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Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (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

17630 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 904 of them this year alone and, so far, 49 this month (Dec. 20).

From This Moment On ...

December

Fri 20: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 20: Baghdaddies @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 20: Smokin’ Spitfires @ Platform 1, East Bedlington Community Centre. 7:00pm.
Fri 20: Pete Tanton’s Christmas @ 1719, Hendon, Sunderland. 7:30pm. CANCELLED!
Fri 20: Alligator Gumbo @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 20: Abbie Finn’s Finntet @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 20: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

Sat 21: Lindsay Hannon Quartet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £15.00. ‘Swinging with Christmas Songs’.
Sat 21: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 21: Jackson’s Wharf Xmas Party @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 7:00pm. Free. Featuring the New ’58 Jazz Collective.
Sat 21: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

Sun 22: Hot Club du Nord @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £15.00. + bf. Xmas party. SOLD OUT!
Sun 22: Red Kites Jazz @ Gibside Chapel, nr. Rowlands Gill. 1:00pm. Admission charge applies.
Sun 22: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 22: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Revolutionaires @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. Superb rhythm & blues outfit.
Sun 22: Laurence Harrison, Paul Grainger & Mark Robertson @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Line-up TBC.
Sun 22: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music (musicians TBC).
Sun 22: Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars @ Zerox, Sandhill, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors).

Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Mon 23: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 4:00pm. Free.
Mon 23: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Mon 23: Milne-Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Lindsay Hannon & Mark Williams @ Ernest, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 11:00am-1:00pm. Free.
Tue 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.

Wed 25: Wot? No jazz!

Thu 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free. TBC.
Thu 26: The Boneshakers @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. The 17th annual Boneshakers’ Shindig.

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

Wednesday, March 06, 2024

The Black Swan jam session - March 5

It's a seven thirty start, roll up five minutes before the down beat and take your seat. Not any more! That was then, this is now! Since before the turn of the year some punters have been turning up earlier and earlier. This evening, fully three quarters of an hour before the advertised start, seats were being occupied at a rate of knots. At a little after seven o'clock seats were at a premium. What's going on?! 

Whatever is going on, it's a remarkably positive story. At the appointed time (7:30pm) the house trio - Joe Steels, Paul Grainger and off-the-bench sub Abbie Finn - got things underway. The packed house soon became a tad noisy, so much so MC Paul Grainger requested conversation be kept to a low(er) level rather than the near-bellowing emanating from some quarters. Alice Grace was in the house - hooray! Bye Bye Blackbird sang Alice. Too marvellous for words...

Tenor saxophonist Harry Keeble joined the fray, as did alto saxophonist Luis Verde. Absolutely top class playing from HK and LV, it was a privilege to hear them play. It had all the makings of a terrific night. It wasn't long before the Ruddicks were up and at it. Of late, young trumpeter Shivan Ruddick has been getting along to the Black Swan. In no time at all, it's plain to see - and hear - Shivan is developing in leaps and bounds. Paul Ruddick blew his usual Baghdaddian alto sax, again, terrific.

The Newcastle University posse circled the floor. First onto the stand, drummer Bailey Rudd, then guitarist Jacob Egglestone. Josh Weir would figure later. Bailey and Jacob shining on Four and Nature Boy. John Rowland blew old school tenor, Conor Emery blew some excellent, straight-down-the-middle trombone. 

Black Swan debutant vocalists included Cara (Blue Moon) and Jenny (You Turned the Tables on Me), Jess played some piano, all in a night's entertainment! Accompanied by the Newcastle Uni boys, Teessider Kate O'Niell sang Lullaby of Birdland, guitarist Jacob excelling. David Gray popped up, first on trumpet, later playing his main instrument, trombone. As the evening unfolded we heard from Edgar Bell (muted trumpet), Ian Drever foghorning A Foggy Day, Hannah singing Blue Skies. And then there was Becky Tuck, Liam Oliver, possibly others, it was a busy old night!

The Newcastle Uni boys were holding their own - the impressive Olly Styles (tenor sax), the assured Conor Emery and student friend Joe behind the traps. Trumpeter James Palmer, all the way from Somerset (on Tyneside for business reasons), enjoyed himself, the sitters-in gathering. Josh Weir, Freddie Richards, drummers both, Esther Coombes (reeds), so many of them, MC Grainger dubbing the massed finale Horns-a-Plenty. And central to it, one Niffi Osiyemi, vocalist extraordinaire (Darktown Strutters' Ball). 

The next Black Swan jam session is scheduled for Tuesday 19 March (house trio, Michael Young, Paul Grainger and Tim Johnston). It's a seven thirty start, arrive early or be prepared to stand all night! Russell

Joe Steels (guitar); Paul Grainger  (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums) + Alice Grace (vocals); Jess ? (piano); Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Luis Verde (alto sax); Bailey Rudd (drums); Shivan Ruddick (trumpet); Paul Ruddick (alto sax); Cara ? (vocals); Edgar Bell (trumpet); Jacob Egglestone (guitar); Conor Emery (trombone); John Rowland (tenor sax); Josh Weir (drums); David Gray (trumpet, trombone); Jenny ? (vocals); Kate O'Niell (vocals); Liam Oliver (guitar); Ian Drever (vocals); Hannah (vocals); Olly Styles (tenor sax); Joe ? (drums); James Palmer (trumpet); Dominic ? (trombone); Becky Tuck (vocals); Esther Coombes (alto sax, clarinet); Freddie Richards (drums); Niffi Osiyemi (vocals)         

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