Bebop Spoken There

Melissa Aldana: ''Having to play a ballads album, which is something very revealing for a saxophone player, would help me to question some new aspects of how to go deeper into sound." (DownBeat May, 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

18585 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 449 of them this year alone and, so far this month (May 31) 103

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

From This Moment On

June

Wed 03: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 03: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 03: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 04: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 04: Postmodern Jukebox @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm.
Thu 04: Webster’s Ragtime Trio @ The Witham, Barnard Castle. 7:30pm. £17.00. Trio from Texas, USA.
Thu 04: King Bees @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Chicago blues excellence!
Thu 04: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 04: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 05: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 05: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 05: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 05: FILM: Köln 75 @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 3:20pm. Dir. Ido Fluk. Drama based on the true story of Keith Jarrett’s 1975 concert in Cologne.
Fri 05: Pete Tanton & Alan Law @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 05: House of the Black Gardenia: Summer Tyne Swing Festival @ Northumbria University Students’ Union, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £130.00; £95.00; £70.00; £50.00. Note: all day dance event (classes & socials). House of the Black Gardenia evening performance. Day 1/3.
Fri 05: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band + IKS Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £24.00. Big band double bill. IKS Big Band (Germany).
Fri 05: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £15.00

Sat 06: FILM: Köln 75 @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 2:40pm. Dir. Ido Fluk. Drama based on the true story of Keith Jarrett’s 1975 concert in Cologne.
Sat 06: Struggle Buggy @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free. Blues.
Sat 06: Teresa Watson Band @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 6:00pm. Free. Blues.
Sat 06: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ Dry Water Arts, Amble. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors). £15.00.
Sat 06: IKS Big Band: Summer Tyne Swing Festival @ Northumbria University Students’ Union, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £130.00; £95.00; £70.00; £50.00. Note: all day dance event (classes & socials). IKS Big Band evening performance. Day 2/3.
Sat 06: Tyne Valley Big Band @ Northumbrian Revival, West Benridge Farm, nr. Morpeth NE61 3RZ. 7:30-9:30pm. £21.47 (£2.77. child). 82nd D-Day anniversary event.
Sat 06: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.
Sat 06: FILM: The Magic City: Birmingham According to Sun Ra @ The Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle. 9:30pm. £7.00., £5.00. Dir. Guillaume Maupin & Pablo Guarise.

Sun 07: FILM: Köln 75 @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 11:00am. Dir. Ido Fluk. Drama based on the true story of Keith Jarrett’s 1975 concert in Cologne.
Sun 07: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 07: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Feat. guest Steve Walker (trumpet).
Sun 07: Joe Steels: Celebrating Wes @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00. Trio: Joe Steels, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.
Sun 07: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Sun 07: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Table reservations (0191 261 8000). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 07: Eddie Gripper Trio @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. Gripper (piano); Clem Saynor (double bass); Patrick Barrett-Donlon (drums). Americana album tour.
Sun 07: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 07: Magpies of Swing: Summer Tyne Swing Festival @ Northumbria University Students’ Union, Newcastle. 4:00pm. £130.00; £95.00; £70.00; £50.00. Note: all day dance event (classes & socials). Magpies of Swing afternoon performance. Day 3/3.
Sun 07: FILM: Köln 75 @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 5:40pm. Dir. Ido Fluk. Drama based on the true story of Keith Jarrett’s 1975 concert in Cologne.
Sun 07: Webster’s Ragtime Trio @ The Ship Inn, Low Newton. 7:00pm. £12.50. Trio from Texas, USA.
Sun 07: Salty Dog @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:00pm. £5.00. Performance in the Studio venue.
Sun 07: Ian Millar & Dominic Spencer @ Riding Mill Village Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00.
Sun 07: Swing Manouche @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Feat. Steve McGarvie (clarinet).

Mon 08: FILM: Köln 75 @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 11:50am. Dir. Ido Fluk. Drama based on the true story of Keith Jarrett’s 1975 concert in Cologne.
Mon 08: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 08: FILM: Köln 75 @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 5:15pm. Dir. Ido Fluk. Drama based on the true story of Keith Jarrett’s 1975 concert in Cologne.
Mon 08: Dave Bristow Quintet @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £22.00., £11.00., £5.50. Bristow (piano); Christian Altehülshorst (trumpet); Félix Hardouin (alto sax); Gabriel Pierre (double bass); Guillaume Prévost (drums).

Tue 09: FILM: Köln 75 @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Dir. Ido Fluk. Drama based on the true story of Keith Jarrett’s 1975 concert in Cologne.
Tue 09: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 09: FILM: Köln 75 @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 8:10pm. Dir. Ido Fluk. Drama based on the true story of Keith Jarrett’s 1975 concert in Cologne.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Christoph Stiefel Inner Language Trio @ Lit & Phil. October 11

Christoph Stiefel (piano), Arne Huber (double bass) & Kevin Chesham (drums)
(Review by Russell).
 Jazz North East’s piano gigs at the Lit & Phil usually work well and this one, presented in association with the library, was no exception. Swiss pianist Christoph Stiefel had fulfilled a prestigious CD launch engagement at London’s Pizza Express before heading up north to play a gig at Zeffirelli’s in Ambleside. Next morning the trio, much impressed with the scenery, took to the Lakeland hills. Driving cross country Stiefel and co. arrived late afternoon in good fettle keenly anticipating their first appearance in Newcastle.
Stiefel makes much use of isorhythms (the repetition of rhythmic patterns). A significant factor in successfully deploying this technical device in trio format – and avoiding monotony – was to have a superb drummer capable of responding to Stiefel’s prominent left hand. Kevin Chesham was the man; subtle, responsive, polyrhythmic brilliance. Bassist Arne Huber chewed gum and looked disinterested. He wasn't of course – he simply had it down. The material - all Stiefel originals -  showcased the new album Christoph Stiefel Inner Language Trio Live! and a few newly composed numbers (including Titanic). Major highlights – In and Out of Order, Pensar Positivo and Isorhythm #2 (Stiefel has composed numerous Isorhythm pieces) drew spontaneous applause and the odd holler. Late into the night on their departure, the Swiss trio said how much they had enjoyed the gig and next time would welcome the opportunity to have a little more time to see Newcastle. Stiefel praised the Lit & Phil’s piano (it stayed in pitch throughout the performance). 
Note the new CD recorded live at three venues in Europe (Basho Records) features a largely different line-up. The Lit & Phil’s next concert is this evening - Friday 12 October – featuring ex-pat American vocalist Sandi Russell working with Paul Edis (piano) and Mick Shoulder (double bass). Jazz North East’s next offering - Sons of Kemet - is a joint promotion with Splinter on Sunday 14th at the Bridge Hotel.
Russell                
at

2 comments :

Dave Parker (on Facebook) said...

My wife and I tried to go to this concert but we are unable to get in. We were astonished to discover that the Lit and Phil does not have a ramp (even a temporary one) to allow wheelchair access to the ground floor. The members and management of the Lit and Phil society, which has a tradition of liberalism and inclusion, should be ashamed that they have failed to address this equality issue. It is 17 years since the first Disability Discrimination Act was passed.

Friday, October 12, 2012 5:18:00 pm
Chris Calver said...

Response to Mr and Mrs Parker re access to the Lit and Phil.

The Literary and Philosophical Society apologises profusely and unreservedly to Mr and Mrs Parker for finding that wheelchair access to the building is at present very difficult. Over the years many schemes have been put forward to reduce or eliminate this difficulty.
Due to the Grade II* listing of the 1825 Greek revival style building the access problem has taxed the ingenuity of many committees and individuals over all the 17 years mentioned. The present stone steps were last altered in 1909, and, unfortunately, the nearly 1metre difference in height from pavement access to inside ground floor level has meant a ramped solution is not possible.
However the good news is that the Society has today, 16th October 2012, received planning and listed building approval from the City for plans submitted earlier this year. The scheme includes a wheelchair lift similar to that at the Hancock Museum, and redesigned shallower front steps which will be level with the fully accessible ground floor incorporating suitable modern facilities.
As we are an entirely independent organisation with small monetary reserves, our ongoing appeal for more than £1 million includes money to pay for and implement the necessary alterations. This will be given added impetus in 2013 which is our 220 anniversary year.
We thank Mr and Mrs Parker for the recognition that our society is liberal and inclusive and assure them that the hard work and diligence continues in order to improve our physical and intellectual access.

Chris Calver
Vice Chairman

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 11:22:00 am

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