Bebop Spoken There

Gary Bartz: ''Music is nature's gift to man. It's the only religion. We're living in a terrible era, but what a beautiful thing music is. Look how it brings us together like religion is supposed to; and with no language barriers.'' (Jazzwise September, 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

18897 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 761 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 11.) 40.

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

September.

Mon 14: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Ben Lawrence, Paul Grainger, Bailey Rudd.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 17: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 17: Front Porch Blues @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 17: Miles 100 @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00. Jack Courtney (trumpet); Sue Ferris (tenor sax); Tom Atkinson (guitar); Alan Law (piano); Deon Krishnan (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums). A night of Miles Davis.
Thu 17: Amphitrio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £7.00. Andrei Petrache (piano); Mike Alex (double bass); Philip Goron (drums).

Fri 18: Danny Lownes’ Hot Club @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Mark Williams Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 18: Emma Fisk’s Hot Club du Nord @ St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook. 7:30pm. £10.00., £5.00. student.
Fri 18: Rivkala + Beccy Sloan @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £10.00.

Sat 19: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal. All welcome.
Sat 19: Sing Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00-5:00pm. £27.50. Tutor: Alexia Gardner: Nina Simone. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 19: Ray Stubbs’ R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sat 19: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal. All welcome.

Sun 20: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 20: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.

Friday, November 08, 2024

Press release: Knats announces new single “Tortuga (For Me Mam)”

Today, Newcastle Upon Tyne quintet Knats return with their new single “Tortuga (For Me Mam)”.


The track marks their first release for London analogue specialist label Gearbox Records (Elliot Galvin, Cahill//Costello, Village Of the Sun), and comes on the heels of an incendiary year for the band including supporting Geordie Greep (black midi) on a UK tour as well as playing a sold out Jazz Refreshed headliner, supporting Str4ta at a sold Jazz Cafe and performing for the BBC Proms. The band are currently also touring the UK with R&B legend Eddie Chacon as his backing band.

Led by two lifelong best friends from Newcastle, Stan Woodward (bass) and King David-Ike Elechi (drums), Knats pride themselve on making "Geordie Jazz", with sophisticated arrangements, strong melodies and danceable grooves. Their infectious energy has seen the band develop an enviable word-of-mouth ascent, earning Spotify playlist covers and plaudits from the likes of the GuardianJazzwise, and more.

“Tortuga (For Me Mam)” sees the band combining cinematic strings with funk-inflected basslines and breakbeat drumming that draws from their dance and electronic sensibilities. Muscular up-tempo rhythms dance around complex arrangements featuring vitreous trumpet work and dextrous keys.

Thematically, the track is a deeply personal piece written by Woodward as a tribute to his mother and in honour of all strong single mothers. Speaking on the track, the band says, “both Stan and King were raised by influential and resilient women, and the song reflects their admiration and appreciation for the strength and sacrifices of single mothers.”

The track has been featured in global campaign of the collaboration between the clothing brand Palace and Japanese retail company, Beams Plus. The campaign launched in October 2024.

As the band come to the end of their tour with Eddie Chacon, they look ahead to an appearance at London Jazz Festival supporting labelmates Village Of The Sun, as well as a performance at London’s Jazz Café for their “Wrap Up ’24” event alongside rising stars Marla Kether and Ella Knight.

1 comment :

Anonymous said...

I saw them this week at The Glasshouse backing singer songwriter Eddie Chacon…a different vibe from Knats own music but just goes to show what fine professional musicians they are becoming….still at college but already being called on to tour as a backing band……Haway the lads!

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