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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

Friday, October 28, 2022

Album review: Ahmad Jamal - Emerald City Nights. Live at the Penthouse 1963-1964

CD 1: Ahmad Jamal (piano); Richard Evans (bass); Chuck Lampkin (drums).

CD 2: James Masser replaces Evans.


When reviewing the Monty Alexander sessions from Montreux I made reference to his early idols. First and foremost amongst those idols was Ahmad Jamal and, lo and behold, the next day two double CD albums by Jamal landed in the passage and this is the first of the two.


Alexander's early idolatry is well founded he'd be 19 when the first of these two albums were recorded live at the Penthouse Club in Seattle and it certainly provided the benchmark for any aspiring jazz pianist.


Previously unreleased, the two discs from 1963 and 1964 demonstrate that Jamal was in fine form - when was he not?  His technique, whilst it is equal to that of any classical concert pianist, doesn't run riot but is tailored to the tune, a point that Cannonball Adderley made some years go stating that he treats each tune as a composition to be worked on, to make it fit and to enhance the original rather than just treating it as a jumping off point.


Each tune here is treated in just such a way, possibly causing those composers still alive to wonder why they didn't think of that! As a bonus, the notes in the booklet are interesting and informative and include reminiscences of Ahmad by fellow piano icon the late Ramsey Lewis, appropriately headed: Happiness All Over the Room. And happiness does indeed pervade all over the room whether it was in the Seattle club back then or in your own home listening to his playing on the hi-fi now.


Tremendous! 1965 and 1966 review coming shortly! Lance.


Available Elemental Music on Nov. 25 ( 2 x  2  vinyl LP) and Dec. 2 (2 x 2 CD).


Johnny One Note; Minor Adjustments; All of You; Squatty Roo.


Bogota; Lollipops and Roses; Tangerine; Keep on Keeping on; Minor Moods; But Not For Me

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