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.

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

R.I.P. Ramsey Lewis

The death of Ramsey Lewis yesterday at the age of 87 prompted me to post these two quotes from our Bebop Spoken There archives. That they were printed 50 years apart gives an indication of just how long the pianist had been at the top.

Ramsey Lewis: “I guess all piano players go through a phase when Bud Powell is God ” – (DownBeat May 6, 1965).

Ramsey Lewis: “In Washington, D.C., we used to pass this hotel and people would say, “That’s were Ella Fitzgerald stays!” I thought, “One day I’m going to stay at that hotel” – and that [success with The In Crowd] allowed me to.” – (DownBeat April 2015).

His recording career began in 1956 and continued until 2021 with 80+ albums and a few Grammys along the way.

As I type I'm listening to the Ramsey Lewis Trio Live at the Bohemian Caverns. Recorded in 1964 in Washington DC, it didn't pick up any awards - perhaps this was a West Side Story Medley too far even though it didn't have a three days long drum solo. It did, however, have some fine piano playing and a version of the Jet Song that brought the film scenario to life without a flick knife in sight. R.I.P. - Lance 
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1 comment :

NeilC said...

On top of all the grieving and sadness we are all experiencing at present now this . Its hard to come to terms with , one of the greatest piano players ever gone . He is one of my go to artists on a daily basis not only on disc but his songs are peppered all over my playlist . Its a very sad time for all , frankly could have done with out this . RIP Sir we'll miss those precious fingers tinkling the ivories .

Wednesday, September 14, 2022 9:19:00 am

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