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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

17945 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 266 of them this year alone and, so far, 22 this month (April 8).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Mon 14: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 14: Zoë Gilby Quintet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Only Six Standards.
Thu 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Fri 18: Alexia Gardner @ Fika Gallery, Oldgate, Morpeth NE61 1LT. 7:00pm. Trio (Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy).RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 13

Fri 18: Sarah Jane Morris & Tony Remy: The Sisterhood @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00.

Sat 19: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 19: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 19: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Hannabiell @ The Star Inn, Newcastle.

Hannabiell Sanders (Percussion/Bs. tmb); Yilis Del Carmen Suriel (Percussion); Matthew Ross (congas); Paul Ruddick (alto) + Chris Finch (flugel); Kevin Eland (trumpet).
(Review by Lance)
Hannabiell took to the stage and the set at last began. The formula is simple. Ms. H attacks the djembes (?) with her palms gradually building up the tension till it seems unbearable then, just when you thought it safe to check your heart monitor up steps Yilis Del Carmen Suriel to join Hannabiel and the duo raise the pulse rate even higher - smacking and beating the skins with hypnotic cross rhythms - flailing away like a pair possessed.
But they're not over yet! Up jumps Matthew Ross reporting for conga duty. The trio lift the game to another level. Six hands in rhythmic harmony producing a kaleidophonic mix of sound interspersed with H's samba whistle. This is carnival time in Brazil except it's in a pub on Westgate Road in Newcastle.
Enter Paul Ruddick who unleashes a searing alto solo that floats above the rhythm - an eagle in full flight. Paul's up there - way up in altoland we need something to counteract that!
Bass trombone is the answer.
Hannabiel puts the gleaming monster to her lips and we're in Subterranea. The sound is deep, the tone is the roundest trombone tone you've ever heard  She blows it, she waves the instrument as she plays, never missing a beat. Ruddick comes back for more and they take it to the limit then stop. Silence - the audience are briefly dumbstruck before the appreciation is shown with whoops and hollers, whistles and woo-hoos.
We liked it.
The second number, which was also the last, followed suit and the break allowed us to stem the adrenalin flow.
Not for long though!
The band returned to the stage for the jam which had Chris Finch on flugel horn and Kevin Eland on stratospheric trumpet and once again the adrenalin flowed.
It had been quite a night.
Catch Hannabiell and Midnight Blue as part of the Green Festival at Leazes Park, Newcastle, on Sunday (2.30pm)
Photos.
Lance..

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