Bebop Spoken There

Warne Marsh: "At some point, you have to be prepared to create—to perform. It's vital, man, if we're talking about jazz, the original jazz, the performing art. It fulfils its meaning only when you play it live in front of an audience." DownBeat January 1983.

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

18191 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 45 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 14), 45

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Fri 23: Sue Ferris Quintet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 23: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 23: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 23: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 24: An Evening with Will Todd @ Durham Cathedral. 7:30pm. Feat. Voices of Hope, Strictly Smokin’ Big Band (members of) & Alice Grace. Performance inc. Todd’s Jazz Missa Brevis. £25.50., £13.50., £19.50., £10.50.

Sun 25: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: Gaz Hughes Trio @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 25: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: Alexia Gardner Trio @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00.

Mon 26: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 27: Pete Roth Trio @ Forum Music Centre, Darlington. 7:30pm. Feat. Bill Bruford.

Wed 28: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 28: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 28: Mama Terra @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £19.08 (inc. bf).
Wed 28: James Hunter Six @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £28.50. adv. Rhythm & blues.
Wed 28: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. 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

Sunday, January 10, 2021

The Music of 1929 with the Glenn Crytzer Quartet (Songbook Session #10) - Jan. 9

Glenn Crytzer (guitar/vocal); Mike Davis (trumpet); Ricky Alexander (clarinet); Andrew Hall (bass).

What I love about BSH is the variety of music we feature. In the previous post I waxed eloquent about the post bop of Andy Hague and now it's the turn of the pre-swing era jazz of the Glenn Crytzer Quartet. Polls apart stylistically and miles apart geographically and yet they both share the love of the music we call jazz.

Last week Crytzer concentrated on the hit songs of 1928. This week it was the turn of 1929. At this rate, should the pandemic continue for another two years (perish the thought!), they will be playing the songs of Ed Sheeran!

Not a pleasant thought although, should such be the case, we'd all be dead by then which may be the lesser of two evils!

Still, let's not be morbid but, instead, take heart from the songs that began and ended the show. Keep Your Sunny Side Up and Happy Days Are Here Again.

1929, like most years of that period, was a very good year for songs. One of my all time favourites Can't we be Friends?; the immortal Stardust; Walter Donaldson's Kansas City Kitty; a handful of Fats in the form of Ain't Misbehavin', Blue Turning Grey and Honeysuckle Rose followed by I May be Wrong and Mean to Me.

One tight quartet just so laid back and relaxed playing tunes that just beg to be played by four musicians deeply steeped in the idiom.

This week's edition  actually took place yesterday. There was another version today of which my worthy constituent Russell will give us chapter and verse tomorrow.
Lance

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