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Bebop Spoken There

George Porter Jr.: ''To me, syncopation is like jazz. It wasn't meant for the masses. It was meant just for a hip few". (DownBeat, May 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

17985(and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 306 of them this year alone and, so far, 62 this month (April 26).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Tue 29: ???

Wed 30: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 30: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 30: International Jazz Day @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £16.00.; £14.00. adv.. Feat. Guido Spannocchi, John Pope & Steve Hanley + Take it to the Bridge participants + Open Mic Night participants.

MAY 2025

Thu 01: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Member’s Contribution.
Thu 01: Alabaster de Plume @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm.
Thu 01: Living in Shadows + OUTRI @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Thu 01: The Shayo Experiment @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Shayo Oshodi & Liam Oliver.
Thu 01: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free.

Fri 02: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 02: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 02: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 02: Anna Reay & Deon Krishnan @ STACK, Seaburn. 4:30-6:15pm. Free.
Fri 02: Nauta @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 7:00pm. £7.50. A ‘Nauta’s House’ gig featuring Nauta & guests Shayo Oshodi & David Gray.
Fri 02: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 02: Dom Pipkin @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Solo piano.
Fri 02: Abbie Finn Trio @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00. + bf.

Sat 03: Hot Fingers @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 03: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £25.00. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. Summer Samba Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 03: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 03: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 03: Postmodern Jukebox @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm.
Sat 03: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:00pm doors). £3.00. + bf.
Sat 03: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.
Sat 03: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:30pm. Free.

Sun 04: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £7.50.
Sun 04: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 04: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 04: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:00-5:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 04: Rivkala @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 04: Ben Crosland Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 05: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 05: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

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

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Paul Edis Plays Thelonious Monk. Live stream - Sept. 22

Paul Edis (piano)

Once again Paul Edis pops up on YouTube for another satisfying exploration  into the works of one of his heroes. Last week Bill Evans, this week Thelonious Monk. Two unique pianists diametrically opposed but both equally creative in their individual approach to composition and improvisation.

Evans is probably the more accessible player for anyone coming to the
music of either for the first time. Indeed it took me many years before I accepted Monk's piano playing for the stroke of genius that it was. Edis' comparision with Picasso I found very apt. I have many CDs and LPs by Monk all bought because they featured Coltrane, Rollins, Johnny Griffin or, particularly, Charlie Rouse so that when I did finally cotton on to Monk it was like hearing them as if it was the first time.

Last night, Paul didn't pay mere lip-service but, whilst showing respect, put his own stamp on the music.

Introducing each number with recording dates and historical background we heard: Four in One; San Francisco Holiday (a new one on me); Ba-Lu Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are; Ugly Beauty; Crepescule With Nellie; Bemsha Swing; Monk's Mood (possibly the most romantic tune of the evening); Raise Four; Well You Needn't; Off Minor and 'Round Midnight.

Two very enjoyable concerts. Will Paul turn it into a series? Jarrett, Corea, Tatum, Jelly Roll? We shall wait and see.

Lance.

3 comments :

Lance said...

Listening to Paul playing Monk last night brought to mind one of Paul's former students at Sage Gateshead back in 2009 - Harley Johnson. Harley was heavily Monk influenced. He migrated south to one of the music colleges then disappeared off the north east radar.

Anyone know how he's doing these days?

Ron Ainsborough said...

This shows that Paul's is sheer class. Absolutely brilliant.!!!
Don't think many pianists would dare to attempt Monks music the way Paul has.
Thoroughly enjoyed the 60+ minutes with all its anecdotal stories of Monk
Actually saw Monks quartet at Durham University in the 60's, a fantastic gig I recall.

Brian Ebbatson said...

I can only endorse all the comments and compliments above. I really like Paul’s new format and hope he continues to find similar inspiration.
Great also to hear from someone else who was at Monk’s ‘classic’ Quartet performance in Dunelm House back in the sixties. In all the lunchtime concerts at the Durham Gala over the last 5-6 years, no-one else in the audience has claimed to have been there when the question was put. Was it ‘65 or ‘66? Brian E

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