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Bebop Spoken There

Trevor Mires: ''My mum is a Dean Martin fan: I'm not, so I would grab my skateboard and get out of the house whenever I heard "Everybody Loves Somebody, Sometime." ". (Jazzwise, April 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

17957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 278 of them this year alone and, so far, 34 this month (April 14).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Fri 18: Alexia Gardner @ Fika Gallery, Oldgate, Morpeth NE61 1LT. 7:00pm. Trio (Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy).RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 13

Fri 18: Sarah Jane Morris & Tony Remy: The Sisterhood @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. CANCELLED! 7:30pm (doors). £25.00.

Sat 19: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 19: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 19: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 21: Newcastle Record Fair @ Copthorne Hotel, Newcastle. 10:00am. Going in search of the Buddy Bolden cylinder…
Mon 21: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. Coquetdale Jazz.

Wed 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 23: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 23: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Thu 24: Mary Coughlan @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm. £33.80. Blues, jazz etc.
Thu 24: Darlington Big Band @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

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

Sunday, July 24, 2022

Album review: Joe Webb - Summer Chill

Joe Webb (piano, Hammond organ); Alex Haines (guitar); Will Sach (double bass); João Caetano (percussion); Jas Kayser (drums); Fraser Smith (tenor sax, track 9); Kitty Liv Durham (auxiliary percussion)

Joe Webb has been living and working in London for the best part of ten years. Kansas Smitty's lockdown sessions, streamed from their then London base, won a whole new audience for a predominately younger, supremely talented generation of musicians. Pianist Webb was one of those musicians who made a great impact on the online viewing public. A sold out nationwide tour playing the music of Art Tatum further enhanced the genial Webb's reputation. Now there is a new album to enjoy, Summer Chill.

The music on this Ubuntu Music album is a world away from Tatum, Peterson et al. Summer and Chill suggest a laid back vibe and that's precisely what we have here. Jazz, rhythm and blues and popular hit songs of the day are approached with boundless enthusiasm: Webb's seemingly effortless virtuosity, both at the piano and Hammond organ, Alex Haines' guitar cutting through on Yea Yea (it's Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames' chart-topping Yeh Yeh) and Joe Zawinul's Money in the Pocket, rising star drummer Jas Kayser and percussionist João Caetano (Kitty Liv Durham is credited with supplying 'auxiliary percussion') are in inspired form throughout the album's thirty four minutes' playing time, and then there's ace bassist Will Sach, dropping anchor from the downbeat. 

Catalan Jumper and Errolesque spread the summer vibe and, what's more, they're Webb originals - the latter number (one 'l') Errolesque being a nod to Erroll Garner. Corner Pocket is taken at a somewhat quicker tempo than Freddie Green's much-loved composition, the lesson here is one shouldn't expect slavish recreation. One Mint Julep features grooving guest tenor saxophonist Fraser Smith (Webb at the Hammond) and the closing track, I Can't Help Falling in Love with You is a solo piano feature with Webb suitably respectful of the tune. 

Summer Chill isn't about to redefine jazz or popular music, it's to be enjoyed for what it is - an energetic, fun, chilled session. It's a fair bet the musicians enjoyed themselves recording the album, all but the most demanding listener is likely to enjoy it too.

Joe Webb is to play an album launch gig at London's 100 Club on August 1 Russell

Summer Chill is available now from Ubuntu Music (catalogue number UBU0115). 
                        
Tweedle Dee; Comin' Home Baby; You Are My Sunshine; Yea Yea; Money in the Pocket; Catalan Jumper; Errolesque; Corner Pocket; One Mint Julep; I Can't Help Falling in Love With You

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