Total Pageviews

Bebop Spoken There

Van Morrison: ''Basically, I'm coming from jazz. Not pop, not rock, not what's commercial. That's where I started, and that's still where I am. I feel the same as I did when I was listening to Louis Armstrong, Lead Belly, Jelly Roll Morton''. (The Northern Echo, 12 June 2025).

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

18037 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 458 of them this year alone and, so far, 36 this month (June 11).

From This Moment On ...

JUNE 2025

Sun 15: Lewis Watson Quartet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 15: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:00pm.
Sun 15: Under the Wellie @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 15: Hannah Brine Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 16: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.
Mon 16: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 17: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 18: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 18: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:30pm. Free. Concert performance (open to the public)..
Wed 18: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 19: Gareth John & the SOS Big Band @ The Forum Music Centre, Darlington. 7:00pm. £25.00.

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: David Gray's Flextet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 20: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. £21.50. ‘Time After Time’.br/> Fri 20: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm.
Fri 20: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. Superb Chicago blues band.

Sat 21: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Red Kites Jazz @ Staithes Café, Dunston. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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

Saturday, August 10, 2019

CD Review: Lauren Henderson - Alma Oscura

(Review by Ann Alex)

A CD of original songs that turned out to be a sheer joy to listen to! Songs with hooks both lyrical and musical, even on the three tracks which were in Spanish, which I cannot speak! I'm so enthusiastic that I'll begin with a rundown of the tracks, which were very Latin influenced, yet jazzy as well, sung in a pleasing, soft, smoky voice.

From The Inside Out (Sidran and Alex Cuba): A sensual song with a Latin beat, about the connections between lovers,  sung in both Spanish and English by Henderson and Sidran, with strings added to the mix to enhance the romance.

Something Bigger (Thurber): Interesting lyrics about things being bigger than the sum of their parts, such as the human body and the various parts of nature.

Alma Oscura (Henderson, Thurber) means 'dark soul', about someone trying to find her own lost heart, sung in Spanish. This may sound obscure but it works well musically, a slow song. The CD cover illustrates this well, a very dark cover on which you can only just make out the figures.

El Arbol (Henderson): 'The Tree', in Spanish, is about an interracial couple who are lynched because of their love. Very expressive, low, dramatic piano chords played to fast percussion beats illustrate this.

Ven Muerte (Thurber): 'Come Death' was written for a production of Shakespeare's Macbeth. A tango rhythm is used and a clarinet solo adds to the drama.

Where Are You Now? (Thurber):  About a man whose actions have caused him to be alone. A haunting ballad with low pitched strings accompanied by a steady harp riff. Lyrics say 'you bit the apple, you lost your soul'.

Protocol (Henderson): A love affair that is crumbling, a tango rhythm.

Dream (Henderson): A surprise, unlisted, track about a love which is surviving only in a dream. A touching song done with voice and piano only.

It may all sound rather sombre and earnest, but take my word - it works.

This is Ms Henderson's sixth CD since 2011 and she is based in New York where she performs regularly as well as in Miami, Europe and South Africa. A student of music, Hispanic culture, jazz and flamenco, with a truly multicultural background - her mother has roots in Panama and Montserrat and her father has Caribbean connections.
Ann Alex

Released on June 28 by Brontosaurus Records.

Lauren Henderson (vocals); Michael Thurber (bass, producer); Sullivan Fortner, Damian Sim (piano); Gabe Schneider (guitar); Mark Dover (clarinet); Emi Ferguson (flute); Jon Lampley (trumpet); Allan Mednard, Joe Saylor (drums); Moses Patrou (perc); Tessa Lark (violin solo); Lavinia Pavlish, Brendan Speltz (violins); Charles Overton (harp); Rose Hashimoto (viola); Tara Hanish (cello); Leo Sidran (guest vocals).

No comments :

Blog Archive