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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.

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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