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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 2025).

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

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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, July 16, 2020

Album review: Kenny Washington - What's the Hurry*

An enjoyable set by Kenny Washington (not to be confused with the drummer of the same name), one of that rare breed - a male jazz singer. Perhaps it's not so rare but Elling and Porter seem to have opened up such a gap that it sometimes seems like the others are slugging it out for third place. Maybe - maybe not. Washington is up there with the best and, on the strength of this album, one wonders why this is his first studio album - any ideas?

Maybe he fell foul of the suits, maybe he didn't wear a silly hat or maybe his voice just exuded too much class for an audience that had forgotten about class. More likely, apart from a 9 year stint in the US Navy, his time was fully occupied touring the world with various bands so that, although he often recorded live with them, there wasn't much time to set up a studio date - until now.

Now, class is back - big time! Listen to this choice selection of standards and I rest my case.

Of course, behind every great singer there's a band and the supporting cast provide even more class. Goines blows tenor and clarinet on a couple, Olmos wails on I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues whilst Nelson's presence is felt on every track. However, it's unfair to single out any one person other than Washington himself - it's true, I cannot tell a lie.
Lance

The Best is Yet to Come; S'Wonderful**; Stars Fell on Alabama; I've Got the World on a String; I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues; Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered; Invitation; Here's to Life; Sweet Georgia Brown; No More Blues; Smile.

Kenny Washington (vocals); Josh Nelson (piano); Gary Brown (bass); Lorca Hart (drums) + (on various tracks) Victor Goines (tenor sax/clarinet); Jeff Massaneri (guitar); Mike Olmos (trumpet); Peter Michael Escovedo (bongos); Dan Feiszli (bass); Jeff Cressman (trombone); Ami Milinelli-Hart (perc.).

Available August 17 on A-Train Entertainment.

* Don't ask me why there's no question mark after the title!

** Usually written as 'S Wonderful.

1 comment :

Anonymous said...

Just heard a few tracks played on WWOZ... wow, nice rekkid!

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