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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

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.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Sat 04: Jake Leg Jug Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.
Sat 04: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30-3:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 04: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £27.50. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. Anthropology. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 04: Wild Women of Wylam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £10.00.
Sat 04: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Friday, December 04, 2020

Rico & Denny sing & play Louis & Frank - Dec. 4

Rico Tomasso (trumpet, vocals); Denny Ilett (guitar, vocals)

Rico thanked Denny Ilett for once again joining him on another Popup Louis. Guitarist Denny was the first of Rico's many fellow musicians to join him on his now long running weekly live stream sessions. Tonight's gig would take a look at tunes loosely associated with Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra. 

Tonight's first number - All God's Chillun Got Rhythm with Denny double-tracking rhythm and lead parts. What is This Thing Called Love? with Rico recalling favourite versions including Bud Powell and Sidney Bechet. Blueberry Hill gave Rico an opportunity to sing, not to mention play his horn, in the style of his hero, Louis Armstrong. Loads of people copied that said Rico. Do Nothing Till You Hear from Me (Concerto for Cootie) featured the vocals of Denny in tribute to Sinatra. 

Earlier in the day Rico had been over to Norfolk visiting his mother. Judging by the photo it seems our host didn't have time to change out of his country squire gear before switching on the live stream. Ever resourceful, on his trip to the Broads Rico called into a local hardware store to stock up on his plungers!  

Birth of the Blues - Louis and Frank together and what do you know? Rico and Denny's vocals were spot on! I'll Never be the Same - Rico wondering out loud if Sinatra recorded it, Louis did with Oscar Peterson. More of Denny's double-tracking on this one, his solo lines akin to the Hot Club school. I Get a Kick Out of You, Cole Porter's tune very much associated with Sinatra but, as Rico pointed out, Armstrong played it with Oscar Peterson. No vocals on this one, just trumpet and guitar. And to close, Slow Boat to China

Next week, all the way from Portland, Oregon, pianist Andrew Oliver will be joining Rico. Seven o'clock sharp. 

Russell

Set list: All God's Chillun Got Rhythm;  What is This Thing Called Love?Blueberry HillDo Nothing Till You Hear from MeBirth of the BluesI'll Never be the SameI Get a Kick Out of YouSlow Boat to China

1 comment :

Lance said...

Did Sinatra ever record I'll Never be the Same ? Sure did! It's on one of his most famous albums - In the Wee Small Hours.

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