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Bebop Spoken There

Van Morrison: ''Basically, I'm coming from jazz. Not pop, not rock, not what's commercial. That's where I started, and that's still where I am. I feel the same as I did when I was listening to Louis Armstrong, Lead Belly, Jelly Roll Morton''. (The Northern Echo, 12 June 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

1803759 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 480 of them this year alone and, so far, 58 this month (June 18).

From This Moment On ...

JUNE 2025

Sat 21: Jason Holcomb Jazz Ensemble @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 5:30-7:30pm. Free. A 'Sunderland Year of Music' event.
Sat 21: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Red Kites Jazz @ Staithes Café, Dunston. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 22: Phoenix 4 @ Wallington, Northumberland. 12 noon-1:00pm & 2:00-3:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington, Northumberland. 1:00-2:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Jason Isaacs Trio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 4:00pm. £18.00. + £1.08 bf.
Sun 22: JazzMain @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: MSK Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00. at the door; £8.20. (inc £0.20 bf) online, in advance.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.

Tues 24: ???

Wed 25: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 25: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 25: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 25: The Magpies of Swing @ The Roxy, Leadgate, Co. Durham. 7:30pm. A Ginger Jitterbugs swing dance event, all welcome.

Thu 26: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Brass Instruments & the use of mutes.

Fri 27: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm.
Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 27: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 8:00pm. ‘Time After Time’.

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

Thursday, May 02, 2013

Debra Milne Ensemble @ The Star + Jam Session


Debra Milne (vcl); Steve Glendinning (gtr); Paul Grainger (bs); Lewis West (dms) + Chris Finch (flug); Peter Ninnim (dms); Dave Parker (bs); Katherine Lowdon, Andrea, Jen (vcl).
(Review by Lance.)
Not surprisingly there was an air of sadness and disbelief hanging over The Star tonight as folk struggled to come to terms with the tragic death of Heather Arthur (see previous post) and it was fitting that Debra should dedicate the session to her memory. I imagine it was a similar scenario over at The Chilli.
After a soundcheck on Jordu, Debra and her Ensemble got things underway with Four which ended with, wait for it, a round of fours featuring a new young drummer - Lewis West - who demonstrated he was au fait with jazz protocol.
Steve Glendinning had some praiseworthy solos whilst Paul Grainger fought manfully against a spiralling spotlight that constantly changed colours so that sometimes he appeared to be either blushing, had yellow jaundice or a severe case of measles. It didn't affect his playing which was as sound as ever although the spotlight sometimes made it seem as though he were spinning the bass bull-fiddle fashion!
As for Debra, she gave her usual polished renditions of jazz classics, originals and standards. Particularly poignant tonight was her Jazz Café song as Heather too was an habitué of that famed venue.
For the jam, Glendinning remained on stage to be joined by Chris Finch on flugel, Dave Parker (bass) and Peter Ninnim (drums).
Chris had a rich, mellow sound on Someone to Watch Over me and Blue Monk. A singer new to me - Katherine Lowdon - scored mightily with Moanin' but didn't quite get it together on When Sunny Gets Blue which isn't an easy song. Will follow her progress with interest.
The evening was rounded off by two singers from the Jazz Singing Class - Andrea who impressed with Straight no Chaser and Jen who did likewise with Night and Day.
Photos.
Lance.

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