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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

17719 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 39 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Jan. 15).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Wed 15: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 15: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 15: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 15: Hot Club of Heaton @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘third Wednesday in the month’ session. TBC.

Thu 16: Pete Tanton & the Cuban Heels @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio w. Graham Hardy @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. (inc. a welcome drink & table reservation). Book at: www.drinks@thepele.co.uk. A ‘Jazz at the Pele’ promotion.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick TD15 1AS. 7:30pm. Free. Album launch gig.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

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

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Northern Monkey Brass Band @ The British Science Festival.

Graham Hardy (trumpet), Alastair Lord (trumpet), Sue Ferris (tenor saxophone), David Grey (trombone), Don Fairley (trombone), Phil Rosier (tuba), Brendan Murphy (bass drum, Nik Alevroyiannis (snare drum) + assorted university student boffins.
(Review by Russell)
The 2013 British Science Festival has taken over Newcastle city centre this last week or so. The closing outdoor event at Grey’s Monument involved university science students and an endangered species – the Northern Monkey Brass Band. The boffins conducted experiments (the Northern Monkeys weren't harmed) with the participation of budding school student scientists and curious passers-by.
Laboratory (home made) instruments (musical as opposed to scientific) were handed out. Blown, they resembled the annoying vu vu zela (FIFA 2010 World Cup) and the equally annoying kazoo. The purpose? Hmmm, something to do with sound waves and vibrations (cue the Northern Monkeys’ take on the Beach Boys’ Good Vibrations). Sue Ferris’  tenor blew, Alastair Lord’s trumpet shook Earl Grey’s Monument to its foundations and David Grey’s trombone sent the tumbleweed tumbling down Grey Street.
The Northern Monkeys are the A-Team at an event like this; percussionist Brendan Murphy led a conga dance, rhythm partner Nik Alevroyiannis kept it bang on and tuba star Phil Rosier funked this way then that. Veteran ‘bone man Don Fairley enjoyed it all and Monkey in Chief Graham Hardy couldn't have been happier with the street crowd response. The band packed-up quickly, no monkeying around, and dashed off to Matfen for a gig in Matfen Church. If you’re in that neck of the woods - up in the trees or wherever – call in and hear the great Northern Monkey Brass Band.   
Russell.

2 comments :

Mark said...

They were fabulous in Matfen too - hopefully bits of the performance will find their way onto our website and youtube in the next day or two.

Lance said...

Keep us informed Mark.

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