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.

Sunday, December 16, 2018

CD Review: Andrew Cyrille – Lebroba

Wadada Leo Smith (trumpet); Bill Frisell (guitar); Andrew Cyrille (drums).
(Review by Steve H).

This ECM release is a bit of a supergroup of ‘old masters’ and the skill, technique and interplay between the trio certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Worried Woman, delicious gentle opener by Bill Frisell, with trumpet dominating but also with great subtle embellishments from drums and guitar.

The longest piece on the album also has the longest title - Turiya: Alice Coltrane Meditations and Dreams: Love. Wadada Leo Smith’s tribute to the great musician has a lovely free feel to it, each instrumentalist taking the lead in sections, an interesting, spiritual and rewarding piece.  

Lebrobra, the title track written by band leader Andrew Cyrille, has a very Good Bye Pork Pie Hat theme running throughout and is positively charming. 

TGD, a band composition and the most raucous track on the album (which doesn’t necessarily make it headbangingly wild) with Frisell incorporating fascinating electronic effects into his solos. 

Pretty Beauty is another Cyrille composition with Smith’s muted trumpet setting the tone for this thoughtful melodic piece and bringing the album to a gentle and peaceful close.  I really enjoyed this CD, in fact, looking back at my description of each track various adjectives stand out gentle, fascinating, charming, peaceful and spiritual to name but five. A lovely listen.
Steve H.
Album is now available on ECM 2589

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