Bebop Spoken There

Dominick "Domo" Branch: ''Most people say drummers can't write, they're just time-keepers only beating on things. But I have a very musical brain.'' (DownBeat February, 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

18288 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 142 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 14), 42

From This Moment On ...

February

Wed 18: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 18: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 18: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 19: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: George Shearing Jazz Moments.

Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT! Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.
Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: Squabble @ Warkworth Memorial Hall. 7:00pm. Steve Chambers (organ); Jude Murphy (double bass, vocals); Sid White (drums).
Fri 20: Jive Aces @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors).
Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.

Sat 21: ???

Sun 22: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 22: Joe Steels Group @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Sun 22: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Harben Kay Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: Joe Steels Group @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Finn-Keeble Group @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00.
Tue 24: Liam Oliver & Shayo Oshodi @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

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

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Nigel Kennedy Takes Pole Position at The Sage

The brochure describes tonight's concert at The Sage as "A sensational and colourful double bill of accessible jazz" which is what I think it will be.
Nigel Kennedy's Jazz Quintet sees the violin virtuso producing another string to his bow, if you'll pardon the dreadful cliché, in a concert that kicks off the Polish Jazz Trilogy.
With him is Polish singer Anna Maria Jopek who those with inside knowledge describe as 'merely fantastic'.
Sounds like I'm in for a good one.
Mind you, this anticipated pleasure has come at a price and I don't mean the £21.50 ticket - a snip for what's on offer - no the price I refer to is having to forego a host of other gigs.
These include the Jubilee Quintet at Ashington - the celebration of 25 years of Ashington Jazz. The bringers of the Jubilee to Ash. are Roly Veitch and Jim Birkett (guitars), Graeme Wilson (tenor), Neil Harland (bass) and John Hirst (drums).
In Heaton, at the Newton Park Hotel, The Vieux Carré Jazzmen host an evening of Hot Jazz and Hot Curry whilst, fresh from a great night at the Cherry Tree the Alan Glen Trio make their monthly pilgrimage to The Chilli.
Quite a night - I wish I were Quads!
Lance.
PS: I almost forgot! For those of a freer disposition - John Butcher, John Russell, Dom Lash + The Long Lonesome Go. Star & Shadow Cinema, Stepney Bank, N'cle. £7/£4. 8:30 pm.
And for those who aren't The Rae Brothers New Orleans Jazz Band are at Springwell Village Hall from 9:00 pm. Meanwhile, down Hartlepool way, The Jeremy McMurray Quartet are at The Causeway...

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