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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17733 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 53 of them this year alone and, so far, 53 this month (Jan. 20).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

Thu 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, Holystone. 1:00pm. Free. Fortnightly.
Thu 23: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Obituaries 2024.
Thu 23: Jason Isaacs @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:30-6:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Thu 23: Pedal Point Trio @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 24: Zoë Gilby Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 24: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 24: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 24: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 24: Creakin’ Bones & the Sunday Dinners @ Lindisfarne Social Club, Wallsend. 9:00pm. Admission: TBC. Jazz, blues , jump jive, rock ‘n’ roll.

Sat 25: Boys of Brass @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:30-5:30pm. Free.
Sat 25: New '58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson's Wharf, Hartlepool. 6:30pm (doors). Free. A Burns' Night event. Jazz, swing, funk, soul, blues etc.
Sat 25: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 25: Red Kites Jazz @ Parish Hall, St Barnabas’ Church, Rowlands Gill. 7:30pm. £10.00. BYOB (tea & coffee available), raffle. Proceeds to St Barnabas’ Church. Performance feat. Shayo (vocals).
Sat 25: Jack & Jay’s Songbook @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 26: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: Graham Hardy Eclectic Quartet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 26: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 26: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:30pm. Free.
Sun 26: Gratkowski, Tramontana, Beresford, Affifi @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00. JNE.
Sun 26: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 27: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 28: ???

Wed 29: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 29: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 29: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Thu 30: Matters Unknown (aka Jonathan Enser, Nubiyan Twist) + support TBA @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:00pm doors). £12.22 (gig & food); £9:04 (gig only).
Thu 30: Soznak @ The Mill Tavern, Hebburn. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 30: Struggle Buggy @ Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Rhythm & blues.

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

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Paul Skerritt Band @ Cherry Tree. April 21.

Paul Skerritt (vcl); James Harrison (pno); Anth Ord (bs); Tom Chapman (dms).
(Review by Lance).
The tables weren't empty, the dance floor wasn't deserted and Paul Skerritt didn't sing Learnin' The Blues although he did croon plenty other classics from the Sinatra Songbook.
Like the opener, I've Got You Under my Skin followed by Witchcraft. I don't know if the chef dabbles in the occult but my opener of Pan seared breast of wood pigeon, raspberry vinaigrette and baby salad certainly had the edge on Eye of Newt - out of this world (as indeed was the unfortunate wood pigeon.). The Way You Look Tonight, If I Had You, My Funny Valentine, Fly me to the Moon, Ain't no Sunshine, I Get a Kick Out of You and Let There be Love. A line from this latter number could have been, Let there be char-grilled bistro rump, peppercorn butter, traditional steak garnish and, of course, fries.
The set closed with Fry me a Liver.
It was an excellent start although the balance wasn't perfect. Nevertheless, the crowded room showed their appreciation with much applause.
Balance sorted, Come Fly With me kept Ole Blue Eyes in the frame only to be superseded by Michael Jackson's The Way You Make me Feel. This last song was a cue for the dancers to take to the floor - yes the same couple who tripped the light at Hoochie last week. James threw in a Latin chorus that allowed "Fred and Ginger" to give full expression to their artistry. Don't Get Around Much Any More was tailor made for the couple who I'm sure have never  missed the Saturday dance!
Flash! Bam! Alakzam! - Orange Coloured Sky and Summer fruit Eton mess and white chocolate shards - what a combination!
Gentleman is a Tramp/Lady is a Tramp works well. I loved the final line - She's not alone when she lowers her lamp, That's why the lady is a tramp!
Randy Crawford's Street Life went down well and Anth Ord's bass intro to Moon Dance brought a third dancer into the arena - no, not me! A girl who also appeared to be well versed in the Terpsichorean arts. 
Beyond the Sea with Sailor's Hornpipe quotes from James - he's very good at finding the quote for the occasion.
Tom Chapman subtle and unobtrusive had a blast on one of the later numbers by which time our two main dancers had extended their activities to the bar area.
Paul Skerritt puts on a show - good singer, good band, a very good night. Catch him next time round - he'll be back that's for sure.
Lance.

1 comment :

Paul Skerritt (on F/b) said...

Thanks Lance, glad you enjoyed it! We had almost as much fun as the lady dancing! Haha!

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