Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

March

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Gavin Lee's Dixieland Band @ Ashington Jazz Club. November 6

Gavin Lee (Clarinet and Alto Saxophone), Phil Smith (Bass), Jimmy Stix Robinson (Drums), Brian Chester (Keyboard).
(Review by Peter S.).
Gavin arrived on this occasion with a group of musicians never seen at AJC within this combination. No soprano sax this time but with clarinet and alto sax which he plays with style and perfection. Always with him Phil Smith on bass and much to our surprise and delight Brian Chester on keyboard and on his first encounter with the AJC  Jimmy Stix on drums.
This was an unexpected combination but the perfect unit to perform Gavin's chosen programme for the evening. The selections were refreshing as the group introduced many melodies never heard before and not repeated popular requests that is often the format on these evenings. Gavin introduced each in his own humorous dialect which needed no translation here in Ashington. The dedicated trio behind gave wonderful support to his skill on reeds and delivered  a very enjoyable invigorating recital throughout the evening. It is a pleasure to be able to listen to these accomplished instrumentalists from our region. We are so fortunate. Our audience loved every musical moment as much as the group appeared to. They must be hiding some talent under those hats and the members showed their pleasure in the accepted manner.  Feedback  was very positive with expressions of delight and thanks. "Ecstatic" was one comment from one of our critical members, "wonderful" another , come back soon etc. What more can be said? Thank you gentlemen.
Programme (but may not be in the played order).
At a Dixie Roadside Diner, Alone in the Rain, After You, Broadway Rose, Dancing on the Stars, Every Evening I Miss you, Fine and Dandy, I Close my Eyes, Moon Over Miami, My Baby Just Cares for me, Mighty Blue, Madeleine, Susie, Seems Like Old times, When Mabel Comes in the Room, What a Difference a Day Makes, You're Driving me Crazy, and Transatlantic Lullaby."
NEXT MEETING - Wednesday December 4. at 8.00 p.m. (Early Start)
 Keith and Caroline with Gypsy Jazz.
We are always happy to see you there.
Peter S.

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