Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

From This Moment On

March

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Album review: Jeff Hamilton Trio - Merry and Bright

Jeff Hamilton (drums); Tamir Hendelman (piano); Jon Hamar (bass).

Here it is, my Xmas No. One! No, I don't mean that this album is going to challenge Abba, Elton, Cliff or whoever else is contention for the seasonal top spot - it's too good for that. No, it's just the first of what I'm sure will soon be an avalanche of Yulies and, if they're half as good as this then you won't hear any Bah Humbugs from me!

Hendelman is no stranger to BSH I have reviewed many of his albums in various settings, usually with Hamilton, and have yet to be disappointed.

A choice selection of tunes, both familiar and otherwise, that are given a swinging work out with n'er a reindeer in sight. 

Eartha Kitt may no longer be with us but although songstresses the world over will be donning their abbreviated Santa suits to take her place this instrumental version of Santa Baby will take some beating.

Not an album to share with the relatives and their offspring whilst slicing up a murdered turkey but one to save for when they've all (except one if you're lucky) gone home ...
Lance 

Available Nov. 19 on Capri Records.

It's the Holiday Season; Caroling Caroling; The Little Drummer Boy; Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!; Bright Bright the Holly Berries; It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year; Here Comes Santa Claus; Santa Baby; O Tannenbaum; Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

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