Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 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

18083 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1047 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 14), 61.

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Sun 21: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. ‘Xmas Swingalong’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 21: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ o2 City Hall, Newcastle. 6:00pm. £35.80., £33.25., £31.00.
Sun 21: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music.
Sun 21: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:30pm. Free.

Mon 22: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:30pm. ‘The A Capella Sessions’. Gardner, Paula Gardner, Alexia Hope Gardner Diamany.
Wed 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Thu 25: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:00pm. ‘All About the Bass Sessions’. Alexia Gardner, Paula Gardner, Jude Murphy.

Fri 26: ???

Sat 27: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 27: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. bf).

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

Monday, February 06, 2012

God is in the house. Paul Edis Trio @ Cherry Tree Restaurant.

Paul Edis (pno); Mick Shoulder (bs); Adam Sinclair (dms).
According to legend, Art Tatum walked into a club and Fats Waller stopped playing and said, "God is in the house." He may well have done although, equally, he could have said, "Gordon's on the house" suggesting that the bartender give him a free shot of his favourite tipple.
That's as maybe but tonight, after Paul Edis' rendition of Tatum's version of Tea For Two, maybe he will acquire the accolade of the ultimate deity. It was an outstanding performance in an evening of outstanding performances both on the stand and in the kitchen - God was certainly in the kitchen tonight - how else could my Slow Cooked Shoulder of Pork, Mustard Mash and Red Cabbage have tasted so good?
The set opened with They All Laughed and I began the evening with Confit Pear and Celeriac Tarts, Pear and Vanilla Puree. 
How High The Moon, Corcovado, Alice in Wonderland, The Preacher, The Nearness of You and It Had To Be You all part of the build-up to the Tatumesque explosion.  
Later, Paul "premièred" an original composition, Cherry Tree Blues in honour of the popular restaurant. He should compose one for the chef - not a blues but a variation on Ode To Joy which my  Clementine Jelly, Spiced Apple Sorbet.surely was.
Adam Sinclair, who played so well with Simon Spillett last Thursday, maintained his good form tonight keeping it swinging and exchanging some exciting fours with Paul. Mick, as ever, laid back, cool and absolutely rock solid without being rigid - a great trio.
I couldn't stay to the very end but that in no way reflects on the music which was superb.
Lance.

2 comments :

Dave P (on Facebook) said...

I agree, Paul's solo version of Tea for Two was amazing. But I also liked the relaxed interaction between each member of the trio. These three know what each other is going to play before they play it.

Roly said...

I heard Paul play Bix's 'In a Mist' a few days ago. Lovely!
Roly

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