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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.

Monday, July 24, 2017

Jason Isaacs & The Ambassadors of Swing @ Hoochie Coochie - July 23

(Review by Russell)
Warren at the decks mixing bass-heavy soul grooves with chart-topping soul 45s, cocktail mixing at the bar, the Hoochie Coochie vibe was lazy Sunday afternoon. The Ambassadors of Swing were in the house, primed, pumped and ready to go. Mr Isaacs’ fan club occupied booths and precious few bar stools, many dressed to look good on the dance floor.
Dressed in black the Ambassadors of Swing took to the stage. These guys have played everything, played everywhere, and performed with anyone who is, or was, somebody. When they get down to business they are just that… ’the business’. To the opening of Wonderwall Jason Isaacs strolled out to a hero’s welcome. Sharp suit, Vegas Strip polished shoes, Jason Isaacs’ whirlwind performance is a masterpiece in choreography allied to the tightest of bands taking its cue from MD Darren Irwin as the main man charms his audience. Welcome to the Church of Music says Isaacs. The Hoochie Coochie congregation cheers as the band goes into Beyond the Sea. Isaacs’ show is non-stop, it’s a revue combining jazz and pop standards – meat and drink to the Ambassadors of Swing – with a few of Elvis’ hits. As Bebop Spoken Here is a jazz blog, one mention of the bloke last seen down at the chip shop is mention enough.


Come Fly with Me, Mr Bojangles, the finger-snapping Isaacs has the faithful in the palm of his hand as Michael Bublé’s arrangement of Van the Man’s Moondance brings ’em onto the dance floor. Our all action front man plays a mean tenor saxophone albeit bowing in deference to the man to his left, Mr Lewis Watson. That’s Life! exclaims Isaacs. Is it any wonder he won a television talent show? A swinging Mack the Knife called time on an exhausting first set.

Outside, the faithful took the air, the finest of summer rain a most welcome relief, no brolly required on Pilgrim Street. Inside, as the Ambassadors of Swing were reconvening on stage, a chilled bottle of London Pride was passed over a parade of bar top umbrella cocktails into your correspondent’s  outstretched hand. 

Ain’t That a Kick in the Head? asked the dancing, high-kicking Isaacs. Jacket off, the man engaged with his audience. Reading out loud names scribbled on scraps of paper, identifying individuals out celebrating a birthday and wishing them a happy birthday, Isaacs noted that there were quite a few prompting him to ask: Is anyone not celebrating a birthday?! Behind this frivolity the Ambassadors were being counted in…Feeling Good, then It Don’t Mean a Thing. Casual but so very professional and a winning formula. For those unfamiliar with the names in the band, all are on the jazz A-list. It wasn’t a ‘blowing’ gig, however, a solo feature for one or two in the band wouldn’t have gone amiss. Jason Isaacs plays very few public engagements with the Ambassadors of Swing. Next time, be it at Hoochie Coochie or elsewhere, get along to hear a consummate performer.

Russell.                         

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