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

18918 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 782 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 18.) 61.

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.

Mon 21: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. Coltrane centenary.

Tue 22: ???

Wed 23: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 23: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 23: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 7:30pm. A John Coltrane Centenary Concert (b. 23. 09. 1926). SOLD OUT!
Wed 23: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 24: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 24: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 24: Arun Ghosh @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:30pm doors). £21.05. (£22.00. on the door). A Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music event.
Thu 24: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00.

Fri 25: Mark Williams Trio @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £9.00.
Fri 25: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 25: Get the Blessing + Dilettante @ The Cluny (Cluny 2), Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £18.00. + bf. A Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music event.
Fri 25: Jazz Sabbath @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

Sat 26: Adam Fairhall & Johnny Hunter: Play Mary Lou Williams @ The Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 6:00pm. Free. A Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music event.
Sat 26: John Pope Quintet + Urvashi @ The Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £15.40. A Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music event.

Sun 27: Salty Dog @ The Cluny. 12:30pm (doors). Free (donations).
Sun 27: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 27: Zach Sewell-Lara Hopper Quintet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. £12.00., £10.00.
Sun 27: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free. Ruth Lambert (vocals); Giles Strong (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass).
Sun 27: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 27: Alex Hitchcock Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £16.00., £14.00. A Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music event.

Friday, January 25, 2019

CD Review: Duncan Eagles - Citizen.

Duncan Eagles (tenor/soprano sax); David Preston (guitar); Matt Robinson (piano); Max Luthert (bass); Dave Hamblett (drums).
(Review by Lance).

Duncan Eagles seems to have been around forever so it came as a surprise to me to discover that this was, technically, the first album released under his own name. 

This is, of course, because of his commitment to Partikel, the band he has provided so much input to over the past few years. Freed from, I won't say shackles as Partikel was anything but restrictive, Eagles flows loosely whilst still maintaining the sense of tempered urgency that hallmarks the great players. Hard hitting but with a soft melodic centre.

It's not an easy listen, certainly not a foot-tapper, but it's worth making the effort, an effort that becomes less demanding each time around culminating in an eventual joyous experience.  

They are all Eagles' compositions based on experiences he encountered whilst touring the globe over the past few years. For example, Riad, inspired by a visit to Marrakesh, encapsulates all the images that that charismatic city provokes. Listening, I could be sitting sharing a hookah with a hooker, soaking in eastern promise - I wish!

Imagery is what it's all about, although you could just as easily forget Marrakesh and all the other elements, close your eyes, and enjoy four musicians at the top of their game playing some first-class jazz for today and maybe tomorrow.

They have an extensive touring schedule starting on Sunday (Jan. 27) at the Omnibus Theatre, London then weaving their merry way up and down the country calling in at Liverpool, Sheffield, Nottingham, Ashburton, North Devon, St. Ives, Teignmouth, Oxford, Shrewsbury, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Brighton as well as other London gigs at Barbican (opening for Joshua Redman), Toulouse Lautrec (album launch on Feb 23), Ronnie's (2 nights) and at the Royal Festival Hall (foyer).

Familiar pattern? You betcha! The Eagle isn't landing in Newcastle so, all the more reason to buy the CD which is released on Feb. 15 on Ropeadope : www.ropeadope.com.
Lance.
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