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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 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

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ 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

Friday, November 08, 2019

Greg Abate w. Paul Edis Trio @ The Black Swan - Nov. 7

Greg Abate (alto sax/flute); Paul Edis (piano); Andy Champion (bass); Russ Morgan (drums).
(Review by Lance).

It’s dead simple really – they don’t get any better than this! Not now, not ever! A strong statement I know but this was the best alto playing I’ve heard since Sonny Stitt at Gateshead Town Hall over 50 years ago - apart from on Greg's previous visits to Newcastle that is. On that occasion, Stitt was with the Malcolm Saul Trio. Tonight Abate was with the Paul Edis Trio who have built on the legacy of the late Malcolm Saul and the domiciled Bill Harper – the keys of the kingdom are in good hands.

Apart from his alto playing, Abate’s fluting is equally world class. I have a theory. Flautists who don’t play sax tend to have got into jazz as failed classical musicians. They have the technique but their initial grounding shows when they start blowing jazz whereas the fluter who began as a saxer (my word) already has the jazz feel – just a thought and I know there are exceptions to disprove my thoughts.

Getting back to the gig, I sat in awe wondering why every alto sax player in the world wasn’t sitting there applauding – hopefully they were at home practising. Likewise the flute players and, of course, the aspiring pianists, bassists and drummers because the trio behind the great man are no mere mortals either as most of us know very well.

I’m not going to give a blow by blow account of each tune – I mean, how many times do you want to read “This was great”, “This was fantastic” “This was Napoleon Brandy”?

When I first took an interest in sax playing, I’d talk to the old time dance band pros and mention someone who, I thought had a good technique. “Ah!” they would say, “But does he have a tone?”

Greg Abate has ‘a tone’ and the technique to match.


Recorda Me set the standard. A 5000 npm (notes per minute) blast on Charlie Parker’s Steeplechase had the juices near boiling point. They simmered on Farewell to Phil Woods - a gentle bossa dedicated to the late Phil Woods. Airegin had me breathless. Hazy Moon saw the great man switch to flute for this original inspired by his wife. Inner Urge by Joe Henderson was a joy to behold. Can anyone play that many notes and still produce a meaningful solo? And what about the trio? Despite a keyboard that seemed to have a couple of clinky notes Edis didn't let it cramp his style proving him to be a star in his own right. Champion the Wonder Bass retained his title and Morgan the Mighty was merely magnificent.

Second set - like the first - another one to write home about. Sleeping Bee; Angel Eyes (flute);  a fast bopper by Bird that I should have identified but didn't; On Green Dolphin St. (flute); An Afro Cuban original in 6/4 time. Greg blows Andy the bass line, Andy picks it up and we're off to the races; Star Eyes then, to finish, Gratitude which is also the title of his current CD. It will be reviewed here shortly - once I recover from being shell-shocked!
Lance.
Link to some great photos courtesy of Ken Drew.

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