Bebop Spoken There
Van Morrison: ''Basically, I'm coming from jazz. Not pop, not rock, not what's commercial. That's where I started, and that's still where I am. I feel the same as I did when I was listening to Louis Armstrong, Lead Belly, Jelly Roll Morton''. (The Northern Echo, 12 June 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
1803759 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 480 of them this year alone and, so far, 58 this month (June 18).
From This Moment On ...
JUNE 2025
Thu 19: Gareth John & the SOS Big Band @ The Forum Music Centre, Darlington. 7:00pm. £25.00. CANCELLED!
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: David Gray's Flextet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 20: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. £21.50. ‘Time After Time’.
Fri 20: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm.
Fri 20: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. Superb Chicago blues band.
Sat 21: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Red Kites Jazz @ Staithes Café, Dunston. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 22: Phoenix 4 @ Wallington, Northumberland. 12 noon-1:00pm & 2:00-3:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington, Northumberland. 1:00-2:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Jason Isaacs Trio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 4:00pm. £18.00. + £1.08 bf.
Sun 22: JazzMain @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Mon 23: MSK Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00. at the door; £8.20. (inc £0.20 bf) online, in advance.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.
Tues 24: ???
Wed 25: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 25: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 25: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 25: The Magpies of Swing @ The Roxy, Leadgate, Co. Durham. 7:30pm. A Ginger Jitterbugs swing dance event, all welcome.
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
I'd just finished rearranging the photo albums in alphabetical order (they're now in the RH Column) when I came across this one of Jimmy McPartland taken at the Corner House, Newcastle, circa 1981/82. I remember it as being one of the best Dixieland nights ever held there and, as I'm currently reading Marian McP's biography - a cracking read - I thought I'd blog it. To think I'd shook the hand of the man who'd shook the hand of Bix and many other greats makes me feel quite humble - what am I saying? I am quite humble! I like the photo though.
4 comments :
Hi Lance,- I do indeed remember the night very well. Jimmy McPartland was quite a domineering character and this showed in his wonderful trumpet playing. I recall that he simply announced the number he intended to play without any consultation with the band or even letting us know what key he was in! During the first session I mentioned to him that we were unfamiliar with his chosen number,- he gave me a stony stare and said (out of the corner of his mouth) "Just grab on to my coat tails son, and hang on tight!" Despite our problems on the stand that night, it was a super session, with a packed room shouting for more at the end. There's no doubt that these musicians from that early era were hard men,(The River City had similar experiences with Wild Bill Davison). The exception was Doc Cheetham, who was a gentleman through and through - he always made certain that all the band were happy with his choices. Great days Lance, sadly gone now and unlikely to be repeated.
I recall him being a very tasteful player as well as a true gentleman..... but not a lot about the gig itself.
Roy.
PS.
HiLance,
The other band member enjoying the show from the audience was Peter Gascigne the regular trumpet player.
All band members are accounted for as the Saratoga only used a piano player in the later stages of its existence.
Roy Willis.
I remember this night very well, to remind you here is a clip that I posted on Youtube some time ago, it has had nearly 2000 hits, good solo's around the band, I even had a picture taken with Jimmy.
Regards to all.
Colin Aitchison
Hong Kong
http://youtu.be/iTwQllENP2s
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