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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17777 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 98 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Feb.8).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Sun 09: The New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 09: Glenn Miller & Big Band Spectacular @ The Forum, Billingham. 3:00pm.
Sun 09: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Tom Remon & Mark Williams @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 09: Rod Oughton’s Tomorrow’s New Quartet with Ben van Helder @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Line-up inc. Deschanel Gordon.
Sun 09: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 10: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 11: Steve Summers Quintet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Jam session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 13: Student Performances @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 4:00pm. Free. Inc. Olly Styles (tenor sax).
Thu 13: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: Artist Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Hannabiell & Midnight Blue.
Thu 13: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 14: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 12:30-1:30pm. £5.00. at the door. New second Friday in the month concert series.
Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 14: Archipelago + Anna Tempest @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £8.00.
Fri 14: Paul Jones & Dave Kelly @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. Rhythm & blues.
Fri 14: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Fri 14: Jazz Sabbath @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

Sat 15: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 15: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 15: Elkie Brooks @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. ‘The Long Farewell Tour’.
Sat 15: Milne Glendinning Band @ 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

Monday, December 09, 2019

CD Review: Paul Edis & Friends - On Christmas Day

(Review by Russell)

On Christmas Day as gifts are unwrapped, champagne sipped and sprouts prepared it would be a splendid idea to listen to On Christmas Day. The new album by Paul Edis and a stocking full of talented friends is a seasonal delight but shouldn't be consigned to the 'once a year' section of your CD collection, on the contrary, pianist, composer and arranger Edis' album isn't just for Christmas, it's for any and every day of the year!

The majority of the album's thirteen tracks are bona fide classic numbers, two are of more recent pop chart vintage and there is an original penned by bandleader Edis with lyrics by Kate Edis. The eleven-strong ensemble does Edis proud; flawless performances from all ranging from established names Jo Harrop, Matt Anderson, Graham Hardy, Jason Holcomb, Emma Fisk, Edis' regular trio partners Andy Champion and Russ Morgan to rising stars Faye Thompson, Megan Robinson and Francis Tulip.  


Recorded over two days in August, Edis' masterful arrangements bring out the best in the ensemble. From the opening Let it Snow (S. Cahn/J. Styne) with its New Orleans' shuffle feel (solos from Matt Anderson, soprano sax and Andy Champion, bass) to a sublime Paul Edis-Jo Harrop duo rendition of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (R. Blane/H. Martin) to The Christmas Song (M. Tormé/R. Wells) to the closing number, Frank Loesser's What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?On Christmas Day is a sparkling offering decked in holly, tinsel and musical angels. 

Santa Baby (J. Javits/P. Springer) is pure Basie and pure Edis in its arrangement with Jo Harrop's reading of Philip Stringer's lyrics arguably as good as any since Eartha Kitt. Edis' Merry Christmas on Christmas Day features the composer's vocals supported by a sensitive, supportive ensemble cast. The final track, some sixty minutes in, is a fine ensemble piece - What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? - a real late night, indeed, end of year affair. 

On Christmas Day by Paul Edis & Friends is an album that should be in the collection of every jazz fan. Come to think of it, anyone who appreciates the craft of arranging, writing and performing should acquire a copy, it's that good!

The album was recorded, engineered and mastered by the redoubtable Adam Sinclair. It was produced by Paul Edis and Adam Sinclair. On Christmas Day on the Edis Music label is available from: www.pauledis.co.uk and at gigs. The good news is, just in time for Christmas, you have no fewer than four opportunities to hear Paul Edis and  Friends in concert reprising last year's sell out show A Jazzy Christmas (and buy a copy of the CD!) at Middlesbrough Town Hall (Dec 15, 2:00pm), Ushaw College (Dec 20, 7:30pm) and two performances at Sage Gateshead (Dec 21, 2:00pm & 8:00pm). 
Russell    

Paul Edis (MD, piano, vocals); Jo Harrop (vocals); Matt Anderson (tenor sax, soprano sax); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jason Holcomb (trombone); Emma Fisk (violin); Faye Thompson (alto sax, clarinet); Megan Robinson (flute, piccolo); Francis Tulip (guitar); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums)        

1 comment :

Hugh said...

Listened to this On Christmas Day, as instructed. Excellent accompaniment to th festivities.

Congratulations to Paul Edis and Friends on an excellent album.

And continuing festive greetings to all on BSH. All the best for good vision in 2020!

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