Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''We knew back in the day that Emmet [Cohen] had it.'' (DownBeat July, 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

18767 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 631 of them this year alone and, so far this month (July 31) 95.

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

Tue 04: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 05: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 05: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 05: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 06: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 06: Wild Women of Wylam @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Feat. guest Zoë Gilby.
Thu 06: 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 06: Bridget Metcalfe Sextet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 07: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 08: ???

Sun 09: 58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00-3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Ropner Park, Stockton. 2:00-4:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: The Gambling Janes @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 10: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.Free.

Tue 11: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free.

Saturday, April 24, 2021

KSTV: Kansas Smitty's playback session: Keith Jarrett's Belonging - April 24

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)
Joe Webb (piano); Giacomo Smith (tenor sax, soprano sax); Will Sach (double bass); Luca Caruso (drums) + Camilla George (alto sax)

Jack and Giacomo made the introductions. Giacomo admitted this evening's playback session would take him out of his comfort zone. The album in question, Keith Jarrett's Belonging, recorded on the ECM label in 1974, would become known for the music performed by his 'European Quartet' as distinct from his established American band. Additional material would be drawn from Jarrett's American quartet.  

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)
And so to the first number, Spiral Dance going into In Flight, not from Belonging, rather Jarrett's American all-star quartet recording Back Hand. If Giacomo Smith was pushing the outer limits it didn't show. In some quarters Jan Garbarek and Dewey Redman are revered, it could be Kansas Smitty's online regulars have a similar high regard for Giacomo. All the while, pianist Joe Webb showed anything Jarrett can do, or has done, he can too. Brilliant piano playing from first note to last! 

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)
Enter Camilla George playing alto sax on De Drums from Fort Yawuh, The influence of Abdullah Ibrahim clearly evident. Superb stuff, Joe Webb in sensational form, the masked Will Sach 'woooo-ing' at what he was hearing and privileged to be part of. This number alone was worth the admission money. 

Russell

Set list included: Spiral DanceIn FlightLong as You Know You're Living YoursBelonging

No comments :

Blog Archive