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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17680 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 23 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Jan. 9).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Mon 13: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 13: Raymond MacDonald & Andy Champion @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 14: Zoë Gilby Quintet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 15: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 15: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 15: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 15: Hot Club of Heaton @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘third Wednesday in the month’ session. TBC.

Thu 16: Pete Tanton & the Cuban Heels @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio w. Graham Hardy @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. (inc. a welcome drink & table reservation). Book at: www.drinks@thepele.co.uk. A ‘Jazz at the Pele’ promotion.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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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