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Bebop Spoken There

Van Morrison: ''Basically, I'm coming from jazz. Not pop, not rock, not what's commercial. That's where I started, and that's still where I am. I feel the same as I did when I was listening to Louis Armstrong, Lead Belly, Jelly Roll Morton''. (The Northern Echo, 12 June 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

1803759 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 480 of them this year alone and, so far, 58 this month (June 18).

From This Moment On ...

JUNE 2025

Sat 21: Jason Holcomb Jazz Ensemble @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 5:30-7:30pm. Free. A 'Sunderland Year of Music' event.
Sat 21: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Red Kites Jazz @ Staithes Café, Dunston. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 22: Phoenix 4 @ Wallington, Northumberland. 12 noon-1:00pm & 2:00-3:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington, Northumberland. 1:00-2:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Jason Isaacs Trio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 4:00pm. £18.00. + £1.08 bf.
Sun 22: JazzMain @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: MSK Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00. at the door; £8.20. (inc £0.20 bf) online, in advance.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.

Tues 24: ???

Wed 25: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 25: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 25: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 25: The Magpies of Swing @ The Roxy, Leadgate, Co. Durham. 7:30pm. A Ginger Jitterbugs swing dance event, all welcome.

Thu 26: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Brass Instruments & the use of mutes.

Fri 27: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm.
Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 27: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 8:00pm. ‘Time After Time’.

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

Friday, August 14, 2009

Stomping @ The Saville Exchange with the Saville Swing Septet and Teresa Armstrong.

Mike Durham (tpt), Derek Fleck (reeds), Paul Munnery (tmb), Brian Chester (pno), Iain McAulay (bs), Jim Birkett (gtr), Pete Soulsby (dms), Teresa Armstrong (vcl).
Possibly because most of the performers can be heard elsewhere in the borough for free the attendance fell below expectations.
However, for those who wanted an alternative to two episodes of Coronation Street it was money well spent.
The music reminded me of those swingy Harlem combos of the 1930s - Red Allen or Albert Nicholas are the two that spring to my mind - and, although there were occasional moments of indecision they didn't detract from the rhythmic delights and bouncy solos. The repertoire was magic. "You're Lucky To Me" (Mike made reference to Louis but I'll always associate it with Muggsy), "Drop Me Off In Harlem", "Swing That Music", "Delta Bound", "Harlem Madness", "Blue Lou" to mention but some. The lady sitting next to me - a Blaydon regular - said, "They've played some great numbers tonight" and I had to agree with her.
Jim Birkett was absolutely tremendous - is he ever not?
Paul Munnery fired off some blastphemingly good trombone - his more delicate side showing on "A Hundred Years From Today". Mike took the vocal on this one and played a solid lead throughout the gig as well as soloing with taste and elegance. Derek blew alto, tenor and clarinet; his style tailored to the period.
On piano, Brian knocked out some rollicking stuff to his own, and the audience's, obvious enjoyment whilst on bass and drums, Iain and Pete laid down a firm foundation with a few telling solos thrown in.
Vocals were handled by Teresa Armstrong and, despite a few nervous moments, acquitted herself well on "S'Wonderful", "Out of Nowhere", "Mean To Me" and "I've Got a Crush on You". No easy song to sing is Crush. The girl did good.
Among the celebs in the audience was Ruth Lambert. Her eagerly awaited CD is due to be launched at the Saville Exchange on October 23. Put it in your diary.
Photos. Lance.

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