Bebop Spoken There

Dominick "Domo" Branch: ''Most people say drummers can't write, they're just time-keepers only beating on things. But I have a very musical brain.'' (DownBeat February, 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

18288 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 142 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 14), 42

From This Moment On ...

February

Thu 19: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: George Shearing Jazz Moments.

Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT! Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.
Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: Squabble @ Warkworth Memorial Hall. 7:00pm. Steve Chambers (organ); Jude Murphy (double bass, vocals); Sid White (drums).
Fri 20: Jive Aces @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors).
Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.

Sat 21: ???

Sun 22: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 22: Joe Steels Group @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Sun 22: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Harben Kay Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: Joe Steels Group @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Finn-Keeble Group @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00.
Tue 24: Liam Oliver & Shayo Oshodi @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 26: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £6.50.
Thu 26: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00 adv.
Thu 26: Mick Cantwell Band @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Blues.

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

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Claire Kelly @ The Jazz Café - Newcastle. Saturday July 28.

Claire Kelly (vcl); Steve Glendinning (gtr); Paul Grainger (bs).
(Review by Lance)
From the moment Claire swung into Tiptoe Gently I relaxed. This was going to be good. With Paul Grainger laying down the pulse on bass and Steve Glendinning providing key and sympathy the mood was set for a nicely balanced trio.
No Moon At All could have been subtitled No Drums At All and, in truth, this was such a tightly knit unit that drums could have been obtrusive. It also served as an indication of just how far Claire's stage presence has developed. Sitting on a chair, a booted leg provocatively outstretched and one of those enigmatic smiles that can normally only be seen in The Louvre, it was no wonder That Even Fido Was Afraid To bark! - the poor mutt couldn't handle that - it wasn't easy for this poor mutt either!
Blues Are Out of Town is that rare creature - a happy blues! and a great number too although not without some uncertainty along the way! I Concentrate On You and a première of Born To Be Blue rounded off a first set that completely banished any misgivings I may have had after her Hoochie gig.
The second set had more gems - The Carpenter's Masquerade reminded us that Karen Carpenter was a class act - and so indeed is Claire who did  the melancholy song justice! Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby, another blues, Ain't Nobody's Business if I Do with, I suspect, some of Claire's own lyrics added. Finally a couple of my favourites from her pad - Aqua de Beber and Guilty.
Full praise must be given to Steve and Paul. Both in solo and support they held it all together beautifully. My only regret was not being able to stay longer but time and the number 27 wait for no one.
Lance.
PS: Support the Jazz Café (Pink Lane, Newcastle) it is unique!
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