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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 2025).

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

17904 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 225 of them this year alone and, so far, 72 this month (March 24).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 30: Jan Spencelayh & Dave Archbold @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 30: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

APRIL 2025

Tue 01: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Mark Robertson.
Tue 01: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 7:30pm. 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

Monday, April 01, 2019

CD Review: Dominic Miller - Absinthe

Dominic Miller (Guitar); Santiago Arias (Bandoneon); Mike Lindup; (Keyboard); Nicolas Fiszman (Bass); Manu Katché (Drums). 
(Review by Chris)

This is the second ECM recording by Miller, the versatile and much travelled guitarist originating from Buenos Aires, but now resident in the south of France where this was translucently recorded in the usual ECM style. His French home infuses the music with a light, airy folk feel, but although tempting to think of the bandoneon sounding like a French accordion, the instrument and harmonies here are definitively Argentinian, home of young folk/jazz star Santiago Arias, who takes the majority of melodic lead role. I’d say Miller achieves his sleeve-note aim of an Impressionist musical statement, in the tradition of the painter masters of Provence of old.  Miller has links to the North East musical history, as he has toured and recorded with Sting since 1991, but this album marks a rather different direction to his day job.


The album consists of ten short and varied songs, carefully crafted, with a laid back, ethereal vibe, reaching high energy levels only occasionally.  The title track opens with solo acoustic guitar, but it’s soon obvious that this is an ensemble effort, showcasing sumptuous and delicate playing by the rest of the band.   Manu Katché makes his familiar artful contribution, with the sparkling recording allowing every shimmer, clatter and resonation of his kit to be heard.

Track 6, Etude, stands out with repeated, interlocking contrapuntal phrases between guitar, bass and the rest of the band, riding hypnotically on Katché’s infectious beats.  Tracks 7 and 8 raise the energy levels and tempo: Bicycle hits a more animated groove, with synth replacing piano on top, while Ombu cuts loose, with a free section, and Katché finally unleashing full power.  The album closes with the slower and more abstract Ténèbres, and the final track, St Vincent, sharing another haunting melody around and over a busy, skittering drum part.

Overall, a delightful, accessible and engaging work, with ghostly and oblique melodies to charm the ears, and enough guitar and percussion mastery to satisfy the technical minded.  Could be enjoyably consumed on its own, or letting it wash over you, perhaps relaxing with a bottle of Argentine Malbec.
Chris Kilsby
Release date: 01.03.2019 ECM 2614

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