Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 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

18818 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 682 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 20) 51.

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

August

Tue 25: Michael Young Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 27: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 27: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00.

Fri 28: Graham Hardy Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 29: Brian Jackson @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:30pm (doors). £32.00.

Sun 30: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Tango Jazz Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Friday, May 03, 2024

Album review: Synia Carroll - Water is my Song (Clarion Jazz 851724)

Synia Carroll (vocals); John Di Martino (piano); Kenny Davis (bass); Jerome Jennings (drums) + Cafe (perc on 2 tks); Will Galison (harmonica on 1 tk); Aaron Heick (reeds on 4 tks); Beatriz Hernandez (backing vocals on 1 tk); Westey Lima De Amorim (guitar on 4 tks); David Oquendo (vocals and chants on 2 tks); Houston Person (tenor sax on 2 tks).

Carroll is we are told, a vocalist, poet, teacher and professional storyteller. Her poetic side can be heard on Child of the Times co-written with Jane Getz who isn't related to Stan. It was after receiving a master's degree in education at the University of New Haven and spending several years teaching that she found herself becoming a part of the South Florida jazz scene.

The voice is deep and theatrical with the storytelling well to the fore. Shades of Nina Simone, no less. Some nice fluting from Heick and the accompaniment matches the  changing moods and rhythms.

However, I feel slightly cheated! The blurb says 'featuring Houston Person' when, in actual fact he only plays on Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea and Willow Weep For me. That he is magnificent on both tracks only made me want more. In fairness, the album itself does nothing more than list him among the personnel.

Have a listen to the RELEASE PARTY LINK. Lance

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea; Child of the Times; Wade in the Water; How Deep is the Ocean?; Learning How to Fly; Afro Blue; Alfosina Y El Mar; Norwegian Wood; Willow Weep For me; The Water is Wide

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