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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

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.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Wednesday, March 05, 2014

Jazz Café Jam Session March 4.

Piano: Pete Gilligan; Paul Edis; Steve Brown; Joel Brown.
Bass: Paul Grainger; John Pope.
Drums: Paul Wight; Ian Forbes.
Alto: Paul Ruddick.
Tenor: Arthur Higgins; Johnny Davis.
Trumpet: Don Forbes.
Guitar: Simon Stephenson; Mike.
Apologies to anyone I've overlooked.
(Review by Lance).
Another well attended jam session both on and off stage with quite a few surprises. Messrs Gilligan, Grainger and Wight set the benchmark with driving versions of Someday My Prince Will Come, A Petrucciani tune and Horace Silver's Quicksilver. Next up Joel Brown - all of 14 years old -  Joel gave us a very tasteful version of Autumn Leaves followed by Body and Soul. This young man has the potential to go far.
It was a night for pianists! No less than Paul Edis Stepped Out of a Dream with Ian Forbes who stepped into a drum (kit). Magic. Steve Brown, father and mentor of the aforementioned Joel, took over at the upright for All the Things You Are and All of Me. Like father like son was the thought that ran through my mind.
A break then a couple of guitar duets by Simon Stephenson on amplified acoustic and a guy named Mike on what looked like a Telecaster. A distinct hot club feel to their two numbers the second one of which was Fly Me To the Moon. Mike tells me he plays in a Hawaiian swing band - the Hawaiian Hinnies (or maybe its the Whi-I-Man Hinnies? whatever, I  say Hawaii the lads!)
Time for the horns to move in.
John Pope was now on bass and Don Forbes and Johnny Davis blew on I Wish I Knew How it Feels to be Free then So What? Paul Ruddick materialised during the course of this one.
Arthur Higgins gave us some Tenor Madness before leaving us In a Sentimental Mood. It was also time for me to leave. I suspect Lindsay Hannon or Kath Jobes may have added some vocal touches.
To sum up, a jolly good night was had by all!
Photos.
Lance
PS: Paul Wight asked for and received a round of applause in memory of the late Mick Danby whose funeral it was today. RIP Mick. Fond memories.

1 comment :

Unknown said...

just brilliant, sorry me and Stu can't get there for a while, but as soon as we can we will. Meantime, I will keep enjoying the blog!

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