Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 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

18061 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1025 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Dec. 14).

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Sat 20: Jazz Attack @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 11:00am. Free.
Sat 20: Alexia Gardner @ FIKA Art Gallery, Morpeth. 6:30pm. Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy. SOLD OUT!
Sat 20: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 20: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 20: Hoodoo Blues @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:15pm (doors). £14.25, £11.55. Dance class, social dancing, live music & Xmas Party. Live music from 9:00pm - Ruth Lambert, Giles Strong, Ian Paterson & John Bradford (jazz and blues).
Sat 20: John Pope Quintet @ Blank Studios, Newcastle. 7:30-8:30pm. £7.70 (inc. bf). Album recording session.

Sun 21: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. ‘Xmas Swingalong’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 21: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ o2 City Hall, Newcastle. 6:00pm. £35.80., £33.25., £31.00.
Sun 21: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music.
Sun 21: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:30pm. Free.

Mon 22: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:30pm. ‘The A Capella Sessions’. Gardner, Paula Gardner, Alexia Hope Gardner Diamany.
Wed 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Thu 25: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:00pm. ‘All About the Bass Sessions’. Alexia Gardner, Paula Gardner, Jude Murphy.

Fri 26: ???

Sat 27: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 27: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. bf).

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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