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Bebop Spoken There

Simon Spillett: “ Bebop and hard bop came naturally to him [Tubby Hayes]". Morning Star, March 28, 2024.

The Things They Say!

Hudson Music: Lance's "Bebop Spoken Here" is one of the heaviest and most influential jazz blogs in the UK.

Rupert Burley (Dynamic Agency): "BSH just goes from strength to strength".

'606' Club: "A toast to Lance Liddle of the terrific jazz blog 'Bebop Spoken Here'"

The Strictly Smokin' Big Band included Be Bop Spoken Here (sic) in their 5 Favourite Jazz Blogs.

Ann Braithwaite (Braithwaite & Katz Communications) You’re the BEST!

Holly Cooper, Mouthpiece Music: "Lance writes pull quotes like no one else!"

Simon Spillett: A lovely review from the dean of jazz bloggers, Lance Liddle...

Josh Weir: I love the writing on bebop spoken here... I think the work you are doing is amazing.

Postage

16287 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 169 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (Mar 18).

From This Moment On ...

March

Fri 29: FILM: Soul @ The Forum Cinema, Hexham. 12:30pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Fri 29: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 29: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 6:00pm. Free. POSTPONED!
Fri 29: Thundercat @ Newcastle City Hall.
Fri 29: John Logan @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 29: True Colours @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 9:00pm. Blues, jazz & swing.

Sat 30: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 30: Pete Tanton’s Cuba Libre @ Whitley Bay Library, York Road, Whitley Bay. 8:00pm.

Sun 31: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay Metro Station. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 31: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields NE30 1HJ. 3:00pm. Free. Lambert, Alan Law & Paul Grainger.
Sun 31: Sid Jacobs & Tom Remon @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. USA/London jazz guitar duo.
Sun 31: Bellavana @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

April
Mon 01: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free.

Tue 02: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Dean Stockdale, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 03: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 03: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 03: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 04: FILM: Soul @ Forum Cinema, Hexham. 2:00pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Thu 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 04: Funky Drummer @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 04: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 04: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Sunday, February 09, 2020

Frog and Henry @ Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club - February 8

(Review by Russell)

Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club's second concert promotion in eight days drew a huge crowd and little wonder given that the band on stage was making a popular return visit all the way from the Crescent City. Drawing upon the vast reserve of material from the early or 'classic jazz' years of the music Frog and Henry entertained an expectant, attentive audience. 

Charlie Johnson, Armand J Piron, Jelly Roll Morton and other legendary names from the Roaring Twenties provided the inspiration and source material for a superb five piece outfit roaring into the twenties - twenty first century style. Ewan Bleach from Oxfordshire fronted the band - perhaps the Stateside guys thought his English accent would be easier for the Brits to understand! 

A blues for openers followed by a blues followed by, yes, a blues, by accident or design, a series of blues numbers introduced the Frog and Henry guys although, truthfully, there was little need for introductions, the Darlington crowd  doesn't forget musicians of this calibre! Hot Tempered BluesWabash Blues (Ryan Baer's vocals), Bright Star Blues (the first mention of Armand J Piron), Careless Love (Careless Love Blues said Bleach) - this was small group ensemble playing at its best. Jazz Me Blues and on to a two-clarinet intro to Crying for the Carolines with Bleach taking the vocal part. 

Bleach thought it was time for a rag - Joplin's Palm Leaf Rag - and our man from Oxfordshire duly laid down a measured bottom end baritone foundation. Guitarist Baer, typically hidden away in the engine room alongside tuba machine specialist Dave Neigh, sang My Gal Sal with North American (RB is Canadian) authenticity. Numbers came thick and fast with Bleach making the introductions; to his left, the man from Tennessee, Kerman Arken playing superb back country, old timey fiddle, to his right, Laurin Hebart contributing never-less-than spot-on alto sax, tenor sax and clarinet (a renowned Tyneside based reedsman sitting in the audience surely appreciated the German's playing, perhaps making mental notes along the way).

Second set - more Charlie Johnson, more Armand J Piron. The Thriller Rag from way back in 1909, some Luis Russell, Ryan Baer singing In My Little Red Book a highlight, Chicago's Cookie's Gingersnaps' Love Found You for Me (1926, Jimmie Noone) an excellent choice. The packed hall could have listened into the night but the Frog and Henry boys faced a three hour drive to an evening gig in Lincolnshire. Time to go out on Bouncing Around. They'll be back this time next year, don't miss them!        
         
Frog and Henry: Ewan Bleach (sporano sax, baritone sax, alto sax, vocals); Laurin Hebart (alto sax, tenor sax, clarinet, vocals); Ryan Baer (guitar, vocals); Kerman Arken (violin, vocals); Dave Neigh (tuba machine, banjo, violin) 
Russell

1 comment :

Ray Sams said...

We look forward to having Frog and Henry back next February with a ten piece ensemble, Watch this space and thanks to all our loyal supporters
Ray . Darlington New Orleans Jazz

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