Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: ''It was then that Coltrane came along and single-handedly brought this dimension of spirituality into jazz. It was a pivotal experience to me.'' (DownBeat September, 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

18957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 821 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 30.) 100.

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

October.

Mon 05: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 05: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Tue 06: Alan Law @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free. Alan Law (piano) w. Paul Grainger (double bass).
Tue 06: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Murray Oak, Paul Grainger, John Bradford.
Tue 06: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 06: Black is the Color of My Voice @ Northern Stage, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman stage play inspired by Nina Simone. First night of two.

Wed 07: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free. Wed 07: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 07: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 07: Black is the Color of My Voice @ Northern Stage, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman stage play inspired by Nina Simone. Second night of two.

Thu 08: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 08: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free (donations).
Thu 08: Indigo Jazz Voices w. Little Big Band @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 09: Dean Stockdale Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums).
Fri 09: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle.

Sat 10: Catfish Keith @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £19.00. + bf. Jumpin’ Hot Club.

Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free. Feat. guest Jack ‘Banjo’ Courtney (trumpet).
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Harry Christelis Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A Jazz Co-op-JNE co-promotion.

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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