Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

March

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Jazz Café Jam

Sarah Travena (ten), Peter Gilligan (pno), Matthew Office (gtr), Paul Grainger (bs), Eric Stutt (dms), Gaby, Claire (vcls).
Elaine Binney (vln), Omid Ramak (dms), ? (gtr/vcl).
I approached The Forth wondering as I passed if anyone knew that the licensee of the pub was once Heavyweight Champion of the World Tommy Burns. Burns was a glorified cruiser punching above his weight before losing the crown to the mighty Jack Johnson and I guess Pink Lane has seen a few guys punching above their weight over the years.
Nearing the Jazz Café the unmistakeable sound of Pete Gilligan beating his keyboard into near submission filled the night air. Pete plays great piano. As I drew closer I could also hear Eric Stutt's easily identifiable ride cymbal and Paul's bass. Matt's guitar could also be heard - just. It was only when I got inside that I realised Sarah was blowing tenor but I had to get close up to hear the nice things she was doing to Besamé Mucho. Her solo was as long as her skirt was short - easy on the ear and the eye but why oh why isn't she miked up?
Likewise the vocalists who were miked had to struggle to be heard above the rhythm section.
Gaby did a lovely I'm Thru With Love despite the thunder and lightning going on behind her.
Having said all that - it's still a great afternoon.
After the regulars left for the coast Elaine, Omid and a guy who played acoustic and sang Summertime joined Matt and Eric as I too left - for The Bridge.
Lance.

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