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.

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: Amphitrio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £7.00. Andrei Petrache (piano); Mike Alex (double bass); Philip Goron (drums).
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 24: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free. .

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.

Mon 21: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 21: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. Coltrane centenary.

Tue 22: ???

Wed 23: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 23: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 23: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 7:30pm. A John Coltrane Centenary Concert (b. 23. 09. 1926). SOLD OUT!
Wed 23: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

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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