Total Pageviews

Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, 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

17904 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 225 of them this year alone and, so far, 72 this month (March 24).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ 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: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 30: Jan Spencelayh & Dave Archbold @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 30: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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, July 12, 2021

Album review: Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley - Joy in Bewilderment

Having spent many years around the Manchester Jazz Scene attending events large and small, I have noticed a new type of musician emerging in recent times. Way back in the 1960-1980’s jazz was seldom heard in local music schools and if any of the students played in a jazz group they had to keep quiet about it.

Now it’s all changed and instead of playing in pubs to the tables and chairs many young musicians today prefer to write their own music and produce their own albums.

A typical example is bass player and composer Cavanagh-Brierley’s third album, Joy in Bewilderment, where he utilises a 13 piece ensemble that includes three drummers and, in the line-up, there are two names I am familiar with, Kyran Matthews (tenor sax) and Sam Healey (alto sax). 

Kyran is well known for his involvement in the Manchester modern jazz scene and Sam Healey I recall from his work with the Beats and Pieces Big Band.

Both do a great job solo-wise. Also along for the ride is the American tenor sax titan Chris Potter who has a guest spot on I’ll do as I Please.  The tune Brew is a feature for guitarist Daniel Brew who has a Pat Metheny sound which suits the composition.  Ophelia’s Arrival contains a superb alto solo from Sam Healey that builds to a fiery climax.   

There is another guest in the form of singer Caoilfhionn Rose who is heard on Forbidden Words which also includes a tenor solo by Kyran Matthews - a player who’s always on the money.  

The track Attachment is one that has bassist Cavanagh-Brierley playing a reflective solo on the studio mini-grand - a nice contrast to the rest of the album.       

I like the strangely-titled You Can’t Whistle a Haircut which has a great arrangement featuring the trombone section before leading to a tenor solo and ending in a noisy climax.

This is probably not an  album that a listener, looking for straight ahead swinging jazz would go for, but there is such a creative vibe present that it reminds me of some of the larger Mingus ensembles such as Black Saint and the Sinner Lady. I played the album several times before I formed an opinion and my advice is, if you want something out of the ordinary then check it out. Mike Farmer.

Available July 16 on Ubuntu-UBU0084 - Details.

Gavin Hibberd   (trumpet); Sam Healey (alto sax); Kyran Matthews, Chris Potter  (tenor sax); Anthony Brown (baritone sax); Ellie Whitley, Rich McVeigh, (trombones); Caoilfhionn Rose (vocals); Daniel Brew (guitar); Daniel Wellins (piano/ keys); Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley (electric bass/double bass/piano); Alan Taylor,    Grant Kershaw, Craig Hanson  (drums) + The Amika Quartet: Simmy Singh, Laura Senuor  (violins);  Lucy Nolan (viola); Peggy Nolan  (cello).

1 comment :

Russell said...

In recent years Kyran Matthews has made a big impression as a member of the award-winning Managers Big Band at the annual Great North Big Band Jazz Festival. This suggests Joy in Bewilderment is an album well worth checking out.

Blog Archive