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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17680 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 23 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Jan. 9).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Tue 14: Zoë Gilby Quintet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 15: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 15: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 15: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 15: Hot Club of Heaton @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘third Wednesday in the month’ session. TBC.

Thu 16: Pete Tanton & the Cuban Heels @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio w. Graham Hardy @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. (inc. a welcome drink & table reservation). Book at: www.drinks@thepele.co.uk. A ‘Jazz at the Pele’ promotion.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

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

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Saturday Afternoon at the Gateshead Jazz Festival

I like the Saturday afternoon session and not just because I go to the free ones! There's a relaxed, no pressure feel about it both on the Concourse and at the Jazz Lounge Jam Session.
Of course there are drawbacks. The Concourse acoustics tend to favour the larger ensmbles as opposed to the combos and vocalists.
Nevertheless, things got off to a good start with HCW (Hirst, Carr & Worsley) whom I've wrote of in the past. They played a solid set considering they were facing a slightly blasé audience who were possibly distracted by the spidermen duo cleaning the windows behind them! As they say in show business - never follow a kid, a dog or a window-cleaner act.
In the Jazz Lounge lots of young hopefuls were strutting their stuff. Backed by Stu Collingwood, Ken Marley and David Carnegie, James, the young guitarist from the Chillingham, had a blast on "Stella", "A girl did things to "St Thomas" on trumpet, Dave Weisser "Satin Dolled" with Dan, a promising young drummer from Prudhoe, who could have had a little more solo space whilst Noel Dennis compered and blew some good horn.
Back on the Concourse, Paul Edis, Graham Hardy and Mick Shoulder had a very listenable half hour with "Waltz for Debby" doing the business.
More jam then it was Ruth Lambert with Paul E and Andy Champion. Ruth opened with "West Coast Blues" a number associated with Zoe who was sitting down front.
Unfortunately, the Concourse acoustics could have been kinder this time around. Nevertheless, as ever, Ruth overcame the obstacles and delighted her fans which, of course, includes me .
I had to leave at this point but I will be back tonight for Sheila Jordan. Sheila, incidentally, was involved in a triple header with Cleveland Watkiss and Ian Shaw this afternoon. Anyone who cares to write a brief review on the event are cordially invited to.
Lance.

1 comment :

Anonymous said...

Hi Lance,
I am the drummer from Prudhoe you reviewed in your "Bebop spoken here" article and I just wanted to say thank you for your great words. Its always nice to receive some recognition for something you enjoy.
I got your leaflet whilst I was at the jam session and it has been quite useful as I am trying to find the local jazz clubs so I can go and see more live jazz!
Well, many thanks and keep up the good blog.

Dan

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