Bebop Spoken There

Dominick "Domo" Branch: ''Most people say drummers can't write, they're just time-keepers only beating on things. But I have a very musical brain.'' (DownBeat February, 2026)

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

18288 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 142 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 14), 42

From This Moment On ...

February

Thu 19: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: George Shearing Jazz Moments.

Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT! Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.
Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: Squabble @ Warkworth Memorial Hall. 7:00pm. Steve Chambers (organ); Jude Murphy (double bass, vocals); Sid White (drums).
Fri 20: Jive Aces @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors).
Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.

Sat 21: ???

Sun 22: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 22: Joe Steels Group @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Sun 22: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Harben Kay Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: Joe Steels Group @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Finn-Keeble Group @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00.
Tue 24: Liam Oliver & Shayo Oshodi @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 26: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £6.50.
Thu 26: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00 adv.
Thu 26: Mick Cantwell Band @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Blues.

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

Sunday, July 28, 2019

CD Review: Mark Winkler - I'm With You

Mark Winkler (vocals) + (collective) Rich Eames, John Mayer (piano); Joe Bagg, Jamieson Trotter (Hammond B3); Gabe Davis, Kevin Axt (bass); Dave Tull, Mark Ferber, Roy McCurdy (drums); Grant Geissman, Anthony Wilson (guitar); Bob Sheppard, Rickey Woodward (sax); Ann Patterson (flute).
(Review by Lance).

In case there is anyone out there who thinks that, apart from marrying Julie London, Bobby Troup's only claim to fame was composing Route 66 then think again. Mark Winkler puts the record straight with another seven Troup titles that are sheer masterpieces. Winkler also includes three of his own compositions that he wrote 'in the style of Bobby Troup'. If Hoagy had hung out with Chet and Miles instead of Bix and Tram he may have come up with something similar to these.

Winkler's style is easy and laid back, bright and breezy as he motors west. Tongue twisting humour on Triskaidekaphobia (fear of 13), Three Bears, Snootie Little Cutie (an early Sinatra/Dorsey classic) and more road lyrics on Hungry Man -

I know a chef in Albuquerque
Who excels in bakin' turkey
So when I want turkey, I go to Albuquerque
'Cause I'm such a hungry man

There is a cook in East St. Louis
Who makes the most delicious chop suey
So when I want chop suey, I go to East St. Louis
'Cause I'm such a hungry man.


Winkler wrote a parody of the above which is included as a bonus track - a spooky, Halloween themed lyric that's quite whimsical.

Throughout, the various combos swing like crazy - piano, B3, sax, guitar they all have their say and they say it good although there are tender moments too - well there would be, wouldn't there with him (Troup) being married to Julie London?! My only disappointment? Winkler didn't include Girl Talk. However, it is on his first Troup tribute - Mark Winkler Sings Bobby Troup so, I guess that will now go on my bucket list!

Get your kicks on Café Pacific Records CPCD 4075 - Available August 9.
Lance

Route 66; Please Belong to meTriskaidekaphobia; I'm With You*; It Happened Once Before; Three Bears; Their Hearts Were Full of Spring; Hungry Man; In No Time*; Snootie Little Cutie; Lemon Twist; Hungry Man*.
* Winkler originals

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