Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 2026)

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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

From This Moment On

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Tuesday, April 07, 2020

Tonight's Blue Note: Clifford Brown - Memorial Album.

(By Lance).

Originally released on 4 x 10" LPs from two sessions and subsequently  condensed onto a 12 incher these represent a fitting memorial to one who, along with Fats Navarro and Dizzy, defined bebop trumpet playing. Miles was still in the embryo stage and who knows that, but for the tragic automobile accident that took his young life, he wouldn't have been the greatest of them all?

Conjecture, I know, but these 1953 sessions present a strong case.

The supporting cast were all - or about to become - superstars in their own right. Donaldson's rendition of You Go To My Head is pure lyricism and Brownie's solo on the same tune isn't bad either although it's his feature on Easy Living where his balladic playing really comes to the fore. 

Gigi Gryce is probably a forgotten name now but, back in the day, he was considered an innovative composer - one of his compositions was Social Call later sung by Jon Hendricks with Cannonball and Alice Grace with SSBB and his Parker inspired alto added much to many sessions.

This is a fitting memorial to the man who inspired Benny Golson to write I Remember Clifford.

Clifford Brown was killed in an automobile accident near Bedford on the Pennsylvania Turnpike on June 26, 1956. Coincidentally, it just happened to be the very day that I enlisted into the RAF (National Service - remember that?) If I'd known what was happening over in Bedford, Pennsylvania it might have put into perspective what was going on at Bedford, England (RAF Cardington).  "At the double, present arms, thank gawd we got rid of 'itler - he'd 'ave pissed all over you lot!"

Yes, I have fonder memories of Clifford Brown than those of a certain Drill Instructor who will remain nameless in case he survived all the death threats.
AC2 Lance.

I think I'm going to have to employ a security guard - this one's listed at 250 bucks! Would I sell it? You could email me if it was going to a good turntable

Clifford Brown (trumpet); Lou Donaldson (alto sax); Elmo Hope (piano); Percy Heath (bass); "Philly" Joe Jones (drums). June 9, 1953.

Clifford Brown (trumpet); Gigi Gryce (alto sax/flute); Charlie Rouse (tenor sax); John Lewis (piano); Percy Heath (bass); Art Blakey (drums). August 28, 1953.
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