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Bebop Spoken There

Trevor Mires: ''My mum is a Dean Martin fan: I'm not, so I would grab my skateboard and get out of the house whenever I heard "Everybody Loves Somebody, Sometime." ". (Jazzwise, 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

17957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 278 of them this year alone and, so far, 34 this month (April 14).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 21: Newcastle Record Fair @ Copthorne Hotel, Newcastle. 10:00am. Going in search of the Buddy Bolden cylinder…
Mon 21: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. Coquetdale Jazz.

Wed 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 23: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 23: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Thu 24: Mary Coughlan @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm. £33.80. Blues, jazz etc.
Thu 24: Darlington Big Band @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 25: Vasilis Xenopoulos & Paul Edis @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT! Duo performance.
Fri 25: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 25: Andrea Vicari Trio @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. Vicari (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums).
Fri 25: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 25: Red Kites Jazz @ Land of Oak & Iron, Winlaton Mill. 6:00-9:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: Vasilis Xenopoulos & Paul Edis @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Fri 25: Struggle Buggy @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. Rhythm & blues.
Fri 25: Paul Skerritt Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm. £20.30., £18.00. All-star big band.
Fri 25: Andrea Vicari Trio @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Vicari (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums). An Opus 4 Jazz Club event.

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, November 18, 2020

Zoom book launch: Cormac Loane - Improvising on a Theme. Nov. 18

The launch of Cormac Loane's Improvising on a Theme - The story of the Birmingham Music Service - took the form of a Zoom Meeting. This was a new experience for me and I should have checked out mics cameras etc. However, that was my problem and in no way spoiled what was an interesting experience.

The title says what the book is all about but it doesn't convey the beautiful way Cormac tells it.

When I read it a few weeks back I was amazed how well he brought complete strangers (to me) to life. I felt I knew them. Although, in general, he is kind he still manages to point out a person's shortcomings and yet manages to do it without causing offence - something we try to do on BSH.

Those who were virtually present spoke in congratulatory tones about Cormac and the book. These included Julian Lloyd Webber and Xhosa Cole. Cormac recalled writing an arrangement of Take Five for a 13-year-old alto sax player who showed promise - that was Xhosa!

Xhosa himself spoke about the support he'd received from the music service before going on to play a piece called Reflections. In fairness to Xhosa, his sound system didn't do him any favours. Fortunately, unless the powers that be decree otherwise, Xhosa will be heard at The Globe next month with Francis Tulip and co.

Good to see Peter Volpe zooming in from Paris. He looked good and chatted with Cormac at length at the end of the programme.

The launch opened with some brilliant ethnic percussion from Soha Chisti and later there was some fine classical guitar from David Hyatt.

The show was hosted by Tim Baptiste one of Birmingham's leading brass teachers. Others who spoke in glowing tones of Cormac, the book and the music service, included Linda Rose; Mick Waters and Angela Zienko.

You don't have to live in Birmingham - it's a story that could, or rather should, relate to music services anywhere.

Lance

Improvising on a Theme is available via Waterstones, Amazon or direct from UCL IOE Press. ISBN 978-1-78277-286-6

1 comment :

Russell said...

It sounds like it was a worthwhile experience. And don't forget, Xhosa will be part of Kansas Smitty's session on Friday playing Dizzy's Sonny Side Up.

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