Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Album review: Eldad Tarmu - Silver on Aluminium (Queen of Bohemia Productions)

Eldad Tarmu (vibes); Marty Isenberg (bass); Michael Shapira (drums)

Considering that Horace Silver had over 300 compositions to his name, the  problem facing Tarmu was not what to play but what not to Play! In this respect he has found a good balance between the familiar and the not so familiar. It's immaterial  - they all come out  swinging.

If I'm going to be hyper critical, a horn would have added variation but it would have had to be one helluva player to keep pace with these guys!

Although Tarmu is probably relatively unknown on this side of the Atlantic, this is actually his tenth album as a leader and the first where the tracks aren't predominantly Tarmu originals. He has totally captured the spirit of Silver's music. 

The once majestic vibraphone is rapidly falling back into the category from whence it came - Miscellaneous Instruments - before it was rescued by Hampton, Jackson, Gibbs, Burton and, of course, our own Victor Feldman and Tubby Hayes. Fortunately, in the hands of Eldad Tarmu it may yet escape the ignominy of  having to compete against ukulele's and tin whistles in the various polls.

In Isenberg and Shapira he has two sidemen who are with him all the way. Driving, supporting, soloing they're on the money and it's little surprise that they're considered to be two of the younger, rising stars on the New York jazz scene.

Well worth checking out. Lance

St. Vitus Dance; Pyramid; No Smokin'; Horacescope; Gregory is Here; Opus De Funk; Strollin'; Yeah.

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