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Bebop Spoken There

Delfeayo Marsalis: "Slide Hampton once told me that it's not always the person that is playing the highest or playing the fastest that's making the greatest impact." - (DownBeat March 2023).

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!"

Postage

15229 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 15 years ago. 248 of them this year alone and, so far, 61 this month (March 20).

From This Moment On ...

March

Tue 21: Paul Skerritt @ The Rabbit Hole, Hallgarth St., Durham DH1 3AT. 7:00pm. Paul Skerritt's (solo) weekly residency.
Tue 21: Jam session @ Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. House trio: Jacob Egglestone (guitar); Jamie Watkins (bass guitar); Bailey Rudd (drums).

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Traveller's Rest, Cockerton. 7:00pm. Rehearsal session (open to the public). Note change of venue - this week only.
Wed 22: 4B @ The Exchange, North Shields. 7:00pm.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm.

Thu 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 4:00-6:00pm. Free.
Thu 23: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Bar Loco, Newcasatle. From 6:30pm 'til late. Free. Newcastle University Jazz Orchestra jam session. All welcome (students & non-students).
Thu 23: Kerrin Tatman + John Garner & John Pope @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm.
Thu 23: Sunna Gunnlaugs & Julia Hülsmann @ Sage Gateshead. 8:00pm. A two-piano gig. A Sage Gateshead-JNE promotion.
Thu 23: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Ragtime piano.
Thu 23: Sleep Suppressor @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00., £8.00. adv. Upstairs.
Thu 23: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman's Club, Middlesbrough. 9:00pm.

Fri 24: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.
Fri 24: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 24: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms, Monkseaton. 1:00pm.
Fri 24: FILM: Mo' Better Blues @ Forum Cinema, Hexham. 7:00pm.
Fri 24: Ian Millar & Dominic Spencer @ Scarth Hall, Staindrop, Co. Durham. 8:00pm. £10.00.
Fri 24: Archipelago + Bulbils @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm.

Sat 25: Vermont Big Band @ Walker Community Centre, Walker, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Fundraiser for Benfield Juniours Football Club. Hot food available, BYOB.
Sat 25: John Logan & Friends @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Rat Pack, Motown etc. 8:00pm. Free (donations).

Sun 26: Musicians Unlimited @ Park Inn, Hartlepool. 1:00pm.
Sun 26: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: 4B @ The Exchange, North Shields. 3:00pm.
Sun 26: Outlines @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. JNE promotion (upstairs).

Mon 27: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.

Friday, July 23, 2021

The Harry Keeble Quartet @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle - July 22

(Photo by Russell)
Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (bass); Abbie Finn (drums)

Harry Keeble graduated from Leeds College of Music (now 'Conservatoire') a couple of years ago. The amiable tenor saxophonist has been making his mark on the jazz scene sitting in at jam sessions, gigging with drummer Abbie Finn and now, fronting his own quartet, there is a recently recorded digital download EP to enjoy. To celebrate the release of The Beacon, the HKQ played a launch gig at Prohibition Bar.

The upstairs room on Pink Lane is where the EP was recorded* and it seemed rather appropriate to return to the venue to play music from it alongside a selection of Harry's favourite tunes. The influence of Chris Potter would figure large, as would Michael Brecker, Wayne Shorter et al. You get an idea of where HK is coming from, don't you? 

Opening with Chris Potter's High Noon, the HKQ stepped up to the plate. First impressions? HK was playing with no little authority and steely determination, to his right, the amazing Mark Williams absolutely killing on guitar, to his left, bassist extraordinaire, Andy Champion with drummer Abbie Finn playing out of her skin. Wayne Shorter's Yes and No maintained the momentum, HK's The Glen held its own in an evolving set list, sandwiched between Shorter and Chick Corea (Humpty Dumpty, HK in full flight). The ballad-like intro to Sunken Forest gave way to a rollercoaster ride - Mark and Andy cranking it up, Abbie taking it in and out of a swing time feel, HK all over it. A fine first set.

Second set, more of the same! HK has the knack of taking his time when all around him - Mark, Andy and Abbie - press the pedal to the floor, our man developing his tenor solos with an inexorable logic. From time to time Harry and Mark played lines in unison, Andy roaming across the piece, Abbie spinning plates, the HKQ is one tight unit. More Chris Potter (Invisible Man), Mike Stern's Chromazone (Mr M Brecker plays tenor on the track from the Time in Place album) and Joel Purnell's Red Shift** all contributed to a hugely successful evening. The Beacon is available from Bandcamp, be sure to check it out.           

The Beacon's recording engineer, Ray Beckett, enjoyed a night out, sitting quietly at the back of the room. Harry rightly thanked Mr Beckett for his efforts. Having heard the finished product, The Beacon comes highly recommended. 

** Harry happily name checked Joel Purnell. Mr Purnell is a senior lecturer at Leeds Conservatoire.   
Russell 

Set list included: High NoonYes and NoThe GlenHumpty Dumpty; Sunken Forest; The Source; Chromazone; Invisible ManRed Shift.    

1 comment :

Ken Drew (on F/b) said...

Another live gig !! 🙂 So sorry I missed this launch of their EP 'The Beacon' but nice to have been involved in the making of photos & vids for it. Sunken Forest is my favorite track and well worth checking out on Bandcamp.

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