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Bebop Spoken There

Van Morrison: ''Basically, I'm coming from jazz. Not pop, not rock, not what's commercial. That's where I started, and that's still where I am. I feel the same as I did when I was listening to Louis Armstrong, Lead Belly, Jelly Roll Morton''. (The Northern Echo, 12 June 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

1803759 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 480 of them this year alone and, so far, 58 this month (June 18).

From This Moment On ...

JUNE 2025

Sat 21: Jason Holcomb Jazz Ensemble @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 5:30-7:30pm. Free. A 'Sunderland Year of Music' event.
Sat 21: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Red Kites Jazz @ Staithes Café, Dunston. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 22: Phoenix 4 @ Wallington, Northumberland. 12 noon-1:00pm & 2:00-3:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington, Northumberland. 1:00-2:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Jason Isaacs Trio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 4:00pm. £18.00. + £1.08 bf.
Sun 22: JazzMain @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: MSK Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00. at the door; £8.20. (inc £0.20 bf) online, in advance.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.

Tues 24: ???

Wed 25: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 25: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 25: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 25: The Magpies of Swing @ The Roxy, Leadgate, Co. Durham. 7:30pm. A Ginger Jitterbugs swing dance event, all welcome.

Thu 26: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Brass Instruments & the use of mutes.

Fri 27: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm.
Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 27: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 8:00pm. ‘Time After Time’.

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, January 28, 2010

Man U/Man City mere Conference compared to Dexter and Wardell.

Dave Weisser (tpt/vcl), Doug Fielder (ten), Matt Office (gtr), Barrie Ascroft (bs), Eric Stutt (dms). + Andy Lee (alt/flt), Wilson ? (pno).
Life is seen in all its many aspects at the Chilli. This is the Naked City with a thousand stories bubbling below and above the surface.
I sensed it was going to be different tonight when Harley emailed me to say to tell Dave he couldn't make the gig - maybe food poisoning. Had a rival pianist slipped some toxic substance into his Rusks?
The rich pattern of urban life unfolded in the bar. Wall to wall football fans screaming and cheering as two teams from Manchester, City and United, (this is in Newcastle remember) endeavoured to "sportingly" cut each other on the pitch - sax players do it so much better - Wardell & Dexter, Gene & Sonny, Charlie (Carmichael) & Nigel (Stanger). Compared to those Premier league saxmen the Manchester boys are but Conference North.
We escaped up the stairs to the tranquillity of the jazz lounge.
The ever resourceful Dave, pre-warned of Harley's absence, had re-shuffled the pack so that Barrie played bass whilst sitting at the keyboard and young Matt Office - one of last week's Hot House Dragons - provided the chordal accompaniment on guitar. He did well considering the SNAFU situation.
Doug Fielder had once more crossed the width and breadth of the country to get here having warmed up at The Porthole earlier in the day (see previous post from Miles). I'm impressed by his commitment. I suspect we'll be hearing more from Doug.
My old Buddy Andy Lee turned up with a vintage Rudall Carte wooden flute with silver headjoint as well as his alto. After a few false starts he hit the alto jackpot on one of the Herbie Hancock's.
During the interval a guy called Wilson played solo piano. Not totally jazz it was nevertheless, impressive.
Mary didn't sing but she did win the raffle as usual!
Dave ventured into Tormé territory with a vocal on "Born to Be Blue". Mel didn't turn in his grave but if he had done it would have been to applaud.
Perhaps the highlight of the night was Dave's opening announcement.
'This tune is called "Whisper Not" and is dedicated to the two girls talking at the back.'
Subtle? no! Effective? Yes - ar least for 32 bars or so!
In the above photo what is Andy Lee (l) saying to make Dave Weisser look so surprised?
Free entry to the Chilli next week for the best answer.
Lance.
PS: For the record Manchester United won the football affair.

1 comment :

Anonymous for fear of reprisals - if this wins I'll pay anyway said...

Andy: "Hey Dave, can you talk to me and look surprised while Lance gets a photo for a competition he is organising. The winner gets in free next week.

Dave says " I am genuinely surprised, no need to pretend. You mean people pay to come in?"

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