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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

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.

Thu 27: Jamie McCredie @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free. THIS WEEK ONLY JAMES BIRKETT (guitar)!
Fri 28: Luis Verde 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: Knats @ Lubber Fiend, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £11.50. (inc bf.). Album launch gig. Support act TBC.
Fri 28: Black is the Color of My Voice @ The Gala, Durham. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman show inspired by the life of Nina Simone, performed by Florence Odumosu.
Fri 28: Great North Big Band Jazz Festival: Musicians Unlimited @ Park View Community Centre, Chester-le-Street. 8:00pm. £10.00. (Weekend ticket £20.00., available on the door). Day 1/3. Musicians Unlimited in concert.
Fri 28: Redwell @ 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

Sunday, November 06, 2011

Don Fairley and the Friends of Jazz - Ashington Jazz Club Nov. 3

Seventy Six Trombones led the big parade with 100 cornets close behind.This wasn't quite what we got at our Club meeting but we did get our own MUSIC MAN Don Fairley with one trombone and the popular group Friends of Jazz.
The Combo included  Mick Hill (Trumpet and Flugel Horn), Gavin Lee (Soprano and Tenor Sax, clarinet), Bill Britain (Keyboard), Bill Colledge (Electric Bass Guitar), Laurie Brown (Drums) and Mia Webb (Vocals) who introduced a comprehensive and full progamme of 21 Classic Swing selections. The arrangements and quality of presentation were superb as the musicians moved with ease and confidence between the instrumental solos. The front line created a vibrant and exciting Big Band sound while the gentleman of the rhythm section supported with drive and enthusiasm as they drove the music forward. All were outstanding and considering the smallness of the group they embraced the music of the Swing Era with great skill and gave us a performance of which Goodman, Miller, Ellington, Dorsey, Basie and all those who gave birth to Swing  would have been proud. 
Mia introduced the programme throughout the evening while contributing to thirteen lyrics herself so all members were extremely diligent in their embrace of the music they so obviously enjoy. Our good audience responded enthusiastically and often vocally as each piece came to an end. Members liked what they heard and the band appreciated the applause and animated reactions to each performance.

There are some very good Jazz Groups in the North East, each with their own accomplished styles but F of J
must be commended for the Big Band Jazz they bring to the region. This has to be the smallest but the best Big Band sound and I recommend it to you. We loved it.  
I realised that the music of choice actually told a story which is not an original observation. 
Here are some of the numbers but not necessarily in the order as played.Hard Hearted Hannah sat at a table. I said Hello  Dolly what ya doin'. Shakin' the Blues away Way down yonder in New Orleans the Joint was Jumping with the Dixieland One Step. There she replied. But I ain't misbehavin'. I like your Silk Stockings I said and asked if Love was for SaleShe replied It All Depends on You. Don't be mean to me. Just Squeeze Me. It was D'lovely in a Mellow Tone. It Had to be You tonight but Please Don't talk about me when I'm Gone With that I left the Joint with C Jam Blues ringing in my ears.  (Some but not all of the melodies)    
Peter S

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