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.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Kate Peters Septet @ The Bridge

Kate Peters (vcl); Matt Anderson (ten); Ian Chalk (tpt); Zezo Olimpio (keys); John Marley (bs); Aubin Vanns (gtr); Sam Gardner (dms).
(Review by Lance - photo courtesy of Adrian Tilbrook).
The Leeds Gang are back in town in the form of the Kate Peters' Sextet. They came, they played, Kate sang -  they conquered!
Ignoring for a moment the leaders tremendous vocals the band themselves are amazing. Mourning the loss of Abram Wilson, as many of us were, it somehow brought him alive listening to Ian Chalk's solos. Chalk has a drive and melodic intensity that reminded me of Abram.
Matt Anderson is a deceptive player. His solos begin low key and you wonder what the fuss is all about.. However, Matt isn't an up 'n' adam player. He explores the possibilities, has a few trial, exploratory phrases before deciding on the direction he's going to take and then - wham - he's got it and the fingers are in full flight, the ideas are flowing and you know he's nailed this one. 
Likewise guitarist Vanns - he turns the chord book inside out as he thrashes his way forward shredding chords all over the A19!
Marley and Gardner - what can I say? A rhythm section's rhythm section!
And as a bonus, we had Zezo Olimpio on keyboard which did no harm at all - his solo on Love For Sale was something special.
Oh yes and then there's Kate - Kiss Me Kate you were sensational!
The wordless bass/voice intro to Moanin' was an indication that this was going to be a night to remember and it was! It just kicked the whole thing into orbit as Kate soared  Birdlike  over 52nd St before, somehow, landing back on Castle Garth.
Most enjoyable.
Photos.
Lance.

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