Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 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

18818 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 682 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 20) 51.

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

August

Sun 23: Tyne Valley Big Band @ Royal Quays Marina, North Shields. 2:00-4:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free..
Sun 23: Blue Note Quintet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. £12.00., £10.00..
Sun 23: Timmy Allan Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 24: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 25: Michael Young Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 27: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 27: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00.

Fri 28: Graham Hardy Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 29: Brian Jackson @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:30pm (doors). £32.00.

Sunday, March 14, 2021

Hanging out at Emmet's Place

After reading Lance’s review of the Veronica Swift album, I’d like to make a few further observations.

One of the few good things to emerge from lockdown is that of being given the opportunity to watch livestreamed jazz sessions from across the world which is how I first heard Veronica Swift (and other great singers).

'Live from Emmet’s Place', featuring the Emmet Cohen Trio plus guests, livestreams every Monday. It has done since lockdown began. Each session is approximately one and three quarter hours long and I think that, up to now, there have been approximately 46 sessions. I have been fortunate enough to have been able to watch a large number of them.

It was on 'Live from 'Emmet's Place Vol. 31' that I first saw Veronica Swift (26 years old). I was blown away by her talent. She takes scat singing to a new level. Her CV is pretty amazing too.

Watching that stream also gave me the opportunity to hear Emmet Cohen playing with a great bass player, Russell Hall, and drummer Kyle Poole - obviously first call musicians. I love them!

Another singer, Cyrille Aimee, featured on 'Emmets Place Vol 33' I also found her sensational. She is another singer who takes scat singing to a new level the like of which I have never heard.

Thirdly, Samara Joy (21 years old) and featured on 'Emmets Place Vol 46' I also found amazing. She doesn't scat much (not a criticism!) and, to my ears, influenced by the late Sarah Vaughan. Such a beautiful voice.

I strongly recommend you to check these sessions out.

Whilst listing female singers that are new to me, I'll mention another one that I have been a big fan of for years but don’t hear much of these days - Canadian singer Nikky Yanowsky (27 years old) . Another massive talent.

Ron Ainsborough

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