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Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 2024).

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

17655 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 929 of them this year alone and, so far, 74 this month (Dec. 31).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Wed 01: Jason Isaacs @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 2:30-4:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Wed 01: Revolutionaires @ The Old Barrel (Flatties), Boldon Colliery. 3:30pm. Free. Excellent rhythm & blues.

Thu 02: ???

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: Jason Isaacs @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 03: John Gregory @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar.

Sat 04: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Square, Middlesbrough. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 04: Rivkala @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 04: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £5.00. Xmas party (rescheduled from early December).

Sun 05: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 05: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Americana, jazz & blues.
Sun 05: Papa G’s Troves @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free (donations).

Mon 06: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 07: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 7:00pm. Free.

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

Friday, February 01, 2019

Paul Edis Trio: A Brief History of Jazz Piano @ The Gala Theatre, Durham - Feb 1

Paul Edis (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums)
(Review by Russell)

The Gala Theatre's monthly lunchtime jazz concert series is a remarkable success story. Invariably there is a capacity audience - concerts often sell out weeks in advance* - and February's offering wasn't about to buck the trend. The first appreciable snowfall of winter failed to deter the Durham faithful and at the appointed start time of one o'clock, the second-floor studio space was full to overflowing. 

The Paul Edis Trio is a major draw anywhere, anytime and when the 'Brief History of Jazz Piano' forms the setlist it's a must-get-to occasion. Pianist Edis devised his potted history of the instrument and its famed practitioners a couple of years ago and the relatively few performances since have been nothing short of triumphant. 


Whiskers opened the programme; a fabulous tune, stellar playing. A first scribbled note read: They're swinging the arse off it. At its conclusion, Edis, the composer, said something along the lines of: We couldn't swing it any harder, perhaps we should go home now! Yes, it was that good. Whichever superstars are swinging it tonight in NYC they'll struggle to match it. 

Harold Arlen's It's Only a Paper Moon Nat King Cole-style with, perhaps, a touch of Erroll Garner, followed by Moten Swing (a la Oscar Peterson) just about reached the dizzying heights of the opener. Bill Evans' Very Early and a magical Lullaby of Birdland transported the listener back to 52nd Street's heyday. Edis' bandmates - bassist Andy Champion and drummer Russ Morgan - are two of the best around and as a trio, these guys would surely cut it on today's ultra-competitive New York scene. 

Edis did disappoint on one number. In introducing Ba-lue Bolivar Ba-lues-Are our pianist said he wouldn't be demonstrating Thelonious Monk's well-documented dance moves. Maybe next time, Dr Edis?! Conscious of the fast approaching two o'clock finish, Edis asked if we would stay on a few minutes past the top of the hour as he wanted to fit in two more tunes. We weren't going anywhere! Lush Life as transcribed and performed by Phineas Newborn Jr took us up to two, and, the other side of the hour, the Paul Edis Trio went out on Brubeck's Unsquare Dance. Gig of the month (so far)! 
Russell

* Emma Fisk's Hot Club du Nord will be at the Gala Theatre on April 5th but, if you haven't got a ticket, you're too late, it's a sellout three months in advance! So, if you would like to attend next month's concert (March 1) featuring the Giles Strong Trio (Roly Veitch, Ian Paterson) book now or miss out. Tel: 03000 266 600. 

2 comments :

Lance said...

Wow sounds good - a bit like the Complete Works of William Shakespeare in 90 minutes!
Well, perhaps not quite! Maybe there will be a less concise performance sometime in the future without a constricting timescale then we could have the good doctor's take on Jelly Roll, Fats, Art, Earl, Teddy, Bud, Chick, Herbie, Keith etc.
Just a thought... Are you listening JNE, Globe, Black Swan?

Anonymous said...

I must say it was pretty special

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