Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''We knew back in the day that Emmet [Cohen] had it.'' (DownBeat July, 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

18767 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 631 of them this year alone and, so far this month (July 31) 95.

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

August

Mon 03: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 03: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Tue 04: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 05: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 05: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 05: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 06: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 06: Wild Women of Wylam @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Feat. guest Zoë Gilby.
Thu 06: 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 06: Bridget Metcalfe Sextet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 07: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 08: ???

Sun 09: 58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00-3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Ropner Park, Stockton. 2:00-4:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: The Gambling Janes @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Spice of Life.

Hard on the heels of Lee Konitz it might be thought that the Spice would be a let down
Of course it never is - what you see is what you get and tonight you got plenty.
I arrived midway through Kerry Hodgkin set - Kerry sang an assortment of contemporary classics - even Roxanne - plus lots of Van Morrison. Have you noticed how much VM is infiltrating the jazz repertoire? No bad thing. Kerry does it good and her new CD is worth looking out for.
On piano, Jenny Carr - a new name for me - played some great backing as well as punchy solos - watch this space. Julian Berry on bass and Jonathon Lee on drums were a sound rhythm section.
After Kerry's departure the singers came fast and furious with, as usual, the ladies outnumbering the men.
There really is a conveyer belt churning out these girls and who's complaining?!
The minority sex included Victor (You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You), Peter (Deed I Do) before the girls moved back into power.
Maggie Burrowes sang Bye Bye Blackbird - she really got into the song - Miles with words.
Val Kelly exuded class on The Nearness of You - a hint of Dinah/Sarah. Esther Bennett knocked out On A Clear Day - those heels that voice!
Penultimately, Kai Hoffman sang Teach Me Tonight - you can join my class anytime - and, for the grand finale, Kerry and Kai joined forces for the rockingest Route 66 you'll ever hear this side of Gallop, New Mexico. To make sure it reached San Bernadino Esther and Peter kicked in.
Lee Konitz? Oh yes, that was earlier.
Lance.

2 comments :

Kai said...

glad you liked it Lance! shame the photo's not so flattering..! :-) Come join us at Ronnie Scott's Bar sometime - Kai's Cats are there every first Thursday: June 3rd, July 1st.. etc. Best wishes, Kai Hoffman

Lance said...

Check some of the other photos!

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