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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 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

17945 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 266 of them this year alone and, so far, 22 this month (April 8).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Sun 13: Daniel John Martin with Swing Manouche @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00.
Sun 13: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 13: Hejira: A Celebration of Joni Mitchell @ Wylam Brewery, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:00pm doors). £22.50.
Sun 13: Wilkinson/Edwards/Noble + Chojnacki @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £13.20., £11.00. JNE.

Mon 14: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 14: Zoë Gilby Quintet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Only Six Standards.
Thu 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Fri 18: Alexia Gardner @ Fika Gallery, Oldgate, Morpeth NE61 1LT. 7:00pm. Trio (Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy).POSTPONED UNTIL JUNE

Fri 18: Sarah Jane Morris & Tony Remy: The Sisterhood @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00.

Sat 19: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 19: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 19: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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, December 30, 2013

Night Owl Blues

I note that Jazz Café gigs start at 10pm (apart from the 'all day jazz extravaganza') and Pink Lane Jazz Co-op gigs start at 9.30pm. That's generally off-puttingly late for me. Audience numbers could be affected if, as is possible, a significant number of others feel similarly.
I recall the late Chris Yates making a point of starting the JNE gigs he promoted at 8pm, not least for the benefit of audience-members catching public transport home (like the 27 bus). Perhaps it would be worth the Jazz Café and the PLJC considering starting gigs at 8pm – like Splinter @ the Bridge – or, latest, 8.30pm.
Mike Jamieson.

8 comments :

barry said...

Couldn't agree more.

Jen E said...

I feel the same. No way would I come out for a 9.30/10 pm start!

Dave Parker (on F/b) said...

I agree with you Lance Liddle. I can't speak for the Jazz Cafe but in the case of Salsa Cafe and Tapas Bar the owners want the jazz to start after the main dinner rush. On the occasions that Pink Lane Jazz Coop has had total control over the programming the gigs have started at 7.30 or 8pm.

Lance said...

Although this post was actually by Mike Jamieson I do agree with him whilst at the same time appreciating Dave's position re the venues. Back in Keith's time the Jazz Café was always a late night venue so I suppose the present administration want to keep it that way.

Kath Jobes (on F/b) said...

In Keith's words... "Jazz happens between 1 pm and 4 am!"

Ann Alex said...

I too would love the coop gigs to start at 8 or 8.30pm as I have to get home to South Shields. I wonder if the Salsa venue could be persuaded to start earlier, even if the meals were still going on.

Lance said...

Problem there Ann is that musicians bringing in drum kits etc whilst waiters are carrying heaped plates in a contra-flow direction could lead to a contretemps!

Pete Gilligan (on F/b) said...

Aye put all the gigs on early so you can be back in bed before you turn into pumpkins. Traditionally not a major concern of jazz musicians and fans. Some people want to be able to do something other than clubbing after their shifts, gigs or just want to go to a venue and leave late. If we support the gigs and they are successful we will then be in a position to lobby for early and late sets at venues like the cafe. Thus pleasing everyone and generating more work and music.

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