Bebop Spoken There

Emma Rawicz: "In a couple of years I've gone from being a normal university student to suddenly being on international stages." DownBeat January 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

18219 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 73 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 24), 73

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Fri 30: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 30: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 30: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 30: Pete Roth Trio @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Feat. Bill Bruford.
Fri 30: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Fri 30: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Northern Edge Coffee, Silver St., Berwick. 7:00pm.
Fri 30: Dan Coulthurst Quintet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 7:30pm (7:00pm doors). £10.00 + £1.00. bf (www.wegottickets.com). Coulthurst (trumpet); Joel Steadman (bass clarinet, flute); Nico Widdowson (piano); Fergus Quill (double bass); Theo Goss (drums).

Sat 31: Darling Dollies @ St George’s Church, Jesmond, Newcastle. 3:00pm. £10.00. Vocal trio.
Sat 31: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

FEBRUARY 2026

Sun 01: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 01: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Quintet + guest Bill Watson (trumpet, flugelhorn).
Sun 01: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 01: Annie & the Caldwells @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00. adv. Gospel/soul.
Sun 01: Jive Aces @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm.
Sun 01: Olly Styles Experience + Jenny Baker @ the Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 02: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 02: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 03: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 03: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 04: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 04: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 05: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject:Times of the Day & Trios.
Thu 05: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Special guest Emma Wilson.
Thu 05: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

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

Saturday, September 25, 2021

Album review: Susan Krebs with Mixed Remotions – Daybreak

Susan Krebs (vocals); Rich Eames (piano); Jerry Kalaf (drums, vibes); Domenic Genova (bass); Scott Breadman (percussion); Riner Scivally (guitar); Rob Lockart (woodwinds 1,2,5,6,7) Doug Walter (woodwinds 3,4)

This is the eighth album from Ms Krebs, a fine and experienced singer, who gathered a band of experienced and skilled musicians together to make music to combat the isolation of the pandemic. Most of the recording was done remotely, though that is hard to believe because the music has a feeling of immediacy.

The track I personally liked best is Who Knows Where the Time Goes?, the song made famous by folk singer Sandy Denny, but as a folkie I'm biased, so readers will have to listen and judge for themselves. The sax and piano intro give a suitably airy feel to the track and the call and response between sax and voice are effective. It somehow sounded 'folky' but yet still jazz.

The album opens with a swinger which is appropriately entitled Can't Get Out Of This Mood. The second track, Daybreak, is a song not often performed which was recorded by Sinatra in 1942. How Little We Know is done as a waltz with vibes accompaniment and an impressive guitar solo whilst Listen Here, all about listening to your inner voice, is dedicated to Ms Krebs mentor, the great Sheila Jordan. (I understood this well as someone who has attended a workshop given by Ms Jordan who offers lots of encouragement to singers.)

The musicians do their stuff well, especially Eames on piano, a composer and arranger who has collaborated with Ms Krebs on most of her albums. Ms Krebs herself is a native of Baltimore who also has an acting career. She performs jazz regularly throughout the area of Southern California.

Reviewing CDs such as this one shows that there is a wealth of talented women singers out there. This makes it more difficult for any one singer to stand out, but nevertheless we should rejoice about so much talent.

The album is available now on the GreenGig Music label. See www.susankrebsmusic.com - Ann Alex

Can't Get Out Of This Mood; Daybreak; How Little We Know; Inside A Silent Tear; Who Knows Where the Time Goes?; Listen Here; Stardust. 

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