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Bebop Spoken There

Trevor Mires: ''My mum is a Dean Martin fan: I'm not, so I would grab my skateboard and get out of the house whenever I heard "Everybody Loves Somebody, Sometime." ". (Jazzwise, April 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

17957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 278 of them this year alone and, so far, 34 this month (April 14).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 21: Newcastle Record Fair @ Copthorne Hotel, Newcastle. 10:00am. Going in search of the Buddy Bolden cylinder…
Mon 21: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. Coquetdale Jazz.

Wed 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 23: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 23: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Thu 24: Mary Coughlan @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm. £33.80. Blues, jazz etc.
Thu 24: Darlington Big Band @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 25: Vasilis Xenopoulos & Paul Edis @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT! Duo performance.
Fri 25: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 25: Andrea Vicari Trio @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. Vicari (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums).
Fri 25: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 25: Red Kites Jazz @ Land of Oak & Iron, Winlaton Mill. 6:00-9:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: Vasilis Xenopoulos & Paul Edis @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Fri 25: Struggle Buggy @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. Rhythm & blues.
Fri 25: Paul Skerritt Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm. £20.30., £18.00. All-star big band.
Fri 25: Andrea Vicari Trio @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Vicari (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums). An Opus 4 Jazz Club event.

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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