Total Pageviews

Bebop Spoken There

Simon Spillett: “ Bebop and hard bop came naturally to him [Tubby Hayes]". Morning Star, March 28, 2024.

The Things They Say!

Hudson Music: Lance's "Bebop Spoken Here" is one of the heaviest and most influential jazz blogs in the UK.

Rupert Burley (Dynamic Agency): "BSH just goes from strength to strength".

'606' Club: "A toast to Lance Liddle of the terrific jazz blog 'Bebop Spoken Here'"

The Strictly Smokin' Big Band included Be Bop Spoken Here (sic) in their 5 Favourite Jazz Blogs.

Ann Braithwaite (Braithwaite & Katz Communications) You’re the BEST!

Holly Cooper, Mouthpiece Music: "Lance writes pull quotes like no one else!"

Simon Spillett: A lovely review from the dean of jazz bloggers, Lance Liddle...

Josh Weir: I love the writing on bebop spoken here... I think the work you are doing is amazing.

Postage

16287 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 169 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (Mar 18).

From This Moment On ...

March

Thu 28: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 28: Gateshead Jazz Appreciation Society @ Gateshead Central Library, Gateshead. 2:30pm.
Thu 28: Richard Herdman Quartet @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 28: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Guests: Josh Bentham (alto sax); Alan Marshall (tenor sax); Neil Brodie (trumpet); Adrian Beadnell (bass); Graham Thompson (keys); Steve Hunter (drums).

Fri 29: FILM: Soul @ The Forum Cinema, Hexham. 12:30pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Fri 29: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 29: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 6:00pm. Free. POSTPONED!
Fri 29: Thundercat @ Newcastle City Hall.
Fri 29: John Logan @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 30: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 30: Pete Tanton’s Cuba Libre @ Whitley Bay Library, York Road, Whitley Bay. 8:00pm.

Sun 31: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay Metro Station. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 31: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields NE30 1HJ. 3:00pm. Free. Lambert, Alan Law & Paul Grainger.
Sun 31: Sid Jacobs & Tom Remon @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. USA/London jazz guitar duo.
Sun 31: Bellavana @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

April
Mon 01: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free.

Tue 02: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Dean Stockdale, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 03: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 03: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 03: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Clark Tracey Quartet live streaming from Guildford Jazz - April 14

Simon Allen (tenor sax, soprano sax); Bruce Boardman (piano); Andy Cleyndert (double bass); Clark Tracey (drums)

A first gig of the year for Clark Tracey. An online, international audience of some three hundred people logged on, commented and listened as drummer Clark played a set of eight compositions written by Stan Tracey over the course of six decades. Joining Clark at the Boiler Room for this Guildford Jazz concert billed as The Clark Tracey Quartet Celebrating the Compositions of Stan Tracey were three of the best in the business - saxophonist Simon Allen, who first worked with the Traceys twenty years ago, bassist Andy Cleyndert who has been an ever-present in the Traceys' various ensembles since 1980 (!) and pianist Bruce Boardman.

Clark, son of Stan, put together a programme reflecting the variety and enduring quality of Stan Tracey's compositions. Keeping it simple, Clark proceeded to present the material in chronological order, starting with Euphony, written for the Victor Feldman Sextet way back in 1952. A regulation round of solos - Simon Allen, tenor sax, Bruce Boardman, piano, and new father of twins, Andy Cleyndert, bass - brought it home just how good these guys are! 

Afro-Charlie Meets the White Rabbit first heard on a 1962 radio broadcast, later to feature on Alice in Jazzland, put Boardman in the spotlight. Close your eyes and this was Stan Tracey/Thelonious Monk. Clark had the discographical detail at hand - well, he would, wouldn't he? - and shed light on the origin of the title Rainow at Five Mile Road. Any guesses? Simply a location, an observation on a family holiday on Jersey. 

Clark said he was pleased with how well the quartet was playing, considering they hadn't played together for quite some time - 'minimalist rehearsal' said CT. A co-composition (that's Stan and Clark), Pajaras Exoticas from Continental Driftalso pleased Clark given that the piece was written for an eleven piece band. Oh, yes, Clark grabbed a brief solo into the bargain. Pudding and Mince from the Dylan Thomas inspired A Child's Christmas concluded the quartet's work. There was, however, one more number. Bruce Boardman played Ballad for Loos (from The Flying Pig) as a solo piano feature. Clark revealed that he can no longer bring himself to play it, composed by Stan for his father who saw action during WW1.             
Russell

Set list: EuphonyAfro-Charlie Meets the White RabbitRainbow at Five Mile RoadHoney HillBendologyPajaras ExoticasPudding and MinceBallad for Loos

2 comments :

Anonymous said...

Clark mentioned that he had a gig in Newcastle in December. It’s going to be very special.

Anonymous said...

Clark did indeed mention the Newcastle gig, although it'll be with a different, but equally brilliant, line-up. Next year Clark intends to work regularly with Allen, Boardman and Cleyndert.

Blog Archive