Bebop Spoken There

David Bailey (photographer): ''When I was 16 I wanted to look like Chet Baker. He was my idol - him and James Dean.'' (Talking Pictures documentary : Four beats to the bar and no cheating April, 2026)

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

18469 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 333 of them this year alone and, so far this month (April 27 ) 67

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

From This Moment On

April

Wed 29: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 29: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 29: Long/Remon/Zilker @ The Ship Isis, Sunderland. 7:00pm. £10.00. + £1.00. bf. Tom Remon plays Irish folk!
Wed 29: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 29: Hackney Colliery Band @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. £25.00.

Thu 30: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: International Jazz Day & JANE AGM.
Thu 30: Duke Junction @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £14.00., £12.00., £7.00. Nadim Teimoori (tenor sax); Jeff Hewer (guitar); Martin Longhawn (organ); Steve Hanley (drums). An International Jazz Day event & the 12th anniversary of Newcastle Jazz Co-op acquiring the Globe!

May

Fri 01: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 01: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 01: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 01: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 01: Bede Wind Band + East Coast Swing Band @ Cullercoats Methodist Church. 7:30pm. £10.00. Tickets from: www.ticketsource.com, members of Bede Wind Band & at the door. Memorial concert for Anne-Marie Purvis, who was a member of both ensembles. All proceeds to Tiny Lives Trust.
Fri 01: Louis Louis Louis @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £15.00.

Sat 02: Midnite Follies Orchestra @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £20.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club. All-star line-up.
Sat 02: Knats Masterclass & Jam II @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 1:00-3:00pm. £15.00.
Sat 02: Shannon Pearl + John Pope & John Garner @ Langley Tracks, Langley on Tyne NE47 5LA. 5:30pm (doors). £15.00. + £1.50. bf. ‘Witch-pop’ + Pope & Garner.
Sat 02: Knats + Nauta @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £17.51., £14.33., £11.16.
Sat 02: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 03: Chilcott Jazz Mass @ St George’s Church, Jesmond, Newcastle. 9:30am. Free. Sung communion with Parish Choir (featuring Bob Chilcott’s music). A Jesmond Community Festival event.
Sun 03: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 03: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Feat. guest Mark Toomey (alto sax).
Sun 03: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 03: Tom Waits for No Man @ Oxygenic, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm (2:30pm doors). Neckties and Boxing Gloves album launch. £14.00 (gig & a CD); £8.00 (gig only).
Sun 03: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 03: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £3.76.
Sun 03: John Pope & John Garner @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00.

Mon 04: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 04: Pete Tanton’s Cuban Heels @ The Library, South Parade, Whitley Bay. 2:00-4:00pm. Free.
Mon 04: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 05: Leah Kirk (voice): Final Year Music Recital @ The Band Room, Music Studios, Assembly Lane, Newcastle University. 2:30pm. Free, open to the public.
Tue 05: Jenny Baker (voice): Final Year Music Recital @ The Band Room, Music Studios, Assembly Lane, Newcastle University. 4:20pm. Free, open to the public.
Tue 05: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Stu Collingwood (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Tue 05: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.

Thursday, August 10, 2023

Album review/press release: Noah Stoneman - Anyone’s Quiet: Let It Rain to You

Noah Stoneman is undoubtedly one of the many outstanding young pianists to emerge from the music colleges/academies/conservatoires - call them what you will. Rather like a pop star who wins a TV talent show, they are instantly thrown into the deep end unlike it was, back in the old days, where they paid their dues in bars and clubs and gained their experience by listening to records and older musicians before getting their foot, or a least a couple of toes into the doors of such jazz meccas as Ronnie's, Pizza, 606 or Vortex to mention but a few.

This isn't a rant, it's an observation and I think that both the old school and the current intake could have benefited from each other's learning curve.

However, that's just a few of my thoughts on what is an appealing album. I've said too much already so I'll let the press release (of which I totally agree with) take over. Lance

Press release

Anyone’s Quiet: Let It Rain to You is the debut album from jazz piano prodigy and rising star composer Noah Stoneman.  At just 22 years old, Noah Stoneman has surpassed all expectation on his instrument of choice, clearly demonstrating an innate talent that could often take a lifetime to achieve. This is very much evident on Noah’s exciting new album - a captivating body of work that perfectly showcases the young pianist’s expertise in an exquisite light.

As a sideman, Noah Stoneman has lent his skill and vibrancy to a range of successful projects, most notably recording with the likes of Alex Hitchcock, Ferg Ireland and Jason Brown on the celebrated 2022 album ‘Dream Band’ (also featuring a plethora of other excellent and well-known artists). Having been a valuable contributor to the success of this project and many others, it is now time for Noah Stoneman to take centre stage, presenting his own work to the music media and discerning fans worldwide.

Anyone’s Quiet: Let It Rain to You features Stoneman’s trusted collaborators in the form of a core trio with Will Sach on double bass and Luca Caruso on drums. The album is produced by the renowned jazz pianist Kit Downes, who has in recent years been somewhat of a mentor to Stoneman. Downes’ involvement in the project provides a glowing endorsement of his belief that the young pianist represents the next generation of remarkable players.

Building upon and developing his studies at The Royal Academy Of Music, Noah Stoneman is undoubtedly adept at a wide range of musical idioms, taking influence from many different styles and genres of music both contemporary and traditional. The multi-faceted and open-minded nature of Noah’s approach can be clearly heard on the new album. Speaking on his approach, Noah comments: “This record is about finding moments of solace and quiet amongst noise. The creation of the album itself was a practise of self discipline, meditation, concentration and trust in the long-term for myself. My hope is that people can find some sense of quiet reflection or poetry in listening to it; that they embrace the ebbs and flows and trial and error of everyday life that the music speaks to.’ 

With recent performances at a wide range of leading music venues and festivals around the world, including Manchester Jazz Festival, La Petite Halle in Paris and Somersby Festival in Lisbon and much more ahead Noah Stoneman is undoubtedly a musician on the ascendance to a fulfilling and inspiring career. Anyone’s Quiet: Let It Rain to You is the best possible start to this journey a ‘real deal’ album brimming with sheer excellence.

Noah Stoneman - Piano/Compositions

Will Sach - Double Bass

Luca Caruso - Drums 

Produced by Kit Downes 

Engineered and Mixed by Sonny Johns at Livingstone Studios

Mastered by Peter Beckmann at Technologyworks studios

Track Listing:

1.     Tomas and Terez 

2.     Borders

3.     Evanesce

4.     Calm

5.     Mourndoom

6.     Band Of Brothers

7.     Postlude

8.     Strands

9.     Major

Released By Fresh Sounds Records. Catalogue No:  FS649

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