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Bebop Spoken There

Abbie Finn: "Even though there's a lot of great work being done to promote women in jazz, I still come up against some attitudes! I pulled up at a recording session with my drums in the car and the studio owner said, 'I'm sorry, this space is reserved for the drummer!'" - (Jazzwise April 2023).

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!"

Postage

15229 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 15 years ago. 248 of them this year alone and, so far, 61 this month (March 20).

From This Moment On ...

March

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Traveller's Rest, Cockerton. 7:00pm. Rehearsal session (open to the public). Note change of venue - CANCELLED CEILING COLLAPSED!
Wed 22: 4B @ The Exchange, North Shields. 7:00pm.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm.

Thu 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 4:00-6:00pm. Free.
Thu 23: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Bar Loco, Newcasatle. From 6:30pm 'til late. Free. Newcastle University Jazz Orchestra jam session. All welcome (students & non-students).
Thu 23: Kerrin Tatman + John Garner & John Pope @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm.
Thu 23: Sunna Gunnlaugs & Julia Hülsmann @ Sage Gateshead. 8:00pm. A two-piano gig. A Sage Gateshead-JNE promotion.
Thu 23: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Ragtime piano.
Thu 23: Sleep Suppressor @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00., £8.00. adv. Upstairs.
Thu 23: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman's Club, Middlesbrough. 9:00pm.

Fri 24: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.
Fri 24: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 24: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms, Monkseaton. 1:00pm.
Fri 24: FILM: Mo' Better Blues @ Forum Cinema, Hexham. 7:00pm.
Fri 24: Ian Millar & Dominic Spencer @ Scarth Hall, Staindrop, Co. Durham. 8:00pm. £10.00.
Fri 24: Archipelago + Bulbils @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm.

Sat 25: Vermont Big Band @ Walker Community Centre, Walker, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Fundraiser for Benfield Juniours Football Club. Hot food available, BYOB.
Sat 25: John Logan & Friends @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Rat Pack, Motown etc. 8:00pm. Free (donations).

Sun 26: Musicians Unlimited @ Park Inn, Hartlepool. 1:00pm.
Sun 26: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: 4B @ The Exchange, North Shields. 3:00pm.
Sun 26: Outlines @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. JNE promotion (upstairs).

Mon 27: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.

Tue 28: Paul Skerritt @ The Rabbit Hole, Hallgarth St., Durham DH1 3AT. 7:00pm. Paul Skerritt's (solo) weekly residency.
Tue 28: Sanaz Lavasani Trio @ Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre. 8:00pm. £12.00 (£10.00. adv).

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Alexys de Alfaro & Julija Jacenaite @ Jazz Cafe Mezzanine - June 19

Alexys de Alfaro (guitar); Julija Jacenaite (vocals, piano) + Irene Birkett (vocals)
(Review by Russell)

A musical partnership born on Tyneside comprising a Peruvian and a Lithuanian could be a first. If so, the pioneering duo - guitarist Alexys de Alfaro and vocalist/pianist Julija Jacenaite - could/should make hay before other Peruvians and Lithuanians spot a gap in the market!  
Julija Jacenaite is a favourite with Newcastle Arts Centre patrons. JJ wowed, and continues to wow, jam session audiences in the Black Swan basement venue and performances in the recently instigated midweek 'Mezzanine' concert series have seen her popularity soar. Alexys de Alfaro, a new name to some, was making his debut here on Westgate Road and he too was about to win a legion of new fans. 

De Alfaro's fingerstyle guitar playing incorporating the sounds of his Latin-American heritage fused with Spanish/flamenco elements make him the ideal foil to Jacenaite's full-on vocals. Countless gigs around town (notably with Burundanga) and endless days busking on Northumberland Street, recital accompanist to undergraduate students, over the best part of a quarter of a century living and working in Newcastle, de Alfaro cut a relaxed figure as JJ did the talking...and singing!

De Alfaro opened the show with JJ sitting on the sidelines. A looping rhythm track enabled our guitarist to play around with Daft Punk's Get Lucky (if it wasn't Daft Punk, it sounded remarkably like the French duo!). JJ began with an oh-so slow tempo Bésame Mucho with few signs of her trademark theatricality - that would surface later. 

De Alfaro then JJ, one after the other, performed an original number followed by more familiar material in the form of Bill Withers' Just the Two of Us. JJ inquired of her musical partner if he'd like to go to the moon. He said not, given his dislike of flying. Cue Fly Me to the Moon.

JJ's Lyra opened the second set, this time Alexys sitting out. A vocal student of Julija was in the house - step forward Irene Birkett. Nerves of steel or petrified, Irene sang Body and Soul. Many a fledgling performer has come a cropper when tackling such an iconic song. For the record, JJ's student did just fine. Now then, Irene, how about getting along to one of Newcastle's many jam sessions?! 

Oh, no! JJ likes to encourage audience participation. Together now..opa, opa, opa (Mais Que Nada). The ordeal didn't last too long! Finally, or rather, At Last, sung by Julija, as only Julija can, accompanied by Alexys' excellent rhythmic accompaniment, brought the afternoon to a close. Enthusiastic applause suggests Julija and Alexys will be making a quick return to Jazz Cafe Mezzanine. 
Russell.

1 comment :

Anonymous said...

Could have listened all day - really enjoyed Lyja.

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