Bebop Spoken There

Donovan Haffner ('Best Newcomer' 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards): ''I got into jazz the first time I picked up a saxophone!" - Jazzwise Dec 25/Jan 26

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

18146 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 24 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 7), 24

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Sat 10: Mark Toomey Quintet @ St Peter’s Church, Stockton-on-Tees. 7:30pm. £12.00. (inc. pie & peas). Tickets from: 07749 255038.

Sun 11: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 12: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 12: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 13: Milne Glendinning Band @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00. Coquetdale Jazz.
Tue 13: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 14: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 14: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 15: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. Quartet + guest Paul Donnelly (guitar).

Fri 16: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 16: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 16: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 16: Darlington Big Band @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 16: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

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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