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

18104 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1068 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 25), 82.

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

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: ???

Fri 02: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 02: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free. No session this week, next one Friday 9th
Fri 02: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.
Sat 03: Earl Thomas Blues Band @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

Sun 04: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 04: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free Quintet + guest Josh Bentham (alto sax).
Sun 04: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 04: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 04: Revolutionaires @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 4:00pm (doors). Free. Rocking rockabilly/r&b.
Sun 04: TBC @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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

Monday, December 08, 2025

Album review: Max Ionata Special Edition - Tivoli (Mingus Records)

Max Ionata (sax)Martin Sjöstedt (piano); Jesper Bodilsen (double bass); Martin Andersen (drums)

To quote the blurb - Italian lyricism meeting the clarity and eloquence of Scandinavian jazz - it more or less sums up this delightful album. Certainly Ionata has lyricism aplenty and the technique to exploit it to the full. I'm not sure if he's blowing alto or tenor, the beautiful tone and the lightness with which it is deployed brought Stan Getz to mind so I guess it's tenor.

The Scandinavian rhythm section brings back memories of those halcyon days when Swedish musicians were the go-getters of 1950s European modern jazz - This trio too know how to swing.

Another quote: At the heart of the album lies a cultural bridge. The title refers both to the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, with its sense of magic and play, and to the historic Italian town of Tivoli near Rome, celebrated for its villas and gardens. These twin inspirations frame the music: wide-open Nordic atmospheres glimmering with Mediterranean warmth and melodic depth.

I can't improve on that!

A mix of originals plus familiar numbers from Kenny Wheeler, Johnny Griffin and Cole Porter make for a most enjoyable album. Lance

Concion Para Sara; Consolation; Det Lysner; Tivoli; Everything I Love; When we Were One; Naru's Waltz; Mr. GT

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