Press release: The Down for the Count Swing Orchestra return with their annual festive favourite!

© Marcus Chater

Look who’s coming to town! Over the past few years, the Down for the Count Swing Orchestra have dazzled audiences around the country with their festive extravaganza Swing Into Christmas – and they’ll be back on the road again this year to spread cheer in their inimitable style.

The show is rapidly becoming a Christmas tradition for audiences across the country, and it’s easy to see why fans keep coming back for more – not only does the show fizz with all the joy and warmth of the season in terms of the tunes, but the anecdotes and trademark on-stage banter make you feel as if you’re spending an evening with old friends.

The Finn-Keeble Group @ Blaydon Jazz Club - Nov. 17

© Roly

Abbie Finn (drums); Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Dean Stockdale (keyboards); John Pope (double bass)

A recently formed ensemble, comprising four established figures on the region's jazz scene, would entertain the faithful at Blaydon Jazz Club. Arriving at the Black Bull on Bridge Street in bitterly cold temperatures, it would be an evening of coats and scarves worn, by musicians and punters alike. 

Bebop Spoken Here shoots Greg Abate

The recent post re the return to the north east of top pro photographer John Lyons is welcome news. However, it mustn't be allowed to overshadow the stellar work that our regular photographic team have, over the years, contributed to Bebop Spoken Here.

In the collage three of them are represented with shots of American saxmaster Greg Abate who returns to the Globe this Sunday in what promises to be another outstanding gig.

The three photographers represented are (l to r): Malcolm Sinclair, Ken Drew and Jerry Edis. Mike Tilley should also have been included but, on the occasion of Greg's gig at the Black Swan Mike must have been sans camera. Lance

Press release: Music Photographer Coming Home

Billy Cobham © John Lyons

John Lyons is an award-winning photographer specialising in live music and portrait photography, with a particular focus on photographing jazz musicians. 

John lives in Durham but, until recently, has worked in London in the technology industry. For the last ten years, he has been capturing musicians in jazz clubs, recording studios and other locations in London, with the occasional trip to New York. More locally, John has also captured musicians and performers in the north east, including being official photographer for the 2023 Hexham Jazz Festival and the 2024 and 2025 Durham Fringe Festivals.

In his photography, he aims to convey the passion and feeling behind the music and performer rather than just a straight capture of the event or gig. He believes that a great music photographer needs to be in love with the music and be able to anticipate and capture the expressive moments – capturing performers ‘in the moment’.

Press release: Sleep Suppressor + Christie-Chan Duo + Liam & Shayo @ the Globe - Nov. 27

On Thursday 27 November The Globe is hosting a triple bill that stretches the definition of jazz – from the Great American Songbook to video-game music.

The headline act is Sleep Suppressor, a contemporary jazz-rock band playing original music composed by George Ivanov (guitar) and Haaruun Miller (saxes) who both trained under Paul Edis. They are supported by the powerful rhythm section of Dave Parker (bass) and Joe Deans (drums). Since launching in January 2023, Sleep Suppressor has wowed audiences in jazz and rock venues in the North East and recently in Leeds and Nottingham.

Joe Webb Trio @ Pizza Express Live, Dean Street, Soho, London - November 14

Joe Webb (piano);  Will Sach (double bass);  Sam Jesson (drums) 

On the opening night of the EFG London Jazz Festival the Joe Webb Trio played two sold out houses. I was lucky enough to get tickets for both houses. The set list below comprised tunes played in the first house. I put my reviewer's pen down for the second house.

Joe and Will had only recently returned from a whirlwind tour of Taiwan, China and Hong Kong where Kai MacRae had been the drummer but normal service resumed for these concerts with Sam Jesson returning as the trio’s regular drummer.

Sunday night @ the Globe: Lorne Lofsky-Nigel Price Quartet - Nov. 16

© John Lyons

Lorne Lofsky (guitar); Nigel Price (guitar); Jeremy Brown (double bass); Joel Barford (drums)

As Russell, BSH's "have suitcase will travel" roving reporter, had already covered gigs by the quartet in Aberdeen and Hexham which followed the same set list, it left me little to add other than to tick all of the boxes in the previous reviews and to sum up Sunday night's session at the Globe in one word - PERFECTION!

© John Lyons

It brought to mind a similar concert by Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis at the then Newcastle Playhouse (now Northern Stage) as part of the 1984 Newcastle Jazz Festival.

That concert too was perfection and surely it is no coincidence that Kessel and Ellis, like Lorne Lofsky, both cut their teeth with Oscar Peterson. Had Nigel Price been born sooner or Peterson later I'm sure that his name too would have been inscribed on that Roll of Honour.

Lorne Lofsky-Nigel Price Quartet @ Queen's Hall, Hexham - Nov. 16

Lorne Lofsky (guitar); Nigel Price (guitar); Jeremy Brown (double bass); Joel Barford (drums)

The Scottish leg of the tour done and dusted, the Lorne Lofsky-Nigel Price Quartet motored south, stopping off in Hexham for an afternoon concert. Later on, Lofsky, Price, Brown and Barford would conclude a long day on Railway Street in Newcastle. 

Queen's Hall, Hexham presents a monthly Sunday afternoon concert series. Of late, audience numbers have been most encouraging. This afternoon's full house spoke volumes for the programming policy. 

Album review: Stephensong – Ian Shaw Sings Sondheim (Silent Wish Records - SWRCD03)

Ian Shaw (vocals); Barry Green (piano)

From the opening number of Stephensong, you know you’re in safe hands. Ian Shaw steps into Sondheim’s world not as a mimic or archivist, but as an interpreter—one who understands that these songs are living, breathing pieces of emotional theatre. Barry Green’s intimate piano arrangements strip away the orchestral “Broadway” varnish, leaving space for Shaw’s voice to explore, question, and communicate. The result is a collection that is less a tribute album and more a deeply personal celebration of Stephen Sondheim’s craft.

Everybody Says Don’t– A Mission Statement. The album sets its tone immediately:

Everybody says don’t, 
Everybody says can’t, 

Everybody says wait around for miracles—

That’s the way the world is made!

Preview: Lorne Lofsky-Nigel Price Quartet @ Hexham & Newcastle - Sunday 16th!!!

Two opportunities today (Sunday 16) to catch the brilliant Lorne Lofsky-Nigel Price Quartet. At three o'clock this afternoon (better get your skates on) Lorne Lofsky (ex-Oscar Peterson) joins forces with fellow guitarist Nigel Price in a great match up, working alongside Jeremy Brown and Joel Barford at Queen's Hall, Hexham. 

This evening at Newcastle Jazz Co-op's award-winning Railway Street HQ, they do it all again (8:00pm). Tickets for both concerts are running low. Book now at: www.queenshall.co.uk and www.theglobenewcastle.bar. Russell