Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 2025

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

18083 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1047 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 14), 61.

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Sun 21: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. ‘Xmas Swingalong’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 21: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ o2 City Hall, Newcastle. 6:00pm. £35.80., £33.25., £31.00.
Sun 21: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music.
Sun 21: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:30pm. Free.

Mon 22: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:30pm. ‘The A Capella Sessions’. Gardner, Paula Gardner, Alexia Hope Gardner Diamany.
Wed 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Thu 25: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:00pm. ‘All About the Bass Sessions’. Alexia Gardner, Paula Gardner, Jude Murphy.

Fri 26: ???

Sat 27: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 27: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. bf).

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

Saturday, August 09, 2025

Album review: Catina DeLuna & Otmaro Ruiz - Lado B Brazilian Project 2 (Sunnyside Records)

Catina DeLuna (vocals); Otmaro Ruiz (piano, accordina, synth., arrangements); Larry Koonse (guitars); Edwin Livingston (bass); Edu Ribeiro (drums) + Fabio Cadore (vocal); Gregory Beyer (perc. mallets); Bob Sheppard (saxes, clarinet, flutes); Carol Robbins (harp); Bruno Mang(acoustic guitar); Jimmy Branly (Udo clay pot); Derek Oles (bass tk 9)

Of late the number of Latin/Brazilian albums I've received for review has increased tenfold, maybe more. Not that I'm complaining, well maybe a teensy weensy bit as they do occupy time and space that would normally be spent on 'out and out jazz' - whatever that is.

Truth of the matter is that on this album there's probably more 'out and out jazz' - whatever that is - than can be found on many an 'out and out jazz' - whatever that is - album.

The centrepiece of the album is Catina DeLuna who is quite phenomenal and, although sung in Portuguese, conveys the feeling of the lyric be it by Jobim or by the various lesser known (by me) lyricists. The English lyrics in the blurb got to the heart of songs - some times I was close but most times I wasn't. It didn't matter the sound of her voice is as beautiful as Stan Getz blowing a bossa.

All of the arrangements are by Ruiz who gives them that extra bite without losing authenticity.

Apart from Catina there are sterling solos from Koonse - just a few years back his guitar solos seemed to enhance every other album. Good to have him continuing where he left off. Sheppard too is a familiar name and his solos on which ever weapon he chooses from his armoury are never off target. His only problem is parking the truck.

Bacana! Lance

BANDCAMP

Passarim; Mar E Lua; Na Volta Que O Mundo Dá; Requebre Que Eu Dou Um Doce; Choro Das Águas; ÉLuxo Só; Aluviäo; Meu Silêncio; Vatapá

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