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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17744 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 64 of them this year alone and, so far, 64 this month (Jan. 26).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Tue 28: ???

Wed 29: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 29: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 29: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Thu 30: Matters Unknown (aka Jonathan Enser, Nubiyan Twist) + support TBA @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:00pm doors). £12.22 (gig & food); £9:04 (gig only).
Thu 30: Soznak @ The Mill Tavern, Hebburn. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 30: Struggle Buggy @ Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Rhythm & blues.

Fri 31: Alan Barnes Quartet @ The Old Library, Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland. 12 noon-2:00pm (two sets). £12.00. admission (card or cash at the door). Barnes (alto sax, baritone sax, clarinet); Alan Law (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums). Note change of venue, no longer at Mrs M’s as advertised, the concert will be in the Old Library (Bishop Auckland Jazz’s regular venue). Important! It’s a ‘BYOB’ arrangement - ie bring your own booze (and/or tea, coffee, soft drinks).
Fri 31: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 31: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 31: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 31: Café Orkestar @ Café Under the Spire, Gateshead. 6:00pm. ‘Klezmer, Gypsy Jazz, Balkan & More!’.
Fri 31: Nothing in Rambling @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £10.00. + bf. Country blues duo.
Fri 31 Zoë Gilby Quartet @ Wylam Institute. 7:30pm (7:00pm doors). £15.00. + £1.50. bf.
Fri 31: Creakin’ Bones & the Sunday Dinners @ White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £10.00 + bf. Jazz, blues , jump jive, rock ‘n’ roll.
Fri 31: Alan Barnes Quartet @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £15.00 Barnes (alto sax, baritone sax, clarinet); Alan Law (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 31: SwanNek + Rivkala @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm. SwanNek’s new single launch gig. Pilgrim, formerly Hoochie Coochie.
Fri 31: King Bees @ Blues Underground; Nelson St., Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free. Superb Chicago blues band.

February 2025

Sat 01: Alan Barnes & John Hallam with the Tom Kincaid Trio @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 01: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £25.00. Tutor: Steve Glendinning - Cy Coleman’s Witchcraft. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 01: Darling Dollies @ St George’s Church, Jesmond, Newcastle. 3:00pm. £10.00. Vocal trio.
Sat 01: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 01: Jeff Hewer Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 01: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.
Sat 01: Rockin’ Turner Brothers @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Western swing etc.

Sun 02: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £7.50.
Sun 02: Lewis Watson Quartet @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00.
Sun 02: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free (donations).
Sun 02: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 02: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 02: Jive Aces @ The Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:00pm. Sun 02: John Pope + Andy Champion + Ian Paterson @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. ‘Subterranean Explorations 1’. Three (half hour) solo bass sets.
Sun 02: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 03: Andy Watt & Dan Rogers @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00. at the door; £8.20. (inc £0.20 bf) online, in advance. Jazz, blues, folk etc.
Mon 03: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. 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

Monday, July 08, 2013

Claudia Morris talks to Bebop Spoken Here about her new show and CD.

(Claudia's replies in bold type.)
BSH: Hi Claudia nice to hear from you again. I loved Twelve O’clock Tales it was so fresh and I still play it which is something I don’t do with too many review CDs.
I'm glad you still play it, that makes me happy!
BSH: You have a background of theatre and singing and now you are combining the two. Tell me about this new project – Secret Love. About Doris Day I guess. My very first schoolboy crush!
I think she had that effect on a lot of boys and men!
BSH: True! Tell me how this project came about.
A few years ago I discovered Doris's voice when a pianist I worked with thought there were similarities vocally between Doris and me. I started listening to her and fell in love with her wonderful voice, I have never tired of it. I then felt compelled to read her biography (which I found fascinating) and watch her movies. I knew I wanted  to tell her colourful  life story and sing her songs. Last year I was also asked by actress Tracy Ann Oberman to sing a Doris Day part in her play for BBC Radio 4. She was so thrilled by my singing of Doris - this was the catalyst I needed to start the project.
BSH: Where did you start? 
I hooked up with writer and director Phil Willmott and asked him to write a play where I would sing Doris's songs and have some actors to play the key men in her life. I wanted to portray her real life story as something in between a musical and a tribute. Also I didn't want to impersonate her, but to be myself. I sought out the wonderful Malcolm Edmonstone as musical director - I knew his work and felt confident that he could capture that wonderful era while making it my own. So you will get a taste of Doris's voice occasionally, but plenty of surprises as well! I feel very lucky to be able to work with such talented musicians and such a great director.
BSH:  I'd like to share a video link with our readers.
Here's a link.
BSH: You must have researched this very deeply. Did you contact the lady herself?
As I said, I read the wonderful biography written by Hotchner in Doris's words.

Lots of movies and 100's of her recordings! I've contacted her management to get permission that's all. I will send her my album 'Secret Love' and hope she likes it....         
BSH: I understand she is quite reclusive these days?
I think at 90 that would be understandable don't you? But actually she's very busy, she dedicated the last twenty years to caring for sick and abandoned animals. Her public life was a life time ago to her, she does shun the spotlight unless absolutely necessary as far as I know.
BSH: Songs, films, Doris was at the top in both genres. Do you place more emphasis on one or the other or do you concentrate on the, lets face it, abusive relationships she had?
The songs play a key role in the play linking to her important relationships, including the abusive ones.
BSH: Did she actually have “A Secret Love”?
You will have to ask the lady herself!
BSH: Her image was always of “The girl next door” is that how it is or do we have to wait for the show to find out?
Her image was so far from the truth, it's sad to think she represented wholesome family values but found it hard to find them in her own life.. all will be revealed in the show!
BSH: What size band will there be in the show?
Piano, double bass and drums the perfect combination and fine musicians!
BSH: You’re taking the show around the country – the nearest we get to it on Tyneside is Consett in County Durham – remind me of the date.
We are touring around the UK, 21 dates in total, starting at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford on 25th September and culminating at the Royal Spa Theatre, Leamington on 29th November - Consett Empire Theatre is on Saturday 13th November. Hope to see you there!!
BSH: Thank you Claudia. Perhaps, if I manage to get there I'll come away with a new (ex) schoolboy crush!
Ha Ha.
BSH: Further details on the show and the album can be found on Claudia Morris’ Website 
Lance.

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