Bebop Spoken There

Melissa Aldana: ''Having to play a ballads album, which is something very revealing for a saxophone player, would help me to question some new aspects of how to go deeper into sound." (DownBeat May, 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

18602 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 466 of them this year alone and, so far this month (June 8) 17

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

June

Tue 09: FILM: Köln 75 @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Dir. Ido Fluk. Drama based on the true story of Keith Jarrett’s 1975 concert in Cologne.
Tue 09: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 09: FILM: Köln 75 @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 8:10pm. Dir. Ido Fluk. Drama based on the true story of Keith Jarrett’s 1975 concert in Cologne.

Wed 10: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 10: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 10: Jam session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 10: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 10: John Garner & John Pope @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00. JNE.

Thu 11: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 11: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: MNO of the GASbook.
Thu 11: FILM: Köln 75 @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 2:45pm. Dir. Ido Fluk. Drama based on the true story of Keith Jarrett’s 1975 concert in Cologne.
Thu 11: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.
Thu 11: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm.
Thu 11: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 11: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 11: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ The Mill Tavern, Hebburn. 8:30pm. Free

Fri 12: Dean Stockdale Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums).
Fri 12: Pete Tanton & Alan Law @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00. Tanton (trumpet, vocals); Law (piano).
Fri 12: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 12: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 12: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 12: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Cleveland Bay Hotel, Eaglescliffe. 9:00pm. Free.

Sat 13: Ladies of Midnight Blue + Northern Monkey Brass Band @ Northumberland Miners’ Picnic, Woodhorn Museum, Ashington NE63 9YF. Free. From 10:00am. Ladies of Midnight Blue (3:00-3:45pm); Northern Monkey Brass Band (4:00-4:45pm).
Sat 13: Sarah Spencer’s Transatlantic Jazz Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.
Sat 13: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Saltburn Bandstand. 2:30-4:30pm. Free.
Sat 13: Courtney Pine @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm. £35.80. Pine (saxophones); Robert Mitchell (piano); Rio Kai (double bass); Romarna Campbell (drums). ‘A Modern-Day Jazz Story 1986 - 2026’.

Sun 14: Front Porch Band: Swing Tyne’s Swing Social @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12 noon (doors). Donations (£5.00. - £10.00. suggested). Swing dance event w. taster class (12:30pm).
Sun 14: 58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00-3:00pm. Free.
Sun 14: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 14: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Table reservations (0191 261 8000). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 14: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 14: Doctor Jazz @ The Old Church, Sacriston, Durham. 3:00-5:00pm . Free (donations welcome). New Orleans, blues & classic 20th century songs. Food & soft drinks available, BYOB.
Sun 14: Eddie Gripper Trio @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Gripper (piano); Clem Saynor (double bass); Patrick Barrett-Donlon (drums). Americana album tour.

Mon 15: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 15: Dan Johnson w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Friday, October 09, 2009

'Basie'cally Gershwin & Porter - Customs House Big Band & Ruth Lambert

Paul Riley-Gledhill, Michael Lamb, Simon Dennis, ? (tpts); Mike Fletcher, Gareth Weaver, Chris Gurgit-Smith, (tmb); Peter Morgan (ldr/bs tmb); Jill Brett (alt/flt), Jim McBriarty (alt); Alan Marshall, Leah Tether (ten), Chris Kaberry (bar); Bill Brittainn (pno), Roy Willis (gtr), John Pope (bs), Ian Wynd (dms). Ruth Lambert (vcl).
There were a number of changes since I last heard the band at South Shields' Customs House - whether they were permanent or deps I don't know. Whatever, it didn't diminish the power of the band who, particularly in the Basie section of the program, displayed dynamic awareness.
Alan Marshall played some corking tenor solos and Jill Brett blew full toned alto as well as leading the section. Jazzman Jim McBriarty depped for 'Lainey' but didn't solo.
Chris Gurgit-Smith had a really beautiful trombone sound. Rich and meaty like the Milt Bernhardt of the Kenton and Riddle orchestras he excelled on "I've Got Rhythm."
Young Simon Dennis on trumpet had some exploratory solos that contrasted nicely with the Power of Paul Riley-Gledhill and Michael Lamb who leads his own big band at Cluny 2 on Oct. 30.
The rhythm section was first class with the ubiquitous John Pope, once he'd got miked-up, his usual tower of strength. Bill Brittain had some lovely intros to the Basie ballads as well as working out on "The Kid From Redbank." Roy Willis chorded effectively whilst Ian Wynd on drums booted things along.
Peter Morgan led from the front and kept the audience amused with his introductory spiel to each piece.
Which brings me to Ruth. The girl seems to get better each time around. The Gershwin/Porter songs could have been written with Ruth in mind so effectively did she interpret the clever lyrics.
In "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" she sang the rarely heard second verse.
Saint Patrick's Day,
Although I may,
Be seen wearing green with a Paddy,
I'm always sharp when playing the harp,
'Cause my heart belongs to daddy.
Though other dames
At football games
May long for a strong undergraddy,
I never dream
Of making the team,
'Cause my heart belongs to daddy.
Super Cole Porter, Super band and Super Ruth. Oh and let's not forget mister Superstar Gershwin - Ruth's emotive version of "The Man I Love" slid nicely into the Bill Holman up tempo chart of the same tune for an effective finale.
Can't wait to catch her again at her CD launch on Oct 23 or with the band when they return to the Customs House in March next year.
Lance.
PS: And - one more time for Count Basie.
PPS: And - one more one time for Peter Morgan.
at

1 comment :

Russell said...

Hi Lance

I wish I could have been there. I've yet to resolve the matter of trying to be in two places at once!
I will be at the Saville for Ruth's CD launch gig. I too can't wait.

Russell

Saturday, October 10, 2009 10:17:00 am

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )

Blog Archive