Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 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

18818 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 682 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 20) 51.

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

August

Sun 23: Tyne Valley Big Band @ Royal Quays Marina, North Shields. 2:00-4:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free..
Sun 23: Blue Note Quintet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. £12.00., £10.00..
Sun 23: Timmy Allan Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 24: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 25: Michael Young Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 27: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 27: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 27: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00.

Fri 28: Graham Hardy Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 29: Brian Jackson @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:30pm (doors). £32.00.

Thursday, December 06, 2012

Take It To The Bridge Jazz Workshop, The Chillingham Wednesday December 5 The Blue Jazz Quintet Becomes a Trio with Singers

Chris Finch (keys); Dave Parker (double bass); Michael Howard (drums); Ann; Jenny; Heather (vocals)
Workshop musicians: Dave Weisser (flugelhorn, vocals); Jim Crinson (fretless bass guitar); Barry Ashcroft (keys); Mike Papapavlou (electric guitar) Doe? (violin) someone else (drums).
(Review by Ann Alex.)
Sorry to anyone I've missed out or misnamed, but I'm afraid my other wits fly away when I have singing responsibilities.  Dave Weisser is running really useful and entertaining workshop sessions every Wednesday, so if you want to hone your jazz skills, this is the place to go to get good solid experience of playing with other musicians in an informal setting. 
Freddy Freeloader made for a stomping, swinging start with solos all round to get everyone on their mettle.  Then came Just Friends with a flowing keyboard solo from Barry and useful work from the bass guitar, with Dave scatting and singing in between shouts from the flugelhorn.  The band then let rip on  Killer Joe, with a slinky flugelhorn and the bass guitar cutting across and everyone swopping 4s, or maybe it was 6s or 8s!
Another quick number and the raffle, then we singers from Lindsay Hannon’s Sage class were on with the trio and other musicians popping in and out of the equation.  It was good of the Blue Jazz Trio to give us so much space in their set, and Dave and the audience were very encouraging.  
First up, myself, with a cynical Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You; a sad interpretation of For All We Know; and a lively I Got Rhythm.  People seemed to enjoy it, but how can I review my own singing?
Next came Jenny with a truly gutsy Bye Bye Blackbird; a heartfelt Body And Soul; and a stomping Night And Day; including the verse and a thumping drum and bass solo from the band, who did us proud throughout.  Heather changed the mood to Latin, with her Dindi; before taking us to Green Dolphin Street; followed by an emotional What are you Doing the Rest of Your Life.  The evening was rounded off well with most musicians on stage for Caravan, with a new drummer and a violin to help us on our way into the snow.
Long may such nights continue.
Ann Alex.

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