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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 2025).

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

17719 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 39 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Jan. 15).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio w. Graham Hardy @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. (inc. a welcome drink & table reservation). Book at: www.drinks@thepele.co.uk. A ‘Jazz at the Pele’ promotion.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick TD15 1AS. 7:30pm. Free. Album launch gig.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

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

Sunday, June 18, 2023

Album review: Snorre Kirk - Top Dog

Stephen Riley (tenor sax on tks 1, 3, 4, 7, 10); Michael Blicher (alto/tenor sax on tks 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9); Magnus Hjorth (piano); Mads Køjlby (guitar); Anders Fjeldsted (bass); Snorre Kirk (drums)

A swinging album from Denmark influenced by the musical legacy of Count Basie. It has the feel of the original Basie band coupled with the more subtle approach of the later model. 

When critic Stanley Dance came up with the term 'mainstream' to cover the music inspired by the jazz that flourished in the pre-bebop/swing era years this is probably close to what he had in mind if he was alive today - or maybe not. 

Jazz, like most art forms, is constantly moving, forwards, sideways or backwards according to how receptive you are to change. However, the music is always one step ahead and just when you think you've caught up with it you find it has moved on again.

Nevertheless, no one other than the most devout follower of early jazz or those who think that tomorrow isn't the question but the answer and, as we all know tomorrow never comes, will be as enthralled with this as I am.

The solid four in a bar rhythm section, the All-Scandinavian Rhythm Section as the blurb describes it, lay down the kind of foundation that Basie, Page, Green and Jones did back in the '30s and '40s - providing a cushion for the front men to create.

The compositions are all by Kirk - remembering the past, looking to the future whilst thinking of the present.  They're a well-balanced mix of blues, ballads and swingers such as Swing Point that bears more than a passing resemblance to Four Brothers.

American tenor player Riley alternates with hometown boy Blicher. Their contrasting sounds add to the appeal. The leader powers it all along nicely bringing to mind a scaled down version of another great Danish combo - Fessor's Big City Band. There could be no greater praise. Lance

Available on Stunt Records (CD or vinyl) From July 7.

BANDCAMP.

Working the Night Shift; Top Dog; On Late Nights; Bring me Home; Showtime; Meditations in Blue; Swing Point; Easy Roller; Yesteryear; Boogie Rider.

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