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Bebop Spoken There

Trevor Mires: ''My mum is a Dean Martin fan: I'm not, so I would grab my skateboard and get out of the house whenever I heard "Everybody Loves Somebody, Sometime." ". (Jazzwise, April 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

17957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 278 of them this year alone and, so far, 34 this month (April 14).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 21: Newcastle Record Fair @ Copthorne Hotel, Newcastle. 10:00am. Going in search of the Buddy Bolden cylinder…
Mon 21: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. Coquetdale Jazz.

Wed 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 23: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 23: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Thu 24: Mary Coughlan @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm. £33.80. Blues, jazz etc.
Thu 24: Darlington Big Band @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 25: Vasilis Xenopoulos & Paul Edis @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT! Duo performance.
Fri 25: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 25: Andrea Vicari Trio @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. Vicari (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums).
Fri 25: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 25: Red Kites Jazz @ Land of Oak & Iron, Winlaton Mill. 6:00-9:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: Vasilis Xenopoulos & Paul Edis @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Fri 25: Struggle Buggy @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. Rhythm & blues.
Fri 25: Paul Skerritt Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm. £20.30., £18.00. All-star big band.
Fri 25: Andrea Vicari Trio @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Vicari (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums). An Opus 4 Jazz Club event.

Sat 26: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 26: Vasilis Xenopoulos & Paul Edis @ Elvet Methodist Church, Durham. 7:30pm. Tickets: £12.00. + bf. Duo performance.
Sat 26: Neil Cowley Trio @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm. £22.50.
Sat 26: Pete Tanton & the Cuban Heels @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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

Monday, May 31, 2021

Album review: Miguel Muziq - An Angel's Healing

Miguel Muziq (Michael Panteli) seems to draw from an innumerable amount of ideas, influences and styles, in creating An Angel's Healing; a sensitive, personal, inspired and inspiring work of art. He goes on a musical journey; exploring a variety of feelings linked to loss, acceptance and reconciliation. 

From its gentle, considered intro, rather like a lament, the music engages with some exquisite guitar playing, as well as emotive trumpet phases. The drums and percussion drive the music along at different beats; varying between slower to medium to more up-tempo.

As Miguel continues this musical exploration, his agility and flexibility as an excellent guitarist become evident. His Latin style blends well with Mediterranean influences and his dexterity and expressiveness is most impressive. Sometimes the guitar seems to be asking questions, sometimes it meanders, sometimes it seems to ripple along and sometimes individual notes are played with a beautiful tone.

The whole composition is well realised and although comprising a number of styles, fits together successfully. The other instruments blend brilliantly to create music that is sensitive, moody and exciting. The trumpet can be haunting, dramatic, flowing and gentle, for example. There are fourteen different tracks, which probably attests to the range of feelings Miguel was experiencing, as well as working through the expression of these through the creative involvement of the other musicians. So we can listen to the music, both as a creative and therapeutic process.

As we proceed through the CD, the feeling becomes lighter and more upbeat, celebratory and dance-like. We have salsa, with specific phrasing and the fluid flow of the trumpet. We have carnival, with different drum beats and rhythms, full of movement and energy. We finish with a track entitled Life Goes On, which seems to have a fiesta spirit about it; bringing the CD to a sacred and celebratory finale. You are left wanting more. It lasts around 37 mins. Recommended. Dave Sockett

Release date: June 18. Try/buy.

Miguel Muziq (guitars, synths, percussion); Tivon Pennicott (sax); Keyon Harrold, Yelfris Valdes, Jay Phelps, Jackson Mathod, Eikel Venegas, Andy Hornsby, Christopher Sharp (trumpets); Pablo Martin (trombone); Emannel Harrold, Stefan Brown, Aaron Lawrence(drums); Jansen Santana, Mario Yanez (percussion) Jahmal Nichols, AJ Brinkman (bass) ; Naomi Wilmhurst, Sabina Virtosu (violins); Susie Blankfield (cello).

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