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.

Friday, May 15, 2020

Paul Edis: Lockdown Live #9 - May 15

Paul Edis (piano/vocals)

Ninth consecutive Friday lunchtime session by  Paul Edis and, as yet, with little, if any, repeats!

Cy Coleman's Witchcraft got the ball rolling, drawing approving comments along the way. Next up was that song with the dreadful lyrics - Nature Boy. Fortunately, Paul didn't sing it - I'd have been happy if Nat King Cole hadn't sung it either although his bank account would have been depleted if he hadn't! In Paul's hands he demonstrated that the tune was good enough to stand up on its own merits without any strange enchanted boys!


Paul did take to the mic for What is This Thing Called Love? He included the verse which is always a plus for me. There seems to be a verse renaissance coming on. Over the Rainbow also featured the verse whilst, in between, an original Edis that may or may not have had a verse - From Nothing to Nowhere.

Bye Bye Blackbird featured some lovely block-chording reminiscent of Oscar P. and Falling in Love With Love was a delightful 3/4 romp.

Mingus met Trane in the form of Nostalgia in Times Square followed by Central Park West. Both beautiful tunes perfectly executed.

Another vocal - I'm Old Fashioned, great tune.

To finish off with, Nuages and Autumn Leaves in 9/8.

If and when we ever get back to normality these Friday lunchtime sessions will be a great miss.
Lance

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