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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17777 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 98 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Feb.8).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Tue 11: Steve Summers Quintet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Jam session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 13: Student Performances @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 4:00pm. Free. Inc. Olly Styles (tenor sax).
Thu 13: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: Artist Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Hannabiell & Midnight Blue.
Thu 13: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 14: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 12:30-1:30pm. £5.00. at the door. New second Friday in the month concert series.
Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 14: Archipelago + Anna Tempest @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £8.00.
Fri 14: Paul Jones & Dave Kelly @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. Rhythm & blues.
Fri 14: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Fri 14: Jazz Sabbath @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

Sat 15: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 15: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 15: Elkie Brooks @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. ‘The Long Farewell Tour’.
Sat 15: Milne Glendinning Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 16: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 16: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: BBC Introducing NE X MOBO Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 6:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Jambone, Knats, Rivkala, SwanNek.
Sun 16: The Shayo Experience @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 16: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Sun 16: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 17: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

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

Thursday, October 05, 2023

Album review: Alex Riel - In New York

CD 1: Michael Brecker (tenor sax tks 1,3); Jerry Bergonzi (tenor sax tks 1,3,4,7,8,9); Mike Stern (guitar tks 2,5,6,7); Niels Lan Doky (piano tks 3.4.5.8); Eddie Gomez (bass); Alex Riel (drums).

CD 2: Michael Brecker (tenor sax tks 1,2); Jerry Bergonzi (tenor sax tks 1,2,3,4,7,8,9); Mike Stern (guitar tks 2,7,8); Kenny Werner (piano tks 1,2,3,4,7,8); Chris Minh Doky (bass); Alex Riel (drums).

A welcoming double CD reissue of two albums led by legendary Danish drummer Riel who is regarded by many as Denmark's most successful jazz musician next to NHØP.

Recorded in New York in 1997 and 1999, both discs have Brecker and Bergonzi at their explosive best - particularly when the two are in tandem. However, it isn't all blood and thunder as their take on Ben Webster's Did You Call Her Today? proves. They play more notes than Ben would have chosen to albeit without Webster's sumptuous sound.

Nevertheless, both players are at the top of their game and the tracks where they share centre stage the comparisions are interesting. Brecker perhaps the more freer, Bergonzi only slightly less outré, both of them extending the range of the instrument beyond Adolphe Sax's wildest dreams - maybe even Illinois Jacquet's! 

Bergonzi is more controlled on his own Committed, a truly exquisite ballad performance, just one of the seven originals he contributed.

Mike Stern offers contrast with some fine guitar solos plus an original and Werner and Doky do likewise with the latter combining with Riel for the final track.

There's an apocryphal saying that Brecker, when asked what it felt like too be the finest jazz saxophonist in the world, replied: "I don't know, ask Jerry Bergonzi".

Riel solos effectively and unaccompanied on In my Own "Sweets" Way.

Werner seduces the listener with a trio version of I Fall in Love Too Easily. Some nice bass too from Doky.

Overall, an exciting double album that goes to the edge but doesn't fall off. There's lots of sensitivity too. It's out on Stunt Records on October 20. Worth checking out. Lance 

CD 1: Gecko Plex; He's Dead Too; On Again Off Again; Amethyst; Bruze; Moment's Notice; Channeling; Invisible Light; Unriel.

CD 2: Did You Call Her Today?; Bessie's Blues; Committed; Dexterity;  In my Own "Sweets" Way; I Fall in Love Too Easily; The Bat; High Tops; Lille Empum

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