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Bebop Spoken There

Simon Spillett: “ Bebop and hard bop came naturally to him [Tubby Hayes]". Morning Star, March 28, 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

16287 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 169 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (Mar 18).

From This Moment On ...

March

Fri 29: FILM: Soul @ The Forum Cinema, Hexham. 12:30pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Fri 29: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 29: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 6:00pm. Free. POSTPONED!
Fri 29: Thundercat @ Newcastle City Hall.
Fri 29: John Logan @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 29: True Colours @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 9:00pm. Blues, jazz & swing.

Sat 30: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 30: Pete Tanton’s Cuba Libre @ Whitley Bay Library, York Road, Whitley Bay. 8:00pm.

Sun 31: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay Metro Station. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 31: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields NE30 1HJ. 3:00pm. Free. Lambert, Alan Law & Paul Grainger.
Sun 31: Sid Jacobs & Tom Remon @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. USA/London jazz guitar duo.
Sun 31: Bellavana @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

April
Mon 01: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free.

Tue 02: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Dean Stockdale, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 03: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 03: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 03: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 04: FILM: Soul @ Forum Cinema, Hexham. 2:00pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Thu 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 04: Funky Drummer @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 04: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 04: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Me Lost Me + Ceitidh Mac + Heather Ferrier @ Bobiks - April 8

(© Ken Drew)
The second day of this 2-day Easter weekender, focusing on local musicians/bands, was also sold out. The triple-bill was eagerly anticipated, not least because of its bias towards folk/electronics rather than jazz-infused performance. So it is rather unusual for Jazz North East to present a succession of performances comprising primarily non-jazz rather than provide a contrast of musical styles/genres between 2 or 3 performers on the same bill. But the common factor here is that they all share the drive and commitment to forge new music from a mix of styles, producing some of the best of our region's contemporary alt-folk scene (in its widest sense) on offer at the moment.  They each share a driven desire to probe and extend beyond the more expected genre bounds, and each provide an element of excitement and surprise in what they do, and develop their ideas with each performance.

The headliner was Me Lost Me a.k.a. Jayne Dent accompanied by John Pope on acoustic bass and Faye MacCalman on clarinet. They have a forthcoming album (releasing in July) so this was a live  preview of RPG – an album of deliberate sonic design where electronic experiments are supplemented with infusions of improv, folk, choirs and ambient, and plenty more besides. For  example the song Eye Witness is a very rhythmic piece which sounds (to me) very contemporary yet  with a more traditional vocals feel. If it were stripped back and unplugged it could become an Unthanks track but Me Lost Me turn it into something very contemporary. Dent’s voice is very much central to each piece, often supplemented with added vocal effects, but always with a driving rhythm.

 

(© Ken Drew)
Prior to the trio, was Ceitidh Mac who performed a duo set. Previously she has been an Artist in Residence at Sage Gateshead, and more recently has just returned from a tour in Italy (20 concerts over 24 days). She looked relaxed and composed as ever, and ready to enjoy the evening switching between guitar and cello during the set, sharing the stage with regular collaborator Will Hammond on vibraphone who adds a pleasing backdrop to the acoustic mix. With a combination of improvisation and set pieces, playing original material as well as a creative mixture of traditional and folk music, they produce a distinctive combination of sounds, constantly drawing in their audience.

 

(© Ken Drew)
Launching the evening was a solo performer -  Heather Ferrier on accordion, most likely a first for Jazz North East but no matter, it’s what you achieve with your skills, ideas and the instrument that counts. Ferrier took part in a previous Summer Studios (run by Sage Gateshead) and plays in a variety of collaborations including Superfolkus led by Northumbrian piper and fiddler Kathryn Tickell, and has also depped in  Kathryn’s band. As a solo performer Ferrier seems quite reserved, but once the music starts she’s a masterful player, with some self-penned tunes interspersed with traditional or hints of traditional folk music. I found it difficult to listen without being reminded of Tickell’s Northumbrian influences, but what a joy to see and hear the accordion played so well and mostly with speedy but always accurate fingers !   

Overall, with the programming of solo, then duo then trio adding to the overall impact of the music, this sell-out evening of contemporary alt-folk (+ more besides) was well received by the enthusiastic audience, the evening’s music and musicians being well placed for the holiday weekend. Ken Drew

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