Total Pageviews

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

17719 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 39 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Jan. 15).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

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: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick TD15 1AS. 7:30pm. Free. Album launch gig.
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.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

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

Friday, December 23, 2011

Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Millstone

Brian Bennett (banjo & vocals), Fred Rowe (trumpet & vocals), Barry Soulsby (clarinet & vocals), Lawrence McBriarty (trombone), Brian Sibbald (double bass) & Fred Thompsom (drums & vocals)
The Millstone in South Gosforth has a renewed commitment to real ale and with the recent opening of the upstairs function room (latterly occupied by pigeons) it didn't take long for the entrepreneurial Brian Bennett to realise the potential for establishing a regular jazz gig in the area. 
The Vieux Carré Jazzmen's regulars have followed the band and on this occasion it was Christmas party time. A host of tunes - jazz and the popular song of the day -  were despatched in good humour amidst the merriment and pints of this and that. When You Wore a Tulip, By the Beautiful Sea (Fred Rowe vocal) and Duke's Saratoga Swing (feat. Rowe and trombone man Lawrence McBriarty) went down well as did a pint of the Jarrow Brewery's Rivet Catcher. The set list was a real gumbo and Hank Williams' Jambalaya served to prove the point. Some of These Days (strong trumpet from Rowe) and When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam continued the Dixieland feel until MC Bennett surprised (horrified?) his band mates as he handed out a job-lot of Santa hats (origin South Shields' market?). They went along with it, donning the quality merchandise, perhaps fearing that refusing to do so would see them being fired on the spot, season of goodwill or not! The inevitable Jingle Bells (yes, I will mention it Mr.B!) provided the first opportunity for (compulsory?) audience participation. As we sang along some of us went down to the bar for a much needed seasonal/medicinal drink. Rivet Catcher had been seen off (not all of it by me), so it was with great delight that the hard to find draught Bass was on the bar. I ordered a pint. The barmaid said: That's £2.45.please. I said: £2.45! I'll have two! What a bargain. 
Climbing the stairs once more to find Barry Soulsby and Fred Thompson in vocal harmony on I Get the Blues When it Rains restored order to the proceedings only to be followed by the outrageous FanlighFanny. A George Formby 'classic', veteran Fred Rowe positively revelled in vocal devilment. Jelly Roll Morton featured before the night was done and Bennett and Co. sent us on our way with Goin' Home. This was a good night in a good pub, on a bus route into town and close to South Gosforth Metro station. Should you be one for making resolutions then resolve to get along, if not next week, then in the new year. Admission is free, the beers are tip-top and you can't go wrong with the Vieux Carré for a 'canny night out'.

Russell

No comments :

Blog Archive