Bebop Spoken There

Donovan Haffner ('Best Newcomer' 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards): ''I got into jazz the first time I picked up a saxophone!" - Jazzwise Dec 25/Jan 26

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

18146 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 24 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 7), 24

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Sat 10: Mark Toomey Quintet @ St Peter’s Church, Stockton-on-Tees. 7:30pm. £12.00. (inc. pie & peas). Tickets from: 07749 255038.

Sun 11: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 12: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 12: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 13: Milne Glendinning Band @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00. Coquetdale Jazz.
Tue 13: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 14: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 14: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 15: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. Quartet + guest Paul Donnelly (guitar).

Fri 16: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 16: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 16: Darlington Big Band @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 16: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 9:00pm. 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, June 13, 2025

Album review: Itai Kriss - Daybreak (Jojo Records)

Itai Kriss (flutes, all compositions except tks 4 & 9); Adam Birnbaum (piano); Luke Sellick (bass); Anthony Pinciotti (drums) + Benny Benack lll (trumpet on tks 2 & 10); Yotam Silberstein (guitar on tks 3, 5 & 11)

I don't get too many albums featuring jazz flute which is a shame as, in the right hands and with a supportive rhythm section, a couple of guesting big hitters, some quality originals and two classic numbers, you have a combination that is nigh unbeatable.

Those boxes get well and truly ticked. Kriss displays his angular lines effectively. Tone and tempo as per the demands of the tune. His technique is awesome! A similar adjective could be applied to the trio and Birnbaum in particular although bass and drums also shine with the late Pinciotti taking the bossa Upfront at a tempo that far exceeds the speed limit for your average bossa nova. Delicacy is well-named. Flute, piano, bass and drums (sounds like The Floral Dance) create the mood of  a nervous swain popping the/a question to his would be amorata.

When it comes to big hitters they don't come any bigger than Benny Benack lll or Yotam Silberstein who both have two and three numbers respectively: Benack lll on Drivin' and Sunday Lemonade, Silberstein on Beleza, O Jardim and Coisinha.

The two non originals, East of the Sun and Horace Silver's No Smoking, offer contrast with Kriss swinging his butt off on the Silver number.

An enjoyable album that doesn't venture too far into uncharted waters. One worthy of repeat listening. Lance

Release date: June 27.

DaybreakDrivin'; Beleza; East of the Sun; O Jardim; Uphill; Upfront; Delicacy; No Smoking; Sunday Lemonade; Coisinha; In the Light 

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