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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

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.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Friday, August 15, 2014

The Collective @ Hoochie Coochie August 14

Dominic Snaith (gtr); Dan Fawzi (keys); Martyn Dixon (bs); Michael McCaughey (dms).
(Review by Lance).
Martyn said it would be different and it was!
Instead of playing masterly keyboard, Dominic proved to be equally adequate on lead guitar albeit without the flamboyance of Tim Bloomer - in the audience tonight after a continental trip fell through. The erstwhile keyboardist did a solid job as did his replacement, London based, Dan Fawzi.
It would be stretching it to call it a jazz gig but, nevertheless, the solos were jazzified even if the rhythms were a mix of rock, funk, ska and reggae!
The grooves were repetitive but the tension building up to the finales were effective with McCaughey in control gradual bringing the pulsations to an almost orgasmic climax!
Snaith did the announcing but tune titles were missing so the only number I recognised was All Blues although another one did resemble Street Life.
There was a good crowd in, as befits a venue going into its third year, and the enjoyment was felt in the applause which exceeded rapturous by more than a few decibels. 
My only minor quibble - I felt a horn or two or a vocalist may have widened the scope.
Still an enjoyable gig.
Keep up the good work Warren, don't let the men in suits prevent you presenting up and coming talent like this as well as the talent that's already up there (Gregory, Chaka etc.)
Lance.

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