Bebop Spoken There

Dominick "Domo" Branch: ''Most people say drummers can't write, they're just time-keepers only beating on things. But I have a very musical brain.'' (DownBeat February, 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

18263 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 117 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 6), 17

From This Moment On ...

February

Thu 12: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00. CANCELLED!

Fri 13: Noel Dennis Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm . £9.00. Dennis (trumpet, flugelhorn); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 13: Joe Steels @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 13: Tom Remon & John Moriarty @ The Ship Isis, Silksworth Row, Sunderland SR1 3QJ. 7:00pm. £10.00 + £1.00 bf.
Fri 13: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm.

Sat 14: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 14: Big Joe Louis + Michael Littlefield @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £16.00. Jumpin’ Hot Club.
Sat 14: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

Sun 15: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Trio + Jason Holcomb. Free.
Sun 15: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Wild Women of Wylam @ Ye Olde Cross, Ryton. 7:30pm. Free.
Sun 15: Yorkshire Gypsy Swing Collective @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 16: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 16: Jasper Lo + Daniel Chandler Trio @ Little Buildings, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £7.00. + bf.
Mon 16: Joe Steels Group @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00. A Blue Patch album tour.

Tue 17: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Victoria & Albert Inn, Seaton Delaval. 12:30pm. £9.50. Tickets: 0191 237 3697. ‘Jazz ‘n’ Pancakes’.
Tue 17: John Pope & John Garner @ The Great Hall, Sutherland Building, Northumbria University. 1:15pm. Free. Double bass & violin.
Tue 17: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Stu Collingwood (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); John Hirst (drums).

Wed 18: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 18: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 18: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

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 10, 2013

Jo Wallfisch in NY.

I first met Jo Wallfisch on one of my occasional London trips at, of course, The Spice where she was singing. Jo's now moved to New York and, seemingly, rapidly becoming a Native New Yorker - as I did on my visit and I was only there for ten days!

Read the poem, it  captures the feeling of Manhattan perfectly although perhaps not the current snow storms.
Then check out the website and hear the slim lady sing.
Lance.

New York Week

This is the beginning of a New York Week,
My guitar, and ukulele, and a song I'm soon to speak.
Words flow like water as I ride the subway home,
I tell you, New York, has a time frame of its own.
I moved across the ocean from a place that I called home
In search of an adventure, to dive into the unknown
Quickly I discovered the passion in its eyes
Though New York is just a city, it’s a lover in disguise.
You’ll never know a stranger till you’re locked in his embrace.
You’ll never know how rain feels till it tumbles from your face.
You’ll never know you’re dreaming cause this city never sleeps,
And if you think of leaving, New York has your heart for keeps.
Everyday is different, every minute, every hour
So keep your eyes wide open and your heart a blooming flower,
Fearful things may happen, so embrace the darker days,
It’s my muse and it’s my madness, yeah I’m caught in New York’s gaze!
Oh, this is the beginning of a New York week,
And this, my introduction, and my memoir, so to speak,
Be bold and be courageous
Sing your dreams out loud,
Never lose yourself… but go get lost inside that crowd.
© Jo Wallfisch.

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