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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

17655 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 929 of them this year alone and, so far, 74 this month (Dec. 31).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Sun 05: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £7.50.
Sun 05: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 05: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Americana, jazz & blues.
Sun 05: Papa G’s Troves @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free (donations).

Mon 06: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 07: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 7:00pm. Free.

Wed 08: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 08: The Tannery Jam Session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 08: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 08: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Thu 09: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: John H Hammond.
Thu 09: FILM: Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 2:35pm. Documentary (dir. Johan Grimonprez) ‘about jazz, (de)colonial history and activism featuring Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone and Dizzy Gillespie’.
Thu 09: Happy Tuesdays @ Ye Olde Cross, Ryton. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 09: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. Ragtime piano. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 09: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. A Tees Hot Club promotion. The session now monthly, next one Thursday 2nd Feb, then first Thursday in the month thereafter.

Fri 10: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 10: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 10: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 10: Joe Steels Trio @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. Free.

Sat 11: Jason Isaacs @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 11: Under the Wellie @ 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

Wednesday, October 02, 2019

CD Review: Miki Purnell - Midnight Bloom

Miki Purnell (vocal); Tamir Hendelman (piano); Alex Frank (bass);  Dean Koba (drums) + Bob Sheppard (sax/clarinet/flute x 5); Pat Kelley (guitar x 3); Tommy Aros (percussion x 4).
(Review by Lance).

Miki Purnell's second album is an appealing collection of songs loosely related to experiencing the wonders of nature at night which isn't a bad place to start.

Born and raised in Japan, after dipping her toes into the waters of jazz, Miki became a doctor in Hawaii and her career was professionally put on the backburner albeit whilst still singing after work for the residents of a nursing home. Sounds familiar? Miki wouldn't be the first doctor to combine the two.

A move to San Diego saw her parallel universe expanding. Not only did she become a member of the second largest integrative medicine team in the United States but also recorded her first CD Swingin' to the Sea which was so favourably reviewed worldwide that an eventual follow-up was inevitable.

Although the winsome little girl voice suggests shades of Chet Baker and Blossom Dearie - two of her biggest influences - it doesn't detract from her individuality. In a world where one in every three women are jazz singers (or so it seems) it is refreshing to find that unique person who stands out from the crowd. Miki Purnell does that here with a mix of the familiar, the not so familiar and a couple of her own,

"Being involved in music cultivates my creativity in medicine and in bonding with patients" says Miki.

She's equally creative in music too. On Embraceable You she applies her vocalese to a 1949 JATP Lester Young solo. Coleman Hawkins inspired her take on Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams whilst an original (co-written with pianist Henderson), Midnight Madness Called Jazz, is based on 'Round Midnight. Matt Dennis' The Night We Called it a Day, Stars (Endless Stars) by Fred Hersch and Norma Winstone, plus gems by Johnny Mandel with Dave Frishberg and the Bergmans add to what may well be the classiest vocal album of the year.

And there's more! Tamir Henderson is the perfect accompanist cum soloist - think Hank Jones and you're getting close. Bob Sheppard pops up on 5 tracks blowing tenor, clarinet and flute, adding that little bit extra. Pat Kelley does the same with some fine guitar work on four tracks with Tommy Aros helping out Koba and Frank in the rhythm section.

Next time you're feeling ill and can't get to Sacramento where Miki now practises just ask your GP to prescribe Midnight Bloom - 14 tracks, minimum twice a day with an extra dose at suppertime - it will work wonders!
Lance

Listen.

Moonlight Saving Time; Embraceable You; No Moon at All; Estrada Branca; 'Round Midnight/Midnight Madness Called Jazz; Quiet Now; Love Dance; The Night We Called it a Day; Teach me Tonight; You Are There; Solitary Moon; Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams; Stars; Midnight Bloom.

3 comments :

Ann Alex said...

Lance, I hope you are glad that it seems that 1 out of every 3 women are jazz singers. The more the merrier! It seems to me that 1 out of every 3 men are jazz sax players, but I'm not complaining, so I hope you aren't.

Lance said...

Ann, I only made the observation to emphasise that Miki Purnell is a singer who really does stand out from the crowd and is worth checking out by anyone who appreciates good jazz singing. I realise I was being facetious when I quoted '1 in 3' when it's probably nearer 1 in 5.

Miki P said...

Hello Lance!! Thank you so much for this beautiful review!!!! I showed it to my colleagues and we all love how you recommend prescription and additional dose at dinner time!! Super creative!!!

I am very honored!!

BTW, I joined the integrative medicine whenI moved to Sacramento!! In San Diego, i was just practicing family medicine!! Sorry for confusing bio.

Please take care and have a wonderful day!!! Hug!!

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