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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17655 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 929 of them this year alone and, so far, 74 this month (Dec. 31).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Tue 07: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 7:00pm. Free.

Wed 08: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 08: The Tannery Jam Session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 08: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 08: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Thu 09: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: John H Hammond.
Thu 09: FILM: Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 2:35pm. Documentary (dir. Johan Grimonprez) ‘about jazz, (de)colonial history and activism featuring Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone and Dizzy Gillespie’.
Thu 09: Happy Tuesdays @ Ye Olde Cross, Ryton. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 09: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. Ragtime piano. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 09: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. A Tees Hot Club promotion. The session now monthly, next one Thursday 2nd Feb, then first Thursday in the month thereafter.

Fri 10: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 10: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 10: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 11: Jason Isaacs @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 11: Under the Wellie @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 12: The New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 12: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 12: King Bees @ The Tyne Bar, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. Superb Chicago blues band.
Sun 12: Dave Bottomley @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar.
Sun 12: Jack Pearce Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 13: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 13: Raymond MacDonald & Andy Champion @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00.

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

Friday, July 06, 2012

Relaxin’ at Blaydon Jazz Club with James Birkett/Graeme Wilson Quintet July 5.

James Birkett (guitar), Graeme Wilson (tenor saxophone), Jeremy McMurray (piano), Mick Shoulder (double bass) & Adam Sinclair (drums) + Bradley Johnston (guitar).
(Review by Russell).
 Blaydon Jazz Club’s summer concert featured an all star line-up brought together by guitarist James Birkett. GAS book, bossas and bop charts were on the musical menu. Berlin, Gershwin, Jobim, Bird and Bud proved irresistible – They Say It’s Wonderful, ‘S Wonderful, Chega de Saudade (No More Blues), Relaxin’ at Camarillo and Bouncin’ with Bud were just some of the choice tunes on the platter. 

Tenor star Graeme Wilson, first heard by this reviewer several years ago accompanying vocalist Ruth Lambert at the old Blaydon Jazz Club venue (the Sports and Social), cruised through the gears and the changes with consummate ease, stretching out in leisurely fashion, the hallmark of a top class player. The assembled quintet had more than its fair share of soloists – Birkett’s abilities are second to none and house pianist Jeremy McMurray knows his way around the keyboard. Bassist Mick Shoulder eschews the limelight yet he too can do the business when called upon and his rhythm section partner Adam Sinclair trades fours as well as anyone you care to name – subtlety, invention and no little humour belie his youth. 
As has become tradition club regulars brought along food offerings making for a splendid banquet to accompany a bottle or two of Jenning’s Cocker Hoop. Rising star Bradley Johnston took to the stage to play a guitar duet with mentor Birkett and once again garnered plaudits for his rapidly developing talents. The duo breezed through a Birelli Lagrene number in some style of which the composer would have approved! Johnston joined the quintet during the second set for a couple of numbers and more than held his own. The jazz on offer at Blaydon comes up trumps time after time. The next session is in September (Thursday 6th) and whatever you do don’t miss it. Tenor saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos is exceptionally good and as a bonus he will be working with the exceptionally good Paul Edis Trio (the bass and drums pairing just happens to be Shoulder and Sinclair).
Russell       

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