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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

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ 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: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Friday on BBC4: Sings the Great American Songbook: 10.30pm

(By Ann Alex) Further to Lance’s note below, I watched this item with great interest.  I don’t imagine that blog readers would enjoy all the versions of the songs, but I have to say that I liked most of them.  I was put off by the first item, Shirley Bassey, who is a bit too dramatic for my taste, but this was followed by some gems from such as Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett,  tousle-headed Diana Krall, and also Jamie Cullum doing I Get a Kick Out of You, giving the piano a playful kick on the appropriate word. I hadn't realised what a skilled pianist Diana Krall is.  
Many of the performances came from the Jools Holland Late Shows, including Jimmy Scott, aged 80 plus, singing a haunting All Of Me  in an alto voice, which was apparently the result of a genetic condition.  I love the jazz songs about murders, so I enjoyed Kirsty McColl’s rather folksy interpretation of Miss Otis Regrets.  There were also songs from Alison Moyet and Doctor John, and the programme was rounded off by Florence Welch, of pop group Florence and the Machine, doing a very tasty version of My Baby Just Cares for Me.  There was no narration, just notes on screen, giving information about the songs and singers.  It was no surprise that Cole Porter songs were very much in evidence.
BBC Radio 4 Saturday 8pm:  The Devil’s Horn: The Story of the Saxophone:  Narrated by Soweto Kinch
As I was writing the above, this programme came on the radio.  I wasn't able to listen with full attention, but it sounded as if it would be well worth catching on BBC iplayer.  
Ann Alex   

2 comments :

Liz said...

Yes agreed Ann, like you Miss Bassey was not for me, but oh what a joy to see/hear Johnny Mercer performing one of his own compositions, pretty rare I think!

Anonymous said...

Liz, I'm glad someone else enjoyed this, and I forgot to mention the Johnny Mercer item! Ann Alex

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