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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, June 12, 2016

CD Review: Michika Fukumori - Quality Time

Michika Fukumori (pno); Aidan O’Donnell (bs); Billy Drummond (dms)
(Review by Lance).
A quite delightful CD by a cosmopolitan trio. Fukumori left Japan to study jazz piano in New York, O’Donnell arrived in New York from Glasgow via Birmingham Conservatoire where he obtained a BMus (Hons) in 2002, while Virginian born Drummond’s CV includes stints with Sonny Rollins, Horace Silver and JJ Johnson.
This is no crash, bang, wallop affair but a relaxing exploration of eight standards and four original compositions. Upon first hearing the name that crossed my mind was Bill Evans, Fukumori has a similar introspective approach. Reflective, probing, discovering unexplored depths to otherwise familiar tunes that had me hanging on to her every note. Repeated listening didn't dispel my initial reaction but it did tell me that she was also very much her own woman. 
As a composer, her music is as intriguing as the titles. The Story I Want to Tell You – a waltz reflecting deep feelings for her homeland; Luz – means light and was written as a prayer for Japan after the Tohoku Earthquake; Cat Walk – a slinky blues dedicated to her feline friends; Quality Time – a medium swinger in 6/8 and an apt title for the album.
Looking Back is a piece by her mentor and tutor Steve Kuhn who also produced the album. Kuhn has done a great job in both roles.
The remaining tracks are: Make Someone Happy; Jobim’s Someone to Light up my Life; Solitude (this not only has the pianist at her most tender but shows O’Donnell to be totally simpatico as, indeed, he is throughout - the Birmingham Conservatoire did a grand job!); Velas; a couple by Bernstein – Lucky to be Me and Somewhere finishing off with That’s All.
Drummond is discreet and effective as befits the nature of the album.
Quality Time? You betcha!
Lance.
Available Summit Records.

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