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

18799 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 663 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 12) 32.

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

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: John Settle Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. John Settle (vibes); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 14: Bold Big Band @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00 + bf.

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

Sun 16: Vintage Explosion @ Cliffe Park, Roker, Sunderland SR6 8DB. 5:00-10:30pm. £44.00 (inc. bf).

Mon 17: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 20: Edson Angus Quartet @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 20: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Emma Rawicz: Final Recital @ Royal Academy of Music - May 28

Emma Rawicz (tenor sax, soprano sax); Ivo Neame (piano); Kevin Glasgow (bass guitar); Asaf Sirkis (drums)

Emma Rawicz has achieved much in her career to date. Gigging here, there and everywhere (including a Newcastle Jazz Festival appearance) with some of the best in the business, writing material, forming a big band (performing at a sold out Ronnie Scott's), all in a day's work. Remarkably, all of this and more achieved before graduating from the Royal College of Music. 

This afternoon Rawicz gave her student final recital performance. As our examinee entered the Concert Room just off Marylebone Road it was standing room only. Rawicz's bandmates for the occasion were Ivo Neame (piano), Kevin Glasgow (bass guitar) and Asaf Sirkis (drums)...A-listers all. 

Forty five minutes, five or six original compositions (including a ballad), Rawicz said she wouldn't bother her audience with titles, she would simply let the music speak for itself. On tenor sax for all but one excursion on soprano, this would be more, much more than a student hoping to be awarded a good grade. From the down beat this was a brilliant musician in commanding form. 

Blistering technique, labyrinthine compositions, Rawicz's composure belied her tender years. Tumultuous applause greeted extended solo flights, this was a gig rather than an examination. Emma Rawicz is about to embark on the next stage of her life as a professional musician. A diary full of engagements is a certainty. Russell  

1 comment :

Paul Kelly said...

Great review! Her quintet and 20 piece Jazz Orchestra perform at Swanage Jazz Festival on Saturday 13 July. We can’t wait!

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