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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

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: ???

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

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, January 20, 2023

Album review: Christopher McBride - Ramon

Christopher McBride (alto sax); J.S. Williams (trumpet);  Jonathan Edward Thomas (piano); Noah Jackson (bass); Cedric Easton (drums); +  Morgan Burrs, Bobby Broom (guitar); J. Hoard (vocal); Kenny Bentley (tuba); Luke Carlos O'Reiley (keys, organ); Corey A. Wallace (trombone).

Another gem from NYC! A core quintet with guests on individual tracks that really sizzle. McBride and Williams blow like as if there's no tomorrow. This is Jazz Messengers for today and more - much more. Bebop, hard bop, post hard bop, timeless bop.

Lady D: Written for McBride's mother. This is no maudlin piece of sentimentality but a swinging uptempo blast. "She's a very hip lady" explains McBride.

Welcome: Basically introducing the band to a 'live' audience. Strange.

You Put a Smile on my Face: A feature for guitarist Broom.

Bronx Unchained: Written after spending some unexpected time in the Bronx, referencing to it as the birthplace of hip-hop.

Your Eyes Can't Lie: A vocal by J. Hoard. The lyrics capture the shift in a relationship that becomes more than platonic.

Intimacy: Burrs steps up to the plate on a composition inspired by some special relationships McBride's had in his life.

Postlude: "Sometimes you just gotta rock out with your band" says McBride.

Stand Your Ground Pt 1, 2, 3: The sombre bass solo sets the mood for this mini-suite based around the killing of Trayvon Martin. There's an almost Mingus feel in this portrait of yet another case of almost certain injustice by courts in America when their are racial issues involved. This was pre-George Floyd yet equally as controversial and equally damning. Will they ever learn?

Dope (For the steppers); A piece to shake it about.

Girl Get 'Em: A New Orleansy kind of feel with Bentley pumping away on tuba and some blasts all round. B3 sounds and rhythm to rock to - my kind of party music.

Your Eyes Can't Lie: An instrumental version of the earlier track brings an excellent album to a close.

The title Ramon refers to McBride's grandfather. Lance

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