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

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Variety @ The Spice of Life

Barry Green (pno); Jonathon Harvey (bs); John Scott (dms) +
(Review by Lance)
The trio opened up with a couple of numbers before Maddy Whitney stepped up to the mic. It was a hesitant start and the verse to Someone To Watch Over Me fluctuated pitchwise. However, as her set progressed the confidence grew and by the final You Go To My Head she had it nailed.
Emillia Martenson occupied the headline spot, and a strong program of contemporary '60s/'70s songs followed, done in a jazz related format. The voice is powerful, the delivery is confident and the stage presence commanding.
During the break I met up with my favourite singer - Sarah-Ellen Hughes - and it was nice to chat and chill. Sadly, Sarah wasn't on the rota so her vocal chords didn't get exposed but it was nice to talk anyway.
Paul Pace, who has run the Spice sessions for the past ten years got the final set going with a splendid version of Tangerine enhanced by guitar solo from Pete Duncan. Pal Joey lives when Paul grabs the mic!
The open mic. session saw Simone singing All or Nothing at All with a deep throaty voice that did the song justice. Derrick, an elderly crooner gave a brilliant rendition of You Must Believe in Spring. John Sharpe sang That Old Feeling with much enthusiasm and Mamselle Em sang Windmills of Your Mind in French.
Stephen Pierre who runs the Galleon Club in Blackpool knocked everyone out with Route 66 and Nia Lynne scored with But Not for Me.
Rosalie, finished things off with All of Me.
A vintage night at The Spice Made possible by some brilliant backing from Barry Green on piano, Jonathon Harvey, bass guitar and John Scott on drums.
Photos to follow...
Lance.
PS: Hi Neil, good to chat.
at

2 comments :

Neil said...

Hi Lance
It was good to meet you. Just for clarification, it's Nia Lynn, (not Leah Lynne). She is often to found fronting the Bannau Trio, an unusual combination of voice, flutes and piano. It is a great sound.
Neil

Thursday, August 30, 2012 1:21:00 pm
Lance said...

Thanks Neil, I'll correct it (Nia) - funny name!)

Thursday, August 30, 2012 2:57:00 pm

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )

Blog Archive