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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

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.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Jazz Esquires @ The Porthole, North Shields

Mick Hill trumpet/flugel, Eddie Bellis trombone, Roy Gibson keyboard & Laurie Brown drums. Although the wet weather kept the crowds away the Jazz Esquires gave of their all to those who turned up.
Mick Hill again proved why he is in demand, driving on the up tempo numbers, lyrical on the ballads, he played a lovely Harmon solo on "I'm Confessin'" and an equally effective open one on "Stardust."
The smooth trombone of Eddie Bellis added to the joys, and he proved his musicianship by transposing from the Bb tenor sax parts in the ensemble.
Roy “Fingers” Gibson again showed his keyboard skills and what can you say about Laurie Brown? The man who drums were invented for. From skilful brush work on the ballads to knocking seven shades out of the cowbell on "Quando! Quando! Quando!" he never let up.
Intermission music was provided by Colin Johnson, keyboard and Derek Chapman drums, after which Roy played while Teresa proved again there is more than one Cullercoats lass can handle a ballad, Mike Read who doubles as the landlord and A.N. Other also provided songs. As they used to say after the Chapel trip, a good time was had by all. Miles.

No comments :

Blog Archive