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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

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: 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: ???

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

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

ACV @ Cluny 2. February 28

Andy Champion (double bass),  Paul Edis (keyboards), Graeme Wilson (tenor & baritone saxophones), Mark Williams (guitar) & Adrian Tilbrook (drums).
New CD in the can (release date hopefully sometime soon), Andy Champion’s five piece band played a gig on home turf down in the Ouseburn for Schmazz @ The Cluny. Studio sessions behind them, the boys were in top gear from the off. 
Highlights were many, none more so than A Line Made by Walking. Guitarist Mark Williams and saxophonist Graeme Wilson appear to operate by telepathy in developing a line; Williams, then Wilson, Wilson, Williams, Williams, Wilson, then in unison. Never Ever (it is on the new CD) with an arco bass pattern also featured Williams. 
What’s For Breakfast? was playful, deceptively so, as Wilson’s baritone signalled a power surge with the band going into overdrive. Up river a half mile or so from the Cluny is a Tyneside landmark linking a beer drinker’s paradise –  The Crown Posada – via seemingly endless, steep stone steps to another beer drinker’s paradise – The Bridge Hotel. Locally this Bacchanalian Stairway to Drinker’s Heaven is known as Dog Leap Stairs. Bandleader Champion likes a half of shandy now and again so he thought it a good idea to write a tune and call it Dog Leap Stairs. On the evidence of this first public airing of the tune it could become a firm favourite (Wilson on baritone and guitarist Williams once more impressed a most receptive audience). Oh, yes – the tune is on the new, hopefully soon to be released CD.  
A new tune – Second Season – let those who didn’t know it that Graeme Wilson is a fine lyrical tenor player. He could have been playing for vocalist Ruth Lambert (they have worked together for years) or perhaps Zoe Gilby such was the delicacy. More familiar ACV material followed – Giant Mice (forever more in cyberspace folklore - checkout Dancing Dude on YouTube) and another beer related number Dust Red (checkout the excellent Consett Brewery) featured a bass solo and Wilson’s tenor. Paul Edis (keyboards), the quiet man of the quintet is always impressive whatever the context and   here at the Cluny was no different. The man at the back – Adrian Tilbrook – looked like he was enjoying the occasion  and the encore (Without Bones) has become something of a tradition. 
If you haven’t heard the band play this number then get along to one of their gigs asap. It is difficult to convey just how good it is. Drums, guitar, tenor, bass, keys – all play their socks off. If you’re within a hundred miles of Leeds on Thursday night do yourself a favour and get along to Spin Off. It just so happens ACV will be there.
Above photo courtesy of Adrian Tilbrook.
Russell        

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