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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

17655 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 929 of them this year alone and, so far, 74 this month (Dec. 31).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Sun 05: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £7.50.
Sun 05: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 05: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Americana, jazz & blues.
Sun 05: Papa G’s Troves @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free (donations).

Mon 06: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 07: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 7:00pm. Free.

Wed 08: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 08: The Tannery Jam Session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 08: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 08: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Thu 09: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: John H Hammond.
Thu 09: FILM: Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 2:35pm. Documentary (dir. Johan Grimonprez) ‘about jazz, (de)colonial history and activism featuring Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone and Dizzy Gillespie’.
Thu 09: Happy Tuesdays @ Ye Olde Cross, Ryton. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 09: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. Ragtime piano. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 09: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. A Tees Hot Club promotion. The session now monthly, next one Thursday 2nd Feb, then first Thursday in the month thereafter.

Fri 10: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 10: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 10: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 10: Joe Steels Trio @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. Free.

Sat 11: Jason Isaacs @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 11: Under the Wellie @ 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

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Gig of the Year time.

Now's The Time to let us know the gigs you have enjoyed most this year. Because of the impossibility of rating one above all others - a bit like not getting married some might say - perhaps a ceiling of 3 gigs.
I look forward to reading your choices. you can either enter them here as a comment or email me direct at lanceliddle@gmail.com.
Lance.
PS: See comments for complete listings to date. Don't forget there are still more to come so don't delay and send your choice(s) now.

29 comments :

David Francis said...

No contest for me: The Impossible Gentlemen at the Sage.

Ann Alexander said...

How about 'Gabriele Mit Drei' at the Jesmond British Legion on 17th November. A new band hits the scene!

Adrian Tilbrook said...

Lots of great gigs this year - BUT! - Paul Booth Trio at the Corner House last night was truly one of the best performances I've ever witnessed. Three great musicians totally at one with the music. So, my gig of the year by a mile. Paul Booth Trio @ The Corner House December 8th 2011.

Warren said...

mmmmmmmmmmmmm gotta be prejudice , at the Hooch local - , the Budtones . Or truth be told , national , Azymuth , best musicians I have seen ever

w

Roly said...

I loved Josh Duffee's tribute to McKinney's Cotton Pickers concert at W Bay. Not only the musicianship, after one short rehearsal I heard, but the sheer joy of the music plus all the history and anecdotes imparted with great charm between numbers.
Memorable!
Roly

Mike Durham said...

The whole of the Classic Jazz Weekend....

Mike.

Harley Johnson said...

Sadly I haven't been to that many gigs in 2011, although I hope that will change next year. I am going to see Strictly Smoking Big Band on Sunday 18th at Cluny 2 as they are performing a suite by Claude. I've had a sneak preview to the suite and it sounds amazing. That may well be my gig of the year. In the meantime, I would have to say that my favourite gig by a local band has to be Wilbur's Fate at the Head of Steam in August as I found the sound to be refreshing and eloquent, and my favourite gig by an outside band has been Joe Lovano Us5 at the Gateshead International Jazz Festival; always delivers new and creative ideas to his ensembles and repertoire and his improvisation is inspiring!

John Marlor said...

Hi
As I'm allowed 3
In order they are
Sean Noonan's Bourne to Brew The Bridge March 13
Paul Booth's Organ Trio The Corner House Dec 8
Tommaso Starace (+pianist) at the Chilli May 25
OR
Vasilous Xenopolous & Paul Eddis at Blaydon.
I know that's 4!!
Why not a seperate catagory for LOCAL band gig of the year

Lance said...

By all means John - local band's gigs too.

John Taylor said...

In no particular order: NCRO, Lindsay Hannon Plus, Djangology.

Bill Weston said...

Maureen and I would like to nominate the Paul Edis Sextet heard at the Bridge Hotel this year. If my memory serves me right you were also there.

Norman Redhead said...

Paul Booth Organ Trio at the Corner House
Seasons Greetings
Norman

Brian Chester said...

I've gone for the Green Festival and Hannabiell, plus Pink Martini and Janis Ian @ The Sage.

Paul Fletcher said...

and the winner is ................ Charlotte Glasson....@ Schmazz ....

To me this is as good as it gets: world class musicians playing varied material; lots of interest and complexity but not an ounce of pretention.
You don’t have to be a jazz head to enjoy the music but nor could any jazz head fault it.
Solos at this gig were amongst the best I have heard ever anywhere.
Keep up the good work Lance and have a good one
Paul

Lance said...

Final choices
Tommaso Starace Quartet at the Chilli,
Lennart Andersson at Blaydon or the Cherry Tree.
Greg Abate at the Corner House,
Vasilous Xenopolous at Durham or Blaydon.
And at a local band level - The Jazzathon at the Lit and Phil, which saw the cream play a charity gig.

Liz said...

Carol Kidd @York Theatre Royal earlier in the year
Liz

Dave Brownlow said...

It has to be Greg Abate at the Corner House. Bird wasin the room.

Lance said...

Ignore my previous post - Last night at the Bridge with Tim Garland, Jim Mullen, Andy Champion and Adrian Tilbrook was IT!

Russell said...

1)Stan Tracey Quartet @ The Sage
2)Convergence Quartet @ The Lit & Phil
3)Lewis Watson Trio @ The Jazzathon, Lit & Phil

Russell

stevebfc said...

in no particlar order (sorry couldn't limit it to 3)
Syndkoko - Star & Shadow
Q - Central
Bejamin Moussay - Lit and Phil
Charles Gayle and Hans Bennick -Lit & Phil

Anonymous said...

A close thing between Greg Abate and Tim Garland/Jim Mullen but Greg gets it because of the added bonus of his Ginsbergian rap at the end involving rain, Jethro Tull, a haunted house, Led Zepplin, more rain, and driving thro' the hills of Italy in the middle of the night to record an album on his own in a warehouse possibly owned by the Mafia...
Mini gig of the year - has to be Lewis Watson Trio at Lit & Phil

JC

Miles W said...

Hi Lance, here's my belated entry for gig of the year. The Customs House Big Band at the Saville Exchange, just to hear Kevin Eland's trumpet on the Peanut Vendor. (I know I should get out more.)
All the best to you and yours and see you next year.
Miles

Jerry said...

Apologies - been away -
Only got back yesterday
And gig-of-the-year
Deadline near......
For pizazz and hullabalorum
Jason Isaacs at the Forum!
JERRY

Pam said...

Honestly what a year for jazz in the North East, I really can not put my choices down to three!!!sorry.
Paul Booth Organ Trio was fabulous as was Tim Garland/Jim Mullen but lets not forget the amazing ACV and Paul Edis our local stars.
Brass Jaw at the Lit & Phil, Michael Janisch Paradigm Shift,Tommaso Starace Quartet, Benjamin Moussay Trio from France and oh what a night Charles Gayle and Han Bennink!! and at the Sage, Enescu Re-imagined was sublime.
Thanks to all involved in whatever way lets keep Jazz alive.
Merry Christmas everyone and hope to see you all in the New Year
Peace and love
Pam

24 December 2011 23:03

Jerry said...

Feel as though I should use my full quota of nominations - albeit belatedly!
Please add Greg Abate at the Corner House and Vasilis Xenopoulos at Blaydon to my existing nomination (Jason Isaacs).

Dave the Rave said...

Wasn't that Tim Garland/Jim Mullen gig great It's my nomination for gig of the year.
See ya soon
Dave
TAKE IT TO THE BRIDGE

Margaret Barnes. said...

Stan Tracey Quartet at The Sage - marvelous!

Brian Chester said...

Second bite at the cherry - Gerry Richardson on the Concourse at the Sage.

Phil said...

A bit late but my choices for 2011 were :-
Tim Garland and Jim Mullen with sensational support by Andy Champion and Adrian Tilbrook.
Paul Booth Trio
The amazing ACV

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