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Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 2024).

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

17630 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 904 of them this year alone and, so far, 49 this month (Dec. 20).

From This Moment On ...

December

Tue 24: Lindsay Hannon & Mark Williams @ Ernest, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 11:00am-1:00pm. Free.
Tue 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.

Wed 25: Wot? No jazz!

Thu 26: The Boneshakers @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. The 17th annual Boneshakers’ Shindig.

Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free. Business as usual!.
Fri 27: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 27: Michael Woods @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sat 28: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 11:30am. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 28: Fri 20: Castillo Nuevo @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 28: Jude Murphy, Rich Herdman & Giles Strong @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Stepney Bank, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

Sun 29: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 29: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 30: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

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

Friday, June 03, 2011

I Took A Trip On A Train and I wish I'd took the bus!..

There is something about a good big band that draws musicians and listeners together. In the case of the Customs House Big Band, for me, it is the superbly blended sax section, for others it's the power of the brass or the swinging rhythm section - not forgetting Ruth's vocals which were superb tonight. Add the solos and you have as near perfection as you're ever going to get in big band music.
I loved every moment but, boats and buses and trains beckoned so I reluctantly opted out of the second set. I bounced down to the ferry landing, Ruth's Embraceable You jostling with the band's Woodchoppers Ball in my head. Alan 's tenor solos, Jill's gorgeous alto sound, Michael Lamb, the high note guy - the lot - my mind was full of it. South Shield's Metro was full of officials all grouped together so - being in a group mood - I took a photo of them thinking it would add a nice touch to what had been an evening of togetherness both on and off stage and one that the Metro folk's families might appreciate.
I confess that I got that one wrong!
Their spokesman demanded I remove the photo from my camera at once!
I flipped as one would in the circumstances and, in a senior moment, couldn't remember how to delete a photo! - it happens buddy when you reach the silver years!
I got on the train and was ordered off the train. Next thing there were police on the scene. I wondered if I'd accidentally left a hand-grenade in my pocket.
The cop deleted the photo from my camera - I asked him where he was when my my house was burgled or my car stolen but he just shrugged.
What the hell - the band still sounded great and, paradoxically, their first number had been Gordon Goodwin's The Jazz Police! Gig photos.
Lance.

3 comments :

Jazz Album said...

I'm glad that you enjoyed the band. I pay attention to a good drummer and piano since I'm a pianist and I like percussion. That picture looks awesome and those songs are great.

Russell said...

Now move along sir. Yes, of course you've been to a big band concert, just come this way...

Russell

Anonymous said...

so who were these officials then? blimey Lance, you do live dangerously, I'd lay low for a while if I were you, they've probably got you on CCTV!!
Liz

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