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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17755 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 76 of them this year alone and, so far, 1 this month (Feb.1).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Sat 08: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 08: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 08: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 08: Lewis Watson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 08: Anth Purdy @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. ‘Swing Jazz Guitar’.
Sat 08: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A Newcastle University Jazz Orchestra event. All welcome.

Sun 09: The New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 09: Glenn Miller & Big Band Spectacular @ The Forum, Billingham. 3:00pm.
Sun 09: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Tom Remon & Mark Williams @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 09: Rod Oughton’s Tomorrow’s New Quartet with Ben van Helder @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Line-up inc. Deschanel Gordon.
Sun 09: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 10: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 11: Steve Summers Quintet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Jam session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 13: Student Performances @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 4:00pm. Free. Inc. Olly Styles (tenor sax).
Thu 13: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: Artist Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Hannabiell & Midnight Blue.
Thu 13: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 14: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 12:30-1:30pm. £5.00. at the door. New second Friday in the month concert series.
Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 14: Archipelago + Anna Tempest @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £8.00.
Fri 14: Paul Jones & Dave Kelly @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. Rhythm & blues.
Fri 14: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Fri 14: Jazz Sabbath @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

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

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Walter Trout Band + Mitch Laddie Band @ Sage Gateshead. November 11

(Review by Russell)
A dream double bill – US blues-rcck guitar giant Walter Trout supported by local hero blues-rock guitar sensation Mitch Laddie. Contrary to some media reports Trout’s European tour had not been cancelled and Hall Two at Sage Gateshead was busy, the crowded main floor all standing.
Trout, a long time mate of Laddie, made a welcome return to Tyneside. His gigs at Riverside on Melbourne Street, Newcastle are the stuff of legend. Subsequent gigs at other venues have earned the former Bluesbreaker a loyal following in the north east.
As the band took to the stage at Sage Gateshead – Walter Trout (guitar, harmonica & vocals), Sammy Avila (Hammond organ & vocals), Rick Knapp (electric bass) & Michael Leasure (drums) + Andrew Elt (electric bass & vocals) – many in the auditorium stood shocked at the frail figure of Walter Trout. Illness had taken its toll, the XL-size American reduced to a ghostly skeletal frame. Trusty Strat in hand, Trout looked drawn, tired. Would this be a desperately sad occasion? No fear!
Hey, swanky joint you’ve got here. Let’s see if we can take it down a notch or two! said Trout of Sage Gateshead. The band played straight through – ninety minutes – in typical Walter Trout Band fashion. Relentless, high volume, high intensity blues-rock of the highest order. Recently hospitalised, diagnosed with liver damage and other ailments, Trout spoke openly with black humour about his current state of health. He said: I’m sixty two years old. The first sixty years were a f****** breeze. The last two years have been s*** . There isn’t anyone in the rudest of health who could hold a candle to Trout’s blues guitar playing (except, perhaps, Mitch Laddie!) To hear the man play, as if possessed, giving it everything, truly was one of those I was there occasions.
The new CD – a tribute to Luther Allison – featured, as did tunes from his extensive Provogue label recording career. The band’s long term stability ensured the tightest of performances. Hammond organist Sammy Avila rocked out all night long, bassist Rick Knapp exuded authority and drummer Michael Leasure slayed ‘em all. Trout took time out, sitting, then leaning against his guitar amp, clearly tired but enjoying every single second of the gig. Knapp swapped his bass for one number to play fantastic guitar, urged to ever greater heights by the appreciative Trout. A rare treat and a mark of Trout’s generosity of spirit occurred when his tour manager of ten years – Andrew Elt – joined the party to play bass on the number! He could play but there was more to come. Picking up the mic, Elt strutted Rock God-like, screaming a vocal as close to Robert Plant as you’re likely to hear. It just so happens that in his spare time Elt fronts a Led Zeppelin tribute band! Michael Leasure grabbed the spotlight with a powerhouse drum solo, Trout again digging it.
This Sage Gateshead show was a gig and a half, memorable in so many ways, none more so than when Mitch Laddie joined Trout for a blues jam. Walter Trout may not be in the best of health but he possesses great spirit and communicated his love of the blues to a packed auditorium. He went out on Goin’ Down, revitalised, playing the blues. The best of luck to you, Walter. See you next time at Sage Gateshead.          
Earlier, young gun Laddie, from Stanley, County DurhamMitch Laddie (guitar & vocals), Rhian Wilkinson (electric bass) & Matt Connor (drums) – brought a large following with him and his trio hit the ground running. Showman Laddie’s superb technique stripped paint from the walls with quick-fire blues licks. Material from the latest CD – Burning Bridges – and back catalogue numbers ensured his forty minutes support slot flew by. Marvin Gaye’s Inner City Blues and Buddy Miles’ Them Changes received rapturous applause. Laddie’s bass and drums pairing – Rhian Wilkinson and Matt Connor – were with him every step of the way. Laddie is destined for the top and these guys are sure to go along for the ride.
Russell.

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