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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17719 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 39 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Jan. 15).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Sun 19: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

Thu 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, Holystone. 1:00pm. Free. Fortnightly.
Thu 23: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Obituaries 2024.
Thu 23: Jason Isaacs @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:30-6:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Thu 23: Pedal Point Trio @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 24: Zoë Gilby Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm.
Fri 24: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 24: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 24: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 24: Creakin’ Bones & the Sunday Dinners @ Lindisfarne Social Club, Wallsend. 9:00pm. Admission: TBC. Jazz, blues , jump jive, rock ‘n’ roll.

Sat 25: Boys of Brass @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:30-5:30pm. Free.
Sat 25: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 25: Jack & Jay’s Songbook @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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, August 21, 2024

Album review: Danny Jonokuchi Big Band - A Decade (Bandstand Records)

Back in the early days of the pandemic, Danny Jonokuchi was scheduled to play as a special guest with the Strictly Smokin' Big Band. Charts had been sent in advance and an exciting evening was anticipated. Of course Covid put the mockers on any American trumpet players crossing the Atlantic to play a gig in Newcastle. However, Danny did make contact via a video link and SSBB's opening number was Lionel Hampton's Red Top which is also on this album featuring Terell Stafford on trumpet and Jeb Patton on piano. 

Red Top is preceded by Kenny Barron's Voyage which gets things off to the swingingest of starts with Patton and Gould setting the benchmarks.

This Can't be Love has a vocal by Danny plus solos from Beshay on tenor and Jacovino on trombone. Like all the tracks on the album the charts are excellent. Demanding? Yes, but well worth the effort.

South Philly, an original by Danny reflects the diversity of that city, even the muggers go around in pairs (He was violently attacked in that city which had a traumatic effect on his embouchure). Solos by Wendholt and Gould. Another great arrangement with lots of screaming brass.

Skylark has our leader on flugel, his rich, round tone doing justice to Mercer and Carmichael's finest. Chris Lewis on tenor cleverly embellish's the melody. They reprise it on the final track - this time as a vocal feature.

There have been many fine arrangements of On Green Dolphin Street and this one is as good as any. Andrew Gutauskas on bari and Danny on trumpet fill the solo spots.

Ping Pong by Wayne Shorter features spiky solos by Beshay and Edwards but, again, that arrangement!

Tadd's Lady Bird brings Bruce Harris and Chris Oatts down front to solo on one of the most melodic compositions to come out of the bop era,

Like Someone in Love. When you need a ballad look no further than Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. Over the years they delivered the goods for Bing and Frank and they do so hear giving the material to Danny who laid the table for Beshay and Wendholt, not to mention some well-coordinated playing by the sax section.

Finally the vocal version of Skylark. Lewis again solos on tenor and Danny swaps his flugel for the microphone delivering a smooth Bakerish vocal.

Simply tremendous! Lance

Danny Jonokuchi (trumpet, flugel, vocals, arranger, producer) + (collective) Terell Stafford*, Nick Marchione, John Lake, Scott Wendholt, Bruce Harris, Sam Hoyt**, James Zollar**, Noah Halpern** (trumpets); Robert Edwards, Sara Jacovino, Jason Jackson , Reginald Chapman (trombones); Andrew Gould, Chris Oatts, Christopher McBride** (alto saxes); Jon Beshay, Chris Lewis (tenor saxes); Andrew Gutauskas (baritone sax); Jeb Patton (piano); Samuel Harris (bass); Kevin Congleton (drums); Victor Pablo (perc.)
* Track 2 only. ** Tracks 1,3,6 only.

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