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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17777 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 98 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Feb.8).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Mon 10: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 11: Steve Summers Quintet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Jam session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 13: Student Performances @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 4:00pm. Free. Inc. Olly Styles (tenor sax).
Thu 13: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: Artist Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Hannabiell & Midnight Blue.
Thu 13: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 14: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 12:30-1:30pm. £5.00. at the door. New second Friday in the month concert series.
Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 14: Archipelago + Anna Tempest @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £8.00.
Fri 14: Paul Jones & Dave Kelly @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. Rhythm & blues.
Fri 14: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Fri 14: Jazz Sabbath @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

Sat 15: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 15: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 15: Elkie Brooks @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. ‘The Long Farewell Tour’.
Sat 15: Milne Glendinning Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 16: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 16: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: BBC Introducing NE X MOBO Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 6:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Jambone, Knats, Rivkala, SwanNek.
Sun 16: The Shayo Experience @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 16: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Sun 16: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

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

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Greg Spero and his Amazing Chicago Jazz Quartet - First Northern Dates Announced

Chicago has produced many Jazz greats- Herbie Hancock, Lou Rawls, Benny Goodman, Ramsey Lewis and Anthony Braxton. That’s just to mention a few! And the city continues to generate the very best jazz musicians. Four such young Chicago lions arrive in the North West to play a series of concerts in May. With each member of the quartet being an outstanding musician in their own right, the combined talents will make the Greg Spero Quartet an irresistible force on stage.

Greg Spero (piano) is Chicago’s Jazz Entertainer of the Year 2013 and as the piano player with the Buddy Rich Big Band is establishing his reputation on the world stage. Drawing influence from American jazz and world dance music, Greg mixes these things together with rock, hip-hop and metal to produce a jazz fusion that’s ahead of the field.          
“Spero is fresh and exciting”adds Chicago’s most prominent female Latin artist, Gina Rivera.  “Even people who don’t like jazz, like Spero. He’s that good.”                        
Makaya McCraven (drums) blends  his love for real hip-hop, rock and any form of forward-thinking music into a dynamic instrumental fusion that is undeniable to the listener. Makaya is a true improviser who, with each performance, cracks a new live music experience.
“Makaya...has cracked the upper echelon of the music scene.” – Chicago Tribute (Howard Reich)
Junius Paul (bass) is well-established in many genres, ranging from hip-hop, house music, funk, classical and gospel and his passion for music shows consistently in all of his playing. Junius  has shared the stage with artists including Wynton Marsalis, Curtis Fuller, Donald Byrd, Fred Anderson, Roscoe Mitchell, Donald Harrison, Nona Hendryx and Roy Hargrove.
De’Sean Jones (saxophone) is well versed in the traditions of jazz as well as the experimental sounds of the future. His colourfully rich tone coupled with a powerful sound brings the best out of a musical legacy that contains jazz, rock & roll, hip-hop and soul.          
“De’Sean Jones’...performances have the bustling energy of a neighbourhood picnic. The young tenor player knows his way round the classics, but he prefers to play originals. He also has a fat-ass sound, and can make his tenor swing and sing at the very same time...a roaring young lion.” – Charles L. Latimer: Metro Times
GREG SPERO QUARTET WILL PLAY:
·        Friday, 9th May – New Continental, Preston
·        Saturday, 10th May – Dacre Hall, Lanercost
·        Sunday, 11th May – Splinter at the Bridge, Newcastle
·        Friday 16th May – Upfront Theatre, Near Penrith
·        Sunday, 18th May at 3pm – Wainsgate Chapel, Hebden Bridge
·        Tuesday, 20th May – Bramples Bistro, Brampton (solo piano)
There may be other gigs listed. For additional information and/or ticket prices, venues, etc., please contact David Gosling at dgos2@aol.com or 01697 741829.
David Gosling.

1 comment :

Guy said...

I heard Kenny Burell, a fine guitarist, at the Blue Note in Chicago in the '70s. I think he lived in that toddling town.

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