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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, February 24, 2015

CD Review: Adam Birnbaum Trio - Three of a Mind

 Adam Birnbaum (pno); Doug Weiss (bs); Al Foster (dms).
(Review by Dave Brownlow.)
This is a piano-led trio by up-and-coming pianist Adam Birnbaum, already well known on the scene in the U.S. who has been mentored by no less than Kenny Barron and has studied under Fred Hersch. On drums is the excellent Al Foster – Miles Davis’ regular accompanist during the 1970s and early ‘80s - and, completing the group, bassist Doug Weiss providing non-flashy support with all the necessary credentials – ie: good time, nice tone, well chosen notes and melodic solos. He swings too! 
The Trio’s been together now for six years and this shows in the cohesion of a regular working band. Birnbaum has composed seven and Foster two of the pieces on the CD. An album of “original compositions” usually fills me with trepidation, but generally these nine songs are accessible, with chord sequences you can actually follow…..Binary opens the set strongly with quite dramatic descending chords leading to such a logical piano solo. Dream Waltz follows with melodic, lyrical piano and bass solos and there is integrated trio work a la Evans/La Faro/Motian. Thirty-three is next “Monk-ish” in style. This, dare I say it, sounds jaunty, almost old-fashioned, swings like Thelonious’ trio with Heath and Blakey and is a tribute to the master himself! Rockport Moon is “Bill Evans - like” using a chord sequence with a nod towards to Bill and Miles’ “Blue In Green”. Adam’s solo ebbs and flows in rhapsodic elegance - not copying Bill, but very much in his own way. Track 6 - Stutterstep is an imaginative theme enhanced by some lovely “La Faro” type interplay from Doug Weiss followed by a satisfying swinging 4/4 section and musical fours with Foster. Kizuna is next - an attractive theme which develops into a medium-tempo shuffle with plenty of glittering, cascading right hand piano runs. I detect a touch of Vernel Fournier’s quality in Foster’s cymbal work – just right for this trio! Dream Song #1:Huffy Henry has an altered blues chord sequence following a dissonant intro which leads into several cool choruses. Fosters second composition Ooh, What You Do To Me closes the album. An up tempo piece showcasing Adam’s fleet-fingered approach, also features lively contributions from the composer’s drums. Overall, an attractive record from a talented pianist with a bright, clean touch at the keyboard, having more than sterling support from his bass/drums duo ; currently available from www.adambirnbaum.com on DAEDALUS Records.
Dave B.

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