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Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 2024).

The Things They Say!

Hudson Music: Lance's "Bebop Spoken Here" is one of the heaviest and most influential jazz blogs in the UK.

Rupert Burley (Dynamic Agency): "BSH just goes from strength to strength".

'606' Club: "A toast to Lance Liddle of the terrific jazz blog 'Bebop Spoken Here'"

The Strictly Smokin' Big Band included Be Bop Spoken Here (sic) in their 5 Favourite Jazz Blogs.

Ann Braithwaite (Braithwaite & Katz Communications) You’re the BEST!

Holly Cooper, Mouthpiece Music: "Lance writes pull quotes like no one else!"

Simon Spillett: A lovely review from the dean of jazz bloggers, Lance Liddle...

Josh Weir: I love the writing on bebop spoken here... I think the work you are doing is amazing.

Postage

17630 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 904 of them this year alone and, so far, 49 this month (Dec. 20).

From This Moment On ...

December

Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Mon 23: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 4:00pm. Free.
Mon 23: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Mon 23: Milne-Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Lindsay Hannon & Mark Williams @ Ernest, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 11:00am-1:00pm. Free.
Tue 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.

Wed 25: Wot? No jazz!

Thu 26: The Boneshakers @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. The 17th annual Boneshakers’ Shindig.

Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free. Business as usual!.
Fri 27: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 27: Michael Woods @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sat 28: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 11:30am. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 28: Fri 20: Castillo Nuevo @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 28: Jude Murphy, Rich Herdman & Giles Strong @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Stepney Bank, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

Sun 29: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 29: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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, December 11, 2022

Alan Barnes Octet: A Jazz Christmas Carol @ Newcastle Arts Centre - Dec. 10

Alan Barnes (alto sax, bass clarinet, narration); Robert Fowler (tenor sax, baritone sax, clarinet); Karen Sharp (baritone sax, tenor sax, clarinet); Bruce Adams (trumpet, flugelhorn); Mark Nightingale (trombone); Andrew Cleyndert (double bass); Clark Tracey (drums) 

It's that time of year when some turn their attention to all things seasonal. Newcastle Arts Centre chipped in presenting a rare appearance in these parts of Alan Barnes' all star octet. And 'all star' is the term, each chair occupied by household names, band leaders and featured soloists in their own right, eight top class musicians. 

A Jazz Christmas Carol is Alan Barnes' tip of the hat to Charles Dickens. Dressed for the part (see photo), as Barnes took to the stage without fanfare, his band mates and many in the audience had seen and heard it all before. And that's the thing, it doesn't matter one jot that you know how it goes and how it ends, it's great fun and it's all done with that rare commodity - casual brilliance.

Was it really 2016 when A Jazz Christmas Carol last visited the region? It was, Ushaw College, December 18th to be precise. This evening it was the exact same line-up with one exception, Andy Cleyndert in for Simon Thorpe. The story/performance of the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come would be peppered with Barnesian one-liners, you know they're coming but it's all in the timing. Solos of the extended variety were largely absent, it wasn't that kind of gig, this was storytelling at its best, the ensemble sound the thing.

Trumpeter Bruce Adams can blow the roof off when the mood takes him, not this evening. Trombone maestro Mark Nightingale played his part to perfection. To Barnes' left, Robert Fowler (principally on tenor) towered above, to his left, Karen Sharp, as good as they come on baritone sax, indeed any/all of the reeds. And then there was the rhythm section...Dave Newton, Andy Cleyndert, and Clark Tracey, piano, bass and drums, respectively! Trophy cabinets full of silverware, these are the 'first call' guys, no mistake! 

Whatever Alan Barnes turns his hand to, it's a winner. The Black Swan crowd at Newcastle Arts Centre loved every minute, laughing along on cue. In a matter of a few weeks the man will be returning to the region, watch this space...

Thanks to Mike Tilley, Ivan and co, and Alice Grace for putting on a great show. The next Black Swan jazz concert is scheduled for Tuesday 28 February, watch this space... Russell   

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