Total Pageviews

Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17805 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 126 of them this year alone and, so far, 51 this month (Feb.16).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

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: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Jazz Milestones - 1975.
Thu 20: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 20: Orange Claw Hammer + Peony @ The Globe, Newcastle.7:30pm. Orange Claw Hammer play Captain Beefheart.
Thu 20: Jeremy McMurray & the Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Featuring special guest Zoë Gilby.

Fri 21: JazzMain @ 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: Joe Steels Trio @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. TBC.
Fri 21: Emma Rawicz w. Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

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: Mississippi MacDonald @ Claypath Deli, Durham. 7:00pm. Blues.
Sat 22: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm. £16.50. SOLD OUT!
Sat 22: Michael Woods @ 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: Mark Williams Trio @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 23: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Mu Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Sun 23: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

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

Tue 25: ?

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.

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, January 10, 2011

Ruth Lambert @ The Cherry Tree.

Ruth Lambert (vcl), Stu Collingwood (pno), Neil Harland (bs), Paul Smith (dms).
I had a ringside table tonight at the Cherry Tree. Comfortably ensconced, Ruth joined me and thrust the Concise Edition of the Gasbook in front of me and said, "Pick out some tunes for me." Meanwhile, at the other side of me the waitress asked me if I'd like to order?
The food choice was only slightly simpler and I deliberated long before deciding that Black Pudding Terrine with Pickled Apples looked as safe a banker as Newcastle against Stevenage in the FA Cup - well one out of two isn't bad I suppose and the starter was indeed delicious.
For Ruth's starter I wondered what our worthy constituent in York - Gasbook specialist Liz - would have chosen had she been here and there it was - her favourite - It Could Happen To You. A worthy choice that Ruth exploited to the full.
To follow came, I'm Glad There Is You, How High The Moon, that lilting Jobim piece Agua De Beber, Peggy's He's a Tramp, Nightingale Sang in BS, Old Devil Moon and Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea which is where I was when it came to deciding on a main course.
I opted for Rump Steak done medium rare upon the chef's recommendation. The steak was accompanied by French Fries and Peppermint Butter which was just perfect as were Ruth's own accompanists.
The trio opened up the second set with Stu playing All The Things You Are and adding a few more just as he'd done so brilliantly with A Train in the first set. My Spiced Apple Crumble with Nutmeg Ice Cream didn't need tarting up!
Nor did Ruth who gave out with You and The Night and the Music, Way You Look Tonight and I Fall In Love Too Easily. The meals over, the conversation stilled, I felt all four really loosened up on the latter two numbers - one a swinger the other perhaps the most touching ballad ever written (I know there's many more but that one gets me every time).
The Black Orpheus tune that seems to have more names than Elton John's "son" - Tears Of A Fool this time round - featured some good drumming from Paul, No Moon At All, S'wonderful and 'Round Midnight showed Neal to be at his most inscrutable best .
Metro time meant I missed the finale but it had been a very digestible evening both musically and otherwise.
Lance.

1 comment :

Liz said...

Oh thank you, that is indeed a top fave of mine & one of these days/nights I intend to be there at the Cherry Tree. Every week I read your reviews & marvel at the consistently high quality & variation of the menus & of course the music
Liz

Blog Archive