Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 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

18083 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1047 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 14), 61.

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Sun 21: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. ‘Xmas Swingalong’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 21: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ o2 City Hall, Newcastle. 6:00pm. £35.80., £33.25., £31.00.
Sun 21: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music.
Sun 21: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:30pm. Free.

Mon 22: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:30pm. ‘The A Capella Sessions’. Gardner, Paula Gardner, Alexia Hope Gardner Diamany.
Wed 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Thu 25: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:00pm. ‘All About the Bass Sessions’. Alexia Gardner, Paula Gardner, Jude Murphy.

Fri 26: ???

Sat 27: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 27: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. bf).

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.

No comments :

Blog Archive