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

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

Friday, March 14, 2014

Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Lit & Phil. March 14

Ruth Lambert (vocals), Giles Strong (guitar) & Mick Shoulder (double bass)
(Review by Russell/Photo courtesy of Jerry Edis).
Paul Edis’ monthly Friday lunchtime promotions at the Lit and Phil have been a resounding success. Full houses have become commonplace and it was anticipated that the appearance of Ruth Lambert would continue the trend. Well, numbers were slightly down, due, in part, to the inexplicable omission of the gig from an on-line what’s on subscription service and the venue’s own website! A glance at the printed programme available at the door confirmed one’s hopes – an afternoon of classic material selected from the Great American Songbook. Porter, Carmichael, Berlin, Jobim and others…an hour of sheer bliss.
Ms Lambert has found the ideal musical partners in Giles Strong and Mick Shoulder to accompany her intimate interpretations of such timeless material. Lambert said: Let’s Do It and so they did. In fine voice, Lambert sang with confidence, freely interpreting the lyric as never before. Skylark (a Desert Island choice)…Have you anything to say to me…Lambert said it all, wonderful. Blue Skies (all week down on Tynemouth Long Sands, said Lambert), Love Me Like a Man (Strong played the blues) and Time After Time heard Lambert swing from upper register to lower with casual ease. Bassist Mick Shoulder’s sensitive support and fine solo excursions won the approval of his boss (Ms Lambert) and the rapt audience. Angel Eyes struck a down beat note and Calamity Jane herself, the great Doris Day, lifted our spirits with a whip-cracking, rousing Secret Love (that’s a second Desert Island selection). Wes Montgomery’s West Coast Blues (a Desert Island contender) heard Strong playing chords a la Montgomery as Lambert closed the show.
The trio will record a CD in the coming weeks. It will feature GAS Book gems and original material. As and when it is released buy two copies (one for your self, the other will make an ideal Christmas present). The next Lit & Phil Friday lunchtime concert features the Virtuoso Jazz Trio, April 11 (1:00 pm).
Russell.                            
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