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Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 2024).

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

17630 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 904 of them this year alone and, so far, 49 this month (Dec. 20).

From This Moment On ...

December

Wed 25: Wot? No jazz!

Thu 26: The Boneshakers @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. The 17th annual Boneshakers’ Shindig.

Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free. Business as usual!.
Fri 27: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 27: Michael Woods @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sat 28: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 11:30am. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 28: Fri 20: Castillo Nuevo @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 28: Jude Murphy, Rich Herdman & Giles Strong @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Stepney Bank, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

Sun 29: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 29: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 30: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Tue 31: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 12 noon-2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington (National Trust), Cambo, Morpeth NE61 4AR. 12 noon & 2:00pm. Admission to site £19.00.
Tue 31: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Archie Brown & Friends @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00-8:00pm. Free.

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, March 05, 2012

Great North Big Band Jazz Festival. Saturday March 3. Part One

North Shore, Sunderland was the place to be this weekend for lovers of the big band. Under the stewardship of Bill Watson, the festival, now in its ninth year, was the biggest,  most far reaching and best yet. Big Band aficionado Tony Eales informed Bebop Spoken Here that the Friday evening launch was a great success with a good crowd in to hear  alto saxophonist  Paul Jones (BBC Big Band) and Musicians Unlimited’s MD Mick Donnelly (tenor saxophone) in the company of an all-star rhythm section of Colin Haikney (keyboards), Neil Harland (double bass) and Adrian Tilbrook (drums). The quintet was augmented by the specially assembled Festival Big Band and serving to illustrate the growing reach of the event there was a set by the University of Warwick Big Band
Saturday morning saw the start of the competition element of the event. The Youth section opened with the Gateshead based Paraffernalia (MD David Blakey). The band’s set was topped and tailed by two competition staples The Chicken and Birdland. 
Durham County Youth Big Band (MD Shaun Eland) followed and brought in a cracking trumpet section. Northumberland Youth Jazz Orchestra (MD Dave Hignett) included the Young Blood Brass Band’s Brooklyn in an accomplished performance. 
Festival director Bill Watson took time out to lead the Tees Valley Youth Big Band. The ensemble’s saxophone section caught the ear and Song for an Autumn Day proved to be a highlight. 
The Shelley Music Centre Big Band (MD Jamie O’Brien) were first time participants at Sunderland and made a good impression with a set that included The Chicken and Mas Que Nada
The Humber Delta jazz scene is in good hands with Sean Miller, MD of the Hull Youth Jazz Orchestra. Oliver Nelson’s Stolen Moments featured Danny Barley (trombone) and was a joy to listen to. 
Jamie O’Brien (MD) put in some overtime to lead Kirklees Youth Jazz Orchestra with the saxophone section on top form. 
Festival regulars Doncaster Youth Swing Orchestra (MD John Ellis) were on the Right Track (comp. Jeff Jarvis) and closed the competition with Gordon Goodwin’s arresting Jazz Police
The adjudicators – Paul Jones and Mick Donnelly – deliberated long and hard. Jones and Donnelly decided to present two special awards. Paraffernalia’s drummer Beth Carabine made such a good impression that due recognition was well deserved and Durham County Youth Big Band were commended for their version of Invitation. Kirklees Youth Jazz Orchestra scooped the award for Best Balanced Programme. The Best Section award went to the trombones of the Doncaster Youth Swing Orchestra. Robbie Chapman-Thong (guitar) took the honours for Best Soloist much to the delight of his Durham County Youth Big Band colleagues and Best Band 2012 were Paraffernalia. Prizes were presented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Sunderland University.
Russell.

3 comments :

Anonymous said...

Dave Mckeague from wilbur's fate here. Well done to Beth on winning the award! I must correct you on her name though, its 'Carabine'! i know as she's one of my students! Awesome blog, keep up the great work and we look forward to seeing you at the next WF gig.

Lance said...

Correction made - Carabine it is.

Russell said...

Thanks for the correction Dave. Are you doing the Wilbur's Fate gig at Hoochie Coochie?

Russell

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