Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 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

18818 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 682 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 20) 51.

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

August

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ 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: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 27: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 27: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00.

Fri 28: Graham Hardy Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 29: Brian Jackson @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:30pm (doors). £32.00.

Sun 30: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Tango Jazz Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

September.

Tue 01: Customs House Big Band @ Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 01: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, John Hirst.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Of All The Gin Joints in Newcastle...

Pete Gilligan (pno,bs); Eric Stutt (dms); Sarah Travena (ten); Matthew Office (gtr); Stuart Finden (ten, pno, bas); Fiona Littlewood (vcl, ten); Gaby (vcl).
The Jazz Café reminds me of Rick's in the film Casablanca. I'm not sure why - Keith ain't no Humphrey Bogart!
It's the cosmopolitan edge. In the film, Rick says 'I'm a citizen of the world' and you get that feeling in the Pink Lane Jazz Joint.
This afternoon there were Japanese, Portuguese, Mancunians and a Germanic vocalist.
Let's talk about Frau Gaby.
Gaby, one of Lindsay Hannen's protéges, is an ever improving talent.
Today, her chosen works were; I'm Beginning To See The Light, Love Me Or Leave Me, Get Out of Town, Lullaby of Birdland and God Bless The Child all done with great sensitivity. On the swingers Gaby's scat choruses were a blast.
Gaby - Der star!
Earlier, Fiona had demonstrated just how much she too has developed as a vocalist on There Is No Greater Love, Straight No Chaser, Corcovado, Gee Baby Ain't I Good To you, and My Baby Likes to Bebop.
Midst it all Sarah was blowing great tenor, Pete was kicking D dim 7ths into Clayton Street - ably abetted by Eric on kit. Stu Finden put in some basswork and Matt Office had a few moments of glory on guitar.
Casablanca it ain't but it's pretty damn close!
Play it Pete!
Lance.
PS: When Colin Aitchison sent me a Ned Kelly's tee shirt he requested a photo of me wearing it at a local jazz venue hence the above picture taken by Rick or rather Keith.

3 comments :

George Milburn said...

Must get along to this Jazz Cafe - the gang poured into the Head of Steam last night - hey Lance, aren't you supposed to smile!

Lance said...

It was so cold standing outside I was scared to open my mouth in case icicles formed!

Unknown said...

Gaby was also on superb form at the Jazz Cafe on Monday 13 Dec, where she was taking part in the end of term showcase for Blue Jazz Voices. There's another session on Wednesday 15 Dec. Lindsay is really doing a great job at bringing talented but shy vocalists out of the bathroom and into the bar room.

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