Gig of the Year | |
Hugh Cochrane: . | The Impossible Gentlemen @ Zefferelli's, Ambleside |
Ken Drew | Marian Crispell & Raymond McDonald @ N'cle Uni. |
Arun Ghosh @ Sage Gateshead | |
Laura Jurd/Paul Dunmall (jt) | |
Tony Eales | Igor Butman - Moscow Jazz Orchestra @ Wigan Jazz Festival |
Bobby Shew & LA Big Band @ LA Jazz Festival | |
Tommy Smith & SNJO Play Stan Kenton @ Queen's Hall, Edinburgh | |
Chris Finch | Trilok Gurtu, Paolo Fresu, Omar Sosa @ Sage Gateshead |
Flore | David Sanborn/Bob James @ Barbican (London Jazz Festival) |
Steve Horowitz | Arun Ghosh @ Sage Gateshead |
Ollie Howell Quintet @ The Bridge, Newcastle | |
Courtney Pine @ Hoochie Coochie | |
Kath Jobes | Lindsay Hannon Plus @ Sage Gateshead |
Lance | Keith Crombie Funeral/Wake @ Town Walls, Newcastle |
Emma Fisk @ Whitley Bay Classic Jazz Party | |
Cecile McLorin Salvant & Daryl Sherman @ Whitley Bay Classic Jazz Party | |
Liz | Michael Bublé @ O2 |
John Taylor | Martin Stephenson/Martin Taylor @ Ashington Festival |
Roly Veitch | Graeme Wilson Quartet @ Lit and Phil |
For the last twelve years we've been updating the world about jazz in the north east of England and updating the north east of England about jazz in the world. WINNER of the Jazz Media Category in the 2018 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. Contact lanceliddle@gmail.com
Bebop Spoken There
Clare Teal: "If you're brought up in a working-class family, you haven't got money for records so everything you get hold of, you treasure, learn to love, and I loved those Ella tapes." - (Radio Times 23-29 January 2021)

The Things They Say!
Hudson Music: Lance's "Bebop Spoken Here" is one of the heaviest and most influential jazz blogs in the UK.
Rupert Burley (Dynamic Agency): "BSH just goes from strength to strength".

Postage
12,399 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 12 years ago. 118 of them this year alone and, so far, 118 this month (Jan. 25).

Tuesday, December 31, 2013
CD/Gig of the Year Choices
R.I.P. Boyd Lee Dunlop

Boyd gave Frankie his first drum lesson, worked as a labourer in a steelworks whilst playing piano in a club in Buffalo at night, and at 85 made his first CD after someone heard him play in the nursing home where he now lived. It was so successful they recorded him again the following year. How's that for being a late developer?
Rest In Peace.
Obituary.Lance.
Redemption Gigs 2014
January
Sunday 19: Blaydon Jazz Club, The Black Bull - Bridge St, Blaydon-on-Tyne, NE21 4JJ. 0191 4142846
8:00pm no cover charge
Fund-Raising event donations to Marie Curie the night has been bequeathed to us by Blaydon Jazz Club.
Thursday 23: Label Newcastle, 14-16 Newgate St ,
Newcastle NE1 5RG. 8:00pm . Cover Charge TBC.
0191
261 8701
Wednesday 29: Hexham Jazz Club, The
Exchange Café, Beaumont St , Hexham,
Northumberland NE46 3LS. 01434 608765 - 8:00pm £3 cover charge.
February
Thursday 13: The Victoria, 244 Whitley Rd ,
Whitley Bay NE26 2TE . 8:00pm cover charge TBC. 0191 251 3753.
April
Friday 4: No28, 28 Nelson
St, Newcastle
upon Tyne NE1 5AN. 10:00pm no cover charge donations to the Pink Lane Jazz Coop.0191
232 2005.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Best Jazz Read of the Year: McPartland v Burton

Well that is how it was for me regarding my Best Jazz Read of the Year. Paul de Barros' biography (written in conjunction with) of Marian McPartland Shall We Play That One Together? was odds on favourite and looked to be running out an easy winner.
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.
T.J. Muller's Honky Tonk Jazz Band @ Hoochie Coochie. December 29.
T.J. Muller (tpt/vcl); Paddy Darley (tmb); Oly Clarkson (clt); Barry Hart (vln); Ben Fitzgerald (gtr); Tom Fletcher (pedal steel); K.D. Harbot (bs); Paul Archibald (dms); Iuthe Muller (vcls).
(Review by Lance/photo from T.J. Muller's archives).
Last Saturday night I was watching the review Café Society Swing in a London theatre. It told the story of the Café Society night club that flourished in New York either side of World War 2. Tonight I was back there, or so it seemed! This was Hoochie's Sunday Night Stomp and it was a delightful and enlightening experience.
Last Saturday night I was watching the review Café Society Swing in a London theatre. It told the story of the Café Society night club that flourished in New York either side of World War 2. Tonight I was back there, or so it seemed! This was Hoochie's Sunday Night Stomp and it was a delightful and enlightening experience.
Pink Lane Jazz Co-op January Gigs
First Friday @No 28 on 3 Jan, admission free
A lively night at one of Newcastle 's coolest bars with Blue Jazz
Quintet. Why not make this a Pink Lane Jazz Coop party before the festive
party season finally comes to an end?
Saturday Jazz @Salsa on 11, 18 and 25 Jan, admission free
The popular jazz nights at Salsa Café and Tapas Bar
continue from 11 Jan with three excellent trios.
Sunday jam sessions @Salsa 3-6pm, admission free
Bring your instrument and join in, or just enjoy the
vibe.
Final Friday @Jazz Café on 31 Jan, admission £4.50
We're arranging the live music at the Jazz Café on the
final Friday of each month. This month it's top Tyneside vocalist Lindsay
Hannon.
New Year's Eve @Jazz Café admission £6
This isn't really a Pink Lane Jazz Coop event but the
owners of the Jazz Café asked if we could pull together a few musicians for a
late night session. Live music starts at 11pm and we're expecting various
excellent local musicians to drop by.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
A Sad Anniversary.

to be passed. This says much for the charisma of the man. A year on his name is still bandied about - sometimes with reverence other times just the opposite (probably in equal dozes). Whatever, he was a man who touched our hearts in many ways. His funeral and the wake that followed remains my gig of the year - I think it will be a one for all time.
RIP my friend.
Lance.
Hugh Masekela on Radio 3 at Noon.
Hugh Masekela is Michael Berkeley's guest on today's edition of Private Passions (Radio 3, 12noon).
Russell.
Russell.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Gilligan, Williams and Forbes December 27 - The Jazz Café
Pete Gilligan (Piano); Mark Williams
(Guitar); Don Forbes (Trumpet).
(Review by
Kath Jobes).
Life is complicated enough. And
jazz is just a chance to escape from it, at least for a moment…Cabin fever
had set in at home and I needed some Jazz, so off I went to the Jazz Café for
what can only be described as a bouncing night!
The first set was just Gilligan and Williams, who were later joined in
the second set by Don Forbes and his trusty trumpet.
Gig of the Year. David Sanborn & Bob James @ The London Jazz Festival. Barbican, November 16, 2013.
My ticket to the concert was a wild card, a mystery trip as the group were unknown to me. My mind was a blank canvas. By the end of the first piece a rainbow of colour had been painted.
I have since reflected on why the occasion had such a profound effect on me.
My conclusion is simple - keep jazz live - the impossible is possible.
Flore.Gala Theatre Update.
January 17: Paul Edis (solo piano).
February 21: Djangologie.
March 21: Mo Scott Trio.
April 25: James Birkett/Bradley Johnston Jazz Guitar Duo.
All concerts start 1pm. Admission £4.
February 21: Djangologie.
March 21: Mo Scott Trio.
April 25: James Birkett/Bradley Johnston Jazz Guitar Duo.
All concerts start 1pm. Admission £4.
Jazz Record Requests
In the final program of the year (BBC Radio 3, 5pm) Alyn Shipton presents readers' choices for the CD of the Year. Those who haven't decided on their own choices on this site, and that means about 390 of you, may find inspiration here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03lzrst
Lance.Friday, December 27, 2013
Congratulations to Kate and John.
Singer Kate Peters and bassist John Marley have announced their engagement. Although Yorkshire based, the couple have appeared with various bands, including the Kate Peters Sextet, at several north east venues including the Bridge Hotel and Hoochie Coochie.
We send them our best wishes and hope that all their troubles are semi-quavers.Lance.
CD Review: Jamie Taylor's Outside Line Quartet - Introducing Outside Line
Jamie Taylor (gtr); Matt Anderson (ten); Garry Jackson (bs); Dave Walsh (dms).
A meandering start had me groaning and saying to myself "This is going to be one of those Scandinavian epics where it takes three days to get past the first 8 bars." Seemingly, I read, producer Sam Hobbs underscores the collective improvisation with otherworldly sounds of uncertain origin!
However, I should have known better than to almost write it off after a few bars! These guys are from Yorkshire which is almost as good as being from Tyneside and, as the CD progressed, I realised there were no Trolls aboard.
However, I should have known better than to almost write it off after a few bars! These guys are from Yorkshire which is almost as good as being from Tyneside and, as the CD progressed, I realised there were no Trolls aboard.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Ulster Jazz Club
BBC Radio Ulster Jazz Club has some good clips past, present and coming up in the future.
Thanks to Simon Spillett for drawing these programmes to my attention.
Lance.
Thanks to Simon Spillett for drawing these programmes to my attention.
Lance.
Frank Griffith - Master of the Reeds.
On my recent London jaunt I was impressed with the clarinet (and tenor) playing of Frank Griffith and, after receiving a friendly thank you email from him, I visited his website which is well worth checking out featuring as it does, a superb Body and Soul as well as a track from Tina May's album Divas with the Frank Griffith Big Band. It's the old Peggy Lee/Benny Goodman classic Why Don't You Do Right? - Take it from me they certainly do do it right!
Check it out here. (Photo from Frank Griffith's website.)Lance.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Farewell to Herb Geller and Yusef Lateef but not to Horace Silver
Just caught up with the sad news that altoist Herb Geller died on December 19 and multi reedman Yusef Lateef died on December 23.
Herb Geller was one of my favourite alto players ever since I heard his version of Bess You is my Woman Now with Clifford Brown and others on an Emarcy Jam Session back in the 1950s. Another favourite was Hollywood Portraits in which he paints musical pictures of stars such as Rita Hayworth, Betty Grable, Lana Turner and others. Geller, who was 85, died in Hamburg. Sadly missed.
Obituary (includes lovely clip of Herb playing If I Were a Bell.).
Post Christmas Jazz Radio by Russell
(Saturday 28) tune in to Jazz Line-Up (Radio 3, 6:00 pm) and
tuck in to your first helping of Wayne
Shorter recorded at the Barbican during this year’s London Jazz Festival. A
second helping will be served on Monday (30) on Radio 3’s Jazz on 3 (11:00 pm). See out the old on New Year’s Eve (Radio 3,
4:30 pm) with music and chat from the Stables, Wavendon - Sean Rafferty at Home with Dame Cleo Laine and Jacqui Dankworth.
-----
And on iplayer... Monday 23 (Radio 2, 10:00 pm) Jingle Bell Joe: Radio 2 House Party features Joe Stilgoe and his band. Guests include Caro Emerald.
-----
And on iplayer... Monday 23 (Radio 2, 10:00 pm) Jingle Bell Joe: Radio 2 House Party features Joe Stilgoe and his band. Guests include Caro Emerald.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Sting: When The Last Ship Sails. BBC1 Sunday December 22.
Sting (vcls/ gtr/bs/narration); Jimmy Nail (vcl); Jo Lawry (vcl); Kathryn Tickell (vln/North-pipes); Peter Tickell (vln/man); Julian Sutton (melodion); Ira Coleman (bs); Joe Bonadio (dms); Dominic Miller (gtrs); The Wilson Family (vcls); Rob Mathes (MD/pno/gtr/vcl).
(Review by Lance).
This was good! It wasn't jazz - it wasn't intended to be. It was folksy and, musically, better suited for review by Ann Alex rather than myself. However, as AA probably never worked in a shipyard and I spent my early wage-earning years loosely connected to the then ginormous industry, perhaps she will excuse me for pulling rank!
Jam Session @ The Salsa Cafe, Sunday December 22
Pete Gilligan
(keys); Paul Grainger (bass); Michael Howard (drums); Stuart McKie (guitar)
And Many
Others to be mentioned…
(Review
by Ann Alex).
Lance appealed for more
horns to come to this session and they certainly did: John Rowland, Stuart
Findon and Fiona Findon, appeared during the afternoon with their tenor saxes,
and also a lad (from London I believe) Sam Newbold, with his alto, who played
some blistering fast sax, a joy for horn lovers and everyone else.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Gig/CD of the Year reminder.
As the year draws to a close and the gigs with them it seems that now is the time to reflect and make your choices of Gig of the Year or CD of the Year. I've made my choices known - let us know yours. I'm sure you've all listened to at least one CD and been to a gig or three so don't hang about.
Lance.
Lance.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Simon Spillett Quartet @ The Oval Tavern, Croydon.
(Review by Lance).
Simon Spillett never fails to impress. With a technique that outstrips most of his contemporaries (with each hearing he seems to add an extra hundred notes per phrase!) And yet, these aren't mere hip arpeggios but meaningful usage of the tools at his command. He is a walking, living, Jazz Courier with Tubby's technique and Ronnie's laconic sense of humour.
The 73 bus, the train and the walk to the oak beamed pub was well worth the effort. I don't know if the beams are genuine but the music certainly is. And if the beams are genuine oak then, because of the low ceiling, they ran risk of being somewhat singed as the notes flew upwards with the ferocity of a Xmas fireworks display.
Café Society Swing @ Leicester Square Theatre, London. December 21.
Cherise Adams-Burnett, China Moses, Alexander Stewart (vcls); Harold Sanditen (narrator/vcls); Alex Webb (MD/comp/arr/pno); Sue Richardson (tpt/flug); Nathanial Facey (alt); Frank Griffith (ten/clt); Nathanial Cross (tmb); Jo Caleb (gtr); Miles Danso (bs); Shane Forbes (dms). Directed by Simon Green.
(Review by Lance. Photos courtesy of Alex Webb - China Moses [l] Alexander Stewart [r]).
Forget Les Mis or Lloyd Webber's latest this is the only place to be. It should run longer than The Mousetrap but it's only on for 2 nights and tonight is the last performance so don't procrastinate but Hurry on Down to this Playhouse Baby - to misquote a tribute to Nellie Lutcher by Adams-Burnett in this wonderful show.
Mo Scott Quartet – The Jazz Café December 20
Mo Scott (Vocal) Stuart Collingwood (Piano) Rob Walker (Drums) Neil Harland (D. Bass)
(Review by
Kath Jobes)
Well folks this is probably my last review this
year… but it was a good gig to review.
Mo Scott is well known as a Jazz and Blues Singer and was accompanied by
a smashing group of musicians, Pianist, Stuart Collingwood showed his style and
superb ability, Neil Harland and his Bass really brought a something special to
the night, and supported by the ever steady rhythm of Rob Walker on Drums… we
only got to see a small section of his individuality but nevertheless is was
worth seeing… more drum solos next time guys.
Anyway, as brevity is it seems a requirement of one reader of this blog,
I will keep it short.
Rae Brothers New Orleans Jazz Band – 'Jazz @ the Fell @ The Legion Christmas Party – December 20
(Review by Roly
Veitch)
A lovely session of pure
New Orleans jazz was served up for the faithful regulars, along with
the traditional sumptuous Christmas buffet, making for a most
enjoyable and convivial evening. This just one of literally hundreds
of concerts that have been staged by the Fell jazz club since it was
all begun by the late drummer Ray Brown back in 1994. When Ray
tragically passed away in 2000 the running of the club was taken on
by enthusiasts Ron and Joyce Pollard who have, with great
determination and devotion, kept the club going since then, such that
it reaches its 20th anniversary in 2014. That will be 20
years of weekly sessions – somewhere around 1000 concerts. They
deserve a medal!
Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Millstone. December 19
(Review by John Peace).
It was a cold, grey damp Thursday afternoon in South Gosforth when having gotten all my timings wrong for wandering around Majestic wines and meeting up with a friend I found myself with a couple of hours to kill. No problem I thought, just go to the Brandling ( a pub last visited when I was in the 6th form at St Mary's) and have a couple of quiet pints. Well quiet was out the question as the place had a couple of large raucous groups in and there's nothing that makes you feel more like 'johnny no mates' than standing at the bar on your own when everyone else is laughing and the air is filled with loud chatter!
Still all was not lost, there was always the Millstone to try, so I braved the rain and wind and headed there, pushed open the door to be met with the unmistakeable aroma of Christmas dinner and the gentle hubbub of conversation, this will do I thought so a pint of Tyneside Blonde was duly ordered.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Deidre Cartwright Trio @ Jan's Bar, Stoke Newington.
Deirdre Cartwright (gtr); Alison Raynor (bs); Winston Clifford (dms); Diane McLoughlin (ten); Sarah P (vcls).
(Review by Lance)
By the time I got to Stoke Newington I was train-lagged, bus-lagged and beer-lagged. By which I mean I'd East Coast trained it from Newcastle, London Transported it (No. 73) from Euston and paid £5.70 for a pint of cloudy Belgium beer.
Still I'd made it in time for the advertised 8:30pm start which turned out to be 9pm.
Nevertheless, once the music started all this was forgotten. Entry was free and it was worth many times more than £5.70 so, in real terms, the beer was a bonus!
QUIZ ANYONE? - Ruth Lambert Trio at The Gala Theatre, Durham. December 20
(Review/Photos by Jerry)
1] “Lithuanians and Lats do it…….” [Invitational?]
2] “Beautiful music, faint as Will o’ the Wisp..” [Ornithological?]
3] “….Never seen things going so right,,,” [Meteorological?]
4]”Your love is rain / My heart a flower…” [Drinkable?]
5]”Why be afraid of whether / This little dream may fade…” [Amorous?]
6]”I need someone to rock me…” [Instructional?]
7]” You’d be so nice by the fire…” [Domestic?]
8]”So lucky to be / The one you run to see…” [Sequential?]
9]”Have fun, you lucky people / The drink and the laugh’s on me…” [Optical?]
Friday, December 20, 2013
Gateshead International Jazz Festival 2014 - Full line-up now finalised.
Highlights
include... The Spring
Quartet featuring 2012 NEA Jazz Master Jack DeJohnette on drums, heavyweight saxophonist Joe Lovano, 2011 ‘Best New
Artist’ GRAMMY award-winner Esperanza Spalding on bass and Argentinian pianist Leo Genovese. PLUS 2013
GRAMMY award-winner Robert Glasper with his Experiment ensemble; jazz, funk and soul musician Ed Motta; Courtney Pine with the
critically acclaimed ‘House of Legends’ project; Bill Frisell Trio, Polar Bear plus Shiver, The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra with Jacqui Dankworth; Django Bates, Joakim Milder and theNorrbotten Big Band; Jean
Toussaint Quartet; McCormack and Yarde Duo with theElysian String
Quartet ....and much
much more!
To see the full line-up and to book
tickets visit our (Sage Gateshead) website.
Jazz Singers – Enhance Your Skills with Bulgarian Singing
(By
Ann Alex).
Lance thought it was
most amusing when I said that I was going to a Bulgarian Singing Workshop. This
was at the Sage on Wednesday December 18 and was lead by Katherine Zeserson,
and very useful and enjoyable for the 30 or so people taking part. This type of folk singing is usually
performed unaccompanied, out of doors, with big natural voices, no vibrato, and
has a sort of ‘earthy feel’. Very
different from jazz singing so far.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
GREGORY PORTER FOR HOOCHIE COOCHIE MARCH 14
Yes you read correctly, Warren has just issued the following on Facebook.
Proud to announce one of the most important gigs I have ever promoted.. Live at Hoochie Coochie Fri March 14, Mr Gregory Porter & band. I cannot wait! Tickets now on sale, but not for long I suspect, so don't hang about.
Nice one Warren.
Lance.
ACV @ Schmazz @ The Cluny. December 17
Andy
Champion (double bass), Graeme Wilson (tenor & baritone saxophones), Mark
Williams (guitar), Paul Edis (keyboards) & Adrian Tilbrook (drums)
(Review by Russell/Photo by Ken Drew)
Regular readers of this blog will
know only to well that any gig by ACV will receive a five star review. It would
be easy to write See previous review(s).
Brevity would appear to be the watchword of one reader, however a few more
words surely wouldn’t go amiss. Andy Champion’s quintet played a blinder, not
withstanding some difficulties with the sound and of particular interest on
this occasion was the introduction of some new material.
Jeremy McMurray-Roly Veitch Quartet with Mark Toomey @ Blaydon Jazz Club Christmas Party. December 15
Jeremy
McMurray (piano), Roly Veitch (guitar & vocals), Neil Harland (double
bass), Adam Sinclair (drums) & Mark Toomey (alto saxophone)
(Review by Russell)
The Black Bull on Bridge Street
hosted Blaydon Jazz Club’s Christmas Party. A good turn out ensured the
traditional buffet met expectations – plenty for all! Raffles prizes were
plentiful, so much so that it was short odds on winning a prize. All of this,
of course, was but icing on the Christmas jazz cake. The musicians, hand picked
for the occasion, offered a cast iron guarantee of quality. No need to keep
your receipt in the event of returning an unwanted gift on Boxing Day.
My CDs of the Year
Impossible to pick one disc or even twenty but the the three highlighted below are my joint favourites:
Buck Clayton Legacy Band - Claytonia
Cécile McLorin Salvant - Womanchild
Tommy Smith - In The Spirit of Duke.
The following are within a whisker away:
Buck Clayton Legacy Band - Claytonia
Cécile McLorin Salvant - Womanchild
Tommy Smith - In The Spirit of Duke.
The following are within a whisker away:
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Melody Maker - Gone but not forgotten

What better Christmas image could we choose than this art décor Melody Maker front page from Xmas 1926 and sent to us by Colin Aitchison? Colin's collection of Melody Makers, covering the decades from the 1920s to the 1960s, are becoming legendary. He was recently approached by a radio station in Oregon re a 1944 copy reporting that Glenn Miller was missing. They plan to use it in a broadcast rather than some late news!
Interestingly in 1926 it cost one shilling yet by 1960 it was only six old pence! If only everything had come down like that.
Check out his library of complete issues here.Interestingly in 1926 it cost one shilling yet by 1960 it was only six old pence! If only everything had come down like that.
Lance.
Santa's Last Stand @ Ned Kelly's
Colin Aitchison, Our Man in Hong Kong, has sent us this radio ad for this Thursday's broadcast from Ned Kelly's Last Stand - The longest running jazz venue in Asia (41 years)! It goes out at 9pm (Hong Kong Time) which by my calculations is 1pm (GMT).
RTHK.Lance.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
The People's Kitchen Christmas Bash! Monday December 16
Don Forbes put together
a few musicians to play a short set at this event.
Don Forbes - Trumpet; John Rowlands - Tenor;
Rachel Richmond - Alto; Jude Murphy - Alto and Vocals; Dave Parker - Bass;
Peter Ninnim - Drums.
This was one of the most unusual gigs the writer had ever
attended! The Band set up on the pavement, (pleased I remembered the drum mat)
there was no electricity so no mikes, and the happy noise of the trains
thundering overhead as they came out of Manors reminded me of the old pictures
of street bands in Chicago! The crowd eventually got into the music and the
applause was really building by the end.
The band started with Alfie's
Theme by Sonny Rollins and included amongst other things a great
version of Scotch and Water
written for the Cannonball Adderley Sextet by Joe Zawinul; Nostalgia on Times Square by Charles
Mingus; Billy Taylor's I Wish I Knew How
it Would Feel to be Free and Benny Golson's Are You Real? recorded notably by the Jazz Messengers'.
The sound was surprisingly good bouncing off the
underside of the bridge and the two man rhythm section worked well together and
could hear the horns well; here's to next year!
Peter Ninnim.
Silver, Dead or Alive?
Jazzwise apologises for passing on widespread reports on jazz websites, social media and jazz radio and initial checks ourselves made earlier today, that Horace Silver had died. Jazzwise apologises unreservedly to Horace Silver, his family, friends and fans and for any distress this may have caused. Peace. Mike Flynn
Bebop Spoken Here Talks to Brian Bennett
Hi, Lance! Yes, I picked up the baton after clarinettist,
Ronny Robinson, sadly passed away in 2006. However, I had been responsible for
marketing the band, creating gig opportunities and making sure things happened
for many years prior to that. Being the 'front man' isn't really my forte, but
someone has to do it. So it's now 7 years. Seems like an eternity, tho!
The VCJ have one of the longest pedigrees in New Orleans Jazz – not just in the north-east but possibly
in the UK
Margaret Barnes reminded me recently that next year,
2014, will be our 60th anniversary. Pete Deuchar, grandson of brewery and hotel
magnate, James Deuchar, founded the VCJ way back in 1954. Two of the original
founder members are still with us and live locally. Drummer, Pete Drysdale,
lives in Whitley Bay and calls into the Crescent Club to
hear the band occasionally and trombonist, Jack Goodwin, who lives in Whickham,
still keeps in touch. I'm sure there's one or two other bands that have been
around for a similar length of time, the Merseysippi Jazz Band in Liverpool , maybe?
I recall the VCJ from the early days with Pete Deuchar
(or Duker as he later re-titled himself) and Peter Gascoigne. When did you come
into the picture?
Harlem Hot Stompers @ Boston Spa December 14

(Review by Ray Robson).
Where better to feel full of the Christmas spirit than to
join the party with our friends at Boston Spa? We headed south full of
"joie de vivre" .....the high street awash with seasonal
decorations had us whistling carols as we entered the hall, with another
full house - many in Xmas hats & with balloons aplenty - tempting us to
dream of that nowadays elusive White Christmas.
CD Review: Paul Harrison - Ten Play Ten

(Review by Lance).
Manchester born Harrison's first solo CD is an impressive take on 10 of his favourite standards. Using all ten fingers - hence the title - and, I guess, a few toes as well judging by some of the electronic devices used .What is it with today's players and their obsession for digital delays and other forms of electronic sorcery?
However, despite having made public my Luddite tendencies I must confess that on this disc they are used sparingly and quite effectively so maybe I may yet arrive in the 21st century.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Jam Session - Splinter at the Bridge December 15
(Review by
Kath Jobes)
Well folks, I have to say I was in two minds
whether or not to report on this Splinter session. Lance was undecided whether to publish the comment as
he is reluctant to post anonymous ones but maybe readers should have the
choice… and one out of 400 hits is probably just a bad egg so I will allow you
to decide, here is what “Anonymous” wrote:
My
God. Who is this Kath Jobes? She's at it again. Does someone wind her up &
throw away the key? A short, informative review would be suffice, by the time
we get to the end, we're bored!
Well I will tell you who I am, I am someone who
is not afraid to express my views and take responsibility for them. I will stand up for myself and I will not be
bullied by some numpty who hasn’t the courage to sign their name to a rude and
personal attack. If you had been at
Splinter you would have known who I was… or maybe you are just hiding behind
your words…. If you get bored don’t read my reviews… Simple! Anyway, enough said!
R.I.P. Joe Errington

He played trumpet with the River City
for many years alongside Stan Martin on clarinet, and Gordon Solomon on
Trombone. After his long spell
with the River City Jazzmen, he went to Denmark and played with the Papa
Bue band.

He made quite a few sides with Papa Bue.
Lance.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Sunday Jam @ Salsa Café
(Review by Lance)
The Salsa Café has a good atmosphere and the jam session seems to be picking up. I'm informed the owner likes the session and has asked for it to continue over Xmas and in to the new year and beyond.
Sessions will run from 3pm-6pm and blowers are invited to come along and blow. The singers have already taken root but, hopefully, the horn men will regroup and infiltrate the ranks of the "Now I'm going to sing Summertime" Brigade.
In fairness, none of today's nightingales sang Summertime.
Paul Gowland’s Allstars – The Jazz Café 14/12/13
(Review by
Kath Jobes).
The blurb said,
“One of Tyneside's top tenors: swings like crazy with a tone fit to blister
paint” ...and the new paint at the café was well and truly blistered! Have
You Met Miss Jones was a lively start to the set, Black Nile displayed the technical ability of Gowland, and then Recorda Me exhibited the skill of each
of the musicians in turn… wow these guys really are all stars! Midnight
Voyage revealed a melodic sax and tinkling piano, the tenor solo flourished
as the sax sung out, and a delightful bass solo from Willie Angus was admired
by the appreciative crowd.
No More Anonymous.
Anyone using the Anonymous button to post a comment must also sign their name otherwise comment may not be posted.
Lance.
PS: Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Adolph Hitler are barred from this site.
Lance.
PS: Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Adolph Hitler are barred from this site.
CD Review: David Bach - Other World.

What can I say about this? It's perfect. Ne'er a note out of place, foot tapping, shoulder moving, hip swinging rhythms - it's smooth. In fact it's so smooth it's like listening to one of those anonymous jazz radio stations that abound in cyber space. Think Spyra Giro, Kenny G, Snake Davis and you get the picture. Which isn't a bad picture but not an Oscar winning one.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Travel Update for Blaydon
This is for anyone coming to tomorrow night’s Xmas party at
the Black Bull, Blaydon.
The oldScotswood Bridge (not the A1 bridge) has a
diversion on the Blaydon side. It’s not very clearly marked.
The old
If you are coming over from the north best come down the A1
and take the first slip road off once you cross the river.
At the roundabout take the A694 for Consett. At the next roundabout turn right (the B6317) which bring you into Blaydon
after about one mile.
Seven Jazz Leeds springs into action!
Lots of international
stars, and lots of talented Yorkshire bands to
see at Seven Jazz’s two venues, Seven Arts and Inkwell Arts in Chapel
Allerton in early 2014.
Firstly, award-winning
jazz alto saxophonist and hip hop star Soweto
Kinch celebrates the release of his studio double album titled ‘The Legend of Mike Smith’ - the tale
of a young MC caught in a very modern world of temptation on January 23 at
Seven Arts. Then Canadian Trumpeter Jay
Phelps has put together a wonderful Transatlantic sextet to perform the
music of Miles Davis in his “Projection
of Miles” concert for February 20.
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.
Friday, December 13, 2013
In Tune - BBC 3 (4:30pm.
The musical review Café Society - Swing which runs for two nights at the Leicester Square Theatre next weekend (Sat Dec. 21/Sun. Dec 22) was previewed today on Radio 3's In Tune program. Writer and pianist Alex Webb is interviewed and it sounds good. Check out the poster in the right hand column or go to the BBC iplayer. It starts about 6 minutes 30 seconds in.
Lance.
CD Launch: The River Flows at Night - Saxophonics @ The Lit and Phil
Keith Robinson (alt/sop); Steve Summers (alt/Ten); Graeme Wilson (ten); Niall Armstrong (bar).
(Review by Lance)
Much of the material played was from Saxophonics recent CD The River Flows at Night which I reviewed last month.
This afternoon was used to launch the CD to a very well attended Lit and Phil and, if the reception given was anything to go by, they should have shifted a few. The live performance was every bit as good as the CD which is praise indeed. However, in keeping with the time of year there were some seasonal items not on the disc but which still made for good listening.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Jazz Café Dates for the Diary.
Jazz Café 0191 2615618 open late 11am-1am Fridays and Saturday ….
admission free up to 9.30pm.
admission for most events £4.50 on the door, except New
Year's Eve
Live Music Nights
Fri 13th Dec. £4.50. 10.00pm Paul
Edis Trio
Contemporary straight -ahead jazz from one of the UKs
finest piano trios
"brilliant young pianist " The Guardian.
Sat 14th Dec. 10.00pm Paul
Gowland Allstars ……… £4.50
One of Tyneside's top tenors: swings like crazy with a
tone fit to blister paint.
Sunday Night Stomp End of Year Special.
Come along to Swing Tyne!'s 'Sunday Night Stomp' end of year special on Dec 29 at Hoochie Coochie? Fresh from his day job with Pokey LaFarge, we have TJ Muller and his newly-formed Honky-Tonk Jazz Band playing a live set. Free entry! Come along!
Gaudencio Thiago De Mello
Read about this amazing musician/sportsman who died on November 13.
Thanks to Maurice Summerfield for drawing this New York Times article to my attention.
Lance.
Thanks to Maurice Summerfield for drawing this New York Times article to my attention.
Lance.
Jim Hall by Maurice Summerfield

I was fortunate to spend a week with Jim at the 1989 Midnight
Sun Guitar Festival in Ikaalinen ,
Finland . He was
a man of deep intellect, quiet personality and good company. I just received a
few weeks ago his new marvellous 3-CD set from his Artist Share Records company
– ‘Jim Hall Live – Vols 2 - 4 Toronto
1975’. A wonderful testament to Jim’s genius. Jim Hall was truly a jazz giant..
Maurice
Summerfield.
Jim Hall by Jim Douglas
To my mind Jim
Hall was the gentle giant of jazz guitar.
His tone was quiet and soft and lulled you into the false belief that he
wasn’t really doing very much until you tried to copy his runs, licks and
chording. It was then you realised that this was no ordinary player and any
complacency on your part was immediately replaced by feelings of inadequacy and
awe. From his insistent rhythmic accompaniment
with Jimmy Giuffre and Bob Brookmeyer, his exciting duets with Jimmy Raney and
his superb album with the wonderful Carl Perkins on piano, to his tasteful solo
performances, Hall has left an unequalled legacy of excellence. My particular
favourite performances are his solo on “Deep in a Dream” on the aforementioned
album and his playing throughout “In the Wee Small Hours” with Gerry Mulligan.
I caught him once in London and came away spellbound and inspired in the same
way I would have been if he had been Django Reinhardt or Charlie Christian.
High praise indeed but totally deserved.
The news of his death has shocked and saddened me immeasurably.
Jim Douglas
10/12/2013.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Bopping All Hours
OK so I'm the corner shop and Facebook is Tesco/Asda/ Sainsbury's and Morrison's combined. What I'm trying to do with this blog is to create a scene for local jazz groups and musicians to have their gigs publicised and reviewed - to promote and to keep the public informed of future gigs, CDs, and items of interest re the band etc. Many local bands and musicians do help me (and themselves) by providing up to date info but not all. What often happens is that I pick up items on Facebook that are past their sell by date that could have been given publicity.. So please, tell the fans on face book by all means, but also keep Bebop Spoken Here in the frame too. We're working for you and it gets networked on Facebook and Twitter anyway so remember we're always here when you run out of salt peanuts! salt peanuts! we're open till 'round midnight too.
Lance.
Lance.
RIP Jim Hall (1930-2013)
The word is that one of the world's greatest jazz guitarists, Jim Hall, passed away in his sleep early this morning. I haven't had absolute confirmation but I think the source is reliable. How sad is this and how sudden?
Less than a fortnight ago Mike Papapavlou reported on the awesome experience of hearing Jim Hall in New York and now he's gone.
It was back in the 1960s when I heard Jim Hall as part of the Jimmy Giuffre Trio in a JATP package at Newcastle City Hall. Such a cool, laid back player. Years later, Roly Veitch introduced me to the Jim Hall/Paul Desmond sides and in between I'd heard Hall on Sonny Rollins' legendary LP The Bridge.
Guitar playing of the highest quality.
I'm hoping my information is wrong but, somehow, I know it isn't.
The jazz world and the guitar world has lost a giant.
Jim Hall was 83.
Sadly missed.
Monday, December 09, 2013
Gig of the Year
My Gig of the Year is one that stands so high above the rest that the others, no matter how big the names involved, become, by comparision, Conference as opposed to Premier League.
Lance.
PS: and next year - no prizes for guessing what my Film of the Year will be!
It was also the first gig of 2013 and it set a standard none could match, possibly no gig ever will.
I refer, of course, to Keith Crombie's funeral, the procession behind the horse drawn hearse, the service, the journey back in a London Transport Routemaster bus and the wake/jam that took place in the Town Walls pub opposite the then spectre-like Jazz Café.
The bar was crowded with the hundreds of mourners who'd come to pay their respects. On stage, just about everyone who'd ever played or sang at The Caff, did their thing (Harry Connick jr and Jamie Cullum didn't make it but they were about the only ones!)
Ellington or Basie couldn't have wished for a better send-off. I didn't want to be there - I'd sooner have been across the road exchanging improbable stories with Crombie but, as that wasn't going to happen ever again, I'm just glad I was.
PS: and next year - no prizes for guessing what my Film of the Year will be!
ALT – Splinter @ the Bridge December 8
(Review by
Kath Jobes)
Wow what a busy Sunday! First I went to the inaugural
Jam session at Salsa… great to see some new faces… long may it continue… you
can never have too much Jazz! After a
bite to eat at and a natter to a couple of folks, I moved on to Splinter at The
Bridge… well, I thought, why not make an evening of it?
I think I was the first one there… apart from
the band, but slowly the numbers grew, although not quite as well attended as
expected…but that’s the way it goes sometimes.
Durham University Big Band Gig This Wednesday (Dec. 11)
December 11 - 8.00PM Free entry, donations in aid of Durham Foodbank
Riverside Café, Durham Students' Union , DH1 3AN
Durham University Big Band present an evening of swing,
funk, latin, cool jazz and re-workings of all your Christmas favourites. Get
yourselves down to the Riverside Bar and Café, grab a drink and the band will
get you swinging into the Christmas spirit!
Free entry, but we will be collecting money on behalf of Durham Foodbank throughout the night. Durham Foodbank provide nutritionally balanced meals to over 1100 people in crisis every month throughoutCounty Durham .
When you have no financial safety net, a sudden crisis such as a
bereavement, benefit delay, redundancy or illness can leave you unable to feed
yourself or your family. This Christmas, Durham Foodbank needs your support
more than ever.
Free entry, but we will be collecting money on behalf of Durham Foodbank throughout the night. Durham Foodbank provide nutritionally balanced meals to over 1100 people in crisis every month throughout
CD Review: Stranahan/Zaleski/Rosato – Limitless
A classic
‘piano trio offering’ with a hint of a
modern twist. Kicking off with the lively title track, Limitless, the trio highlight both their
collective and individual talent. All tracks are penned by members of the
trio apart from an enjoyable version of Monk’s Work. The album flips from
quiet meditative pieces to more lively expansions. The former illustrated best
by Cyclic, Vio where we really get to hear Rosato’s fine
Bass playing and my own personal
favourite Motian Sickness (dedicated
to Paul Motian). The penultimate piece Rock
Song is not surprisingly jauntier altogether showcasing Stranahan’s great
percussion work. Finally Chorale
(dedicated to Fred Hersch) sees
Zaleski at his most Bill Evans like as he plays us out subtlety and gently.
This album won’t
be starting any fires in the pet shop but for those who enjoy the piano trio
genre it should be a most rewarding listen.
Steve H.
Sunday, December 08, 2013
Jam Session @ Salsa.
Jazz has always been a battlefield. Whether it be the swing/bop or the trad/modern confrontations of yesteryear or the petty squabbles of today when Jazz needs a united front more than it ever has.
These thoughts were uppermost in my mind when I paid a visit to the initial Sunday afternoon jam at the Salsa Café.
Sunday afternoon jams are part of the Jazz Legend!
I can relate back to the Bluebell in Felling where, every
Sunday in the 1960s, Teddy Langston and Arthur Luke took on all-comers and
usually sent them home crying! I recollect Paul Gowland's dad Alan, being one
of those who bit the bullet and held his own playing some brilliant vibes.
On my honeymoon - We went to a Sunday lunchtime jam at the
Tally Ho in Kentish
Town - the jam session to
end all jam sessions.
The Dean Stockdale Trio @ Salsa Café December 7
(Review by Kath Jobes).
My evening didn't get off to a good start… I
went along to take a look at the opening night of the Jazz Café on Pink Lane…
what a disappointment … total lack of ambience, sterile… not even a Christmas
decoration… it’s become a trendy wine bar with almost every aspect of the
previous history eradicated… quite a shock to the Jazz Community… my favourite
cosy bench seat where I could be found many a Saturday evening gone… and all
that was left of the Crombie days were a couple of mirrors and a light fitting…
It saddens me that the renovation was not more in a more sympathetic way… but
times move on and I suppose new brooms like to sweep clean… let’s hope that the
addition of a few pictures and perhaps some jazz artefacts will bring back some
of the ambience… it was nice to see Pete Gilligan back in his spot at the
Piano, and although I didn't stay long the audience seemed to enjoy his
playing…
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2013
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December
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- CD/Gig of the Year Choices
- Gig/CD of the Year
- R.I.P. Boyd Lee Dunlop
- Redemption Gigs 2014
- Best Jazz Read of the Year: McPartland v Burton
- Night Owl Blues
- T.J. Muller's Honky Tonk Jazz Band @ Hoochie Cooch...
- Pink Lane Jazz Co-op January Gigs
- A Sad Anniversary.
- Hugh Masekela on Radio 3 at Noon.
- Gilligan, Williams and Forbes December 27 - The Ja...
- Gig of the Year. David Sanborn & Bob James @ The L...
- Gala Theatre Update.
- Jazz Record Requests
- Congratulations to Kate and John.
- CD Review: Jamie Taylor's Outside Line Quartet - I...
- Ulster Jazz Club
- Frank Griffith - Master of the Reeds.
- Farewell to Herb Geller and Yusef Lateef but not t...
- Post Christmas Jazz Radio by Russell
- Sting: When The Last Ship Sails. BBC1 Sunday Decem...
- Jam Session @ The Salsa Cafe, Sunday December 22
- Gig/CD of the Year reminder.
- Simon Spillett Quartet @ The Oval Tavern, Croydon.
- Café Society Swing @ Leicester Square Theatre, Lon...
- Mo Scott Quartet – The Jazz Café December 20
- Rae Brothers New Orleans Jazz Band – 'Jazz @ the F...
- Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Millstone. December 19
- Deidre Cartwright Trio @ Jan's Bar, Stoke Newington.
- QUIZ ANYONE? - Ruth Lambert Trio at The Gala Theat...
- Gateshead International Jazz Festival 2014 - Full ...
- Jazz Singers – Enhance Your Skills with Bulgarian ...
- GREGORY PORTER FOR HOOCHIE COOCHIE MARCH 14
- ACV @ Schmazz @ The Cluny. December 17
- Jeremy McMurray-Roly Veitch Quartet with Mark Toom...
- My CDs of the Year
- Melody Maker - Gone but not forgotten
- Santa's Last Stand @ Ned Kelly's
- The People's Kitchen Christmas Bash! Monday Decemb...
- Silver, Dead or Alive?
- Bebop Spoken Here Talks to Brian Bennett
- Harlem Hot Stompers @ Boston Spa December 14
- CD Review: Paul Harrison - Ten Play Ten
- Jam Session - Splinter at the Bridge December 15
- R.I.P. Joe Errington
- Sunday Jam @ Salsa Café
- Paul Gowland’s Allstars – The Jazz Café 14/12/13
- No More Anonymous.
- CD Review: David Bach - Other World.
- Gig of the Year/CD of the Year/Jazz Person of the ...
- Travel Update for Blaydon
- Seven Jazz Leeds springs into action!
- Paul Edis Trio – Jazz Café December 13
- In Tune - BBC 3 (4:30pm.
- CD Launch: The River Flows at Night - Saxophonics ...
- Djangologie @ Bridge Hotel, Newcastle - JNE Xmas P...
- Jazz Café Dates for the Diary.
- Sunday Night Stomp End of Year Special.
- Gaudencio Thiago De Mello
- Jim Hall by Maurice Summerfield
- Jim Hall by Jim Douglas
- Bopping All Hours
- RIP Jim Hall (1930-2013)
- Gig of the Year
- ALT – Splinter @ the Bridge December 8
- Durham University Big Band Gig This Wednesday (Dec...
- CD Review: Stranahan/Zaleski/Rosato – Limitless
- Jam Session @ Salsa.
- The Dean Stockdale Trio @ Salsa Café December 7
- Keith Stephen's Hot Club Trio Featuring Caroline I...
- Nikki Iles' 50th Birthday Bash with Norma Winstone...
- Jazzman Documentary - last day - £129 to go.
- Puppini Sisters @ Sage Gateshead
- RIP Stan Tracey
- Havana Club 5 @ Hoochie Coochie December 5
- Redemption Jazz Fill Empty Shop. December 4.
- Rendezvous Jazz @ St Joseph’s, Birtley. December 5
- Jazz Café Preview Thursday December 5.
- Marilyn Crispell & Raymond MacDonald + John Pope &...
- The Jazzman Documentary Final Appeal.
- George (Graham's) funeral from John Taylor
- A Date For The Diary (Night Owls only).
- WANTED! EST Photos
- Jazz Deaths in Ashington
- CD Launch: Zoe Gilby Quartet - Twelve Stories @ Br...
- Claire Kelly Trio – Salsa Café November 30.
- Jitterbug Vipers & Bluebuds @ Live Theatre. Novem...
- New Sunday Afternoon Jam Session
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