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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

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.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Sector 7: The Sage: Friday December 14.

Sarah Ellen Hughes, Fini Bearman, Billy Boothroyd, Paddy Clarke (vocals); George Moore (piano); Tim Thornton (bass); Chris Draper (drums).
(Review by Ann Alex).
Level 1 of Hall 2 was set out in cabaret style, which suited the mood for this gig of fine singing from Sector 7, who were promoting their EP, a bargain, priced only £5.  Soul, jazz, folk and gospel styles were all there, included in rich harmonies. The opening number, about superstar wannabes, featured the male singers with the women as backing singers and a piano solo, but each singer got a chance to lead in each of the other skilfully arranged songs. 
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child started off unaccompanied for variety, then came But Not For Me, with scat from Ms Hughes and a drum solo, loud and soft by turns, which kept listeners on their toes.  Next a surprise, beat-boxing from Billy (or Paddy?) sorry, I didn't pay enough attention as I was so intrigued by the array of aural sounds – Ed: It was Billy.  Christmas entered the scene with George Moore’s arrangement of I’ll Be Home For Christmas, a beautifully sad song (quote: ‘if only in my dreams’).  Chick Corea’s Spain had a slow easy start but soon became catchy.  The performance ended with a scatty (literally) Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.  This had been a display of excellent singing and musicianship, and there was yet more to come from Ian Shaw and Barry Green in the second set.  A great night.
Ann Alex 

No comments :

Blog Archive