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

Monday, October 26, 2009

Martin Drew Comments...

Hi Lance Sincere thanks for your review of this gig (LCD @ The Corner House, Newcastle). Would you mind if I used it on my website, please? Laurence Cottle sent it to me. He's some player isn't he?!! The band only came about originally from a chat I had with Mornington Lockett about travelling about in these days of ridiculous petrol prices!! The three of us can all get in one car, thereby saving the expense of extra gas with extra cars. I instantly knew it would work musically, and it's nice to be vindicated. We really enjoyed the gig, especially as it included a 600 mile plus drive up and back! At my age if I can't enjoy the gig what's the point? Have a look at my website at www.martindrew.co.uk. I'm sure you'll find it interesting. Once again, many thanks and I'll look forward to talking with you either by email, telephone, message in the bottle, etc., etc. Martin Drew. (Photo courtesy of Adrian Tilbrook.)
Click here for free Lawrence Cottle downloads as mentioned in comments.

5 comments :

Lance said...

By all means use the review on your website.
It isn't every day that a member of jazz's upper echelons visit Bebop Spoken Here so feel free.

Liz said...

I remember Martin at York when you, Lance,came to the Early Music Centre with us. He left a big impression on me as a first class musician & a man of the world. I loved his laid back style.
Liz

cptfinch said...

I saw Martin a few weeks ago playin with Alan Barnes at the Darlington Arts centre. Needless to say he was top class! - showing very tasteful light swingin cymbol. A couple of years ago he was at the Caedmon Hall in Gateshead with Peter King. It was a quiet night because a big England game was on at the same time I think. I remember he played some fantastic longer solos.

Liz said...

Had a look at his website...My God, what a pedigree!
Liz

Robert Laing said...

Hi Lance,
Nice to see the response from Martin Drew today. Laurence Cottle is a "friend" of mine on Myspace, so I wrote to him at the weekend to let him know about the glowing reference on your bebop blog. He must have forwarded the email to Martin. It was a great night, certainly one to remember for tenor players, drummers and bassists.
For your own info, and if you want to let other people in on it (especially as the CD for sale at the Corner House did not have any Laurence Cottle on it - but I still bought it and it's a belter) Laurence has TWO cd's that are FREE for download on his website. My personal favourite is the arrangement of "Bouncing with Bud" - the band is top notch and it might be worth sharing this info with your expanding blog fanbase. I suppose Laurence might appreciate it too. The live album really demonstrates the quality of his and the band's musicianship.

Robert (son of George) Laing

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