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

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).

JANUARY 2026

Thu 01: ???

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

Thursday, November 13, 2025

Ali Affleck & the Rhythm Rascals @ The Jazz Bar, Edinburgh - Nov. 9


Ali Affleck (vocals); Andy Schumm (cornet, clarinet); Natalie Scharf (tenor sax, clarinet); Fernando Montardit (guitar, banjo); Lucas Ferrari (piano); Jen Hodges (double bass)

In the week following this year's Classic Jazz Party some of the musicians went on tour, some of them delaying their departure to far-flung places. Ali Affleck put together a tour of the Scottish Highlands and the Shetlands for an all-star six piece band.
The Rhythm Rascals, as they call themselves, comprises Affleck, three Americans - the soon-to-be Chicago-bound Andy Schumm and Natalie Scharf, and Jen Hodges, in a matter of hours returning to New York - and from Buenos Aires, Fernando Montardit and Lucas Ferrari. 

This evening's final concert of the tour found Affleck on home turf at Edinburgh's Jazz Bar. Standing at the door to the venue, that looked like Bix Beiderbecke aficionado Andy Schumm walking down Chambers Street. Approaching the entrance, raincoat, instrument case, it was indeed Mr Schumm. A quick 'hello', our Chicagoan was about to go to work 

The Jazz Bar, down one flight, bag a front row table, time to check out the beer offer. Ah, yes. Keg, keg and Guinness. A (first) pint of the latter at 'tourist prices'.

On stage, over to our left, Lucas Ferrari tucked away at the grand, directly in front of him, fellow Argentinian, guitarist Fernando Montardit. Out front, our 'Windy City Two', Bixian Andy Schumm and Natalie Scharf, the coolest of old school tenor players, behind them, the swinging double bass player Jen Hodges.

The presence of two Chicagoans in the band all but guaranteed a hot session. Andy Schumm led the session with Ali Affleck taking to the stage from time to time (A Good Man is Hard to Find). Natalie Scharf impressed the Jazz Bar regulars - whoops and hollers greeting her solos. Killer Schumm 'Bix' solos knocked 'em for six, Lucas Ferrari pounding away at the 88s as if in a South Side Juke joint. All the while, Jen Hodges' propulsive, slapping bass lines powered the ensemble from first note to last. 

The evening's revelatory performance was that of Fernando Montardit. A fabulous guitarist, it was clear our man from Buenos Aires was a dedicated practitioner of his art.

From Someday Sweetheart to breakneck takes on SanThat's a Plenty and plenty more, it had been one seriously hot session here at the Jazz Bar. The next time the Rhythm Rascals are in town - same time next year? - don't miss them! Russell

1 comment :

Ali affleck said...

So delighted you guys came! Thank you:)

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