Bebop Spoken There

Melissa Aldana: ''Having to play a ballads album, which is something very revealing for a saxophone player, would help me to question some new aspects of how to go deeper into sound." (DownBeat May, 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

18621 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 485 of them this year alone and, so far this month (June 14) 37

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

June

Sat 20: Tyne Valley Big Band @ Tynedale Beer Festival, Corbridge. 5:00-6:00pm.
Sat 20: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 20: Red Kites Jazz @ Staithes Café, Dunston. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Sat 20: New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Trinity Church, Gosforth, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £20.00. NCRO w. guests Dean Stockdale & Nick Ward.

Sun 21: From Lagos to Longbenton: Unity in the Community @ Sunderland Minster. From 1:30pm. Free. A multi-bill Unity in the Community event, inc. From Lagos to Longbenton.
Sun 21: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Table reservations (0191 261 8000). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 21: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free. Trio w. Graham Hardy.
Sun 21: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Magpies of Swing @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 22: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 23: Alan Law Trio @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free.
Tue 23: Jude Murphy & Dan Stanley @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 24: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 25: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 25: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Forgotten Ones & Any Quintets.
Thu 25: Edgar Ho Trio @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free. Brilliant alto sax, piano & double bass trio. Unmissable!
Thu 25: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Fri 26: Finn-Keeble Group @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £9:00.
Fri 26: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 26: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 26: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 26: Clark Tracey @ Live Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Newcastle Jazz Festival. £26.00. Day 1/2.

Wednesday, June 04, 2025

Album review: Tim Boniface - Psalter: Themes For Peace (ABCD Records)

Tim Boniface (alto/tenor sax); James Pearson (piano); Malcolm Creese (bass); Jon Ormston (drums)

Boniface, as well as being a swinging and highly accomplished saxophonist and meaningful composer is also an ordained priest and chaplain at Girton College, Cambridge hence the seemingly religious aspect of the titles. However, this wasn't Boniface's intention he sees the six movements as an exploration of the very different ways that humanity has understood and reflected on peace.

With the media continually spreading doom and gloom at the prospect of war - this time around countries really do have 'weapons of mass direction - the release of such an album as this is both timely and comforting. 

The compositions, all by Boniface, are based on texts from the Biblical Book of Psalms which, as any ex-chorister will tell you, is known as the Psalter. The themes of the leader's compositions have a familiar feel to them that leads to instant accessibility. Enhanced by the cool sounds and angular lines from both of the Chaplain's saxes even the faster movements are relaxing.

James Pearson: Artistic Director of Ronnie Scott's and Musician in Residence at Girton proves his worth with piano solos that make the moment live. Pianistic perfection.

Creese and Ormston keep the peace even when soloing. A tastier rhythm section you couldn't find anywhere on the road from Frith St. to Girton even if  you'd taken the long way round via NYC.

Beautiful. Lance

The Blessing of Peace; In Peace I Will Lie Down and Sleep; Do Not Hold Youur Peace at my Tears; Righteousness and Peace Have Kissed Each Other; Peace on Their Lips:Malice in their Hearts; Seek Peace and Pursue it.

Bonus track: Kingdom Song. From The Eight Words 

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1 comment :

Anonymous said...

I have listened to this album almost every day since receiving an advance copy and I love it more with every listening. A truly remarkable work played by four wonderful musicians. I first head Psalter: Themes for Peace at its premiere at St Alban's in early 2024 and it had a profound impact on me. The recording explores different aspects of the composition. Each time I hear it I pick up something new. Each take on a different meaning of peace makes perfect sense. Truly wonderful.

Friday, June 06, 2025 11:38:00 AM

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