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Bebop Spoken There

Ambrose Akinmusire: “ I am certainly always aware of what the masses are doing. And when I see too many people going one way, I'm going another way - even when I don't know what's over that way". DownBeat, March, 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

Tue 19: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Tim Johnston.

Wed 20: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 20: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 20: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 21: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 21: Castillo Neuvo Trio + Conor Emery & His ‘Bones Band @ The Grove, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:30pm (7:00pm doors). £10.00. (£7.00. student).
Thu 21: Remi Banklyn + Chris Corcoran Trio @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.50. Chicago blues. An International Guitar Foundation promotion.
Thu 21: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Ragtime piano.
Thu 21: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 22: Vasilis Xenopoulos & Paul Edis @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 22: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 22: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 22: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 22: Nauta + Remy CB + Last Orders @ Hoochie Coochie, Newcastle. 8:30pm (7:30pm doors). Free.
Fri 22: Vasilis Xenopoulos-Paul Edis Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £15.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 22: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 23: Jambone @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 6:30pm. Free (ticketed). End of term performance in the Northern Rock Foundation Hall.
Sat 23: Milne-Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 23: Red Kites Jazz @ Rowlands Gill Community Centre NE39 1JB. 7:00pm. Tickets: £12.00. (gibsidecommunityfarm@gmail.com). A ‘Build a Barn’ fundraiser. BYOB, tea/coffee available.
Sat 23: New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £20.00. + bf (book in person at venue - no booking fee!). Featuring pianist Martin Litton.
Sat 23: Pete Tanton’s Cuba Libre @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 24: Musicians Unlimited @ Park Inn, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 24: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 24: Luis Verde @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. Verde (alto sax); Joe Steels (guitar); John Pope (double bass); John Hirst (drums). Alto sax brilliance!
Sun 24: Elsie Franklin @ The Globe, Newcastle. 3:00pm. £10.00. Country blues. An International Guitar Foundation promotion.
Sun 24: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay Metro Station. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 24: Las Vegas Live with the Rat Pack @ The Forum, Billingham.
Sun 24: Ian Millar & Dominic Spencer @ Otterburn Memorial Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00.
Sun 24: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Note start time - 7:00pm.
Sun 24: Bold Big Band @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 25: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 25: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

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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