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Bebop Spoken There

Abbie Finn: "Even though there's a lot of great work being done to promote women in jazz, I still come up against some attitudes! I pulled up at a recording session with my drums in the car and the studio owner said, 'I'm sorry, this space is reserved for the drummer!'" - (Jazzwise April 2023).

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!"

Postage

15229 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 15 years ago. 248 of them this year alone and, so far, 61 this month (March 20).

From This Moment On ...

March

Tue 21: Paul Skerritt @ The Rabbit Hole, Hallgarth St., Durham DH1 3AT. 7:00pm. Paul Skerritt's (solo) weekly residency.
Tue 21: Jam session @ Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. House trio: Jacob Egglestone (guitar); Jamie Watkins (bass guitar); Bailey Rudd (drums).

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Traveller's Rest, Cockerton. 7:00pm. Rehearsal session (open to the public). Note change of venue - this week only.
Wed 22: 4B @ The Exchange, North Shields. 7:00pm.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm.

Thu 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 4:00-6:00pm. Free.
Thu 23: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Bar Loco, Newcasatle. From 6:30pm 'til late. Free. Newcastle University Jazz Orchestra jam session. All welcome (students & non-students).
Thu 23: Kerrin Tatman + John Garner & John Pope @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm.
Thu 23: Sunna Gunnlaugs & Julia Hülsmann @ Sage Gateshead. 8:00pm. A two-piano gig. A Sage Gateshead-JNE promotion.
Thu 23: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Ragtime piano.
Thu 23: Sleep Suppressor @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00., £8.00. adv. Upstairs.
Thu 23: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman's Club, Middlesbrough. 9:00pm.

Fri 24: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.
Fri 24: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 24: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms, Monkseaton. 1:00pm.
Fri 24: FILM: Mo' Better Blues @ Forum Cinema, Hexham. 7:00pm.
Fri 24: Ian Millar & Dominic Spencer @ Scarth Hall, Staindrop, Co. Durham. 8:00pm. £10.00.
Fri 24: Archipelago + Bulbils @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm.

Sat 25: Vermont Big Band @ Walker Community Centre, Walker, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Fundraiser for Benfield Juniours Football Club. Hot food available, BYOB.
Sat 25: John Logan & Friends @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Rat Pack, Motown etc. 8:00pm. Free (donations).

Sun 26: Musicians Unlimited @ Park Inn, Hartlepool. 1:00pm.
Sun 26: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: 4B @ The Exchange, North Shields. 3:00pm.
Sun 26: Outlines @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. JNE promotion (upstairs).

Mon 27: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Album review: Kemuel Roig - Genesis

In case anyone was in doubt, a glance at the personnel will give them a strong indication of where the inspiration for the music comes from - Cuba!

Of all the Latin countries, and I include Brazil in this wide statement, none has merged its indigenous music and rhythms with jazz as seamlessly as Cuba whilst, at the same time retaining its identity. The proof, if proof were needed, can be found in this exciting album.

Pianist Roig, who spent the past 8 years touring with Arturo Sandoval, came to the United States as a 12 year old in 2002. Although this is his first jazz release under his own name over the past 18 years living in Miami he has appeared and recorded with names such as Al Di Meola, Isaac Delgado and Brian Lynch among others. His piano work delights as he traces his Cuban roots and traditions to the present time.

As in so much Cuban music the trumpet plays a major role. Padron's feature on Pare Cochero (which translates as "stop coachman") transports us to the streets of Havana at jazz festival time. Brecker's equally virtuosic performance on Conversation takes us back to the mainland but hey! Miami's almost Cuba si?

Ed Calle has a tenor blast on All God's Chillun Got Rhythm and  Mercy Brass provide extra power here and on several other tracks. Chris Potter kicks in with more tenor on Inner Urge and Milton Sesenton provides the orchestral string backing on All For You with the compulsive percussion reminding us where we are.

Café Con Leche is mainly piano blended with some spiky double bass. Maybe it's coffee shop music but it's coffee to die for.

Kendrick (Blessed Child) is dedicated to one of the pianist's two sons and is suitably emotional. The Prayer reflects Roig's spirituality and, no surprise, has a gospel feel about it building up to a powerful climax that left me quite breathless and not sure whether I wanted to go to church or to Cuba.

Lance

Kemuel Roig (piano/keys/perc); Randy Brecker, Julio Padron, (trumpets); Chris Potter, Ed Calle (tenor sax); Alain Perez, Joel Hermandez (vocals); Lowell Ringel (bass); Hilario Bell (drums/perc); Jose "Majito" Agulera (perc) + 

Mercy BrassOsvaldo Fleites, Gerardo Rodriguez ; Bayron Ramos (trombone); Roylan Vazquez (tenor sax); Milton Sesenton (orchestra/arranger/conductor).

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