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Bebop Spoken There

Béla Fleck: “ And that's the great thing about live performances, you take people on a journey. It doesn't have to be like something else they've heard. It's not supposed to be". DownBeat, April, 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

Thu 28: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 28: Gateshead Jazz Appreciation Society @ Gateshead Central Library, Gateshead. 2:30pm.
Thu 28: Richard Herdman Quartet @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 28: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Guests: Josh Bentham (alto sax); Alan Marshall (tenor sax); Neil Brodie (trumpet); Adrian Beadnell (bass); Graham Thompson (keys); Steve Hunter (drums).

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.

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.

Saturday, April 15, 2023

The Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ The Fire Station, Sunderland - April 14

The Empire Theatre was doing good business with patrons queuing in the rain (The Lion King the big draw), the Dun Cow was doing a roaring trade and, not to be outdone, Sunderland's Fire Station and adjoining Engine Room pub were more than busy thanks to a first visit by the Pasadena Roof Orchestra. The PRO is on a three date flying visit 'up north' - Sunderland, Pitlochry and Alnwick. This Friday evening first leg couldn't have gone better, the band on top form, the audience loving every minute of two fast-paced sets.

Frontman Duncan Galloway acted the part of the song and dance man as the A-list PRO ensemble had a ball. Superb musicianship, both ensemble and solo, delighted the crowd from the opening South Rampart Street Parade through to the traditional set closer, Home in Pasadena (the PRO taking its name from Harry Warren's number). As Tom Langham picked up his banjo, PRO bandmates walked off stage with fingers in their ears - yes, the visual gag worked a treat. Left all alone in the spotlight, Langham described Harry Reser as the Jimi Hendrix of his day (a century ago). As his bandmates (fingers in ears) sheltered in the bar, Langham set about making the case for the banjo by playing Pickin's. You've guessed it...tumultuous applause.                

Throughout the evening various members of the PRO took their turn in the spotlight, from young gun trombonist Rory Ingham to Robert Fowler, tenor sax, to Oliver Wilby's second set features on tenor, to ace drummer Dominic Sales' all round brilliance. Polka Dot Rag (a soprano sax feature for Dai Pritchard), a hot Jubilee Stomp and Alexander's Ragtime Band (Dave Berry, sousaphone), the Pasadena Roof Orchestra all but brought the house down (the 'Roof' remaining intact, just). Galloway enquired of the audience: Would you like some more? A thunderous foot-stomping reply said it all. Encore, then home. For some it was 'encore then the Dun Cow'. It had been a fabulous evening. The Fire Station is the jewel in the crown of Sunderland's 'Cultural Quarter'. Russell         

Duncan Galloway (vocals); Dave Ford (trumpet); Malcolm Baxter (trumpet); Robert Fowler (alto sax, baritone sax, clarinet); Oliver Wilby (tenor sax, clarinet); Dai Pritchard (alto sax, clarinet); Rory Ingham (trombone); Tom 'Spats' Langham (banjo, guitar); Simon Townley (piano, vocals); Dave Berry (double bass, sousaphone); Dominic Sales (drums)

1 comment :

Anonymous said...

Absolutely a spot on summary of a great night. My wife and I were delighted to be there, and weren't the PRO on top form. By the way , we also managed the encore in the Dun Cow, to catch up with the best musicians around. We now must wait until June when they strut their stuff again up north. Alan B

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