Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 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

18799 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 663 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 12) 32.

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

August

Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: John Settle Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. John Settle (vibes); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 14: Bold Big Band @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00 + bf.

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

Sun 16: Vintage Explosion @ Cliffe Park, Roker, Sunderland SR6 8DB. 5:00-10:30pm. £44.00 (inc. bf).

Mon 17: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 20: Edson Angus Quartet @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 20: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Tuesday, November 09, 2021

Album review; Nishla Smith - Friends With Monsters

Nishla Smith (voice); Aaron Wood (trumpet/flugel); Richard Jones (piano); Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley (bass); Johnny Hunter (drums)

When a singer is listed as voice as opposed to vocals you know in advance that this isn't going to be a frothy frolic through the GASbook but a deep and dark journey into unfamiliar territory although Rodgers  and Hammerstein do sneak in with It Might as Well be Spring.

Apart from the aforementioned number from State Fair, all compositions are by Nishla - music and lyrics - and they make for compelling listening although it did take me two or three plays to get totally into them but it was well worth the effort and made me realise how unfortunate it was that her recent gig at Bobiks had to be cancelled. 

The voice is soft and sensuous, drawing the listener into the emotions expressed making it almost a personal experience.

Aaron Wood offers contrast with meaningful solos as does Jones on piano - listen to Jones and Wood on the title track. JCB is his ever dependable self on bass linking up well with Johnny Hunter who is not entirely unknown on Tyneside appearing regularly in a variety of settings - usually with John Pope.

The album comes with a booklet that contains the lyrics of the originals which is a big help towards analysing the words and looking for inner meanings - as one does. 

Well worth checking out. To be released by Whirlwind Recordings on Friday (Nov.12) Lance

Twilight; Friends With Monsters; Julian; Midnight; Home; Starlight; 3.A.M; It Might as Well be Spring; I Want to Make You Happy; Dawn; Up.

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