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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17719 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 39 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Jan. 15).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Thu 16: Pete Tanton & the Cuban Heels @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio w. Graham Hardy @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. (inc. a welcome drink & table reservation). Book at: www.drinks@thepele.co.uk. A ‘Jazz at the Pele’ promotion.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick TD15 1AS. 7:30pm. Free. Album launch gig.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

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

Sunday, December 06, 2009

Just a reminder that TODAY is SUNDAY @ The BRIDGE ALL DAY!

Today, Sunday looks like being the Sunday to end all Sundays except it is but the beginning!
The action takes place in the Bridge Hotel, appropriately sited at the Newcastle end of the High Level Bridge, where a cast, comprising of the regions Prima "Donna Lee's," will strut it.
The event is entitled Splinter, so it is only fitting that 'Splinter' - the shavings from the Voice of the North Jazz Orchestra should fire the opening shots.
They are a fantastic octet(?) with some brilliant arrangements and knockout soloists.
Splinter are there from High (Level) Noon.
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1:15 in the post meridien sees HCW step up to the plate. Christos Worsley on bass, Ed Carr on guitar and John Hirst on drums are known and fondly remembered from the Side Café so look for some jazz funk grooves.
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ACV was formed by Bassist Andy Champion as a vehicle to showcase his compositions. The music draws from his main influences - Jazz, Progressive Rock and Metal with a healthy amount of free-improvisation thrown in for good measure. 2:15 blast off.
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An hour later, Mark Williams - in my humble opinion, definitely the North-east's, probably the UK's, possibly even The World's most versatile Irish jazz guitarist living in Newcastle, takes over for a trio set. (ps: I bet he's pretty big on Jupiter too!)
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At 4:15 it really is High Noon with La deux Chanteuse d'Cullercoats going head to head. Zoe and Ruth are in training for this one!
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5:15 sees Claude Werner unleashing the fastest tenor saxophone around - this guy don't take no prisoners this guy. Nor does his quartet. Powerful.
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6:15 it's the turn of the Safe Sextet who tunnelled out of the Jazz Cafe to be here. They should take some fans back with them - solid band.
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7:15 If you'e still standing, Saxophonics will show you just how a saxophone ensemble should sound - their accuracy is frightening!
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8:15 Alter Ego tread the boards - bebop and beyond is spoken there!
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9:15 Tiptoe carefully across the dead bodies that, after 9 hours of drinking in the music and the ale, have succumbed to one or the other. Choose a seat facing the direction of your homeward journey because, when Extreme Measures light the blue touchpaper you ain't gonna need no Metro or taxi cab. This is music that will lift you out of your seat and send you home rejoicing on a wing and a prayer.
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All this for a mere £4! Sounds like a bargain to end all bargains - start queing now.
I said at the beginning that this was the beginning and it is - Sunday evenings at the Bridge are going to be the place to be beginning the week after.
Lance.

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