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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17680 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 23 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Jan. 9).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Mon 13: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 13: Raymond MacDonald & Andy Champion @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 14: Zoë Gilby Quintet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 15: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 15: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 15: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 15: Hot Club of Heaton @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘third Wednesday in the month’ session. TBC.

Thu 16: Pete Tanton & the Cuban Heels @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £TBC.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. 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

Thursday, August 08, 2019

Matt Wates/Steve Fishwick Quintet @ The Spice of Life - August 7

Matt Wates (alto sax); Steve Fishwick (trumpet); Leon Greening (piano); Julian Berry (bass); Matt Fishwick (drums).
(Review by Lance).

A visit to London without calling in at the Spice of Life is, for me, like going to Paris and not visiting The Louvre and my latest visit did indeed produce some masterpieces. Hard bop certainly lives in London.

Although nothing could compare with the previous evening's session at Pizza this one came within a whisker - to be sure it did. 

The affable Irishman, Wates, blew breathtaking alto - Cannonball lives! - ably partnered by fiery trumpet man Fishwick, driven along by Fishwick the drum and held well together by bassist Berry. However, the star for me was pianist Greening. It had been some years since I last heard him which, I think, was at Scarborough Jazz Festival. He stole the show then and did so once more going by the reaction of the crowded room.
Much of the material was from the pen of the late Victor Feldman proving what a rare multi-talented person he was.

One delightful number Lisa (not to be confused with Gershwin's Liza) prompted Wates to announce that it was dedicated to anyone who is or was called Lisa! If he didn't play such great alto he could do stand-up!

Not many ballads but You've Changed hit the spot. The waltzes Hill Street and Waltz For Manon may not have got a "Ten from Len" but they certainly did from me!

The session ended with Tom Harrell's Train Shuffle - "imagine you're on the 5:15 to Basingstoke" quipped Wates. 
Interestingly the grand piano has been replaced by an upright - to make space for more seats I guess. It didn't hold young Leon back - what a player!

Two down and one to go - watch this space!
Lance
PS: Looks like rain - best have another beer!

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