Bebop Spoken There

Warne Marsh: "At some point, you have to be prepared to create—to perform. It's vital, man, if we're talking about jazz, the original jazz, the performing art. It fulfils its meaning only when you play it live in front of an audience." DownBeat January 1983.

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

18191 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 45 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 14), 45

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Tue 20: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Ben Lawrence, Paul Grainger, Joe Deans.

Wed 21: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 21: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 21: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 22: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: 2025 obituaries.
Thu 22: Ronnie Scott’s Soho Songbook @ The Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm. SOLD OUT!
Thu 22: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta. @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm (doors). £6.50 (inc. bf).

Fri 23: Sue Ferris Quintet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 23: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 23: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 23: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 24: An Evening with Will Todd @ Durham Cathedral. 7:30pm. Feat. Voices of Hope, Strictly Smokin’ Big Band (members of) & Alice Grace. Performance inc. Todd’s Jazz Missa Brevis. £25.50., £13.50., £19.50., £10.50.

Sun 25: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: Gaz Hughes Trio @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 25: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: Alexia Gardner Trio @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00.

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

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Jim Birkett with the Paul Edis Trio at the Cherrytree. October 17.

James Birkett (gtr); Paul Edis (pno/fl/clt); Mick Shoulder (bs); Adam Sinclair (dms).
Responding to the exhortations of local jazz bloggers, over the last few months I've been trying to get to as many gigs as possible. I have to say it's been a very positive experience and during this time I've been struck by the diversity of venues, the quantity of good jazz that is on offer and the quality of the musicians and singers. What is also striking is the versatility of these musicians and their ability to adapt to a variety of different musical styles and band formats. This was again demonstrated by the session at the Cherry Tree on Monday night.
The opening of the Cherry Tree as a jazz venue a few years ago was a particular bonus as not only was it just up the road from our house but to be able to have a nice glass of wine and a good meal while listening to quality jazz (in the midst of a cultural wasteland based on vertical drinking) seemed too good to be true. So, we have been quite regular visitors.
Last Monday night's session with Jim Birkett and the Paul Edis Trio was a real pleasure. I last heard Paul play an incredible 40 minute improvised piece with Lewis Watson at the Jazzathon at the Lit and Phil and before that heard the trio match visiting US saxophonist Greg Abate solo for solo at the Corner House. Now here, in front of what is best described as a select audience (Paul as MC described it as an 'intimate' evening'), the group played beautifully balanced sets of constantly musically interesting standards, and, if I heard correctly, at least one original composition. Paul was in 'consecutive' Roland Kirk mode, playing clarinet and flute, as well as piano, which I hadn't heard him do before and this matched very well with Jim's fine guitar playing. One flute and guitar tune drew shouts of appreciation from the audience. Now if Paul ever gets to play all three instruments together, that's going to be pretty impressive.
As usual, I could whistle the tunes after I heard the first four bars but could only identify a few titles. However, the rendition of Stella by Starlight was very nice and led to some discussion about other possible song titles involving Latin names and types of light. We came up with Luna by Moonlight and Aqua by Floodlight, but just couldn't think of any name to go with Flashlight....
A good night's jazz in a very nice setting.
JC.

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