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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.

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Graeme Wilson Quintet @ Opus 4, Travellers Rest, Darlington January 20.

Noel Dennis (trumpet, flugelhorn), Graeme Wilson (tenor sax), Paul Edis (piano), Mick Shoulder (bass), Adam Sinclair (drums).
(Review by Steve T)
That great Modern Jazz warhorse, from bebop pioneers Bird and Diz and Bird and Miles, through Miles and Trane and Miles and Wayne and a timely return to Darlo with Noel and Graeme. To these ears, nothing in Jazz can quite match the standard quintet.
An enthusiastic crowd of around thirty knew these musicians well but were almost entirely the senior male end, which is a shame cos a relative youngster and a relatively young couple turned up and clearly got it. Another chap told me his missus was supposed to come but then couldn't, which is a shame cos you know she'd have got it too. Hasn't anybody told the young people of Darlo that Jazz is cool again, like it ever wasn't?
Straight into Airegin by Sonny Rollins with a round of solos, sans drums, to get everyone - band and audience - warmed up.
Then the warm and likeable Scotsman - like a Geordie with his brains intact - promised some standards and some Trane. Normally his quartet play his original music, which is great cos he can write too, but it seemed appropriate with the brass, and a welcome change for him to pay tribute to some of his influences.
Then, just to keep us on our toes, he played one of his own, I think called Strolling with Mae.
Fe Fi Fo Fum followed from Wayne Shorter, and no surprise that Noel Dennis suggested it. It's great that Shorter is increasingly being recognised as one of the greats; despite a critically acclaimed solo career spanning over half a century, being one of the great Jazz Messengers and, with Zawinul, the only constant presence in Weather Report, his most golden and most high profile gig, as a towering figure in the Second Great Quintet, was spent under the shadow of the saxophonist in the first great Miles Davis Quintet.
Which brings us nicely to the next piece and the man who must be his primary influence, with a cut from Giant Steps called Syeeda’s Song Flute.
Jobim’s No More Blues closed side one with some excellent Brazilia from Noel and some suitably Latin drums and percussion from Adam. Dennis, typically alternating between trumpet and flugel, took the first solo, laying down the gauntlet and the leader (and spiritual leader of those of us smitten by bright coloured shirts), typically responded in fine fettle. Lord Paul is never not on form but tonight he was positively on fire, regular hints of humour coming through amongst his huge reservoir of references. Sinclair took his only solo of the first part, illustrating why he's up with the best of the North East’s impressive ranks of Jazz drummers.
Side two opened with more Trane and some Lee Morgan, but I was listening on the way out as my much better half confirmed I'd consumed sufficient Guinness, and that number two son loves that Friday night warhorse, the standard Chinese takeaway supper.
The programme at the club is highly impressive right through to July, not least the next night, on Feb 10 when Lord Paul and his trio are playing it straight for the return to the region of the inimitable Alan Barnes for his first appearance since his triumphant Christmas Carol Concert.
Steve T.

1 comment :

Russell said...

So, the Traveller's Rest was about half full/half empty (it depends which glass you're drinking from). Although Graeme has played Opus 4 in the past, it's a case of - for some - 'I've never heard of him, I won't bother'. Next month the room will be packed - as it should be - for the appearance of Alan Barnes. Graeme is soon to appear at Newcastle's Jazz Café - make the effort, it will be well worth it.

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