Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 2026)

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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

From This Moment On

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Jam Session @ Hoochie Coochie


Pete Gilligan (pno); Mark Williams (gtr); Paul Grainger (bs);  Dan Reed (dms). Lindsay Hannon, Carly McKee (vcls).

The quartet opened with Night Train that got things rolling nicely along. Pete and Mark in blues mode, Dan and Paul fuelling the engine. Next stop was Powellville and Bud's Bubble which was worthy of the composer himself. Mark, to quote Paul, was "heavily featured" on How Insensitive which, paradoxically, wasn't! Mark was in great form displaying much sensitivity on this most beautiful of Bossa. The guitarist seems to be continually evolving - bar owner Warren agreed.
The set finished with more Bud Powell - Hallucinations. Great tune and terrific rendition. The guys had hit the right groove tonight alright.
A bottle of London Pride was handed down to me and off we went for the second set.
This had vocal virtuoso Lindsey joining the ensemble for You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To, a hard, rockin' blues - Talkin' 'bout My Baby and more bebop with Night in Tunisia. 
Lindsay was in good voice tonight as was Carly McKee who gave out with the inevitable Summertime and It Don't Mean a Thing before duetting with Lindsay on Cheek to Cheek. This was a war of attrition with both girls going for the jugular! Honours even(ish).
The set concluded with Blues For Pat (Metheny).
I had hoped for a few horn players to show but up to this point it was only the two girls although I did note a guy with a trumpet case so maybe there was more to follow in the third set but the number 27 bus doesn't take these things into consideration so I reluctantly left.. 
Lance.

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