Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 2026)

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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

From This Moment On

March

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Paul Skerritt Band @ Salsa Café March 15

Paul Skerritt (vcl); James Harrison (pno); Anth Ord (bs); Tom Chapman (dms).
(Review by Lance).
I caught the first set by Paul Gowland at the Jazz Café then Salsaed around the corner to the Westgate Road Tapas Bar resisting the urge to join the milling throng eager to see Stiff Little Fingers who were performing at the Academy.
Paul G's gig will be reviewed in a separate post by Kath J.
Just about everyone in the room seemed to be celebrating their birthday. Paul S joined in the proceedings  by singing Happy Birthday to each and everyone of the celebrants at their tables. Pal Joey Lives!
The formalities dispensed with, it was all systems go with a fine version of Bill Withers' Lovely Day to kick off the second set proper. Next up The Gentleman is a Tramp. Yes, you read that correctly, a set of original lyrics to the Rodgers and Hart classic! I Feel Good and Sway were next on the menu. This latter number had Skerritt leaving the stage to serenade the diners. Is this Westgate Road or The Strip?
More traditional material with King of the Swingers and Mack the Knife followed by Play that Funky Music White Man and Stuck in the Middle With You before I had to, reluctantly, bid farewell.
Apart from Frank, sorry Paul, James Harrison was on top form playing some incredible solos aided and abetted by his frequent associates Anth and Tom.
It had been a good evening all round and I happily opted for a taxi after the number 27 had become a distant memory.
Lance.

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