Bebop Spoken There

Donovan Haffner ('Best Newcomer' 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards): ''I got into jazz the first time I picked up a saxophone!" - Jazzwise Dec 25/Jan 26

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

18146 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 24 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 7), 24

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Fri 09: The House Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00.
Fri 09: Nauta @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00. Trio: Jacob Egglestone, Jamie Watkins, Bailey Rudd.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Warren James & the Lonesome Travellers @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £15.00.
Fri 09: The Blue Kings @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00. (£8.00. adv.). All-star band.

Sat 10: Mark Toomey Quintet @ St Peter’s Church, Stockton-on-Tees. 7:30pm. £12.00. (inc. pie & peas). Tickets from: 07749 255038.

Sun 11: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 12: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 12: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 13: Milne Glendinning Band @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00. Coquetdale Jazz.
Tue 13: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 14: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 14: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 15: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. Quartet + guest Paul Donnelly (guitar).

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

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Jazz Café Jam. July 22.

Steve Glendinning (gtr); Paul Grainger (bs); Paul Wight (dms). + Debra Mil;ne. Ann Alex, Ewa Szymczewska (vcls); Paul Scott (gtr/vcl); Paul Gowland (alt); Richard Herdman (gtr); Ray Truscott (bs); Johnny Davis (ten); Andy ? (ten) + ? (drums); ? (piano); ? (gtr) etc.
(Review by Lance).
The advertised Peter Gilligan was in Manchester so it was guitarist Steve Glendinning who took on the role of lynch pin 'twixt house band and jammers of which there were an abundance tonight.
The room too was crowded and the atmosphere was as sizzling as the setting sun outside. Too much to recall in detail.
Guitarists: Apart from Steve Glendinning, who was his usual immaculate self handling everything that was thrown at him, Richard Herdman also impressed and the numbers played together Have You Met Miss Jones for example really gelled. Another guitarist, who may have been with the hordes of younger folks (tourists?) who filled the room, also hit the spot with Chick Corea's 500 Miles High. Paul Scott not only played brilliantly but also sang I'll See You in my Dreams and Don't Blame Me - a touch of early Frankie Laine in his singing.
Singers: Apart from Scott, Debra Milne gave us Senor Blues, Ewa sang If I Were a Bell and I'm Beginning to See the Light and BSH's own Ann Alex sang I Got Rhythm and Imagination.
Saxes: Paul Gowland blew fiery alto and had a joust with tenorist Johnny Davis, himself no slouch, during the course of Senor Blues whilst another tenor player, Andy, joined the fray for Heather's vocals.
Drums: Paul Wight was, as always, driving the bus tonight but given some respite by an impressive young man. Ian Forbes was waiting in the wings but didn't hang around - possibly a song too far for him!
Bass: Paul Grainger on double bass alternated with Ray T on six string electric both adding their own individuality.
Piano: In the absence of Gilligan, the upright remained upright. One of the young visitors did sit in for Blue Bossa and, given the shortcomings of the instrument, did well.
There may have been other singers and instrumentalists that I've overlooked - it was one of those nights when everything seemed to be happening - my apologies also to those whose names I didn't catch.
It was a quite unique evening.
Lance.

1 comment :

KneelC said...

Post session one of the young visitors , a Greek gent, got up and played an accomplished mini set including a rendition of the Muppet Show opening theme and a sublime piece he claimed was from his Greek heritage . Unfortunately most of the crowd had left and they missed a real treat, it was worth missing your last bus for!

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