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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17805 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 126 of them this year alone and, so far, 51 this month (Feb.16).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mark Williams Trio @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 23: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Mu Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. CANCELLED!
Sun 23: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 25: ?

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Jamie McCredie @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free. THIS WEEK ONLY JAMES BIRKETT (guitar)!
Fri 28: Luis Verde Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Knats @ Lubber Fiend, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £11.50. (inc bf.). Album launch gig. Support act TBC.
Fri 28: Black is the Color of My Voice @ The Gala, Durham. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman show inspired by the life of Nina Simone, performed by Florence Odumosu.
Fri 28: Great North Big Band Jazz Festival: Musicians Unlimited @ Park View Community Centre, Chester-le-Street. 8:00pm. £10.00. (Weekend ticket £20.00., available on the door). Day 1/3. Musicians Unlimited in concert.
Fri 28: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

MARCH 2025

Sat 01: Great North Big Band Jazz Festival @ Park View Community Centre, Chester-le-Street. 11:00am. £15.00. Day 2/3.
Sat 01: TJ Johnson Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 01: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £25.00. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. Get your funk on! Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 01: Shunyata Improvisation Group @ The Watch House, Cullercoats. 2:00-3:30pm. Free.
Sat 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers. Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free.
Sat 01: Struggle Buggy @ The Peacock, Sunderland. 6:00pm. Blues band.
Sat 01: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 01: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.
Sat 01: Jack & Jay’s Vintage Songbook @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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

RISING NORTHERN JAZZ TALENT TO GET FESTIVAL SHOWCASE

AN OUTSTANDING band of young musicians is being given the chance to make its name, thanks to a pioneering initiative by Jazz North, the organisation devoted to nurturing and showcasing talent.
Jam Experiment, comprising five musicians from Manchester aged from 16 to 18 is the first beneficiary of the Jazz North Introduces scheme, which offers them high-profile exposure at leading jazz festivals in the north, along with help in promoting themselves.
The band was selected from a wide range of applications for the scheme after impressing a panel of festival directors, educators, musicians and Jazz North staff with its talent and enthusiasm.
Now it will perform at the Lancaster Jazz Festival, Marsden Jazz Festival, Southport Melodic Jazz Club and Liverpool Jazz Festival.
Jam Experiment is made up of bandleader and BBC Young Jazz Musician of Year 2014 Rory Ingham, 17, who plays trombone, saxophonist Alex Bone, 17, pianist Toby Comeau, 17, bassist Felix Moseholm, 16, and drummer Jonathan Mansfield, 18.
The band describes its approach as “energetic, connected, creative, swingin', humorous, enthusiastic”.  It came together after a weekly jam, and the players’ ambitions are to play exciting original compositions and arrangements, make a strong impression and search for something that is musically new.
Among its inspirations and influences are guitar titan Pat Metheny, keyboard legend Herbie Hancock, bassist Christian McBride and pianist Gwilym Simcock.
Jam Experiment receives a package of help as part of the Jazz North Introduces scheme, including payment and expenses for the gigs, a photo-shoot, video showreel created from interviews and performances and assistance in creating and electronic press kit.
Applications for Jazz North Introduces demonstrated the wealth of young talent in the north.
The youngest was Take Four and a Half, a Bradford quintet that was highly commended by the panel for its ambition and enthusiasm. In recognition, the band has been offered three days’ mentoring by leading saxophonist Iain Dixon.
Jazz North Introduces builds on the mjf (Manchester Jazz Festival) introduces scheme to showcase the very best new jazz talent from across the north. 
A pilot version was run earlier this year with Leeds band The Stretch Trio being selected for a showcase at Gateshead International Jazz Festival. The initiative was open to bands of up to five musicians, 75 per cent of whom – plus the nominated leader – must be under 25, and living or studying in the north of England.
The panel that selected Jam Experiment prioritized musical excellence, in terms of musicianship, creativity, innovation and potential. A shortlist was drawn up and assessed by an advisory panel consisting of experienced musicians, promoters, educators and Jazz North staff. 
Jo McCallum, who co-ordinated Jazz North Introduces, said: “Working in partnership with promoters, the Jazz North Introduces scheme is providing young bands with their first high profile performances at leading northern jazz festivals. It is a fantastic opportunity for these young musicians to perform throughout the region and a fantastic opportunity for jazz audiences to have their first glimpse of the great talent that is emerging here in the north.”
Jazz North’s partners in the initiative were Marsden Jazz Festival, Southport Melodic Jazz Club, Lancaster Jazz Festival, Liverpool Jazz Festival, Chethams School of Music, Leeds College of Music, Gateshead International Jazz Festival and Scarborough Jazz Festival.
The Jam Experiment will play the following festivals: 
Friday 19th September 10.15pm - Lancaster Jazz Festival www.lancasterjazz.com
Saturday 11th October 12pm - Marsden Jazz Festival  www.marsdenjazzfestival.com
Friday 6th February afternoon - Southport Melodic Jazz Club - Jazz on a Winter's Weekend 
Sunday 1st March 1pm - Liverpool Jazz  Festival  

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