Bebop Spoken There

Gary Bartz: ''Music is nature's gift to man. It's the only religion. We're living in a terrible era, but what a beautiful thing music is. Look how it brings us together like religion is supposed to; and with no language barriers.'' (Jazzwise September, 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

18878 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 742 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 4.) 21.

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

September.

Tue 08: Seijiro Murayama & Jean-Luc Guionnet @ Star & Shadow Cinema, Warwick St., Newcastle, NE2 1BB. 7.00pm. £10.00 (advance); £12.00 (on door); £.15.00 (solidarity).
Tue 08: SH#RP Collective @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. Coquetdale Jazz.
Tue 08: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 09: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 09: Jam session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 09: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 09: 58 Jazz Collective @ Hartlepool Cricket Club. 7:30pm. £7.00.
Wed 09: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 09: NONUNONU @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00. JNE. Excellent trio.

Thu 10: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 10: Jacenaite All Crew @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 10: Emma Rawicz INKYRA @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm. £22.30. Sage Two. Line-up: Emma Rawicz (sax); Scottie Thompson (piano, keyboards, synth); David Preston (guitar); Kevin Glasgow (bass guitar); Jack Thomas (drums).

Fri 11: Esther Bennett @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £10.00. Esther Bennett (vocals); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass).
Fri 11: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 11: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 11: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 11: Ray Stubbs’ R&B All Stars @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £14.09 (inc. bf).

Sat 12: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 12: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26 (inc. bf).

Sun 13: 58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00-3:00pm. Free.
Sun 13: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 13: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 13: King Bees @ Shape Patisserie, Darlington. 3:00pm. Free. Duo (Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor). A Rhythm & Blues Fringe event. Blues excellence.
Sun 13: Alligator Gumbo @ The Cluny. 5:00pm. £17.15.; £11.43; £5.72.
Sun 13: Eternal Triangle + Andy Champion @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. JNE.

Mon 14: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Sunday, November 18, 2018

CD Review: Greg Yasinitsky - Yazz Band.

Greg Yasinitsky is a new name to me but, better late than never. This fine saxist, composer, arranger and educator has been around for many years - 40 years plus in education as well as studio and live sessions with a diversity of talent that includes Stan Getz, Randy Brecker and Ray Charles. This and a wide assortment of music awards make him a voice to be reckoned with.

His many skills are well-displayed here. All nine titles were composed and arranged by Yasinitsky who also solos on alto or tenor on most of them and filled out the pared-down sax section on baritone. On the ballad Missing You his melodic side comes to the fore although not without a midway blast! The closing cadenza and the final few bars by the sax section are truly beautiful.

Not that this is a one-man show. Most of the band solo, all matching the high standard set by the leader. Vern Sielert takes all but one of the trumpet solos: fiery and fluent yet lyrical when he switches to flugelhorn. John Harbaugh blows the screamers and solos on Full Blown which also features bassist David Snider. 

Of the trombones, Glenn and Gamberling are featured on Gator Tail trading choruses then shorter breaks until it blends into one jointless continuation. Jenny Kellogg solos on Partial Eclipse - sandwiched between the leader's gutsy tenor and Sielert's hard-bop trumpet solo Ms. Kellogg loses nothing by comparision. Throughout the album, all five trombonists combine for a mellow section sound.

Brian Ward is, deservedly, well-featured on piano whilst bass and drums provide the necessary impetus to make this such a swinging outfit.
Well worth checking out.
Lance 
Greg Yasinitsky—alto, tenor and baritone saxophones
Ann Marie Yasinitsky—flute
Vanessa Sielert—alto saxophone
Patrick Sheng—tenor saxophone
John Harbaugh—trumpet and flugelhorn
Vern Sielert—trumpet and flugelhorn
Dave Glenn—trombone
Jenny Kellogg—trombone and bass trombone
Al Gemberling—trombone
Sarah Miller—trombone
PJ Kelley—bass trombone
Brian Ward—piano
F. David Snider—bass
David Jarvis—drums
Dan Bukvich—drums

1 comment :

Greg Yasinitsky said...

Thanks SO MUCH for your kind review of my CD YAZZ Band. It is GREATLY appreciated!!
Greg Yasinitsky

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