Eleven posts in one day! Now if we had just eleven readers who could manage one post a day then my work would be done! Lance
For the past sixteen years we've been updating the world about jazz in the north east of England and updating the north east of England about jazz in the world. WINNER of the Jazz Media Category in the 2018 All Party Parliamentary Jazz Awards. Contact lanceliddle@gmail.com
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From This Moment On ...
December
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.
Mon 30: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 12 noon-2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington (National Trust), Cambo, Morpeth NE61 4AR. 12 noon & 2:00pm. Admission to site £19.00.
Tue 31: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Archie Brown & Friends @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00-8:00pm. Free.
January 2025
Wed 01: ???
Thu 02: ???
Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: John Gregory @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar.
Reviewers wanted
Sunday, December 31, 2023
Songs for Swingin' Airmen
I had to have this. I jumped on my bike, I was a pretty fast guy on two wheels back then although not as fast as Barry Hoban who I once raced against. He went on to win eight stages of Le Tour and married Tommy Simpson's widow. My greatest achievement was in coming third out of five in a local (Lincolnshire) time trial and not marrying any widows.
New Year's Resolutions
I know that new year resolutions are made to be broken and that few reach February. However, here's a few to consider:
- Attend as many jazz gigs as you're able to such as The Globe, Black Swan, Blaydon Jazz Club, Lit & Phil, Crescent Club, Hoochie Coochie, the Glasshouse, Central Bar, Prohibition Bar, the Vault, Dorman's, Park Inn, the Gala, and any others where the J word is mentioned.
- Also drink as much beer, wine or whatever your favourite tipple is as this ensures that the venue realises that the music is pulling in the customers. Of course, if you're driving ...
- Don't get typecast as a purist - music is for everyone and if you don't try it ...
More on Tina Turner
Happy New Year to...
... Russell,
Patti, Sylvia, Ann, Dave, JC, Jerry, Steve, Mike, Ken, Malcolm, Maurice,
Sheila, Debra, Hugh, Colin A, Colin M, Roly and all the others who have shown
their support with posts, photos and comments. Nor can we forget all the
wonderful musicians without whom we'd have nothing to write about! Thank
you. Lance.
Ps: And a special mention of those who won't be around next year as recorded HERE.
Tina Turner: One Last Time Live in Concert
Album Review: London Brew – London Brew (Concord Jazz) (2023)
This was nearly a one that got away as it has been floating around the man cave for a few months since its release at the end of March this year. I keep taking it off the shelf and giving it a spin in the house or the car. There was a bit of fuss when it first came out but it has been under the radar ever since and deserves an end of year nod.
Album review: Rob Cope - Gemini
Rob Cope (bass clarinet, soprano sax); Andy Scott (tenor sax); Paul Clarvis (drums); Liam Noble (piano).
There is some marvellous music on this album and there is also some bass clarinet. It does feel like an album of sketches and, at 38 minutes it is far too short. I would imagine that a live setting would put some extra air under the tunes and allow for extended versions that could really work out the real strengths of what’s on offer on the album. Some tracks (such as Together and the title piece, Gemini) feel like they have just started to settle into their flow when the curtain comes down.
Album Review: Don Thompson/Rob Piltch – Bells…Now And Then
Don Thompson (piano, bass,
vibes); Rob Piltch (guitars).
Topped and tailed by two
new songs, this is an album that was originally recorded and released in Canada
in 1982 and has now been remixed and remastered for re-release. Forty years on
it sounds fresh as new paint, with added interest provided by the various
voices Thompson provides depending on which instrument he is playing on the track.
(In fact, it is the bass/guitar tracks that work best IMHO, especially the
calypso jaunt of Caribe with its
dancing guitar and rich full bodied bass underneath).
Having said that, Thompson is/was a wonderful pianist, a slightly less melancholic Bill Evans, indeed I suspect that the inspiration for this album back in 1981 and 1982 lay in the two Bill Evans/Jim Hall albums Undercurrent and Intermodulation they recorded in the 60s.
Saturday, December 30, 2023
Aycliffe Radio: Jazz Time - Sundays 6.30-8.00 pm (repeat Tuesdays 8.00-9.30pm)
https://www.ayclifferadio.co.uk/listen/
Aycliffe Radio is now available on
DAB in County
Durham & Darlington Area.
Playlist 31/12/23. (Repeated Tuesday
02/1/23)
We continue the Christmas & New Year theme.
Requests: Ella Fitzgerald, Quincy Jones, Spike Jones, Pee Wee Hunt.
New Year: Chet Baker, Emma Fisk, Bing Crosby, Tommy Smith Quartet, Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, Tim Boniface Quartet, 3d Jazz Trio, Eddie Condon & His All-Stars, Fats Waller, Norah Jones, Sammy Rimington, Bunk Johnson, Milt Jackson & Benny Golson & Art Farmer, Stan Tracey-Tubby Hayes.
Some favourite gigs of 2023
Nigel Price-Vasilis Xenopoulos Quartet @ Spice of Life, London (March 6)
Ed Richardson Big Band: Atomic Basie & more @ Ronnie Scott's, London (March 6)
Friday, December 29, 2023
A Jazz Remembrance Day...
He was a man whom you could love or, sometimes, not love, but not in equal measure. The former was way ahead of the latter by a country kilometre or ten.
He was one of a kind. Lance
Tonight on BBC 4
Friday night is Sinatra night on BBC 4. From 7:50pm through to the early hours it's Sinatra all the way. DETAILS. Pour yourself a shot of JD then sit back and enjoy. Lance
Ridiculous Christmas bargain of the year
Thursday, December 28, 2023
Jazz on the Tyne - Review of 2023
Abbie Finn Trio, Ezra Collective, Samara Joy, Jo Harrop
& Paul Edis, Artchipel Orchestra with Jonathan Coe, Graham Costello's STRATA,
Amy Thatcher & Francesca Knowles, Dave Weisser, Graham Hardy & Stu
Collingwood, John Pope Quintet, and Zoe Rahman.
You can listen to the show anytime HERE.
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Middlesbrough Jazz and Blues Orchestra @ Dorman's - Dec. 21
Playing to a packed audience, (in fact we had to send out for more tables and chairs) the Middlesbrough Jazz and Blues Orchestra under the direction of Christine Britland treated the crowd to an excellent selection of traditional and modern big band arrangements. From the opening bars of Strike up the Band to their last number White Christmas, the band kept the audience entertained throughout the evening. This was the final show of the year at the jazz club and the band put on a great finish.
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Reminder
Just a reminder to all of our readers that there's still time to send in your best of 2023 lists.
Albums, gigs, venues, big bands, small bands, raffles, whatever... You don't, necessarily have to rate them in order - that's your prerogative - just list those that have hit the spot over the past year. Lance
Tony Oxley (June 15, 1938 - Dec. 26, 2023)
British free form drummer Tony Oxley died earlier today at the age of 85 after a long illness.
Although I can't recall hearing him live, and I'm sure I'd remember if I had, his reputation as an innovative, forward thinking drummer is enough to ensure that his name will forever be remembered within the realms of British contemporary jazz and much further afield. May he Rest In Peace. Lance
Ken Burns' Jazz on PBS America (Boxing Day & all week)
Monday, December 25, 2023
An American in Paris on stage
Jazz on PBS America this Xmas Day
Sunday, December 24, 2023
In memory of the late Bill Shaw ...
None more so than to those who knew my dear friend cartoonist and drummer Bill Shaw. Long may he reign in our thoughts. Lance
My favourite gigs of 2023
I've listed them in chronological order. What else can you do? To say that one is better than the other puts jazz on a level with the various 'talent(ish)' shows. I'm aware that I've missed so many gigs due to bus strikes and age related issues but of the gigs I've been to, these are the ones that did it for me.
I'll also add that the Black Swan Jam on April 4 was the first time Luis Verde made his mark on the scene. The Dave Weisser Memorial Fundraiser was special inasmuch as, apart from paying tribute to a legend it also featured, among others, Alan Glen and Lewis Watson - legends in their own right.
Another legend, Greg Abate, thrilled a packed Globe with his boppy alto playing and as the links below show, there's lots of quality jazz going on at a lot of venues. Lance
R.I.P. 2023
Some of the north east jazz community that we so sadly lost this year . My apologies to the friends and family of anyone I've inadvertently overlooked. Please update me. Lance
Saturday, December 23, 2023
Album review: Inger Marie - Five Minutes
Aycliffe Radio: Jazz Time - Sundays 6.30-8.00 pm (repeat Tuesdays 8.00-9.30pm)
https://www.ayclifferadio.co.uk/listen/
Aycliffe Radio is now available
on DAB in County
Durham & Darlington Area.
Playlist 24/12/23.
(Repeated Tuesday 26/12/23)
Surprise! Surprise! it’s a Christmas Theme.
Modern Jazz Quartet, Sauter - Finegan Orchestra, Tony Bennett,
Mahalia Jackson, Charlie Parker, Chris Barber, Michael Bublé, Bing Crosby, Duke
Ellington, Fats Waller, Charles Brown, Tim Boniface, Etta James, Sammy Rimington,
Stan Getz/Chet Baker, Gregory Porter, Melody Gardot, Wynton Marsalis.
Toshiko Akiyoshi’s 94th birthday.
Album Review; Dianne Fraser – You And I - The Words and Music of Leslie Bricusse
Dianne
Fraser (vocals); Todd Schroeder (piano, arrangements); Adam Cohen (bass);
Denise Fraser (drums); Damon Kirsche (duetting on track 7); various others
This is Ms Fraser's debut album, featuring the songs of Leslie Bricusse, composer of music for film and theatre. Bricusse has received many honours, including two Academy Awards and has written many iconic songs including Pure Imagination and Feeling Good. I don't consider this to be a jazz album as such because the style of singing is closer to that of musical theatre, but nevertheless, the album is good of its type.
Friday, December 22, 2023
Classic Swing's Christmas party @ the Crescent Club - Dec. 22
Thursday, December 21, 2023
Nabuko 'Cobi' Narita (March 3, 1926 - Nov. 8, 2023)
In 1976 Narita founded the Universal Jazz Coalition, three years later she established the New York Women's Jazz Festival.
Help!
Oh dear! with only ten days to go until we 'welcome' the new year in the posts are way way down. C'mon let's have some more posts. Albums, books, gigs or just general thoughts on jazz in the north east or in the world. Is their jazz on Mars or in Hetton-le-Hole? Did Robert Johnson really sell his soul to the devil or was it some other Johnson? (best not answer that one...)
So please, keep the bebop boat afloat with your postings north east jazz history is important and, as long we're around your memories need to be heard and recorded for posterity. Lance
Album review: The Palomar Trio - The Song in Our Soul
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Mike Jamieson - Last of the National Servicemen
Mike, who despite not being as actively mobile as he once was, still turns up at the occasional gig and has recently begun a weekly memoir of his days as a national serviceman in Germany on the online newspaper (link) North East Bylines.
A Festive Black Swan Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle - Dec. 19
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Memories of the Kelly Pub.
However, back in the 1980s it was very much a 'jazz pub'. Not because of the music but because of the assortment of jazz/jazz related musicians who would congregate there on Wednesday afternoons and attempt to drink the bar dry.
A Jazzy Xmas @ The Fire Station, Sunderland - Dec. 18
The
Fire Station* glowed brightly,
the foyer and adjoining Engine Room pub a hive of activity. We were here for
the fifth and final performance of Paul Edis' north of England tour of A Jazzy Christmas. The stalls packed, as the lights dimmed Matt MacKellar set
up a New Orleans vibe to Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! And, of course, the wonderful Jo Harrop sang the
timeless number. As Christmas shows go, A Jazzy Christmas takes some beating.
Monday, December 18, 2023
R.I.P Anne DeVere
Album review: Gemma Sherry - Gazing at Stars
Tubby Hayes - Guys And Dolls (Live)
Preview: A Jazzy Xmas in Sunderland! (Mon. 18)
Party night @ the Globe - Dec. 17
(© Sheila Herrick) |
Over the years 'Showtime' has evolved from a trombonist who played trumpet who also sang. At last night's 'party' he added ocarina to his box of tricks. Is this the full circle or is there more to come? I suspect there is - lock up your Alpine horns.
(© Sheila Herrick) |
Sunday, December 17, 2023
Jazz Attack @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead - Dec. 17
The 2023-24 edition of Jazz Attack gave a short performance on the concourse at the Glasshouse (formerly Sage Gateshead) in front of an appreciative audience of family, friends and supporters. MD Graham Hardy has been tutoring his young charges (ranging in age from 9 - 15 years) for something like three months and this Sunday afternoon was an opportunity to hear what they've been up to.
Press release: Jazz party @ the Globe tonight!
Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre - Dec. 16
It's Christmas! Well, almost. It's become a tradition, the Strictly Smokin' Big band's two nights at Gosforth Civic Theatre on the outskirts of Newcastle. And they always sell out. This year wasn't any different, Friday evening sold out (job done) and this evening's performance would follow suit. As Michael Lamb's magnificent big band took to the stage Santa hats weren't in evidence, at least for now...
Saturday, December 16, 2023
Paul Edis and Friends: A Jazzy Christmas + Jambone @ the Glasshouse, Gateshead - Dec. 16
Paul Edis (piano); Jo Harrop (vocals); Matt Anderson (tenor/soprano sax); Faye Thompson (alto sax, clarinet); Megan Robinson (flute, piccolo); Graham Hardy (trumpet, flugel); Jason Holcomb (trombone); Emma Fisk (violin); Michael Dunlop (bass); Matt MacKellar (drums)
The one thing that you can depend upon at Christmas is that you will, overnight, find yourself with lots of socks, toiletries and, if you're really unlucky, a jumper that you will wear once (if that!) However, on the positive side, you will also get the opportunity to enjoy Paul Edis' Jazzy Christmas featuring a line-up of top musicians both local and national. And, on top of that, the incredible voice of Jo Harrop.(© Jerry)
Album review: Gregory Porter - Christmas Wish (Blue Note)
Everybody knows what to expect from a Gregory Porter album and I suspect that this Christmas offering is exactly what you would expect of a Gregory Porter Christmas album. Those hoping for a festive celebration of Ornette Coleman arranged for spoons and kazoo will have to look elsewhere. There’s a selection of classics (Christmas Waltz, Little Drummer Boy, What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?, Do You Hear What I Hear), a carol (Silent Night), and some new ones from Mr Porter himself (Everything’s Not Lost, Christmas Wish, Heart For Christmas) and at the heart of each song is That Voice.
Darlington Big Band @ Opus 4 Jazz Club - Dec. 15
Aycliffe Radio: Jazz Time - Sundays 6.30-8.00 pm (repeat Tuesdays 8.00-9.30pm)
https://www.ayclifferadio.co.uk/listen/
Aycliffe Radio is now
available on DAB in County
Durham & Darlington Area.
Playlist 17/12/23.
(Repeated Tuesday 19/12/23)
There is a Christmas theme throughout this week’s playlist + birthday memories and what’s on in the NE.
Dave Brubeck, Maynard Ferguson, Peggy Lee, Lee Konitz & Gerry Mulligan, Art Farmer, Clark Terry & Bob Brookmeyer, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson & Joe Pass, Jeff Barnhart & John Hallam, Michael Bublé, Tim Boniface, Jacques Loussier Trio, Paul Edis & Friends, Stan Kenton, Wynton Marsalis.
Jazz on the Tyne Christmas Special 2023
The Strictly Smokin’ Big Band, Jo Harrop & Paul Edis, Niffi Osiyemi, Dave Brubeck, Ramsey Lewis, Samara Joy, Sheila Jordan, Nils Landgren, Silje Nergaard, Fergus McCreadie, Carla Bley, Louis Armstrong, Dr John, and Paul Edis & Friends.
Friday, December 15, 2023
Paul Edis @ the Lit & Phil - Dec. 15
(© Patti) |
Solo piano recitals can be daunting and, invariably, I find myself longing for the comforting presence of bass and drums to fill out and offer contrast to the main man.
Not so this afternoon at the Lit and Phil's popular monthly sessions although the ponderous theme of the opening Dig Deep had my mind wandering in that direction.
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Some Like it Hot
Of course they aren't seen on screen as it's an all-girls band.
One of my favourite movies. Lance
Dave Sayer’s Top 13 (?) of 2023
It’s not been a bad old year for jazz in my opinion. There’s been some good gigs, near and far, and a rich selection of new releases, some old stuff has been reissued, some has come out for the first time and some has escaped when it shouldn’t have, (Evenings At The Village Gate: John Coltrane with Eric Dolphy, I’m looking at you). Crate digging in charity shops has thrown up some real bargains again this year and there has been one jazz book which has stood head and shoulders above the others (the accompanying CD wasn’t half bad either). Enough with the preliminaries and on with the awards ...
The Bold Big Band @ Cluny 2 - Dec. 13
(© Russell) |
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Album review: Benet McLean - Green Park
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
MARIAN McPARTLAND Things Ain't What They Used To Be (June 1964)
Monday, December 11, 2023
Album review: Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Just Friends @ Dorman's Jazz Club - Dec.7
Saturday, December 09, 2023
Aycliffe Radio: Jazz Time - Sundays 6.30-8.00 pm (repeat Tuesdays 8.00-9.30pm)
Aycliffe Radio is now available on DAB in County Durham & Darlington Area.
Playlist 10/12/23.
(Repeated Tuesday 12/11/23)
Requests mainly from Darlington New Orleans Club: Chris Barber, Barney Bigard, Pilsner Jazz Band, Roy Williams & George Chisholm, Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five, Jelly Roll Morton, Urbie Green, Billie Holiday/Louis Armstrong, Stan Kenton.
Blog Archive
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2023
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December
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- We made it!
- What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? - Postmodern Ju...
- Songs for Swingin' Airmen
- New Year's Resolutions
- More on Tina Turner
- Happy New Year to...
- Tina Turner: One Last Time Live in Concert
- Album Review: London Brew – London Brew (Concord J...
- Album review: Rob Cope - Gemini
- Album Review: Don Thompson/Rob Piltch – Bells…Now ...
- Aycliffe Radio: Jazz Time - Sundays 6.30-8.00 pm (...
- Some favourite gigs of 2023
- A Jazz Remembrance Day...
- Tonight on BBC 4
- Ridiculous Christmas bargain of the year
- Jazz on the Tyne - Review of 2023
- Middlesbrough Jazz and Blues Orchestra @ Dorman's ...
- Reminder
- Tony Oxley (June 15, 1938 - Dec. 26, 2023)
- Ken Burns' Jazz on PBS America (Boxing Day & all w...
- Welcome To Mr. Kelly's
- An American in Paris on stage
- Jazz on PBS America this Xmas Day
- In memory of the late Bill Shaw ...
- My favourite gigs of 2023
- R.I.P. 2023
- Album review: Inger Marie - Five Minutes
- Aycliffe Radio: Jazz Time - Sundays 6.30-8.00 pm (...
- Album Review; Dianne Fraser – You And I - The Word...
- Classic Swing's Christmas party @ the Crescent Clu...
- Nabuko 'Cobi' Narita (March 3, 1926 - Nov. 8, 2023)
- Help!
- Album review: The Palomar Trio - The Song in Our Soul
- Mike Jamieson - Last of the National Servicemen
- A Festive Black Swan Jam session @ The Black Swan,...
- Memories of the Kelly Pub.
- A Jazzy Xmas @ The Fire Station, Sunderland - Dec. 18
- R.I.P Anne DeVere
- Album review: Gemma Sherry - Gazing at Stars
- Tubby Hayes - Guys And Dolls (Live)
- Preview: A Jazzy Xmas in Sunderland! (Mon. 18)
- Party night @ the Globe - Dec. 17
- Jazz Attack @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead - Dec. 17
- Press release: Jazz party @ the Globe tonight!
- Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre...
- Paul Edis and Friends: A Jazzy Christmas + Jambone...
- Album review: Gregory Porter - Christmas Wish (Blu...
- Darlington Big Band @ Opus 4 Jazz Club - Dec. 15
- Aycliffe Radio: Jazz Time - Sundays 6.30-8.00 pm (...
- Jazz on the Tyne Christmas Special 2023
- Paul Edis @ the Lit & Phil - Dec. 15
- Some Like it Hot
- Dave Sayer’s Top 13 (?) of 2023
- The Bold Big Band @ Cluny 2 - Dec. 13
- Album review: Benet McLean - Green Park
- MARIAN McPARTLAND Things Ain't What They Used To B...
- Album review: Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas
- Top ten vocal albums of 2023
- Just Friends @ Dorman's Jazz Club - Dec.7
- Aycliffe Radio: Jazz Time - Sundays 6.30-8.00 pm (...
- Kansas Smitty's Big Band: Duke Ellington's Nutcrac...
- Album review: Lauren Bush - Tide Rises
- You wanna hear a big band? Scroll down...
- Top Ten archival albums.
- Moanin'
- Top ten new releases (instrumental) of 2023
- Sax forte @ Connaught Court, York - Nov. 30
- The Alto Summit Jam Session @ The Black Swan, Newc...
- John Colianni (7/1/62 - 28/11/2023)
- James Birkett Trio @ Blaydon Jazz Club - Dec. 4
- Whether to weather the weather
- The Central Bar Quartet: Lou Donaldson's Gravy Tra...
- The Mark Toomey Quintet @ Dorman's Jazz Club Middl...
- Paul Skerritt w. the Danny Miller Big Band: "A Nig...
- Preview: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe: Thursday ...
- Aycliffe Radio: Jazz Time - Sundays 6.30-8.00 pm (...
- Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club - Dec. 1
- SING, SING SWING! PETE LONG & HIS GOOD MEN @ Cad...
- Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle - Nov.30
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