Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 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

18799 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 663 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 12) 32.

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

August

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

Sun 16: Vintage Explosion @ Cliffe Park, Roker, Sunderland SR6 8DB. 5:00-10:30pm. £44.00 (inc. bf).

Mon 17: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 20: Edson Angus Quartet @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 20: 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 21: Andrzej Baranek Trio @ The Lit & Phil. 1:00pm. £8.00. Andrzej Baranek (piano); Josh Cavanagh-Brierley (double bass); Dave Walsh (drums). SOLD OUT!
Fri 21: David Gray Flextet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 21: Errol Linton & His Band + Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. Excellent blues double bill.

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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