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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

Monday, September 16, 2019

CD Review: Dave Miller Trio - Just Imagine

Dave Miller (piano); Chuck Bennett (bass); Bill Belasco (drums)
(Review by Lance).

Miller makes no apologies - George Shearing is his inspiration. However, before you groan and mutter, 'not another  Lullaby of Birdland' you'll be pleased to know that Birdland remains high in the sky - at least on this CD.

Shearing may be his idol but Miller is still very much his own man although not averse to the block hand style Shearing favoured (as did Nat Cole and Milt Buckner before him) which he also uses equally effectively. So no, this isn't a parade of hits but songs that Shearing played along the way without being indelibly associated with them.

The Bebop Irishman, a Ray Bryant tune that seemingly hasn't been recorded since 1962, is a great number that lives up to its title - it could have been renamed A Ceilidh on 52nd St.!

Those chord voicings! I get goosebumps just hearing them and, sacrilege that it may seem, even better without the vibes!

Bass and drums gel perfectly, Bennett in particular capturing the empathy between Shearing and bassists Brian Torff and Don Thompson.

If you're looking to hear a piano trio to compete with the grandmasters (no pun intended) then look no further...

Also, if you want to hear Miller as a master accompanist listen to the recordings he made with his daughter, singer Rebecca DuMaine. Link.
Lance.
Released date October 4 - Summit Records.

One For the Woofer (Billy Taylor); You Took Advantage of me; The Bebop Irishman; I'd Love to Make Love to You; Bittersweet (Sam Jones); A Foggy Day; A Beautiful Friendship; Confirmation; You Must Believe in Spring; This Time the Dream's on me; Careful (Jim Hall); A Time For Love; All my Tomorrows; Just Imagine.

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