Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 2026)

The Things They Say!

This is a good opportunity to say thanks to BSH for their support of the jazz scene in the North East (and beyond) - it's no exaggeration to say that if it wasn't for them many, many fine musicians, bands and projects across a huge cross section of jazz wouldn't be getting reviewed at all, because we're in the "desolate"(!) North. (M & SSBB on F/book 23/12/24)

Postage

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

Reviewers wanted

Whilst BSH attempts to cover as many gigs, festivals and albums as possible, to make the site even more comprehensive we need more 'boots on the ground' to cover the albums seeking review - a large percentage of which never get heard - report on gigs or just to air your views on anything jazz related. Interested? then please get in touch. Contact details are on the blog. Look forward to hearing from you. Lance

From This Moment On

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Chilling Out

At times, the upper room of the Chillingham is reminiscent of a Greenwich Village loft back in the 1960s as musicians drift in and out (the bar is downstairs). There is no shortage of beards, ponytails or the odd hint of dreadlock; a few mystics nodding sagely, often in time to the music, help to sustain the image. All that is missing are the joints and the women with the Mona Lisa hairstyles and the shades. The comparison ends with the music. No folksingers or would be bards - just punchy sounds that sometimes gel.
Eric Stutt, back on drums, and Stu Davies on bass guitar were, along with Keyboard Barry, formidable stokers whilst Dave (Weisser) as the lone horn had moments of inspiration.
Daniel arrived with guitar and an excellent "Willow Weep for Me" showed everyone off to advantage. "Cantaloupe Island" was another that moved along.
Sitters-in after the break included the elusive John Pope who made an impressive debut on string bass - he's obviously been spending time in the woodshed, David C on drums and keyboard, "Felix" on guitar and Michael Lamb on trumpet.
It was a good night and not just because I won the raffle (Coltranic CD)
Next week the Alan Glen Trio pay their monthly visit so why not drop in; you might even enjoy it! If nothing else, for only £1, it will give you a foretaste of what to expect at the Side Café on 20 October.

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