Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Today

It's raining - to be polite about it - and the Chilli Road Band have an open-air gig providing the "inspiration" for the runners to complete the Great North 10K Run.
Admittedly we are in a what is described as a marque although small tent would be a better description. I should explain that the CRB, today, consisted of steel drums, pans, congas, kit, 5 trumpets, trombone, 3 saxes and flute. It was all very intimate - and wet and muddy!
Nevertheless, Canteloupe Island, The Chicken, Blue Bossa, Ska Blues and other numbers certainly got the runners increasing their pace!
It was a non stop blow and I felt knackered after "swimming" home.
I decided today there would be no Jazz Café, Central Bar or Bridge Hotel. Apologies all round.
Instead I read Let Me Die by Megan Abbott and watched Mark Cavendish win yet another stage of Le Tour.
If you haven't read Megan Abbott and like Raymond Chandler this babe is Chandler's literary heir.
I'm now chilling out with Peggy Lee's Dream Street. I've got Dream Street on CD but I'm playing the vinyl - scratches and all - sounds better that way!
A can of Old Speckled Hen also helps the ambiance and I raise a glass to Eric ...
Come to think of it we should all be raising a glass to Eric or at least paying tribute with a comment or two...
Lance.

1 comment :

Liz said...

Well Lance you do remarkably well in all your endeavours. I have heard some good sounds today, Radio York on a Sunday eve has Neil Foster playing some wonderful stuff, and he invites live phone calls (which I take up) also listening to Mel Tormé earlier singing Midnight Sun, Bossa Nova style just sent me into raptures
Liz

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