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

18083 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1047 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 14), 61.

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

Tuesday, January 07, 2014

Zoe Gilby Trio – The Jazz Café January 4

Zoe Gilby (Vocal) Andy Champion (D.Bass) Mark Williams (Guitar) Guest appearance Stuart Collingwood (Piano).
(Review by Kath Jobes)
Saturday night and I was out for the evening with some friends, no intention to write-up the gig, so I left my notebook at home…destination The Jazz Café on Pink Lane to see the fabulous Zoe Gilby and Co.  It was superb, and I just have to tell you folks if you weren't there, you missed out on a magical evening.
Yes indeed, there was magic in the air as Zoe commenced with That Old Black Magic, moving on to a loves song In It Together as the gathered crowd listened quite attentively, with just a small amount of background chatter from the back of the room.  Then came In The Warm Room, enthralling the audience who became absolutely silent as we were enfolded in Zoe’s beautiful words, and the joy of magnificent bass and guitar solos… and hey we wouldn't expect anything less!  Travelling Blues was followed by a delightful Just Squeeze Me and the next song was dedicated to her mother, Red Headed Girl, which is based on the life of her mother in days gone by… what a lovely tribute.  Mark Williams then left the stage to allow a tremendous husband and wife trip to Graceland… a song they had previously performed at a friend’s wedding… and what a treat.  The set came to an end with a tribute to both Doris Day and Carmen McCrae with Secret Love… firstly sung in the lovely style of Doris, and then segued into a lively raunchier version al la Carmen McCrae.
****
Set two commenced with a Pink Floyd tune, Money, I loved this interpretation… yes guys I do like a bit of Floyd, having grown up with brothers that played lots of heavy metal and rock… I’m partial to it when the mood takes me… and if you like progressive rock, as Andy does… Mostly Autumn is really good to listen to… oh dear, I have done it again… off at a tangent instead of keeping to the Jazz… oh well indulge me a little eh? 
So moving swiftly on… some more original tunes: Your Words and Is It Me. were followed by a tribute to Andy’s daughter – Eleanor, written by Andy when she was born and later Zoe helped to put words to this beautiful melodic tune.  Next we were transported to Marrakech, where the couple honeymooned 3 years ago as Zoe sang Red City.   The Midnight Bell saw the introduction of a guest pianist in the form of Stuart Collingwood, who sat in for the rest of the set to play exquisitely during Caravan and Straight No Chaser… simply magical!
Kath J.

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