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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!

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

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

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.

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.

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

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Album Review: Ella & The Bossa Beat - In The Moment

Ella Borges (vocals, piano/keyboard, bass); Magrus Borges (drums, percussion); Jonathan Dills (cello); Kim Freitas (acoustic guitar); Alain Bradette, Rodrigo Sha (saxophone); Greg Little, Larry Williams (trumpet); Ruvit Bracho (violin); 

I'll simply quote from the publicity information which accompanies this album and sums it up neatly: 'In The Moment is an album comprised of nine original songs composed by Ella & The Bossa Beat, sung in both English and Portuguese. It features a deep resource of talented musicians from around the world, including Brazil, Canada, and the United States. The style of the album possesses a mixture of Brazilian music and rhythms, with contemporary and soulful melodies, with jazz harmonies.'

So what you get is an atmospheric Brazilian bossa feel, a pop music style of singing, lightly tinged with jazz elements, short lines of song with lots of clever instrumental playing between. Ms Borges's voice is good with a slight nasal quality and the songs are mostly about love. For instance the opening song Speak From the Heart, is mainly a repetition of the title with music in between and a very short piano solo.

Ella and Magrus Borges are actually father and daughter and this is their second album. They have a residency at Universal Studios in Orlando Florida and they play at many jazz venues and festivals. They are planning a tour to Europe, Brazil and other places abroad.

Magrus Borges hails from Belem do Para, Brazil and he has played with many international artists such as Grace Jones. He has recorded six original albums and has been nominated for a Grammy. Ella Borges, now aged just twenty -two, was born in Miami and raised in Brazil. She is a graduate of Stetson University with a degree in International Business and Music, and she writes lyrics, composes and produces with her father.

This album is very listenable if you like jazz which is veering towards a bossa/pop style. It is self-released and is available at all fine retailers. See www.ellaandthebossabeat.com Ann Alex

Speak From the Heart; Why; Dreamer; O Tempo Traz; Forever; Show me the Way; Estrelas No Ceu; Slipping Away; What Happened to Our Love.

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