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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17719 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 39 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Jan. 15).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Thu 16: Pete Tanton & the Cuban Heels @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio w. Graham Hardy @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. (inc. a welcome drink & table reservation). Book at: www.drinks@thepele.co.uk. A ‘Jazz at the Pele’ promotion.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick TD15 1AS. 7:30pm. Free. Album launch gig.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

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, March 27, 2021

Album review: Wilma Baan - So Nice

Wilma Baan (vocals); Graham Harvey (piano.Fender/arranger); Dave Chamberlain (bass/guitar tks 1, 8); Josh Morrison (drums); Claire Martin (percussion) + Chris Traves (trombone tk 3)

Dutch singer Baan's debut album had me asking her (metaphorically speaking) where have you been hiding all my life? not realising that on Friday, July 8, 1983* we were actually in the same building together - well not exactly together - but maybe our paths did cross at that year's North Sea Jazz Festival in Den Haag as Wilma made her way to sing with the Jack Redler Rhythm Club and I to watch a concert by the Woody Herman Band! If I'd made a different choice I wouldn't have had to wait 37 years to hear her and my life would have been the better for it.

Wilma Baan's career had, for many years been a balancing act between nursing and singing - maybe the nursing side contributed to the tender way she approaches a ballad. Certainly this album reveals a singer who can carry a song better than most. The fact that Claire Martin, along with trombonist Chris Traves, who also solos on Close Enough For Love, not only co-produced the album but also helped out with the percussion side, speaks volumes.

A selection of choice standards, impeccably performed, great arrangements and sympathetic backing make this a classy album and whilst some may say that they have this one by Peggy, that one by Ella or this one by Frank and another one by Jon, take it from me these are no mere covers but interpretations that stand up in their own right.

Rarely has an album title been so appropriate - I'm gonna play it again - and again!

Lance

* It's not that I have a good memory - I still have the programme!

Release date May 14 - pre-order here. Lunchtime launch at the 606 on June 13.

So Nice; Social Call; Close Enough for Love; Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me; Better than Anything; The Folks Who Live on the Hill; Teach me Tonight; Day by Day; The End of a Love Affair; Where Do You Start?; I Didn't Know What Time it Was; Here's to Life.

1 comment :

Mr Chris Sanders said...

I was at the launch at the weekend...brilliant!

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