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Bebop Spoken There

Simon Spillett: “ Bebop and hard bop came naturally to him [Tubby Hayes]". Morning Star, March 28, 2024.

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!"

Simon Spillett: A lovely review from the dean of jazz bloggers, Lance Liddle...

Josh Weir: I love the writing on bebop spoken here... I think the work you are doing is amazing.

Postage

16287 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 169 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (Mar 18).

From This Moment On ...

March

Fri 29: FILM: Soul @ The Forum Cinema, Hexham. 12:30pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Fri 29: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 29: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 6:00pm. Free. POSTPONED!
Fri 29: Thundercat @ Newcastle City Hall.
Fri 29: John Logan @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 29: True Colours @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 9:00pm. Blues, jazz & swing.

Sat 30: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 30: Pete Tanton’s Cuba Libre @ Whitley Bay Library, York Road, Whitley Bay. 8:00pm.

Sun 31: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay Metro Station. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 31: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields NE30 1HJ. 3:00pm. Free. Lambert, Alan Law & Paul Grainger.
Sun 31: Sid Jacobs & Tom Remon @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. USA/London jazz guitar duo.
Sun 31: Bellavana @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

April
Mon 01: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free.

Tue 02: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Dean Stockdale, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 03: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 03: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 03: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 04: FILM: Soul @ Forum Cinema, Hexham. 2:00pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Thu 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 04: Funky Drummer @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 04: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 04: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Jam Session @ The Black Swan - Nov. 9

(Pic by Pam)
 In the absence of our esteemed editor, we two took it upon ourselves to produce a written and photographic account of the Jam Session at the Black Swan. We got off to a bad start by arriving at 8pm for a 7.30pm kick off, thus missing the trio set by the night's House Band: Alan Law (keys); Paul Grainger (double bass); and John Bradford (drums). Having got well and truly into the swing of Alan and John's playing just the night before with the Stuart Fowler Quintet at Gateshead's Central Bar, we hit the ground running as Paul invited vocalist Jan Spencelayh up on stage to deliver Angel Eyes and Bye Bye Blackbird.

Alan Law was the first to take a break, making way for Alex Ord's rendering of The More I See You. With Alan back on keys and Jacob on guitar, the second of the evening's  several vocalists made his appearance - Andy Lawrenson doubling on violin and assuring us that You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To.

(Pics by Pam)
Andy then retreated back into the audience, to be replaced by the night's first horn-player, Esther on alto sax and the third of the evening's vocalists, Niffi Osiyemi Niffy told us in no uncertain terms that It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing and finished her spot with an equally emphatic Alright, OK, You Win.

While two of the House Band were sent off by Paul Grainger for a lie down following Niffi's spot, Lawrence Harrison got set up in place of Jacob on guitar, Michael Mather took over the drum stool and Isaac Wilson got settled behind Alan's Nord. With Esther still on alto they played first, Maiden Voyage, following up with Mr.P.C.

Personnel changes were coming fast and furious now. For the next couple of tunes Alan Law was back at the keyboard with a new guitarist, Joe Steels, and a drummer, Chris. Also our second horn of the night and fourth vocalist, Jim McBriarty on clarinet and Lady Be Good

Over the next three numbers a new guitarist joined the fray, Jimi Savage, and on the first Andy Lawrenson sat-in mid-tune. On the second, a young male vocalist (the evening's fifth) sang what we believe to have been a Portuguese number, while on the third he gave us Bill Withers and Grover Washington's Just The Two Of Us.

Still ringing the changes right up to nearly home time, on the next tune, Paul on bass brought in Charles Harrison on guitar and Tom on drums alongside Jim McBriarty on clarinet and Alan Law on keys to accompany Jan Spencelayh's (?) take on Cheek To Cheek.

The last tune-but-one featured Niffy's version of  The Darktown Strutter's Ball and we were sent out into night - town Newcastle - by Caravan performed by Jim McBriarty (clarinet), Esther (clarinet), Andy Lawrenson (violin), Charles Harrison (guitar), Tom (drums), Paul Grainger (double bass), Alan Law (keys).

A very enjoyable night. No shortage of accomplished guitarists, drummers and vocalists that's for sure. Where were all the horn players tonight we wondered? Ditto you bass players to give Paul Grainger a break.
Pam & Dave

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