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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 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

17904 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 225 of them this year alone and, so far, 72 this month (March 24).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Mon 31: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

APRIL 2025

Tue 01: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Mark Robertson.
Tue 01: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 02: Lauren Bush: The Jazz Singer’s Toolkit @ The Pele, Corbridge. 1:00-4:00pm. Vocalist Lauren Bush with pianist Jamil Sheriff presents a jazz singing workshop. £40.00. (inc. evening concert, see below). Registration required for workshop: www.laurenbushjazz.com. All ability levels welcome.
Wed 02: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 02: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 2:30-4:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Wed 02: Lauren Bush & Jamil Sheriff @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00-9:00pm. £10.00. Concert performance. Tickets: www.laurenbushjazz.com.
Wed 02: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 02: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. POSSIBLE CANCELLATION. See website for updates: www.theglobenewcastle.bar.

Thu 03: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Women in Jazz.
Thu 03: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 03: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. A Tees Hot Club promotion. First Thursday in the month.

Fri 04: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 04: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 04: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 04: Ruth Lambert Quartet @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00.
Fri 04: Tom McGuire & the Brassholes @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £20.00.
Fri 04: Nicolas Meier’s Infinity Group + Spirit of Jeff Beck @ The Forum, Darlington. 7:30pm.

Sat 05: Tenement Jazz Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 05: Sleep Suppressor @ Head of Steam, Newcastle. 5:30-6:00pm.
Sat 05: King Bees @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 6:00pm. Free.
Sat 05: Raymond MacDonald & Jer Reid @ Lubber Fiend, Newcastle. 6:00-9:30pm. £7.72., £1.00. (minimum donation). MacDonald & Reid + Objections + Yotuns.
Sat 05: Jeff Hewer Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 05: Kamasi Washington @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. £33.00.
Sat 05: Vermont Big Band @ The Seahorse, Whitley Bay. 7:30pm. Tickets: £10.00 (from the venue).
Sat 05: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 06: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £7.50.
Sun 06: Learning & Participation Showcase @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm (1:00pm doors). Free. Featuring participants from Play More Jazz! Play More Folk! Blue Jam Singers & more.
Sun 06: Joe Steels Group @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00. Ferg Kilsby, Joe Steels, Ben Lawrence, Paul Susans, John Hirst.
Sun 06: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 06: Paul Skerritt @ The Hooch, Quayside, Newcastle. 6:00pm.
Sun 06: Leeway @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

When Harry (Connick jr.) Met Roly (Veitch).

Keith Crombie's 'Jazz Cafe', still going strong in Newcastle, is the stuff of legend. Someone should write a book about it. There are countless anecdotes.
One memorable event took place on the 11th June 1993. It was one of those experiences as a musician you never forget.
That evening we had a quartet playing there - Bill Harper pno, Clem Avery bass, Miles Nicholas drms and myself gtr/vcls. Miles was a great drummer who had recently completed the music diploma at Newcastle College, he later emigrated to Australia and I often wonder what happened to him. He had a wonderful ability to 'swing'.
Also present that evening was the very young Paul Booth (with dad Eric) - even then he was amazing.
Well the word had gone round that some of Harry Connick's band may be dropping in for a blow - they had a concert at Newcastle City Hall that same evening. There was a palpable air of anticipation and excitement. Would anything happen?
Well sure enough, later in the evening, some strangers with instrument cases began to appear. The word had gone round too as there was a big crowd  - it was buzzing.
After having a drink and checking out the place they were soon over to chat to the band and keen to play.
I remember first up was a wonderful bop altoist - a tall, handsome negro called Brad Leali. What a great guy he was - he just absolutely loved to play. He actually gave me his contact details and said if ever over in NY to look him up. A year or two later I was watching some American TV show and I saw his name in the credits as MD.
Brad was soon getting the others up to play - the entire saxophone section were there. I don't have the names unfortunately but believe me they were all fantastic - a brilliant baritone player in particular. All they wanted to do was play on all evening.
Some members of the rhythm section came too, among them the guitarist. He just had a brief sit in but we had a long chat about gear etc. His name was Russell Malone - he went on to fame with Diana Krall and now has an international career in his own right.
A bit later in the evening, and in the midst of all this frenetic activity, a hooded figure appeared. Someone trying to hide his identity or just being trendy? Yes - it was Harry.
Eventually he joined in playing some drums, some bass, some piano.  He didn't say much but was there quite a while enjoying the scene before slipping away back to his hotel.
But the sax section played on, and on, and on,  joined by Paul Booth who even then could hold his own.
No one wanted to stop - I remember it was about 2.30 am when things began to wind down a bit. Even then Connick's boys wanted to play on. Phew!
Over the next few days there was quite a bit publicity about it. I dont know who did it but there were photos and write ups in the local press with headlines such as 'Harry drops in for a jam', 'Jammin' with a legend' etc.
So there it was - a memorable experience at the good old Jazz Cafe. I've often wondered about Brad Leali, what is he doing now etc. He was such a lovely person and I think he was the moving force who made it all happen.
Roly.

3 comments :

Anonymous said...

Hello Miles. What a surprise. Indeedy, still a local lad. Born in Blaydon, live in Blaydon - will probably pop off in Blaydon. Glad you are doing well - I heard you had a lot of success in Australia with the trio.
Very best wishes and I wish you continued success.
Roly

Miles Nicholas said...

Good lord! That brings back a boat load of memories. Roly! How are you? Hi Lance too! That was an amazing, surprising evening alright. I remember some fantastic playing that night not least from you, Roly. Harry's players were wonderful and Harry was also a pretty handy multi- instrumentalist. He advised me (after doing a very passable Art Blakey impression on my drums for a few numbers) that I should get some Zildjian cymbals.... Which I dutifully did later.

The evening seemed to stretch on and on and has always been a good story to trot out every now and then. Thanks for your kind comments. I went to Australia with Kyrie Miskin (trombone) and Duncan O Neill (guitar) both from the jazz course in Newcastle. We had a very successful busking band that turned into a bizarre indie pop band played all over Aussie radio and TV. Came back to the UK last year. In London writing scores for film and TV. Hope you're well, sir. Still Newcastle way?

Lance said...

Keith Crombie names the baritone player as Dave Schumacher and the tenor player as Jerry Weldon both of who can be seen/heard on YouTube as can altoist Brad Leali.

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