(With the Parliamentary Jazz Awards now only 2 weeks away I've flagged up this previous post by top tenor saxist Simon Spillett, himself a former APPJAG award winner, on the off chance that any of the MPs who have yet to cast their vote may not have read the post and the related comments - Lance)
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In the teen years of the 21st Century, a hundred years since jazz exploded into international prominence, attempting to capture the music's sprawling, constantly expanding reaches - more diverse now than ever - is a little like attempting to contain an ocean in a sieve. However, there is one blog that, in my opinion, undertakes this daunting task far better than any other: Bebop Spoken Here. Don't be misled by the title: although it flags up where its founder Lance Liddle's musical heart is at, this is by no means some retro-focused chronicle of faded glories. In fact, BSH puts an unmistakable capital C into comprehensive, so wide is its artistic vision.
Local heroes and legends alike all cross its pages. Indeed, its coverage ranges from the most intimate of parochial gigs around the UK's North East, often highlighting the work of exciting young musicians long before they've reached greater prominence, onwards and upwards to what's happening at the international cutting edge.
Jazz Blogs are now part of the music's landscape, yet I can think of none that is run more enthusiastically, with less prejudice, or with equal openmindedness than BSH. From neophyte Millennials through to the most venerable of veteran listeners, it truly has something for every kind of jazz fan. It provokes, prompts and postulates, but above all, it does the one thing which all writing on jazz must surely do to be seen as a genuine success: it makes the reader listen to the music. Small wonder it's found itself accorded a Parliamentary Jazz Awards nomination. Congratulations to Lance and all those who support his inestimably valuable efforts.
Simon Spillett
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See also: http://lance-bebopspokenhere.blogspot.com/2018/09/top-of-bops.html
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See also: http://lance-bebopspokenhere.blogspot.com/2018/09/top-of-bops.html
6 comments :
Have read Simon Spillett's praise for Bebop Spoken Here and it's spot on. I have always admired the way Lance, Russell and the team write their very well-written reviews so astonishingly rapidly.
Mike Jamieson
(Newcastle Evening Chronicle jazz columnist for 25 years).
Absolutely agree with Simon & Mike here - Team Bebop's hard-working dedication to all things jazz, the live music, the players, countless gigs attended & in-depth reviews, etc, is a great contribution to the music scene & well deserves this nomination. Thank you to Lance, Russell & co for their constant years of support & devotion to jazz media services, and to us players!! Jo Harrop (Singer)
Bebop's influence extends far beyond the UK and covers artists and music around the world. As a New York (and now Atlanta) jazz artist, I have appreciated both being reviewed and reading reviews and information about other artists and music. Lance and team do a terrific job of not only promoting a fabulous genre of music, but doing it in a way that is amusing and interesting.
Whenever I feel a need to connect to my jazz friends in UK (more often these days than ever!) the first place I go to is BEBOP SPOKEN HERE. The sense of community and variety of music covered in this blog makes me feel part of something very special and relevant. I'm also most grateful to Lance (my Knight in Shining Armour) for reviewing my appearances and recordings through these years. His understanding of how each individual artist ticks is keen and sensitively articulated.Just as fortunate is to have Lance's energy in the audience cheering you on.No one could be any more devoted to this music and the people who create it. Long may Bebop be Spoken Here and blog on!! - Daryl Sherman - singer-pianist,NYC (USA)
Echoing my own words here! Wishing you the very best for the awards Lance.
P.S....I've never been a PJA winner (or nominee!). Thought I'd better clear up that confusion.
Simon Spillett
Maybe not, but, there have been 'a few' other awards!The tenor saxophone category of the British Jazz Awards (2011), Jazz Journal magazine's Critic's Choice CD of the Year (2009) Rising Star in the BBC Jazz Awards (2007) and most recently the Services to British Jazz in the 2016 British Jazz Awards.
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