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

18361 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 215 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 8 ), 25

From This Moment On ...

March

Thu 12: Boomslang @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Fri 13: Paul Skerritt Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm . £9.00.
Fri 13: The SH#RP Collective @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Soothsayers + Rookie Numbers @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £17.51., £14.33., £11.16.

Sat 14: The Too Bad Jims @ Claypath Deli, Durham. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors). £13.20., £11.00. R&B.
Sat 14: NUJO @ Venue, Newcastle University Students’ Union. Time TBC. £15.00. supporter; £10.00. standard; £5.00. student. Seated event.

Sun 15: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 15: The Too Bad Jims @ The Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. £12.00. R&B.
Sun 15: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Rebecca Poole @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £14.00., £12.00., £7.00. Poole w. Dean Stockdale & Ken Marley. CANCELLED!

Mon 16: Milne Glendinning Band @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 16: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 16: Russ Morgan Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 17: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Scotty Adair (drums).

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

Saturday, January 23, 2021

Album reviews: Gemma Sherry - Let's Get Serious & The Songs I Love

Let's Get Serious: Gemma Sherry (vocal); Rick Germanson (piano); Paul Bollenback (guitar); Eric Wheeler (bass); Joseph Doubleday (vibes); George Coleman Jnr. (drums).

The Songs I Love: Gemma Sherry (vocal); Billy Woodman (piano); Mike Waite (bass); Patsy Gamble (tenor sax).

Gemma Sherry, a New York based Aussie singer began her musical career as an alto saxophonist. Her first idol was Art Pepper and, maybe it's with the advantage of hindsight, but her voice, for me, evokes the fragrant feeling of Art's early recordings. I hope she takes that as a compliment!

These two albums, along with a third, were released over the past 12 months and contain as choice a selection of standards as I could ask for. Indeed, listening, I wonder did we subconsciously and unknowingly get together to pick the songs? I would have certainly opted for at least half of them and then kicked myself for not going for the other half!

Influences? Blossom Dearie, Shirley Horn, Peggy and ... herself!

Both albums have top backing and peppy solos enhance many of the tracks and both pianists do our girl justice.

So which album do I recommend? Today it's Let's Get Serious. Tomorrow it will probably be The Songs I Love - not least because it includes Blame it on my Youth.

You can keep your Summertime and Cry me a River - this, for me, is the song that tugs at my heartstrings. Chris Connor recorded a defining version but Gemma pushes her close.

Two fine albums.
Lance

Let's Get Serious: Blossom's Blues; Give me the Simple Life; Too Much in Love to Care; Try Your Wings; The Alley Cat Song; The Gentleman is a Dope; Why Don't You Do Right?; Whatever Lola Wants; Straighten Up and Fly Right; Go Away Little Girl; The Doodlin' Song.

Songs I Love: Some Other Time; You Don't Know What Love is; I Fall in Love Too Easily; Satin Doll; Hear's that Rainy Day; Lush Life; Spring Can Really Hang You up the Most; When Sunny Gets Blue; Blame it on my Youth; Peace; You go to my Head; 'Round Midnight; Save Your Love For Me.
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