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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

Friday, July 26, 2013

Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Millstone. July 25

Trumpets: Michael Lamb, Pete Tanton, Kevin Eland, Tom Hill, trombones: Mark Ferris, Alex Leathard, John Flood, Robert Perry, reeds: Laurie Rangecroft, Nadiah Killick, Steve Summers, Paul Gowland, Jamie Toms, guitar: Pawel Jedrzejewski, keyboards: Colm Rooney, bass: Michael Went, drums: Guy Swinton, vocals: Lindsay Hannon.
(Review by Russell)
The Strictly Smokin’ Big Band’s regular last Thursday in the month date at the Millstone in South Gosforth is, ostensibly, the band’s rehearsal night but to all intents and purposes it is a fully fledged concert performance. This month’s affair was hot, too darn hot. Beers and bottled water quenched a thirst as the heat wave continued. Windows closed, perhaps to placate nearby residents, the Millstone’s upstairs function room resembled a sauna for the duration.
Complete tunes (Gordon Goodwin’s I’ve Found a New Baby), part tunes (Satin Doll from five bars in), banter in the ranks (good to see Colm Rooney in as a dep) until MD Michael Lamb counted them in, then dedicated, working musicians giving it their best. A smattering of applause from the keen listeners, fanning themselves then ordering another round of drinks.
Tenor star Paul Gowland had a blow on Lester Leaps In, fellow tenorist Jamie Toms on a truncated Caravan. Vocalist Lindsay Hannon reiterated it was Too Darn Hot, got to grips with Orange Coloured Sky and later tackled Alright, Okay, You Win. The latter, by common agreement, needed more rehearsal time – they’re a self-deprecating lot the SSBB!
Chick Corea and Stan Kenton in the same pad? They’re in the Strictly Smokin’s! Spain, from eleven bars in, featured excellent tenor from Toms. The evening’s highlight – Fat Cat – roared like a big beast with a round of cracking solos (Pete Tanton, Steve Summers on alto, Pav guitar, Gowland, Alex Leathard trombone, Toms and excellent alto from Nadiah Killick). Paul Gowland’s current party piece – Body and Soul – illustrated the comprehensive talent of the tenor man and the night drew to a close with drummer Guy Swinton deservedly taking the spotlight on Skin Deep.
The Strictly Smokin’ Big Band can be heard at the Tyne Bar, Maling Street, Newcastle at five o’clock on Saturday 17 August. It is a free outdoor event – come rain or come shine – with a BBQ and fine beers. Leave the car at home, take the Quay Link bus along to the Ouseburn and enjoy a beer or two listening to a first rate big band.       
Russell.           

2 comments :

Unknown said...

Thanks Russell. The only slight amendment is that Nadiah should actually be Leath Teather who was dep'ping for us last night!

Russell said...

I thought I didn't recognise her! Thanks Michael.

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