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

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Paul Edis Trio – Jazz Café December 13

Paul Edis (piano) Mick Shoulder (bass) Adam Sinclair (drums)
(Review by Kath Jobes)
This was the first of a regular spot for the Paul Edis Trio, 2nd Friday of the month, and if this evening’s set was anything to go by, it will be a good night out!  This was my second sojourn to the recently re-opened and refurbished Jazz Cafe and after the initial shock of the changes it’s beginning to grow on me, I particularly like the sheet music wallpapered onto the stairwell, a much brighter feel now, and the ambience is growing  as a small appreciative audience settles in… a work in progress… yes indeed. 
Monks Dream Set us away with a lively start, and set the tone for the evening… this tight trio regularly features 4s between the members so everyone gets a chance to shine… and shine they did.  After the first number the front of the piano came off, and suddenly we had a brighter sound as Oscar Peterson’s version of Moten Swing rung out through the room, and an intricate bass solo from Mick Shoulder warmed his fingers up for the next number –Bill Evan’s  Funkallero, described in the real book as an upbeat swing… this was a superfast interpretation with a terrific drum intro from Adam Sinclair.  Bluesette and One Note Samba came next with another brilliant Drum Solo from Sinclair.  I’m Old Fashioned was a soft and gentle contrast, with an exquisite bass solo. I could listen to this bass all night.  The last number of the set was another Bill Evans number, Peri’s Scope …and really showed off the nimble fingers of both pianist and bass player –tremendous!
The second set commences with Edis on playing Yesterdays, the elaborate improvisation included a phrase from Stella by Starlight and boy does this robin sing!  Ruth Lambert was then welcomed to centre stage to feature for a couple of songs, firstly another of my favourites… West Coast Blues, and then a wickedly naughty interpretation of Santa Baby, gutsy but cheeky… we need to see more of this lovely singer…. Don’t worry Ruth, I won’t tell the readers that you were in your jeans… a lovely long flowing dress… well maybe next time?
Cy Coleman’s Witchcraft once more featured that lovely bass and 4s before fading away beautifully.  A Paul Edis original – Mr Hipster had a rhythmic start moving into a medium swing, before returning to the rhythmic ending… if you want to hear it, it’s on his latest CD… definitely worth buying folks.  Next came a piano tribute to the late Stan Tracy who passed away earlier this week, Body and Soul… Edis really showed his skill as key changes gave depth and beauty to this piece… a pleasure to listen to and it brought a tear to the eye of Joan Parker who was one of Tracy’s dearest friends. 
The mood continued as the trio moved on to play Duke Ellington’s In a Mellow Tone, which brought forth reminiscences from Dave and Joan Parker, as they remembered their old friend playing this in Darlington with Roy Babbington on Bass and Clark Tracy on Drums… good times.   The final number of the night was Monk’s Rhythm-a- Ning, a dazzling end to an excellent night of Jazz.
Kath J.

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