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Bebop Spoken There

Orrin Evans: “Now, getting a teaching spot is the new record deal”. (DownBeat, November, 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

17502 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 776 of them this year alone and, so far, 14 this month (Nov. 5).

From This Moment On ...

November

Sun 10: The New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free. A ‘second Sunday in the month’ residency.
Sun 10: Panharmonia @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £6.00.
Sun 10: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 10: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 10: Jude Murphy, Steve Chambers & Sid White @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 10: Moscow Drug Club @ Lesbury Village Hall, nr. Alnwick NE66 3PP. 7:30pm. £15.00.
Sun 10: SH#RP Collective @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 11: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 11: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 11: Graham Hardy’s Eclectic Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 12: Matthew Forster Quartet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.
Tue 12: Phil’s Elastic Band @ The Forum, Darlington. 7:30pm. Free, but ticketed, book online.

Wed 13: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 13: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 13: The Tannery Jam Session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. A ‘second Wednesday in the month’ jam session.
Wed 13: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 13: corto.alto @ Hoochie Coochie, Newcastle. 7:45pm (doors 7:00pm). £14.00. + bf.

Thu 14: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 14: Faye MacCalman & John Pope @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 14: Student Performances @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 4:00pm. Inc. Olly Styles (saxophone).
Thu 14: Happy Tuesdays @ Ye Olde Cross, Ryton. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 14: John Stowell & Tom Remon @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Top class US/UK guitar duo!
Thu 14: King Bees @ The Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Superb Chicago blues band. Note, Struggle Buggy will no longer be appearing.
Thu 14: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesborough. 8:30pm. Free. Guests: Jeremy McMurray (keys); Kevin Eland (trumpet); Mark Toomey (alto sax); Adrian Beadnell (bass).

Fri 15: Nicola Farnon Trio @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 15: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 15: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 15: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 15: Tim Kliphuis Trio @ Morpeth Methodist Church, Morpeth NE61 1HU. 7:30pm. £18.00.; £3.00. student (over 18); Free 18 or under. A Morpeth Music Society event. Kliphuis (violin), Nigel Clark (guitar), Roy Percy (double bass).
Fri 15: Lindsay Hannon’s Blues Trio @ 1719, Hendon, Sunderland. 7:30pm. £12.00. + bf.
Fri 15: Groovetrain @ The Exchange 1856, North Shields. 7:00pm. £22.50. + bf. Groovetrain’s ‘Big Night Out’.

Sat 16: Liane Carroll: Jazz Vocal Weekend Workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 9:00am-5:00pm. £95.00. Day 1/2. SOLD OUT!
Sat 16: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm.
Sat 16: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 16: Brand New Heavies @ Boiler Shop, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £75.00. + bf; £30.00. + bf.

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

Thursday, June 11, 2020

DANIEL HERSOG Q & A

Hi Daniel, It's kind of you to take time to talk to Bebop Spoken Here.   

BSH: First of all, Daniel Hersog is a new name to Bebop Spoken Here. Tell us a little bit about your background. Where were you born (we know you were raised in Vancouver and Victoria) and was there music in the family home and at school?  

Daniel:
I was born in beautiful Vancouver British Columbia. I had the pleasure of growing up in a very musical household. My Father is an avid jazz listener and passionate recreational piano player. I am hugely fortunate to have had wonderful educators in my life. I had a phenomenal high school music instructor, Mr. Bruce Ham. I have also been mentored by Composer Fred Stride. These two people have had the biggest impact on what I do musically today. 

BSH: You are a trumpeter, composer and arranger. Why trumpet? Was it always going to be trumpet for you?

Daniel:
I played piano from a young age, but it never really stuck. When I joined my elementary school band, I first chose the clarinet. After two hours of not being able to make a sound, I returned it for a trumpet. At age 15, I saw Jon Faddis live in concert. I sat in the front row. It was like nothing I’d ever seen before, I was totally overwhelmed. I already loved the trumpet then, but after that concert, my fate was sealed. 

BSH: You are a graduate of New England Conservatory. The Boston jazz scene must have been a stimulating environment for you and your fellow students. Give us an idea of the city and is there a friendly rivalry between NEC and Berklee College of Music?   

Daniel: 
Going to New England Conservatory changed my life. My time there shaped me as a composer,   musician and as a person. I was in awe of the artistry and work ethic my fellow students possessed. It was the first time I had been somewhere where everyone loved music as much as I did. 
While living in Boston, regrettably, I didn’t take full advantage of the off-campus musical offerings. In particular, I should have gone to see Jason Palmer at Wally’s much more than I did. The NEC Berklee relationship was always positive when I was there. I would get hired alongside Berklee musicians on gigs and recording jobs, and it was always a pleasure.

BSH: At NEC you were awarded the Gunther Schuller Medal. That must have been a proud   moment. Did you get to meet Mr Schuller before he died in 2015?   

Daniel:
It was both proud and completely unexpected. The award had been created that year, and I had no idea I would be recipient until I was called on stage. I never got to meet Mr. Schuller. We had hoped he would be able to come and rehearse us when we were playing the music from “Miles Ahead” with the NEC Jazz Orchestra. Unfortunately, he was not well enough at the time.  

BSH: Your debut big band album Night Devoid of Stars takes its title from a Martin Luther King quote: Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night  already devoid of stars.  Dr King's words of half a century ago seem to be every bit as relevant today as they were then. Other than acknowledging the inspirational source for the title of the album are you happy to let the music speak for itself?

Daniel:
The title track “Night Devoid of Stars,” begins musically in a dark place and ends on a hopeful note.  Cloudbreak shares that idea as well. Light seeping through the darkness.
Obviously this past week has been unbelievably trying and difficult for many many people. A difficulty that I will never understand.
I’m writing this on the morning of June 8th, and it feels like light is starting to shine through. Long overdue progress is being made, and people with bravery and courage that exponentially surpasses my own our serving as leaders and affecting change.

BSH: I imagine you hand-picked your sixteen-piece big band. Does the Vancouver - and wider   Canadian - jazz scene present you with a large pool of top class musicians to call upon?   

Daniel:
Absolutely it does. I just put together a cross-Canada jazz orchestra for a remote big band project. Our first video will debut July 1st (Canada Day). There are musicians from all 10 provinces, all of whom play brilliantly, and there are many many others all over the country. In addition to Vancouver, I’ve led big bands in Toronto and Montreal. The level of musicianship in those cities is stunning. 

You don't play on Night Devoid of Stars. Did you set out with the intention of making it a non- playing, composer/arranger project?   

Daniel:
Yes. I play trumpet in all other projects with which Im involved. Im more than happy for this one to be about the writing. I have four great trumpet players in my band, Including Brad Turner who is one of my long time musical heroes. Each one of them contributes with a unique voice, I love their contributions to my music.

BSH: It is interesting that you cite Gil Evans as an inspiration. The opening track on the album, Cloud Break reminds me, in parts, of Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew. Brad Turner and Noah Preminger make superb contributions supported by a swinging rhythm section. As a composer and arranger how hands-on were you with the musicians? Did you know exactly what you wanted from the ensemble and soloists or were you happy to see what emerged during the studio recording sessions?

Daniel:
That’s a great question! I was very hands-on in terms of how I wanted the written ensemble passages to be played, and very hands-off in terms of what the soloists contributed. Frank, Noah, and Brad are brilliant improvisers, I trusted they would elevate my compositions, and they did just that. I’m really quite in awe of them.  

BSH: We are familiar with the work of Noah Preminger having reviewed a couple of his albums in recent years. His tenor sax playing on Makeshift Memorial is restrained, wrought and, to my ears, exactly what the piece requires. It must be a pleasure to write and arrange material knowing Noah is onboard. 

Daniel:
Absolutely. This whole album was written with Frank and Noah in mind. Their versatility and range make it an absolute thrill to write music for them. They also have a great spirit, they are exceptionally well prepared, and they are two of my dear friends. I feel profoundly lucky that I get to write for their musical voices.

BSH: The title, Makeshift Memorial, is, of course, part commentary on gun violence. Did you ever imagine it would have such resonance in today's pandemic world?  

Daniel:
No. These last few months are like nothing I could have imagined. I think that speaks to my own privilege. I can watch media and be appalled at the discrimination and violence that I see, but I do not have to live it. For many people, this is their day to day reality.

BSH: Looking at Cellar Music's impressive catalogue it must give you great pleasure to find yourself working with the Vancouver based label. How did the association come about?  

Daniel:
I’ve known Cory Weeds for quite some time. He gave the DHJO our first ever gig at the Cellar jazz club. About a month before we went in to record, I got a text from him that said “let’s talk about your record.” Suffice to say, I’m thrilled to be on Cellar Music’s label, grateful for Cory’s Support, and I hope this will be the first of many collaborations. 
Cory is incredibly hard working and our Vancouver jazz scene would be unrecognizable without his contributions.

BSH: You have studied and/or worked with many established names, including Ralph Alessi, Frank Carlberg and Jason Palmer (Alessi and Palmer have played gigs on Tyneside, Bebop Spoken Here's heartland in the north east of England!). In your mid-thirties do you find it easy being the 'boss' in the company of such luminaries?  

Daniel: 
Bandleader and boss are two very different things for me. As a bandleader, I really feel like I work for my ensemble, not the other way around. Everyone in my ensemble is welcomed and encouraged to make changes and suggestions about all aspects of what we do. I’m lucky to have them. It’s really an ensemble filled with my role models. I write the music and I share my vision for it, but I’m no one’s boss.

BSH: We try to keep up to date with what's happening across the Atlantic and it seems that contemporary big bands are flourishing; Maria Schneider is a big name over here and Darcy James Argue is increasingly known. Do you know these guys personally or are they simply 'names' on the scene?  

Daniel:
I’ve attended masterclasses with both Darcy and Maria, and I have seen their bands play live. I am of course huge admirers of their work. When I was considering graduate schools, I reached out to Darcy and he kindly wrote me a hugely detailed and helpful response. We are from the same town. I think both Darcy and Maria are fabulous stewards for this music, I’m grateful they do so much.   

BSH: Talking of England (and, more widely, Europe), do you have any plans to tour over here?   

Daniel:
I would love too! My mother is Scottish, and I have family living in the UK. It definitely will happen, but at the moment it’s hard to say when.

BSH: Thanks again Daniel. Please keep us updated on gigs, tours, recording projects and anything else you're up to.

Daniel Hersog's Night Devoid of Stars will be released on Cellar Music (CM051119) on June 12.

Russell

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