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Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: '' A Love Supreme coincided with my search for meaning in life". (DownBeat, March 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

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Laurence Harrison, Paul Grainger, Tim Johnston.
Tue 18: Phil Bancroft’s Beautiful Storm @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £13.20 & £11.00.. A JNE-Gem Arts co-promotion.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, Holystone. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Nicknames.
Thu 20: Terri Green Experience @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £15.90.
Thu 20: Lindsay Hannon Trio @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Hannon’s ‘Tom Waits for No Man’ set.
Thu 20: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Mill Tavern, Hebburn. 8:30pm. Free.

Fri 21: Paul Skerritt @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 21: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 21: Giles Strong Quartet @ 1719, Hendon, Sunderland. 7:30pm. CANCELLED!
Fri 21: New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Featuring special guest Martin Litton (piano).

Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30pm-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 22: Swamp Stomp String Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Sat 22: Rivkala @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. 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

Monday, July 05, 2010

Alter Ego @ Queens Hall, Hexham - Friday 2nd July

Keith Robinson (alto sax); Niall Armstrong (tenor & flute); Dave Hignett (trumpet & flugel); Andy Hawking (keyboards); David Francis (drums); Ken Marley (double bass) (up from Stockport as sub for Ian Paterson).
They were the 1st band I blogged, at the same venue, for this site early last June. With Keith Robinson very much present this year both on alto and as leader, no guitarist (a plus for me) and a stand-in double bass player, Alter Ego gave a wonderfully honed and spirited performance. Maybe due to the combination of barbeque weather, football & tennis, the turnout was a sparse twenty odd, yet dedicated fans, including Terry Ellis, jazz guitarist of Last Exit fame.
Bobby Watson's Love Remains demonstrated fully for me how far Alter Ego have come since June 2009 - David Francis chose the soft sticks on the toms, capturing a sultry Latin feel, as the piece moved off against the fading Caribbean light. Hignett's flugel danced tantalisingly in front of the band followed by Niall's deft flute solo, while Keith's alto swayed in silhouetted harmony with the flute, bass and palms. The arrangement reminded me of Gil Evans' late 40's phase - La Paloma-esque - but this time with Andy Hawking providing a subtle, Bill Evans on holiday in Cuba, touch on keyboards.
Building on the holiday theme, a more contemporary surprise came in set 2 - a Les Hooper piece from 1987 called Coastal Breeze; not an easy one to pull off in a faster rumba style but this band has really worked things out: such an expressive control of the waves, the rise and fall, ebb and flow, created what was a distinct scent of ozone as Ken Marley's bowed bass solo seemed to move longingly over the perfect contours of a sun-kissed beach!
This year, after prolonged loud applause, we got that well-deserved encore - a short but sweet delivery of Pam Watson's Ms.B.C. dedicated to Betty Carter and 1st recorded by Art Blakey's JM in 81.
In June 2009 I awarded man-of-the-match to Dave Hignett on trumpet and flugel horn ; this year is no exception but, like the German football team, Alter Ego play so well together with their heads up, they all scored goals - a fine game ; 6:0!
George M.

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