Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

March

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Jazz Esquires @ The Porthole

Miles Watson (tpt/vcl/dms); Tony Winder (ten/sop/clt); Terry Dalton (tmb/vcl); Roy Gibson (pno); Robin Douthwaite (gtr); Stan Nicholson (bs); Laurie Brown (dms/clt) + Teresa Armstrong/Ann Alex (vcls).
(Review by Lance.)
This was a jolly, fun-filled afternoon with the jazz on the jolly side. Seasonal headgear was in abundance both on and off the stage. 

That good old maxim of Duke's that It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing held true as Miles explained in song and story the essential elements of that most ephemeral quality. 9:20 Special kept the pendulum moving and Terry Dalton's trombone solo almost caused another trombonist in the audience to look up from the Daily Telegraph!
It Had To Be You featured Tony on soprano - not to be confused with Mafiosi Tony Soprano who didn't wear a Tam O' Shanter! Lullaby of Birdland and All I Do is Dream of You brought us up to half time with the home team well in front.
George Laing and Brian Lynam were absent so, after Laurie's  Stranger on the Shore, it was Teresa who stepped up to the mic. Mean to Me and I'm In The Mood for Love were delivered in her confident and inimitable style. Love her to bits.
A hard act to follow but, I'm pleased to say, our own Ann Alex also grabbed some plaudits with Bye Bye Blackbird and All of Me - a score draw.
A Xmas medley followed before a blistering  Tiger Rag which brought back memories of Harry Roy - or was it Derek Roy? (Fifties comedian).
Jumping at the Woodside really did jump with all the guys soloing at 100%. Darktown Strutters' Ball had a vocal by Terry whom, Miles pointed out, had played the same number with Elvis Costello's father (Ross McManus during his tenure with Joe Loss). 
You get to mix with the stars at The Porthole.
Tuxedo Junction brought us up to Ferry Time - it had been an enjoyable afternoon.
No session next week on Boxing Day.
Photos.
Lance.
PS: You can see by the photo how much everyone was enjoying it!

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