I’ve Been Lonely (Tanton the wistful vocalist can only be Johnny Lonely, the eponymous character in the American’s highly readable novel). In the same vein, You Don’t Smile Anymore. Once heard, try getting the lyric out of your head. Depping bassist Andy Champion couldn’t have been more at home, fitting in as if he was a founding member of the band. The Riviera Quartet’s gigs are few and far between. Be sure to check them out.  
Russell.               

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