Bebop Spoken There

Dominick "Domo" Branch: ''Most people say drummers can't write, they're just time-keepers only beating on things. But I have a very musical brain.'' (DownBeat February, 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

18288 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 142 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 14), 42

From This Moment On ...

February

Thu 19: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: George Shearing Jazz Moments.

Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT! Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.
Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: Squabble @ Warkworth Memorial Hall. 7:00pm. Steve Chambers (organ); Jude Murphy (double bass, vocals); Sid White (drums).
Fri 20: Jive Aces @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors).
Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.

Sat 21: ???

Sun 22: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 22: Joe Steels Group @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Sun 22: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Harben Kay Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: Joe Steels Group @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Finn-Keeble Group @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00.
Tue 24: Liam Oliver & Shayo Oshodi @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 26: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £6.50.
Thu 26: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00 adv.
Thu 26: Mick Cantwell Band @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Blues.

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

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

CD Review: Jacob Zimmerman & His Pals - More of That

Jacob Zimmerman (alto saxophone, clarinet); Christian Pincock (trombone); Josh Roberts (guitar); Cole Schuster (guitar); Ray Skjelbred (piano); Matt Weiner (bass); D'Vonne Lewis (drums); Meredith Axelrod (vocals, guitar)
(Review by Russell)

More of That is a small group swing recording by Seattle based Jacob Zimmerman. The bandleader's 'pals' are seven strong; guitarist Josh Roberts and bassist Matt Weiner working alongside like-minded musicians (trombone, guitar, piano, drums and vocals) on twelve numbers with a total playing time of forty-one minutes.


Zimmerman's 'old school' alto saxophone and clarinet playing recalls the swing era and it comes as little surprise to learn that he will happily play an engagement for twenty-first century swing dancers. Four of the album's twelve sides are Zimmerman originals including the title track More of That featuring the bandleader's warm, bluesy clarinet. Pianist Ray Skjelbred's The Blues for Sir Charles captures the essence of a Basie soft-shoe swing intro with Josh Roberts occupying Freddie Green territory. 

Much of the material on More of That comprises tunes written in the first three decades of the twentieth century. In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town (Ira Schuster/Jack Little/Joe Young) is a typically choice selection from the period; Zimmerman's relaxed alto, similarly Christian Pincock's measured trombone contribution, the ensemble sound exemplary. 

Jacob Zimmerman's More of That is well worth checking out. For further information visit: www.jacobrexzimmerman.com

Russell

1 comment :

Patti said...

This is a most excellent CD - all the young musicians are top class, and totally rooted in the great American jazz tradition. I've seen Jacob play at US festivals with different line ups, and really loved his style - that's why I bought his CD, and passed it on to BSH for their review! I'd highly recommend it too, and by the way, it's also available on CDBaby.

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