Bebop Spoken There

Dominick "Domo" Branch: ''Most people say drummers can't write, they're just time-keepers only beating on things. But I have a very musical brain.'' (DownBeat February, 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

18288 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 142 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 14), 42

From This Moment On ...

February

Thu 19: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: George Shearing Jazz Moments.

Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT! Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.
Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: Squabble @ Warkworth Memorial Hall. 7:00pm. Steve Chambers (organ); Jude Murphy (double bass, vocals); Sid White (drums).
Fri 20: Jive Aces @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors).
Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.

Sat 21: ???

Sun 22: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 22: Joe Steels Group @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Sun 22: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Harben Kay Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: Joe Steels Group @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Finn-Keeble Group @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00.
Tue 24: Liam Oliver & Shayo Oshodi @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 26: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £6.50.
Thu 26: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00 adv.
Thu 26: Mick Cantwell Band @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Blues.

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, September 23, 2013

Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Hoochie Coochie Sunday Sept. 22

Michael Lamb (leader/tpt); Pete Tanton. Gordon Marshall, Tom Hill (tpts); Mark Ferris, Don Fairley, Mr John Flood, Robert Perry (tmbs); Steve Summers, Nadiah Killick (alt); Paul Gowland, Jamie Toms (ten); Sue Ferris (ten/bar). Marc Jolliffe (pno); Pavel Jedrzejewski (gtr); Michael Whent (bs); Guy Swinton (dms); Lindsay Hannon, James Hedley (vcls).
(Review by Lance).
Hoochie Coochie had a good crowd in for SSBB's monthly afternoon workout and it has to be said that this band seems to take giant steps forward with each hearing. A few personnel changes today.  Don Fairley has replaced Alex Leathard in the trombone section and Marc Jolliffe has taken over from Chris Finch at the keyboard. Sue Ferris occupied the baritone chair although this might be only a dep job. All acquitted themselves well.
The program consisted of the tried and tested along with the first time in public pieces. All were admirably performed and drew a vociferous response from the audience with the devotees at the front and the more casual listeners at the back.
Too many highlights to list. All the saxes soloed with punch and panache and blended well as a section. The brass were in the clouds with Leader Lamb and Pete Tanton handling the solo slots. Newcomer Fairley, a big band veteran from way back, soloed as if he'd been sitting in the section from day one and the whole section shone on It's Alright With Me. Pav on guitar, Jolliffe, Whent and Swinton are as sound a rhythm section as you'll find on a long day's stomp. Swinton also acted as MC which duty he performed as effectively as he soloed on Skindeep!
The vocalists were used sparingly with Flash! Bang! Alakazam! Lindsay hitting us with Orange Coloured Sky, Straighten Up and Fly Right and Alright, Okay, You Win whilst young blue eyes James Hedley scored with Our Love is Here to Stay, Let's Get Away From it All and The Way You Look Tonight.
It was a lovely way to spend a late afternoon early evening. The band can also be heard at The Millstone, South Gosforth on the last Thursday in the month starting 7pm. Next one Sept. 26. Next at HC is on Oct. 20. Photos.
Lance.

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