Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

March

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Splinter @ The Bridge - ALTER EGO

Dave Hignett (tpt/flg), Keith Robinson (alt), Niall Armstrong (ten/flt), Andy Hawking (pno), Giles Strong (gtr), Ian Paterson (bs), David Francis (dms).
There was a lack of mothers in the audience tonight - this being 'their' day (theirs and the Florists) - no doubt they'd persuaded their family that there were more important things to do than to drink beer and listen to some excellent hard bop.
Alter Ego are a tight 7-piece that drives hard and creates the sound and feeling of many of the '50s Blue Note sessions. Indeed the finale, Hank Mobley's Roll Call, is one of my favourite tracks by the great tenor player.
Alter Ego did it justice.
Many of the other numbers were compostions by the great albeit now not so much publicised Bobby Watson. Hopefully this band will help bring his name to the forefront once more.
All the soloists were impressive - they have technique to spare - with Dave "Highnote's" stratospheric flights particularly ear catching.
Altoist Keith played with much fire, whilst Niall's complex lines sprinted in and out of the changes with ease. Andy Hawking, great on piano, and the rhythm section top notch.
A good session that could have done with some more chassis' on chairs.
Lance.

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