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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 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

17945 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 266 of them this year alone and, so far, 22 this month (April 8).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Mon 14: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 14: Zoë Gilby Quintet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Only Six Standards.
Thu 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Fri 18: Alexia Gardner @ Fika Gallery, Oldgate, Morpeth NE61 1LT. 7:00pm. Trio (Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy).RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 13

Fri 18: Sarah Jane Morris & Tony Remy: The Sisterhood @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00.

Sat 19: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 19: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 19: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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

Monday, December 17, 2012

Lindsay Hannon Plus/Jam Session @ Splinter @ The Bridge. Sunday December 16.

Lindsay Hannon (vcl); James Harrison (pno); John Pope (bs); Mark Robertson (dms) + Paul Gowland (ten); Graham Hardy (tpt), Gabriele Heller, Keiran, Belinda Voshtina, Zoe Gilby, Dave Weisser (vcl).
(Review by Lance.)
It was free entry for the end of season jam and, as such, the room was full although it has to be said most folk seemed  to be donating generously.
The new line-up of Lindsay Hannon Plus got the ball rolling with The Doors' I Am a Spy. After some initial hesitancy new pianist James Harrison slotted in fine. James always looks as if he is having the time of his life and he probably is.  So Long Big Time and The End of a Love Affair followed before Paul Gowland joined them for The Very Thought of You.
Paul was in good form. Lullaby of Birdland showed off all five to advantage.
Lindsay took a well-earned breather and Graham Hardy stepped up to join Paul for a blistering I'll Remember April. I may not remember April but I'll certainly remember this! Graham's trumpet solo was almost saxophonic in its long flowing lines, Paul matched him and James managed to slot in a quote from Royal Garden Blues. John Pope too had humorous moments during his prodigious bass solo whilst Mark kicked seven shades out of the kit in the exchange of 4's and 8's with Paul.
Interval time.
High Level Bitter was tonight's chosen brew and it went down well with the delights on stage.
The second set saw Gabby open up with (not so) Softly as in a Morning Sunrise complete with scat chorus. Over the past couple of years her voice and stage presence have reached a stage where she can command an audience's rapt attention. Apart from Gabby, Paul blew an emotive solo on Good Morning Heartache.
Tonight was starting to look like a late Gig of the Year contender!
A young man, Keiron, was next. Totally unaccompanied he sang the verse to a well known standard but what was it?
This day and age we’re living in
Gives cause for apprehension
With speed and new invention
And things like Third Dimension
Yet we get a trifle weary
Of Mr. Einstein’s theory
So we must get down to earth at times
Relax relieve the tension.
No matter what the progress
Or what may yet be proved
The simple facts of life are such
They cannot be removed…
You must remember this...
As Time Goes By. Sung beautifully.
Graham and Paul worked out on Cherokee at tempo de lick then another tender moment.
Belinda Voshtina sang When Sunny Gets Blue accompanied only by James on keyboard. I prayed nobody would drop a pin - it would have been deafening.
Nobody did although the applause at the end showed the audience's approval.
Zoe did the business on You'd be so Nice to Come Home to followed by BSH's latest reviewer Dave Weisser who, sans trumpet, sang I Love The Life I Live - excellent.
As I left for the number 27, Lindsay was taking off on Caravan.
It had been quite a night!
Lance.

2 comments :

Lance said...

PS: I should have also mentioned that Lindsay was fantastic!

Bill and Maureen said...

What a great night out it was at the Bridge last night. Hope the people who organized it get a big thank you, especially Zoe.

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