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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

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.

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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