Bebop Spoken There

Warne Marsh: "At some point, you have to be prepared to create—to perform. It's vital, man, if we're talking about jazz, the original jazz, the performing art. It fulfils its meaning only when you play it live in front of an audience." DownBeat January 1983.

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

18191 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 45 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 14), 45

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Mon 19: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 20: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Ben Lawrence, Paul Grainger, Joe Deans.

Wed 21: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 21: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 21: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 22: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: 2025 obituaries.
Thu 22: Ronnie Scott’s Soho Songbook @ The Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm. SOLD OUT!
Thu 22: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta. @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm (doors). £6.50 (inc. bf).

Fri 23: Sue Ferris Quintet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 23: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 23: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 23: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 24: An Evening with Will Todd @ Durham Cathedral. 7:30pm. Feat. Voices of Hope, Strictly Smokin’ Big Band (members of) & Alice Grace. Performance inc. Todd’s Jazz Missa Brevis. £25.50., £13.50., £19.50., £10.50.

Sun 25: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: Gaz Hughes Trio @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 25: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: Alexia Gardner Trio @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00.

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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