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Bebop Spoken There

Trevor Mires: ''My mum is a Dean Martin fan: I'm not, so I would grab my skateboard and get out of the house whenever I heard "Everybody Loves Somebody, Sometime." ". (Jazzwise, April 2025).

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

17957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 278 of them this year alone and, so far, 34 this month (April 14).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Only Six Standards.
Thu 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Fri 18: Alexia Gardner @ Fika Gallery, Oldgate, Morpeth NE61 1LT. 7:00pm. Trio (Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy).RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 13

Fri 18: Sarah Jane Morris & Tony Remy: The Sisterhood @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. CANCELLED! 7:30pm (doors). £25.00.

Sat 19: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 19: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 19: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 21: Newcastle Record Fair @ Copthorne Hotel, Newcastle. 10:00am. Going in search of the Buddy Bolden cylinder…
Mon 21: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. Coquetdale Jazz.

Wed 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 23: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 23: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

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

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Customs House Big Band and Ruth Lambert

When the Customs House Big Band kicked off with "In The Mood" I almost groaned until I remembered the Glenn Miller version as being the first big band disc I ever bought. To complain now would be akin to shooting myself in the foot - I still have the '78' rpm record!
There were other Miller numbers - "American Patrol" and "Tuxedo Junction" - but there were also charts by Bill Holman (The Man I Love), Sammy Nestico, Neal Hefti (Li'l Darlin') and the even more contemporary Gordon Goodwin which made for a well rounded program that was appreciated by a decent sized crowd. The saxes are a nicely balanced section with good soloists in Jill Brett, alto, and tenormen John Hudson and Alan Marshall. Elaine Willis, daughter of guitarist Roy, blew 2nd alto and Chris Kaberry on bari stood in for Christine Atkinson. Gordon Marshall led the trumpets (Ken de Vere, Paul Gledhill, Harry Ruddick Damian Kelly) from the upper slopes of Mount Olympus as well as taking care of the solos. Trombone choruses were shared by Mike Fletcher, Chris Smith (?) Gareth Weaver(?) with MD Peter Morgan filling out the section, when not leading, on bass trombone.
Down in the galley and cooking were Bill Britain (pno), Roy Willis (gtr) - Hi Roy, long time no see - Bill Colledge (bs) and, fresh from driving the jazz-rock trio HCW at the Gateshead Jazz Festival, drummer John Hirst who proved to be equally adept in a swinging big band situation - a true all-rounder.
As if this wasn't enough - we were served up a mouthwatering dessert in the form of Ruth Lambert who positively revelled in having such a big band backing. Her material was perfect. "Always True To You Darling In My Fashion", "Black Coffee", "Almost Like Being In Love", "World On A String", "Hard Hearted Hannah", and an incredible revival of Rosie Clooney's "Mambo Italiano" were just some of the numbers Ruth delighted the audience with before the final "Alright, Okay, You Win" brought the gig to a stomping close. Photos.
Lance.
PS: Don't forget folks, they do it all again on Wednesday (25th) - same time same place.
PPS: The band's excellent CD "Love For Sale" is now on sale for a fiver. It includes vocals by Ruth and is well worth a 'deep sea diver'.
PPPS: And, of course, there's the great CLARE TEAL gig at the Customs House on Thursday.
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