Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 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

18818 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 682 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 20) 51.

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

August

Tue 25: Michael Young Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 27: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 27: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00.

Fri 28: Graham Hardy Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 29: Brian Jackson @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:30pm (doors). £32.00.

Sun 30: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Tango Jazz Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Album review: Will Vinson - Tripwire.

Will Vinson (alto sax, elec. piano on 1 tk); Matt Penman (bass); Eric Harland (drums) + Melissa Aldana (tenor sax on 2 tks).

Chordless trios can sometimes tax my powers of concentration. The absence of a harmonic foundation can often seem like a ham sandwich without any peas pudding. However, that is not the case here due to some sterling work by Penman and the presence of Harland behind the kit. 

Tripwire, the title track, is a jaunty blues composed by Vinson that is very much triplet based.

Blue and Sentimental brings to mind the recording by Count Basie that featured Herschel Evans on tenor and a rare example of Lester Young on clarinet. Vinson captures the mood of the original without losing the feel of today.

Things has nothing to do with Bobby Darin but is loosely based around All the Things You Are and Vinson brings Aldana to the party for a spirited workout. Each complements the other with some contrapuntal lines and, to prove they know their jazz history, manage  to incorporate the original Charlie Parker intro along the way.

Fable doesn't do it for me. Vinson switches to electric piano, overdubs his alto and there's all sorts of other bits of electronic jiggery pokery going on.

Normal service is resumed on For All we Know. Vinson's tone is absolutely beautiful with Penman providing perfect support as well as soloing effectively. Harland  stays discreetly in the background.

Resting Jazz Face has Aldana coming back for more over an ever changing rhythm. The two horns trade ideas each one pushing the other to greater heights. Penman too has his say with Harland doing some effective skin-beating as they take it out on a rocky riff. 

Will Vinson's Tripwire was released on Sept. 16 by Whirlwind Recordings and is well worth checking out. Lance 

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