Total Pageviews

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

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

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: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

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

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

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: 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.

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

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Maine Street Jazzmen @ Jazz at the Fell @ the Legion. February 11th

Ray Harley (trumpet), Herbie Hudson (trombone, harmonica & vocals), Jim McBriarty (clarinet, alto sax & vocals), Malcolm Armstrong (piano), Alan Rudd (double bass), Ernie Jackson (drums) & Olive Rudd (vocals) Jazz at the Fell was recently bowled a bouncer by Gateshead Fell Cricket Club resulting in stumps and bails flying this way and that. Undeterred, Ron Pollard & co. have pitched up at the British Legion Club and with luck will occupy the crease for years to come.
The Legion's concert room has a large dance floor, ample seating, a car park and remarkably cheap beer. Book a top jazz band and you're onto a winner.
The ever busy Maine Street Jazzmen had the honour of playing the opening night. A good crowd turned out (some of them late comers - 'I couldn't find it', 'I went straight past it' were comments at the door).
The first number of the night was Just a Little While to Stay Here. A great gospel tune played with due reverence. How to follow that? With a rag - Panama Rag - and two bars in the dance floor was packed. Jim McBriarty sang If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight) and band vocalist Olive Rudd got up to tell us It Had To Be You. New Orleans came to the Legion in glorious style with a Bugle Boy March brolly parade and to quote Herbie Hudson... 'fantastic'. Vocalist Rudd returned to the stage to see out the final over before the interval and she really did Swing That Music.
The interval score: The Maine Street 100 not out, Gateshead Cricket Club all out for 0.
A raffle, a natter, a refill and the second set was under way. Jeepers Creepers, Black and Blue (excellent vocals from Hudson) and Varsity Drag (McBriarty's sober vocal style and excellent alto) came thick and fast. We heard Buddy's Habits and all went home happy parading down Bourbon Street.
The night was a resounding success; Jazz at the Fell @ the Legion and the Maine Street were still at the crease at the end of the night with an unbeaten 1000 not out. The non-jazz cricketing opposition? Nowhere to be seen.
In the coming weeks and months look our for Sammy Rimington, the Hot Antic Jazz Band and many more. Next week (Friday 18th) get along to the Legion (Coatsworth Road, Gateshead) to hear the Rae Brothers. Russell

No comments :

Blog Archive