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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

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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 04, 2012

Strictly Smokin’ 7-Piece at the ‘Jazz Cafe’, Sage Concourse, Friday August 3

Michael Lamb (trumpet and MD); Alex Leathard (Trombone); Claude Werner (tenor sax); Dave Francis (drums); Jon Proud (bass); Gav Smith (piano); Ruth Lambert (vocals)
(Review by Ann Alex).
And they were straight in, no messing around, with Ruth singing Nice Work if you can Get It, and the band certainly did more than nice work, with skilled arrangements, interesting solos and trading of fours.  The sound was what I think of as ‘New York’, especially from the horns, but that may be just to my ears. 
Bye Bye Blackbird gave us a great sax solo from Claude, exciting but never too far from the melody. A harmonically strong arrangement of Lulu’s Back in Town had  distinctive chords from the horns between lines of the song; Skylark featured lovely flowing horns and effective muted trombone.  Next up was So What with, drums driving along sax and bass.  I noticed Claude chewing on a giant piece of chewing gum, then realised that he was coolly preparing a reed, without missing a note.  Stompin’ at the Savoy culminated with horns and piano swopping fours, followed by Our Delight, a tune which delights me as it seems to start in the middle – goodness knows what the technical term for that is.  The tunes continued to pour out and I wanted to dance.
Everyone had their share of solos and all impressed. The horns didn’t appear to be miked up yet all three sounded good - a combination of their ability and The Sage’s acoustics
Ruth sang more in the second half, well-sung standards, every word crystal clear.  You’d be so Nice to Come Home To; Embraceable You; How Long Has This Been Going On; Our Love is Here to Stay; The Lady is a Tramp; Get Happy. The performance ended with Do Nothing till You Hear from Me.  This song started a discussion on our table about what the words actually mean (answers on a postcard or at least in the comments box), and I guess the song also had the audience wishing to hear more from Ruth.
This gig had its own special atmosphere, what with the punters from the classical music concert coming out at half time, some clapping Ruth, others looking a bit puzzled, and the gentleman who sat next to me and told me about when he played piano for Peggy Lee.  An interesting and enjoyable evening.
Ann Alex   

2 comments :

Liz said...

Re Do nothing 'till you hear from me...I think the clue is in those last words...."and you never will". He is saying he is never going to end it, so it's up to her, either listen to gossip or put up with his philandering!!
Liz

Ann Alex said...

Liz, Yes, that's men for you, or at least some men!
Ann Alex

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