Bebop Spoken There

Donovan Haffner ('Best Newcomer' 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards): ''I got into jazz the first time I picked up a saxophone!" - Jazzwise Dec 25/Jan 26

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

18146 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 24 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 7), 24

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Fri 09: The House Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00.
Fri 09: Nauta @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00. Trio: Jacob Egglestone, Jamie Watkins, Bailey Rudd.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Warren James & the Lonesome Travellers @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £15.00.
Fri 09: The Blue Kings @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00. (£8.00. adv.). All-star band.

Sat 10: Mark Toomey Quintet @ St Peter’s Church, Stockton-on-Tees. 7:30pm. £12.00. (inc. pie & peas). Tickets from: 07749 255038.

Sun 11: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 12: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 12: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 13: Milne Glendinning Band @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00. Coquetdale Jazz.
Tue 13: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 14: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 14: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 15: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. Quartet + guest Paul Donnelly (guitar).

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

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Vieux Carré Jazzmen at Cullercoats Crescent Club - by Russell

Brian Bennett (banjo & vocals) , Barry Soulsby (clarinet,alto & vocals) , Lawrence McBriarty (trombone) , Fred Rowe (trumpet & vocals) ,Brian Sibbald (double bass) and Fred Thompson (drums & vocals).
The Vieux Carre Jazzmen entertained the forty or so regulars at the coastal hostelry's afternoon session with a varied programme to suit all tastes.
The proceedings began with the little heard, ''A Porter's Love Song to a Chambermaid'' featuring Fred Rowe on vocals. ''Exactly Like You'' followed with Barry Soulsby taking up the singing duties. The sweet tones of Fred Thompson emanated from behind the drum kit on the next number - ''Georgia on My Mind''. Thompson delivered a measured, unhurried reading of a tune which some singers can all too easily destroy - Mr.T. came up trumps. The highlight of the first set was ''Yellow Dog Blues'' with appropriate wailing of the clarinet from Mr.Soulsby.
The second set opened with "Cake Walking Babies'' and '' If I Had You ''. Trumpet maestro Mr. Rowe followed with a humourous version of ''Mandy, Make up Your Mind." A stand out number from this set was ''Ponchartrain Blues''. Following the blues number was a tune this correspondent wasn't familiar with...''By the Sea , By the Sea , By the Beautiful Sea''. ''Big Butter & Egg Man'' saw the afternoon draw to a close but not before Brian Bennett called in the band as we were ''Goin' Home''.
The Vieux Carre's coach trip to Staithes next month is all but fully booked. One ticket remains ! If you want it, see the band's new website http://www.vieuxcarrejazzmen.com/
Russell .

No comments :

Blog Archive