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Bebop Spoken There

Simon Spillett: “ Bebop and hard bop came naturally to him [Tubby Hayes]". Morning Star, March 28, 2024.

The Things They Say!

Hudson Music: Lance's "Bebop Spoken Here" is one of the heaviest and most influential jazz blogs in the UK.

Rupert Burley (Dynamic Agency): "BSH just goes from strength to strength".

'606' Club: "A toast to Lance Liddle of the terrific jazz blog 'Bebop Spoken Here'"

The Strictly Smokin' Big Band included Be Bop Spoken Here (sic) in their 5 Favourite Jazz Blogs.

Ann Braithwaite (Braithwaite & Katz Communications) You’re the BEST!

Holly Cooper, Mouthpiece Music: "Lance writes pull quotes like no one else!"

Simon Spillett: A lovely review from the dean of jazz bloggers, Lance Liddle...

Josh Weir: I love the writing on bebop spoken here... I think the work you are doing is amazing.

Postage

16287 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 169 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (Mar 18).

From This Moment On ...

March

Fri 29: FILM: Soul @ The Forum Cinema, Hexham. 12:30pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Fri 29: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 29: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 6:00pm. Free. POSTPONED!
Fri 29: Thundercat @ Newcastle City Hall.
Fri 29: John Logan @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 29: True Colours @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 9:00pm. Blues, jazz & swing.

Sat 30: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 30: Pete Tanton’s Cuba Libre @ Whitley Bay Library, York Road, Whitley Bay. 8:00pm.

Sun 31: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay Metro Station. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 31: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields NE30 1HJ. 3:00pm. Free. Lambert, Alan Law & Paul Grainger.
Sun 31: Sid Jacobs & Tom Remon @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. USA/London jazz guitar duo.
Sun 31: Bellavana @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

April
Mon 01: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free.

Tue 02: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Dean Stockdale, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 03: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 03: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 03: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 04: FILM: Soul @ Forum Cinema, Hexham. 2:00pm. Jazz-themed film animation.
Thu 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, North Tyneside. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 04: Funky Drummer @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 04: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 04: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Tuesday, May 05, 2015

CD Review: Samuel Blaser Quartet - Spring Rain

Samuel Blaser (trombone), Russ Lossing (piano, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer & Minimoog), Drew Gress (double bass) & Gerald Cleaver (drums).
(Review by Russell)
Samuel Blaser’s debut release for Whirlwind Recordings features his established quartet of Russ Lossing, Drew Gress and Gerald Cleaver. An homage to Jimmy Giuffre, Spring Rain comprises twelve tracks (six Blaser tunes, one by Blaser and Lossing, three lesser-known Giuffre numbers and two Carla Bley compositions) embracing jazz, blues, freely improvised sections and Blaser’s scholarly contemporary classical roots.
Recorded in New Jersey and Berlin, Spring Rain is a study for trombone; considered and melodic playing throughout, collective improvisation retaining form and shape. Rarely a frantic workout, the album exudes a quiet dignity often associated with Jimmy Giuffre. A downbeat opening on Giuffre’s Cry Want indicates the direction Blaser wishes to pursue. Trombone multiphonics engage with Lossing’s piano (Fender Rhodes on several tracks), an absence of bass and drums. Homage (to Giufrre?), all sixty xix seconds, is Blaser solo, slow brass band clarity. The title track – Spring Rain – begins darkly; keyboard clusters, abstract, dampened keys, Blaser’s instrument muted, brassy, intense, improvised.
An album of quiet dignity, Spring Rain rarely stretches out. Missing Mark Suetterlyn is a rip-roaring exception. Lossing picks out the melody, master drummer Gerald Cleaver hits on a swinging, bluesy, post-bop groove and takes bassist Drew Gress with him. There is more up tempo playing on the penultimate track – Counterparts – with hints of funk, the leader’s emergent plaintive trombone and collective improvisation. Spring Rain is likely to appeal to trombonists and those with an interest in developments in contemporary, new music. Spring Rain is available on Michael Janisch’s prolific Whirlwind Recordings – WR4670. Samuel Blaser will be in the UK in the autumn of this year to tour the music of Spring Rain, including an appearance at the EFG London Jazz Festival.          
Russell.    

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