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Bebop Spoken There

Phillip Lutz: ''That [sight-reading], in turn, led to session work that was well-paying but unsatisfying and, after 18 months, he [John McLaughlin] unceremoniously quit. But he fortuitously hooked up with a couple of fellow northerners, organist Mike Carr and drummer Jackie Denton. They provided entrée to London's premier jazz club, Ronnie Scott's, periodically playing opening sets''. (DownBeat, December 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

17586 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 860 of them this year alone and, so far, 5 this month (Dec. 2).

From This Moment On ...

December

Mon 09: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 09: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 09: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.
Mon 09: Trio Grand @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free.
Mon 09: James Birkett Trio @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 10: Customs House Big Band @ All Saints Church Hall, Cleadon. 7:30pm. £6.00. The CHBB’s annual Xmas concert featuring Ruth Lambert. A BYOB gig!

Wed 11: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Cath Stephens’ improvisation workshop @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 4:30-6:00pm. Collaborative group focusing on vocal improvisations.
Wed 11: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 11: The Tannery Jam Session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Second Wednesday in the month.
Wed 11: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 12: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Spanish City, Whitley Bay. 12 noon. £27.00. (inc. three -course meal).
Thu 12: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:00-6:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Thu 12: Stuart Turner @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 12: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesborough. 8:30pm. Free. Guests: Jeremy McMurray (keys); Mark Toomey (alto sax); Donna Hewitt (tenor sax); Kevin Eland (trumpet); Ron Smith (bass).

Fri 13: Dean Stockdale Trio @ Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 13: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Bellavana @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Joe Steels Trio @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Customs House Big Band @ Stocksfield Community Association. 7:00pm. Featuring Ruth Lambert.
Fri 13: Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Xmas @ St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook. 7:30pm. £15.00.
Fri 13: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £19.00. + bf. First night of two.
Fri 13: Ransom Van @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 13: Boys of Brass @ Hoochie Coochie, Newcastle. 9:00pm. £10.00.

Sat 14: Jambone @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 6:15pm. Free but ticketed.
Sat 14: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm.
Sat 14: Red Kites Jazz @ Staiths Café, Autumn Dr., Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 14 Lapwing Jazz Trio @ Three Sheets to the Wind, Alnwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 14: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £19.00. + bf. Second night of two.
Sat 14: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 15: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 12 noon. £8.50. Xmas party feat. Musicians Unlimited + Customs House Big Band. SOLD OUT!
Sun 15: Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Xmas @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 2:00pm.
Sun 15: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Mitch Laddie Band @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. Superb blues power trio.
Sun 15: Leeway @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 15: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Xmas @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.
Sun 15: Alligator Gumbo @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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

Monday, May 22, 2023

Kira Kira @ the Lit & Phil (Jazz North East) - May 19

(© Ken Drew)

Satoko Fujii (piano); Alister Spence (keys); Natsuki Tamura (trumpet); Tom Bancroft (drums, percussion)

Where to start?   Here’s the brief notes I made at the end of this stunning performance: 

Disparate array of instruments used by each musician.

Occasionally intense/heavily rhythmical/quiet and delicate solos.

Growling notes from the Nord keyboard.  

 Extraordinary! Unexpected! Inspirational!

    Briefly included a happy and glorious percussion ensemble at one point.

    Staccato attack. Surprise!  Prolonged intense release of energy.

  Conventional instruments often played in an unconventional way, wonderfully combined.

    Smiles across the stage!!! 

    “Organised chaos”. Phenomenal! Enthusiastic applause.  

    Telepathic rhythms and sonorities bouncing across the stage.

    Permeates the space & engages the audience and lifting their spirits.

    Joyous atmosphere. Stunning performance. Uplifting. Life affirming. Pure joy!!

(© Ken Drew)
The pre-publicity was spot on, yet it didn’t quite prepare me for the two excellent sets that followed. Each performer’s masterful expertise was quickly evident after just a few minutes, the flow of the musical/sonic  journey revealed just how accomplished they are both as individuals and as a group.  I noticed that several local musicians were among the audience – word had got round that this was simply not to be missed. To witness the merging of improvisational expertise from around the globe viz. Australia, Japan and UK (ok, Scotland!) was awesome and immensely rewarding.  It was literally a ‘Tour de Force’ and took us all on a wonderful journey.

Fujii, Tamura and Spence have performed together regularly in various group settings since Fujii and Spence first shared the stage with their respective bands at the 2008 Tokyo Jazz Festival. Kira Kira (meaning to sparkle or twinkle brilliantly) is a project formed by Fujii, Tamura and Spence as a commission for Melbourne International Jazz Festival 2017. The premier performance of Kira Kira at MIJF2017 featured Fujii, Tamura, Spence  and Tony Buck drums and was deemed ‘an absolute triumph,’ and ‘the highlight of the festival.’   A second performance by Kira Kira in Tokyo in 2017 was with the Japanese drummer Ittetsu Takemura.  Kira Kira has thus developed as a quartet of evolving membership.  During the last two years Fujii has taken it to cities in the US, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, always incorporating a performer or two from visited locations. So, for their one and only UK performance of their current tour, Scotsman Tom Bancroft took the percussion seat. 

 

Set#1: Seemed to be totally improvised, comprising one long, very dynamic piece then a shorter piece squeezed in to the available time. Both were immensely refreshing!   

 

Set#2: Featured their debut release ‘Bright Force’, comprising 4 sections. Each was distinctly different, and was basically scored, giving it structure, but heavily improvised throughout.  Full of dynamics and surprises, solos and duos. And then an abrupt, co-ordinated ending (led by Tamura’s occasional conducting, even whilst playing) brought this glorious performance to a close.

 

More notes:

Fujii on piano: beautifully played encompassing many styles with a few prepared devices including a hand cymbal resting on strings, or strumming strings with a small mallet.

 

Spence on Nord keyboard: Used a range of voices (only occasionally heard ‘piano’ from it) augmented with external devices played with various electronic effects. Plus a collection of percussion (cymbal etc) and other ‘jangly things’.  Played using a mini mallet along the piano keys!

 

Bancroft on drums: Usual kit plus extras such as  a string of cow-bells, bowed cymbal and hand hitting of cymbal plus other assorted objects selected as required together with a driving and forceful pace when needed.

 

Tamura on trumpet: Inventive playing techniques from rustling to percussive, but more often producing an overall beautiful sound from the instrument. Also used a foot operated cymbal (operated whilst playing trumpet!) plus hand cymbal when joining in, along with the occasional smile, in total unison with the others.

 

Overall this was a whirlwind of ordered chaos which grew as it moved along, constantly exploring new directions, yet still within the jazz idiom with more than a touch of being crazy and free, and fun!!  It is improvised and sonically charged, and embraces so many musical styles throughout, and on occasion indulged in a decent helping of free-jazz groove.

 

Kira Kira’s international acclaim is wholly deserved.  Whilst I usually refrain from ‘Gig of the Year’ nominations, I think this will stand firmly among the ‘gig of the decade’ amongst Jazz North East’s canon of visiting bands.  Bravo!!  Absolutely awe-inspiring music. 

 

This is surely the epitome of what Jazz North East strives to achieve in the music it brings to Newcastle. As confirmed by the respectful attentiveness and enthusiastic applause from the audience received from each set, and the queues of delighted people waiting to either congratulate or thank or briefly chat with them afterwards for the shared experience.  

 

Afterthoughts:

I’d never previously heard of Kira Kira, nor of the band members (*) prior to this performance so I’m now compelled to dig deeper having witnessed their energetic, dramatic and spectacularly diverse musically sonic craftmanship.  For those who were there I recommend looking up the biogs of each performer, which provides the background to this globe-spanning behemoth’s capabilities. 

 

* I have seen Tom Bancroft from Scotland occasionally during on-line improv sessions from Scotland in his ‘Playtime Collective’ during the Lockdown years, and was thrilled to discover he was the ‘local performer’ for the visiting band.  Had he played with them before?  No!  Well …… apart from a live session, performed online with himself in Scotland and the rest of the band on the other side of the world.  Such is the power of improvisational expertise that practice is more likely a detriment than advantage in their endeavour to bring new ideas which thrill their audiences. Ken Drew

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