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Bebop Spoken There

Simon Spillett: “ Bebop and hard bop came naturally to him [Tubby Hayes]". Morning Star, March 28, 2024.

The Things They Say!

Hudson Music: Lance's "Bebop Spoken Here" is one of the heaviest and most influential jazz blogs in the UK.

Rupert Burley (Dynamic Agency): "BSH just goes from strength to strength".

'606' Club: "A toast to Lance Liddle of the terrific jazz blog 'Bebop Spoken Here'"

The Strictly Smokin' Big Band included Be Bop Spoken Here (sic) in their 5 Favourite Jazz Blogs.

Ann Braithwaite (Braithwaite & Katz Communications) You’re the BEST!

Holly Cooper, Mouthpiece Music: "Lance writes pull quotes like no one else!"

Simon Spillett: A lovely review from the dean of jazz bloggers, Lance Liddle...

Josh Weir: I love the writing on bebop spoken here... I think the work you are doing is amazing.

Postage

16287 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 169 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (Mar 18).

From This Moment On ...

March

Fri 29: FILM: Soul @ The Forum Cinema, Hexham. 12:30pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Fri 29: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 29: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 6:00pm. Free. POSTPONED!
Fri 29: Thundercat @ Newcastle City Hall.
Fri 29: John Logan @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 29: True Colours @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 9:00pm. Blues, jazz & swing.

Sat 30: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 30: Pete Tanton’s Cuba Libre @ Whitley Bay Library, York Road, Whitley Bay. 8:00pm.

Sun 31: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay Metro Station. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 31: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields NE30 1HJ. 3:00pm. Free. Lambert, Alan Law & Paul Grainger.
Sun 31: Sid Jacobs & Tom Remon @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. USA/London jazz guitar duo.
Sun 31: Bellavana @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

April
Mon 01: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free.

Tue 02: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Dean Stockdale, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 03: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 03: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 03: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 04: FILM: Soul @ Forum Cinema, Hexham. 2:00pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Thu 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 04: Funky Drummer @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 04: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 04: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Saturday, May 18, 2019

Preview: Kamasi Washington @ Sage Gateshead, Tuesday 21 May


(Preview by Russell)

The Epic said it all - ambitious, sprawling, three discs (yes, it was made available on vinyl), Los Angeles born bandleader, saxophonist, collaborator, producer, Kamasi Washington's high-profile recording secured media attention beyond that of the regular jazz press. 

On Tuesday the 38-year-old American rocks up at Sage Gateshead. Touring the UK, Europe then back to the States, this is the long-awaited opportunity for Tynesiders to check-out the man who has acquired a cult following - not least among the Millennial generation - thanks to his association with Flying Lotus, Thundercat and Kendrick Lamar. 

The 2015 release of The Epic was followed by last year's Heaven and Earth and with fans seeking out earlier, self-released recordings, Washington's star remains firmly in the ascendant. Sage Gateshead's big hall - approx capacity 1700 - appears to have allocated a front-of-stage 'mosh pit' by taking out the first few rows of seats (log on to the venue's website to view the seating/standing plan - www.sagegateshead.com) and by all accounts, tickets have flown out the door.

Tuesday at Sage Gateshead will, if nothing else, be an 'I was there' occasion. It could go down in folklore. The whole thing kicks off at 7:30 with a support set by Oscar Jerome followed by the man of the moment, Kamasi Washington. It promises to be an 'epic' night. 
Russell

1 comment :

Steve T said...

Always nice to see a decent crowd, but I hope jazz people aren't put off by the 'hype'. Just because he isn't John Coltrane, doesn't mean he's Kenny G.
In my jazz-funk days, we thought they were the greatest jazz artists ever, while serious jazz heads looked down on us and them. While all of my peers either descended into smooth jazz or accepted whatever styles, artists and choons acid jazz djs thew at them, I spread my wings to Sonny Rollins, Trane, Miles, Bird, Duke and Mingus and became something of a snob myself.
Insomuch as men ever do (and especially music daft men), I grew up and realised it was alright to like both and younger listeners nowadays aren't as disparaging of jazz-funk, and maybe even some older listeners, who may also have 'grown up.' Somebody even said to me Grover Washington Jnr was one of the great soprano players.
It's impossible and pointless to estimate if and where Kamasi may feature in a future timeline. While I'm no great fan of hip-hop, I think a successful fusion would be welcome (and so far the hip-hop people seem to have done it better) and I think he's a more commanding figure-head than Robert Glasper, though he and the rest of the West Coast Get Down need to get on with it.
I like all of his albums, and just because none of them are Kind of Blue, doesn't mean they're Kenny G's Greatest Hits, and I do hear some originality, alongside the appropriate revereance for those who went before.
It promises to be an interesting evening (and I've seen him twice before), not least watching young people who probably aren't as cool as they think they are, oldies who definitely aren't as cool as we think we are (though probably cooler than the young people think we are) but knowing the people who aren't there are the least cool of all.

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