Bebop Spoken There

Melissa Aldana: ''Having to play a ballads album, which is something very revealing for a saxophone player, would help me to question some new aspects of how to go deeper into sound." (DownBeat May, 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

18573 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 437 of them this year alone and, so far this month (May 28) 91

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

May

Thu 28: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 28: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Miles Davis & His Favourite Musicians.
Thu 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. £6.50. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 28: Bobby Rush @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00. + bf. Veteran USA bluesman.
Thu 28: Squabble @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 28: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Fri 29: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 29: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 29: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.

Sat 30: Giles Strong Quartet @ Langley Tracks, Langley on Tyne NE47 5LA. 5:30pm (doors). £15.00 + £1.50 bf.

Sun 31: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 31: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Table reservations (0191 261 8000). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 31: Sinfonia of London: Tea Dance @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. Free. John Wilson ensemble performing on the concourse. Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, George & Ira Gershwin & more.
Sun 31: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 31: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £3.76.
Sun 31: Joe Steels @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. Free (donations direct to the musicians). Joe Steels & Friends.
Sun 31: Ben Haskins Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £14.00., £12.00., £7.00.

June

Mon 01: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 01: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Mon 01: CW Stoneking @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Blues, Americana.

Tue 02: Mark Williams Trio @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00.
Tue 02: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law, Paul Grainger, John Hirst.
Tue 02: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 03: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 03: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 03: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

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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