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

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Havana Club 5 @ the Salsa Bar and Café – October 19

Sarah Travena (Sop Sax); Paul Grainger (Bs Gtr); Alan Law (Piano); Paco Rivera (Congas/Hand Perc.); Carlos Luis Rivera (Vocals, Timbales/Bongos).
(Review by Kath, Photo courtesy of Sara Sarita Lourenco)
The inaugural night of the Havana Club 5 at the Salsa Tapas Bar and Café just blew me away!
Spirited Latin and Afro Cuban music combined with delicious tapas and a superb ambience was the recipe for a perfect Saturday evening; the music had me dancing in my seat with a huge grin on my face, and looking around the audience the atmosphere was one of immeasurable enjoyment.
I have to confess that I am not an expert on Latin music, and some numbers I really didn't know the name of but I made it my mission to find out… courtesy of Mr Paul Grainger I was given the set list, the ones previously unknown to me wereChugo, How Insensitive, The Jody Grind, Carlito’s Way, Blue Bossa, and Chega De Saudade, which apparently was well known by another member of the audience who could not praise it highly enough as the Latin percussion was ‘just right’! These superbly played numbers were interspersed with delightful renditions of Como Fué, Green Dolphin Street, Song for my Father, Dinji, Besame Mucho and Caravan, each with a lovely deep Latin feel.
There were superb solos from every one of the musicians, I loved the way that Paco Rivera complemented Paul Grainger on Electric Bass with his varied percussion; Alan Law excelled on Piano… a true Pianista who brought a wonderful energy to the music. The lovely and talented saxophonist Sarah Travena was simply splendid, and the energy and contagious grin from Carlos Luis Rivera, mixed with some fabulous vocals and Latin moves made this night not one to be missed and if you did… your loss! Havana Club 5… more please!
Kath.

No comments :

Blog Archive