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.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Salsa Cafe Jazz Jam: Sunday March 16

Pete Gilligan (keys, drums); Steve Brown (bass guitar, keys); Joel Brown (keys); John Usher (guitar); Kay Usher (violin); Stuart Mckie (guitar); Stuart Findon (tenor sax, bass guitar); Fiona Findon (tenor sax, vocals); John Rowland (tenor sax); Paul Ruddick (alto sax);  Peter Ninnim (drums); Someone Else? (drums); Jenny Lingham (vocals); Ann Alex (vocals).
(Review by Ann Alex).
Readers will be able to tell from the above list that this was an informal, lively, thoroughly enjoyable session, with lots of mixing and matching, and people trying instruments that they don’t play so often.  I could maybe find myself on drums next time, so bring earplugs just in case. 
Sorry if I’ve missed anyone, but my excuse is that it was also a very sociable afternoon with lots of chatting, though that didn’t stop us from listening to some fine interpretations of standards such as Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me (Pete G totally on form, many solos, lovely constant whisk, whisk of cymbals); How High The Moon (led by a tenor sax); Ain’t Misbehavin’ (young Joel on keys cutting across with chords, less is more); Green Dolphin Street (sliding alto sax, contrasted with Stu’s more staccato tenor); All The Things You Are (Stu has switched to bass guitar); Pete back on keys for Fly Me To The Moon.  
We singers did our bit, Fiona with Softly As In A Morning Sunrise and a beautifully sung God Bless The Child, every word had meaning; I did Secret Love, which went well, with many solos, even from Pete on drums; Jenny did a skilled version of a difficult song, Speak Low.  One more tune from the band and that was it for another smashing week.        
Ann Alex.

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