Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: ''It was then that Coltrane came along and single-handedly brought this dimension of spirituality into jazz. It was a pivotal experience to me.'' (DownBeat September, 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

18982 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 846 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Oct. 8.) 25.

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

From This Moment On

October.

Fri 09: Dean Stockdale Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums).
Fri 09: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle.

Sat 10: Catfish Keith @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £19.00. + bf. Jumpin’ Hot Club.

Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free. Feat. guest Jack ‘Banjo’ Courtney (trumpet).
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Harry Christelis Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A Jazz Co-op-JNE co-promotion.

Mon 12: Jack Pearce Quintet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 12: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 13: Alan Law @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free. Alan Law (piano) w. Julija Jacenaite (vocals).

Wed 14: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: A Night of Stevie Wonder @ Holy GrAle, Durham. 4:45pm. £3.00.; £2.50. A Durham University Jazz Society event.
Wed 14: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 14: Jam session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 14: A Night of Stevie Wonder @ Holy GrAle, Durham. 7:30pm. £3.00.; £2.50. A Durham University Jazz Society event.
Wed 14: NW FRQNC @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £15.00. Selina Albright, Gianni Vancini.
Wed 14: Jacob Egglestone Trio @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00. JNE.

Thu 15: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 15: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 15: Leah Kirk: A Strange Affair @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free (donations). Leah Kirk (vocals); Alan Law (keyboards); Paul Grainger (double bass).
Thu 15: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. PJO w. guest Graham Hardy (trumpet).

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Millstone, South Gosforth featuring Colin Aitchison and Don Armstrong

Fred Rowe (tpt/vcl); Barry Soulsby (clt/vcl); Laurence McBriarty (tmb); Brian Bennett (bjo/vcl)); Ian Heslop (bs); Fred Thompson (dms/vcl). + Colin Aitchison (tpt/vcl); Don Armstrong (clt/alt).
(Review by Lance/ photo of Colin and Lance by Jeannie Aitchison)
A jolly afternoon listening to the goodtime jazz of the VCJ was enhanced today by our man in Hong Kong in Tynemouth 'till Saturday Colin Aitchison on trumpet and vocals and ex-pat Aussie based Don Armstrong playing clarinet and alto.
It was a  good boisterous session with the guests blending in well with the band. Too many choice moments to pick out save to say the room was crowded and appreciation was shown vociferously. Good also to catch up with Colin who is playing well. Like his late dad, famed trumpet man, Hughie, Colin has a penchant for the humorous quote in his solos and there were several which all added to the light hearted summery atmosphere. 
Don Armstrong played clarinet much better than his adopted countrymen play cricket - he also excelled on alto, the complete all-rounder.
Apologies for singling out the guests as the band regulars more than held their own. Fred Rowe has been around for 80 something years and he still blows like he did 50 years ago. Laurence, after his recent health problems is back, slimmer and playing as good as ever. Barry Soulsby - a near perfect clarinet sound - Ian Heslop, now a regular after Brian Sibbald's recent stroke, Fred Thompson - drummer, vocalist extraordinaire - and of course the leader, the man with the banjo, Brian Bennett.
A good session. The 55 bus from the Haymarket takes you right there - be on it next week!
Lance.
PS: In the audience and looking cool was the aunt of a certain rock star - I hope she reads this as I sure ain't gonna post no message in a bottle!
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1 comment :

Brian said...

The aunt of the rock star who shall remain anonymous (let's just call her Roxanne) was elegantly dressed in a 60's chic, 'summer of Love' style outfit. She told me some of her garments were made of parachute silk. Was tempted to ask if anyone was tugging her rip-cord but decided not to risk getting a smack in the gob.

Thursday, July 25, 2013 10:16:00 pm

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