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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, 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

17923 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 244 of them this year alone and, so far, 91 this month (March 31).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Thu 03: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Women in Jazz.
Thu 03: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 03: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. A Tees Hot Club promotion. First Thursday in the month.

Fri 04: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 04: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 04: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 04: Ruth Lambert Quartet @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00.
Fri 04: Tom McGuire & the Brassholes @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £20.00.
Fri 04: Nicolas Meier’s Infinity Group + Spirit of Jeff Beck @ The Forum, Darlington. 7:30pm.

Sat 05: Tenement Jazz Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 05: Sleep Suppressor @ Head of Steam, Newcastle. 5:30-6:00pm.
Sat 05: King Bees @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 6:00pm. Free.
Sat 05: Raymond MacDonald & Jer Reid @ Lubber Fiend, Newcastle. 6:00-9:30pm. £7.72., £1.00. (minimum donation). MacDonald & Reid + Objections + Yotuns.
Sat 05: Jeff Hewer Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 05: Kamasi Washington @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. £33.00.
Sat 05: Vermont Big Band @ The Seahorse, Whitley Bay. 7:30pm. Tickets: £10.00 (from the venue).
Sat 05: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 06: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £7.50.
Sun 06: Learning & Participation Showcase @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm (1:00pm doors). Free. Featuring participants from Play More Jazz! Play More Folk! Blue Jam Singers & more.
Sun 06: Joe Steels Group @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00. Ferg Kilsby, Joe Steels, Ben Lawrence, Paul Susans, John Hirst.
Sun 06: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 06: Paul Skerritt @ The Hooch, Quayside, Newcastle. 6:00pm.
Sun 06: Leeway @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 07: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 08: ???

Wed 09: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 09: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 09: Tannery jam session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm.
Wed 09: Anatole Muster Trio @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £17.50., £12.50. concs.
Wed 09: 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

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Alan Glen Trio - A Night To Remember at The Chilli.

Alan Glen (pno), Lawrence Blackadder (bs), David Carnegie (dms).
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Dave Weisser (tpt/vcl), Dr. Nicola Weaver (alt), Jim Crinson (gtr), Barry Ashcroft (pno), Mick Danby (bs), Eric Stutt (dms). + David Carnegie (pno), Paul Gowland (alt0).
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I'm getting repetitive but, with Alan Glen it is difficult not to say anything other than 'he's never played better' - tonight was no exception. From the opening "If I Were A Bell" to the closing "Night and Day" I had to say, once again, that this was the best yet!
In between the above two classics, "The Quiet Man of Jazz" included a sensitive interpretation of "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square", a blues drenched "Georgia on My Mind", a boppy "Groovin' High" and a "Time After Time" that was like mulled wine in a ruby chalice - rich, warm and fulsome - rolled around the palate and imbibed with respectful satisfaction.
As ever, David and Lawrence were doing the biz both in support and solo. Lawrence had some tasty melodic lines on "Berkeley Square" whilst David kicked night into day when he unleashed a powerful solo during the final number.
David moved over to piano for the jam session and "Body and Soul" saw him play some nice chords behind Nicola and sitter-in Paul Gowland - both on alto. Surprisingly, given that just about every big hitter in town seemed to be in the audience, there were no other sitters-in.
The two altos were featured on "Like Someone In Love" along with a vocal from Dave before the final Kenny Dorham composition "Recorda Me" which also had alto blasts of mucho merita from both blowers. Two many gems to mention everyone so apologies to Mick for not commenting on his sterling basswork on "So What" or Jim Crinson's rare appearance on guitar as opposed to stand-up bass and Eric Stutt's fine drumming; Eric was totally unfazed by the presence of at least three of the north-east's finest drummers - and why should he be? - he made it four! Barry likewise, despite the room being kneedeep in pianists, had moments to cherish whilst Dave held it altogether with the wit and wisdom of the Duke of Ellington.
Oh and, seeing as I now have mentioned everyone, let's not forget Allan - doorman, timekeeper, raffler and now - music liaison officer.
Quite a night.
Lance.
at

1 comment :

Russell said...

Hi Lance

Following the AG3 I thought Nicola just about stole the show with her solo on Body & Soul.

Russell

Thursday, May 14, 2009 3:31:00 pm

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