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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.

Thursday, August 08, 2019

Leo Richardson Quartet: Album Launch @ Pizza Express, Soho - August 6

Leo Richardson (tenor sax); Rick Simpson (piano); Conor Chaplin (bass); Ed Richardson (drums) + Eric Alexander (tenor sax).
(Review by Lance/photo courtesy of Martin Hummel).

Having reviewed Move and The Chase I knew this gig was going to be special and it was. I may have been to better gigs although, off the top of my head I can't remember when. This was driving hard bop with Leo blowing like there was no tomorrow and his rhythm section kicking it all the way. Rick Simpson, Conor Chaplin and Ed, no relation, Richardson on drums making sure the leader didn't flag - as if!

It seemed as though the whole world had turned out for the album launch and the pizzas and Peronis  were in great demand but, once the music started, food and drink took second place.

Most of the numbers were from the current album although there were a few gems from the first. It didn't matter, the young tenor player, not unknown in Darlington blew some harmonics that almost sent the anchovies flying. Not to be outdone, Simpson on piano who also hails from the northeast staked his claim with some powerful solos - what is it about Darlo that it produces so many outstanding jazz musicians and, despite its size, also supports 3 jazz clubs?

It couldn't get any better - could it? It could. Let's bring Ronaldo off the bench or, to be more precise, New York tenor ace, Eric Alexander.

On the disc it's Alex Garnett who pairs up with Leo but, tonight, Alex was elsewhere so in steps Eric. The American blew up a storm but I think Leo shaded it. Eric agreed. "I was sight reading and just did my best" he said during the break.

It was a good break that I enjoyed in the company of Leo's dad, bass legend Jim Richardson and saxist Dave O'Higgins - jazz royalty!

More fantastic playing in the second set which came to a close with a return to the stage by Eric. He was on fire and so was Leo! Think of all the great tenor partnerships - Dex/Wardell; Zoot & Al; Tubbs/Ronnie; Sonny Stitt & Gene Ammons this matched all of them. The Thriller in Manila with saxophones instead of gloves became the set-to in Soho. Honours even. A night to remember!
Lance.
Move by the Leo Richardson Quartet is available on Ubuntu Records. CD Review.

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