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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

17923 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 244 of them this year alone and, so far, 91 this month (March 31).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

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.

Mon 07: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 08: ???

Wed 09: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 09: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 09: Tannery jam session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm.
Wed 09: Anatole Muster Trio @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £17.50., £12.50. concs.
Wed 09: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED?

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

Saturday, August 25, 2012

James Birkett & Bradley Johnston @ The Sage Gateshead. Friday August 24

James Birkett & Bradley Johnston (gtrs)
(Review by Russell).
The Sage’s Friday evenings have drawn large numbers to The Concourse. The keen jazz fan and the casual diner have for the most part happily co-existed in an informal, relaxed setting looking out across the Tyne to Newcastle.
In recent weeks the jazz vocalist, the swinging small combo, New Orleans veterans and promising student musicians have offered something for everyone. This week’s session featured jazz guitar. Master musician James Birkett and student protégé Bradley Johnston  delighted an attentive audience with a select set list referencing many of the greats of jazz guitar (and some of the great composers) from the 1920s through to the present day. Biréli Lagrêne, Luiz Bonfa, Lonnie Johnson, Eddie Lang, Django Reinhardt, Dick McDonough, Carl Kress, Pat Metheny…an impressive list of guitar greats. Gentle Rain, Uma Prece, Oleo, In Your Own Sweet Way, Always and Forever, Skating in Central Park, Nuages, Farmer’s Trust, Wave, Chicken a la Swing, Perfect and Spain…numbers made for two great guitarists.
Birkett has been there, done that and he’s got the t-shirt to prove it. The Sage is familiar territory to Dr Birkett, home ground as it were, holding no fears. So what of Bradley Johnston? Performing in front of an expectant crowd would, no doubt, set the pulse racing of many a seasoned pro. Johnston the student showed few signs of nerves let alone stage fright. Technique, tone, volume, time, taste – he’s got it all (Birkett ain’t too shabby either!).
Many north east readers will recall memorable concert appearances on Tyneside from the likes of Barney Kessel, Joe Pass, Tal Farlow, Herb Ellis and a young Biréli Lagrène. Birkett and Johnston stirred memories and evoked the spirit of these great players. Highlights were many; Johnston excelling on Metheny’s Farmer’s Trust, the duo on John Lewis’ beautiful waltz Skating in Central Park and Chick Corea’s test piece Spain. James Birkett works occasionally with fellow guitarist and academic colleague Rod Sinclair in a guitar duo. Their Suite for Two Guitars  is a challenging work. Birkett and Johnston played the last part of the opus. Johnston did Sinclair proud (watch out Rod!). The student guitarist has added another string to his bow (guitar?) – that of composer. The Sage audience heard the world premiere of James’ Waltz. The future is bright for Bradley Johnston, no doubt about it. I’m sure James Birkett will follow Johnston’s developing career with no little pride and I’d wager a bet that in a few short years Sage patrons will take their seats in one of the main halls to hear the headline act…one Bradley Johnston. Next week - Friday 31st – sees the last in the summer season of Concourse gigs. The Henchmen Jazz Sextet will be there to entertain you from 8.00 pm.
Russell                             

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