Bebop Spoken There

Emma Rawicz: "In a couple of years I've gone from being a normal university student to suddenly being on international stages." DownBeat January 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

18246 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 100 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 31), 100

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Wed 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 04: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 04: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 05: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject:Times of the Day & Trios.
Thu 05: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Special guest Emma Wilson.
Thu 05: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 06: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 06: Durham Alumni Big Band & Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn Theatre. 7:30pm. £12.00. Two big bands on stage together!
Fri 06: Nauta + Littlewood Trio @ Little Buildings, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Double bill + jam session.
Fri 06: FILM: Made in America @ Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Ornette Coleman.
Fri 06: Deep Six Blues @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.

Sat 07: The Big Easy @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.
Sat 07: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30-3:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 08: Swing Tyne @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12 noon (doors). Donations. Swing dance taster class (12:30pm) + Hot Club de Heaton (live performance). Non dancers welcome.
Sun 08: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 09: Mark Williams Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 09: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 10: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. 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

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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