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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 2025).

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

17719 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 39 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Jan. 15).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Wed 15: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 15: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 15: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 15: Hot Club of Heaton @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘third Wednesday in the month’ session. TBC.

Thu 16: Pete Tanton & the Cuban Heels @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio w. Graham Hardy @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. (inc. a welcome drink & table reservation). Book at: www.drinks@thepele.co.uk. A ‘Jazz at the Pele’ promotion.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick TD15 1AS. 7:30pm. Free. Album launch gig.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

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

Thursday, April 07, 2022

Album review: The Gaz Hughes Trio - Beboperation

Gaz Hughes (drums); Andrzej Baranek (piano); Ed Harrison (bass)

Beboperation: The opening track of this excellent drummer-led album is an interesting tune and contains some high-octane piano from Andrzej Baranek. As far as I know, this is a Fats Navarro composition and is rarely played due to its complexity.

 

Body and Soul: This, of course, is the well known Johnny Green standard and I still think the early recording by Coleman Hawkins is the best, but this version is a one that bears repeated plays.

Caravan: A great tune from the pen of Juan Tizol and Gaz gets stuck into the theme right from the start and it made me wonder why more of Tizol’s tunes do not get played. Moonlight Fiesta is one I listen to a lot from Clark Terry’s In Orbit album with a great solo by Thelonious Monk.

 

Have You Met Miss Jones?: If you go to jam sessions you’ll often hear this number played and sometimes the results can be less than satisfying! Here the trio do a great rendition and the tempo they choose is slower than most versions I’ve heard. The drums are prominent during the theme. Good bass solo from Ed.

 

I Mean You: Starts with some interplay by bass and drums. Great left hand from Andrzej throughout and the spirit of Monk is present.

 

Oleo: On this Rollins number everyone is cooking up a storm. Gaz starts the tune with a short drum solo then Andrzej does his thing reminding me of the late great Hampton Hawes and also Hilton Ruiz.

 

Prelude to a Kiss: Everytime I hear this tune I think of Ben Webster and how his sound suited this number. I’m glad Gaz included this tune in the album as it does not get played too often. This trio version should please all fans of Ellingtonia.

 

Send In The Clowns: I’ve never been too keen on this show tune but I must admit to liking  the way it's played here.

 

Seven Steps To Heaven: This composition by Victor Feldman is given a Latin treatment by Gaz and his colleagues and is the final track on an excellent album. 


Having seen all members of the trio playing live on numerous occasions I can say that this album is a good indication of what to expect if you are able to hear them on their forthcoming tour. Mike Farmer.


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