Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 2026)

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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

From This Moment On

March

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Adrian Cox and Dave Archer play Benny Goodman and Charlie Christian. Live stream from Kansas Smitty's - Nov. 17

Adrian Cox (clarinet/vocal); Dave Archer (guitar); Ferg Ireland (bass); Will Cleasby (drums) + Giacomo Smith (clarinet) & Joe Webb (piano).

The theme was Benny Goodman/Charlie Christian and who better to take up the challenge than Adrian and Dave?

Seven Come Eleven; Soft Winds; Rachel's Dream got things going. In the latter tune, named after Benny's daughter - when he remembered her name - included a quote by Adrian of Salt Peanuts which must have had BG turning in his grave!

Memories of You, so smooth, Till Tom Special, so swingy and a great drum solo.

The original Goodman version of Body and Soul didn't feature Benny singing but this didn't deter Adrian who knew the words and played brilliant clarinet!

Grand Slam was piano-less boogie-woogie and none the worse for that. Take a bow Dave Archer! This was almost rock 'n' roll only better.

I thought that it couldn't fly any higher and then... and then... and then... Joe Webb joined on piano and Giacomo made it a two clarinet front line. Most of the BG/CC recordings were sextet ones so this made it even more authentic.

Flying Home and Airmail Special - what a couple of swingers to finish on! But who won the clarinet crown - who would be crowned the King of Swing? Well I reckon that Adrian edged the former but it was Giacomo who scored on the latter number. Honours even - lets have a replay! I for one can't wait.

Lance.

1 comment :

Adrian Cox said...

Hey Lance, thanks for your review, so pleased you enjoyed it.....
I thought the same with the salt peanuts when I heard it on the record ha ha ha

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