Bebop Spoken There

Warne Marsh: "At some point, you have to be prepared to create—to perform. It's vital, man, if we're talking about jazz, the original jazz, the performing art. It fulfils its meaning only when you play it live in front of an audience." DownBeat January 1983.

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

18191 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 45 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 14), 45

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Tue 20: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Ben Lawrence, Paul Grainger, Joe Deans.

Wed 21: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 21: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 21: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 22: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: 2025 obituaries.
Thu 22: Ronnie Scott’s Soho Songbook @ The Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm. SOLD OUT!
Thu 22: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta. @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm (doors). £6.50 (inc. bf).

Fri 23: Sue Ferris Quintet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 23: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 23: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 23: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 24: An Evening with Will Todd @ Durham Cathedral. 7:30pm. Feat. Voices of Hope, Strictly Smokin’ Big Band (members of) & Alice Grace. Performance inc. Todd’s Jazz Missa Brevis. £25.50., £13.50., £19.50., £10.50.

Sun 25: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: Gaz Hughes Trio @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 25: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: Alexia Gardner Trio @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00.

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

Monday, July 13, 2020

KIERON GARRETT PRESENTS: SYNTHONIC - Do You Remember?

(Press release)
Renowned jazz pianist breaks new ground with funk fuelled project

July 2020 marks the release of Do You Remember? The brand new album by ‘Synthonic’ – a funk fuelled, synth-led electronic project created by leading jazz pianist and composer Kieron Garrett.

As band leader of the Kieron Garrett Quartet (KGQ), Garrett has gained widespread praise for his innovative compositions and dexterous skill on keys, performing at leading international venues and festivals with an ensemble that includes leading UK saxophonist Dave O’Higgins.

Now with Synthonic, Garrett channels his creativity in a new direction, developing a series of dynamic, electronic funk orientated compositions that are as innovative as they are exciting.

On the Synthonic project, Kieron Garrett writes, records, produces and performs everything himself (bar some guest appearances on two of the tracks), which clearly demonstrates his undeniable prowess as a highly gifted musician at the top of his game.

Trained as a classical pianist, Garrett is a self-taught jazz musician, who has also been playing the tuba since the age of seven. This diverse range of experience has allowed a broadening of musical horizons that is doubtlessly evident on Do You Remember?

Though very much rooted in classic funk, the Synthonic material contains sounds, melodies and themes that cover jazz, soul and electronica, coming together to form something progressive and unique.

Garrett’s musical inspirations for Synthonic flow from a plethora of sources, anything from Chick Corea to Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter to Stevie Wonder. It is a masterful body of work, destined to be enjoyed by both the most discerning of music lovers and those who just can’t get enough of a good groove!
  
Do You Remember? Track Listing:

·      Havana
·      Groovin Out feat. Dave O'Higgins (sax) Dan Hawkins (bass)  
·      Stepping Out
·      Fork in the Road
·      Disco
·      Divergence  
·  Do You Remember? feat Grace Walker (vocals) Leo Appleyard (guitar)
·      Quarantine

·      All tracks composed and performed by Kieron Garrett

Released 17th July 2020

1 comment :

Unknown said...

Great album great tunes and seriously good arrangements!

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