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 30, 2010

Slice of Troyka followed by a cool glass of Mwamba/Kane/Blackmore - Schmazz @ The Cluny June 29.

Troyka
One very classy band full of surprises. Troyka base their trademark on a rich tapestry of textural subtle, dry wit kind of intelligence. Ooooozes of depth. I loved every second of what I caught towards the end of their set. Deserving 5 star owners. Somewhat a religious experience entirely.
Playful Blackmore (drms)
Empathic 'elder' Montague (gtr)
Keeping it together Downes (keys)
Corey Mwamba Trio
Corey Mwamba on, now let me get this right, vibraphone dulcimer electronics. How does he do it? When the head of his stick flies off over his head onto the stage doing a triple back twist and full bodied somersault you know either this guy is playing at full throttle or his sticks are genuinely having a ball and dancing on air at the thrill of it all. I've now seen such an instrument twice this year, which to me, I hope, signifies a new trend in this not oft seen stage art. A name to watch for. Bands take notice and have this artist in your band.
Dave Kane truly inspires us with his technique and emotive instrumental language. Quite beautiful to watch. Joyously communicating with Corey's sweet chimes with passion, and boyishly flirtatious at times, charm. He makes his bass speak ten kinds of languages in 20 different dialects and 100 kinds of emotions. That thing talks!
Joshua Blackmore intelligently listening as much as providing a rich backing just providing the right sense of rythmic tension. A genuinely talented artist I've come to admire in various bands. Every beat to this young chap means something, and he won't hit a beat if it isn't saying something. There's a point to every stroke and lick on the skins (you know what I mean).
Come back again but do a longer set, please.
Sarah Razvi.

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