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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 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

17904 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 225 of them this year alone and, so far, 72 this month (March 24).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 30: Jan Spencelayh & Dave Archbold @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 30: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

APRIL 2025

Tue 01: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Mark Robertson.
Tue 01: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 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, August 18, 2010

Eilleena @ The Spice of Life.

Eilleena, Rachel Reilly, Paul Pace, David Eisin, (vcls), Geoff Eales (pno), Rik Rickinbok (spelling?) (bs), Simon Pearson (dms), Abram Wilson (tpt).
Eilleena was a name new to me - as was the owner - a bubbly, black, British born, American based, Citizen of the World.
From the opening bars of Perdido the room relaxed and we knew a treat was in store. Next up was Victor Young's Beautiful Love, a moving Nearness of You, an absolutely amazing But Not For Me, Devil May Care, a Ruby My Dear that simmered with emotion, What a Little Moonlight Can Do, Lush Life and Centerpiece.
Eilleena is a total jazz singer who improvises and re-shapes the melody without resorting to scat.
Check her out if you get the chance.
Earlier, Rachel Riley (Reilly?) took us through My Baby Just Cares For me a la Nina, Dinji, God Bless The Child and I Thought About You. She did them good.
Previously, Club Supremo and Compere Paul Pace had opened up the show with a swinging This Can't Be Love. Paul also kicked off the final set this time with You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To that featured a surprise guest - trumpet player Abram Wilson. Both of them swung.
A couple came up from the floor. David Eison dedicated That's All to Eilleena who scuttled down front and sat looking suitably dewy-eyed.
Another girl whose name I didn't catch sang an unaccompanied original (I think) before the lady who had captivated us all returned for a quick blast on Bye Bye Blackbird (with a little help from Abram) before the bell tolled.
Throughout the evening the Geoff Eales Trio provided solid backing. Geoff is an ebullient player, an extrovert, albeit with a leaning to the theatrical at times with his liberal use of quotes - I counted at least four Old Man Rivers! Nevertheless, when he's serious he can really play.
I was glad it was a good evening as I felt more than a little guilty about not supporting Sarah Ellen Hughes down at the Bull's Head - a place full of memories for me.
Likewise, I had to turn down an invitation from Aya at Space Is The Place. It had been a hectic three days and, by this time, the Liddle limbs had become laboured and lethargic.
Deffo next time.
Lance.

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