Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

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: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Friday, January 06, 2023

Album review: Luca di Luzio - Never Give Up

Luca di Luzio (guitar); Alain Caron (bass); Randy Brecker (trumpet); George Whitty (keyboards); Rodney Holmes (drums); Steve Thornton (percussion)

A jazz guitar graduate of the Conservatorio di Musica Frescobaldi, di Luzio showcases his pulling power with an all-star group playing an all-original programme that reflects personal stories of his life to date.

It's a lyrical, often melancholic journey expertly played by all concerned. Brecker is particularly outstanding - when is he not? Tightly muted, at times à la Miles, a full round sound when blowing open, both very effective. However, to single any one player out is unfair as all deliver the goods, not least leader, composer di Luzio whose studies with Metheny, Hall and Stern have certainly proved fruitful.

I didn't initially fall in love with some of Whitty's synth sounds although, familiarity did make the heart grow fonder if you'll excuse the mixed metaphor and by the time I reached A 14* - the piece that is named after the road that connects the guitarist’s birthplace to where he now lives - I was becoming quite enamoured of the electronic wizardry conjured up by the press of a button or the twiddling of a knob.

But, to reiterate, this is a team effort and well worth checking out. Lance

Second Life; Fishing in Paradise; Never Give Up; Verso Sera; The Genius; Lauderdale; Shortcut; A 14; Jimmy V.

*This A 14 is the one that runs from Bologna to Taranto in Italy and is not to be confused with the English road of the same name that starts in Leicestershire and ends up at the Port of Felixstowe in Suffolk.

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