Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Thursday, October 04, 2018

CD Review: Sam Leak and Dan Tepfer – Adrift (Suite for 2 Pianos)

Sam Leak, Dan Tepfer (pianos)
(Review by Hugh C)
Sam Leak is based in London and Dan Tepfer in New York City.  The two came together for the 2014 Steinway Piano Festival in London, for which Leak was asked to write a suite for the duo to play and improvise around. 
Adrift is the result, crafted in eight parts (Adrift: I to VIII), and presented on this CD back to back (although with individual track numbers).  The CD was recorded at the Yamaha Showroom in Manhattan, NY.  The quality of the pianism is beyond doubt and the tone exquisite. Though stated to be part through-composed and part open to improvisation, it is sometimes difficult to tell where one begins and the other ends. 
Whether the outcome is two guys having fun in a piano shop or an exemplar of high art is open to question.  The answer is, probably both!  It certainly makes an interesting and rewarding listen.  The CD is shorter even than most 33rpm vinyl, at 29 minutes and 1 second, precisely.  Whether this comparative brevity is reflected in the price remains to be seen!
Hugh C.
Adrift is released on Jellymould Jazz on 2 November 2018.

Further details and information regarding Sam Leak Trio “Adrift” tour here.

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