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

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Ruth Lambert Trio @ Bascule Bar & Bistro

Ruth Lambert (vcl), Mark Williams (gtr), Paul Susans (bs).
The easiest way to access this trendy bar, perched on the edge of the marina that is St. Peter's Basin, is by motor launch although there is a yellow bus that stops close by. I doubt if the yuppie pop. of St. Peter's Basin have heard of buses judging by the town and country cars parked outside of their fancy address.
They are extremely fortunate to have such a joint as the Bascule Bar and Bistro within their midst - well at least they are on the last Thursday in the month when the Ruth Lambert Trio ply their trade before an audience who should have sat in open mouthed silence; full of admiration and appreciation for a sound bass-player, an excellent guitarist and a superb singer. What more could they possibly want other than a reduction in their mortgage?
Of course life isn't always like that and Ruth, Mark and Paul played brilliantly to the accompaniment of a noisy hen party.
It didn't faze them - they just let it all hang out with a choice selection of songs several of which were from Ruth's recent album (see review).
For me, the highlight was a song I'd never heard before which Ruth tells me is originally from Julie London vol 2 - "Too Good To Be True".
I thought I'd heard all the great songs over the years but this was new to me and rather beautiful.
It was worth the journey, the wrong turnings and the noisy atmosphere for this one tune although of course there were many others inc. "Long Ago and Far Away". One day I'd like to hear Roly and Ruth duet on this one.
Talking guitars, Mark was in great form with some lyrical solos and smooth chording as indeed was bassman Paul Susans.
Strangely, after a while, the noisy crowd became part of the background and I don't think a hushed silence would have added to the ambience!
An enjoyable evening. Also enjoyed chatting (at a low level of volume) with Brian Chester.
Y'all get along to Ruth's CD launch at the Saville, North Shields, on Oct.23.
Lance.
PS: Paul Susans said "Thank you" to Russell for his kind review of the recent Horn Dogs gig at the Bridge.

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