Bebop Spoken There

Gary Bartz: ''Music is nature's gift to man. It's the only religion. We're living in a terrible era, but what a beautiful thing music is. Look how it brings us together like religion is supposed to; and with no language barriers.'' (Jazzwise September, 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

18918 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 782 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 18.) 61.

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

September.

Mon 21: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. Coltrane centenary.

Tue 22: ???

Wed 23: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 23: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 23: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 7:30pm. A John Coltrane Centenary Concert (b. 23. 09. 1926). SOLD OUT!
Wed 23: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 24: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 24: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 24: Arun Ghosh @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:30pm doors). £21.05. (£22.00. on the door). A Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music event.
Thu 24: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00.

Fri 25: Mark Williams Trio @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £9.00.
Fri 25: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 25: Get the Blessing + Dilettante @ The Cluny (Cluny 2), Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £18.00. + bf. A Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music event.
Fri 25: Jazz Sabbath @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

Sat 26: Adam Fairhall & Johnny Hunter: Play Mary Lou Williams @ The Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 6:00pm. Free. A Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music event.
Sat 26: John Pope Quintet + Urvashi @ The Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £15.40. A Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music event.

Sun 27: Salty Dog @ The Cluny. 12:30pm (doors). Free (donations).
Sun 27: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 27: Zach Sewell-Lara Hopper Quintet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. £12.00., £10.00.
Sun 27: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free. Ruth Lambert (vocals); Giles Strong (guitar); Paul Grainger (double bass).
Sun 27: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 27: Alex Hitchcock Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £16.00., £14.00. A Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music event.

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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