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, March 30, 2022

Album review: The Pucciarelli Group - Uplift

Giuseppe Pucciarelli (guitar); Ergio Valente (piano, synth); Aldo Capasso (double bass, electric bass); Marco Gagliano (drums)

Giuseppe Pucciarelli arrived in London to study at the Guildhall, subsequently staying on to work at London's many jazz venues. Uplift is his latest recording with his established all-Italian quartet. The chordal instruments - Pucciarelli's guitar and Ergio Valente's piano (and synth) - share the solos and bassist Aldo Capasso (upright and electric) lays down one or two of his own. Band leader Pucciarelli has been at pains to point out that this new album is 'The Pucciarelli Group' rather than 'Pucciarelli with sidemen'. As with many composers, Pucciarelli has written the material with his band mates in mind. 
All seven compositions are by Pucciarelli. Comparisons immediately spring to mind: Kenny Wheeler and associates (Kenny's Tune), John Taylor (a Wheeler associate) and Pat Metheny (the set closer Did You Know?). It could be said the American superstar is an influential figure for many contemporary guitarists, although in Pucciarelli's case he has a welcome bluesy edge to his playing.                   

Uplift by the Pucciarelli Group is available from Ubuntu Music. There is an album launch gig at London's Soho Pizza Express on April 30 where Giuseppe Pucciarelli will be working with a line-up other than on the recording. Russell
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