Bebop Spoken There

Gary Bartz: ''Music is nature's gift to man. It's the only religion. We're living in a terrible era, but what a beautiful thing music is. Look how it brings us together like religion is supposed to; and with no language barriers.'' (Jazzwise September, 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

18897 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 761 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 11.) 40.

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

September.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Ben Lawrence, Paul Grainger, Bailey Rudd.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 17: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 17: Front Porch Blues @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 17: Miles 100 @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00. Jack Courtney (trumpet); Sue Ferris (tenor sax); Tom Atkinson (guitar); Alan Law (piano); Deon Krishnan (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums). A night of Miles Davis.
Thu 17: Amphitrio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £7.00. Andrei Petrache (piano); Mike Alex (double bass); Philip Goron (drums).

Fri 18: Danny Lownes’ Hot Club @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Mark Williams Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 18: Emma Fisk’s Hot Club du Nord @ St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook. 7:30pm. £10.00., £5.00. student.
Fri 18: Rivkala + Beccy Sloan @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £10.00.

Sat 19: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal. All welcome.
Sat 19: Sing Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00-5:00pm. £27.50. Tutor: Alexia Gardner: Nina Simone. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 19: Ray Stubbs’ R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sat 19: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal. All welcome.

Sun 20: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 20: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.

Mon 21: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 21: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. Coltrane centenary.

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Album review: Dario Savino Doronzo - Reimagining Opera

Dario Savino Doronzo (flugelhorn); Pietro Gallo (piano); Michel Godard (serpent).

We don't get many serpents on BSH - an occasional snake perhaps - but I'm sure this is the first time we've had a real live serpent (well not actually live). Certainly it's the first time I've heard one played although, back in the day, when I'd make the occasional visit to the Boosey and Hawkes factory in Edgware I do recall seeing one in the company's museum.
As befits their size, they lurk in the bass end of the brass section, even though they are usually made of wood (I bet Carstairs Hallam has one tucked away in his attic!) So this a good excuse to listen to this album although I've never been a big fan of cross-genre projects or, in this case, as we used to call them, "jazzin' the classics".

However, apart from my curiosity re the serpent, my big attraction was the Intermezzo from Cav (Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana). This delightful piece has a lot of memories for me - don't ask! - and before I'd even heard the opening note I knew I was going to like it.

And I did! Those who remember Art Farmer's cool, frugal, flugel sound on Gerry Mulligan's 1963 album Night Lights will be pleased to know that Doronzo has that same wistful sound. It's a sound that gives you goosebumps. Lyrical, melodic, it's a long cool drink on a very warm night. 

On piano, Gallo is sympathetic and manages to merge his jazz head seamlessly with the material on offer. He's featured at length on Nessum Dorma from Puccini's opera Turandot.

As regards the serpent, it turns out to sound a bit like a French horn crossed with a euphonium  and the duet between serpent and flugel on Fruccia d'ali is quite magical. Look out for him in the Miscellaneous Instrument category of the next DownBeat Poll - he's guaranteed my vote!

My only small reservation in what is essentially a beautiful album is that I'd have liked to have heard a couple of more extrovert numbers such as The Toreador Song from Carmen or The Soldiers' Chorus from Faust. But, then again, that mellifluous sound would be lost unless they were transformed into ballads. Would it work? I don't know, try singing them ...
Lance

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