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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17777 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 98 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Feb.8).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Jam session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 13: Student Performances @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 4:00pm. Free. Inc. Olly Styles (tenor sax).
Thu 13: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: Artist Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Hannabiell & Midnight Blue.
Thu 13: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 14: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 12:30-1:30pm. £5.00. at the door. New second Friday in the month concert series.
Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 14: Archipelago + Anna Tempest @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £8.00.
Fri 14: Paul Jones & Dave Kelly @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. Rhythm & blues.
Fri 14: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Fri 14: Jazz Sabbath @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

Sat 15: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 15: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 15: Elkie Brooks @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. ‘The Long Farewell Tour’.
Sat 15: Milne Glendinning Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 16: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 16: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: BBC Introducing NE X MOBO Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 6:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Jambone, Knats, Rivkala, SwanNek.
Sun 16: The Shayo Experience @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 16: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. .

Mon 17: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 17: Matt Forster Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00. at the door; £8.20. (inc £0.20 bf) online, in advance.
Mon 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law, Paul Grainger, John Hirst.

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

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Philip Clouts Quartet @ New Hartley Memorial Hall. October 20

Philip Clouts (keyboards), Carlos Lopez-Real (alto & soprano saxophones), ? (double bass) & Jon Desbruslais (drums).
(Review by Russell)
New Hartley Memorial Hall does well with folk gigs. Kathryn Tickell packed out the place and Jez Lowe, a favourite, returns in the new year. Jazz, contemporary or otherwise is another matter. The jazz fan, the curious and the Memorial Hall patron assembled in sufficient numbers to constitute an audience keen to hear to some jazz, contemporary jazz at that. 
The Philip Clouts Quartet travelled north to play a series of gigs in rural locations. This New Hartley appearance, the penultimate date of the tour, found the band in fine form, in the groove with the material. Philip Clouts had a new CD to plug but you wouldn't know it. The softly spoken South African born pianist didn't do self promotion - the title of the next tune and little more. 
The first tune - Deco - came from the new CD Sennen Cove and the second tune - As Evening Ends  (Clouts acknowledged its somewhat inappropriate placing in the set list) - served to introduce the band; featured soloist Carlos Lopez-Real on alto, Clouts, and drummer Jon Desbruslais (impressive brush and mallet combination). Clouts suggested Bird’s Word (from Sennen Cove) owed as much to seagulls as Charlie Parker and Lopez-Real’s authoritative alto flew way beyond bop. The closing number of the first set - Egypt - roamed across the land of the pharaohs before accelerating across the continent fuelled by a Desbruslais’ fusillade; relentless hi-hat, powerful press rolls, rim shots, the lot. 
The interval brought a beer and nibbles, a raffle and a chat across the table with Esther about this and that (jazz and jazz). 
Clef Mona opened the second set with Lopez-Real on soprano sounding not unlike Garbarek or Garland. Clouts introduced a new tune, so new it was without a title. It had a distinct gospel feel as the quartet soloed in turn. If Clouts had said it had been written by Dr Billy Taylor few would have doubted him. If a working title is required how about Hymn for Hartley (2012 commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Hartley Colliery Disaster)? The band let rip on Riptide, first alto, then piano as the rhythm section conspired to affect a drum ‘n’ bass intervention. Clouts returned to the new CD, released on Point Records, to end an enjoyable set with Commotion in C. Township jazz in Northumberland! Such is the global reach of great music. The audience wanted an encore and the band obliged with Nyasa Lullaby, a tune written by the band leader on hearing an unusual scale used by Tanzanian musicians. 
An evening of good jazz, in good company, in a welcoming rural venue - what a good idea! The last night of the tour (facilitated by Highlights Rural Touring Scheme) is in Wooler at the Cheviot Centre (Padgepool Place) on Sunday 21 October (7:30 pm). - That's tonight!
Russell                                                       

1 comment :

Philip Clouts said...

Hi
many thanks for this.
fyi the mystery bass player was Dave Manington of the Loop Collective, standing in for Alex Keen
http://www.philipcloutsquartet.co.uk/

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