Bebop Spoken There

Dominick "Domo" Branch: ''Most people say drummers can't write, they're just time-keepers only beating on things. But I have a very musical brain.'' (DownBeat February, 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

18288 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 142 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 14), 42

From This Moment On ...

February

Sun 22: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 22: Joe Steels Group @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Sun 22: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Harben Kay Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: Joe Steels Group @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Finn-Keeble Group @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00.
Tue 24: Liam Oliver & Shayo Oshodi @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 25: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 25: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 25: Geordie Jazz Jam @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Newcastle University jam session. All welcome.
Wed 25: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 26: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £6.50.
Thu 26: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00 adv.
Thu 26: Mick Cantwell Band @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Blues.

Fri 27: Joe Steels Group @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT! A Blue Patch album tour.
Fri 27: Alan Barnes w. Mick Shoulder Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Trio: Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 27: Radio Hito + Eddie Prévost, Silvain Schmid & Tom Wheatley @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £12.22., £10.10., £8.00.
Fri 27: Giacomo Smith w Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.
Fri 27: Alan Barnes w. Mick Shoulder Trio @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £15.00. Trio: Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).

Sat 28: Boys of Brass @ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R&B Allstars @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. Free.

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

Friday, February 28, 2025

Album review: Yellowjackets - Fasten Up (Mack Avenue- Mac1217)

Bob Mintzer (tenor sax, EWI); Russell Ferrante (piano); Dane Alderson (bass); Will Kennedy (drums) + Raul Midón (vocals on The Lion)

Grammy Award winning Yellowjackets have just released their 27th studio album, Fasten Up. Formed in 1981 with long-time members Russell Ferrante and Will Kennedy still aboard they’re joined by saxophonist, Bob Mintzer (since 1990) and Australian bassist, Dane Alderson, who is now celebrating a decade with the group.

Fasten Up bursts with unbridled momentum spurred on with a vibrant blend of styles borrowing from old and new in equal measure. The disc hotfoots it out of the blocks with a 1960s'  classic Comin' Home Baby (penned by bassist, George Tucker) and covered by the likes of Herbie Mann, Mel Tormé and Quincy Jones among many others. Mintzer’s arrangement gives it a refreshingly updated treatment. His doubling of the melody on tenor and EWI along with his added re-harmonisations catapult this 60 year perennial chestnut well into the millennium.

Alderson’s title tune bustles with its 1970s innovative and infectious grooves of Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters. A “thrustworthy” contribution indeed! Described by the composer as “a fun party tune which is fun to jam on amongst unexpected drum grooves”. Indeed so and not least for Alderson’s dusting off the cobwebs of the classic Fender Precision bass  giving it more authenticity to the proceedings.

Ferrante’s unique and powerful contributions include The Unexpected Question- a reflective opus that brings about contrast to this collection. Mintzer’s poignantly stated melody bears a somewhat foreboding and uncertaint quality, resulting in a welcome sonic atmosphere. Exhibiting the breadth and variety that Yellowjackets bring to the party.

Fasten Up clearly offers up a communal joy wedded with the thrill of discovery bristling forth with elan. This legendary ensemble shows no signs of slowing down and this album is testimonial to this. Long may they continue. Frank Griffith*

BANDCAMP

Comin' Home Baby; Fasten Up; Will Power; November 8; The Truth of You; The Lion; Swingmeister General; An Interesting Dream; Broken; The Unexpected Question: Xemens

*Frank Griffith is a Liverpool based saxophonist and arranger. His trio will be appearing at the annual Nantwich Jazz and Blues Festival on April 21 at 6:00PM.

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