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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 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

17904 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 225 of them this year alone and, so far, 72 this month (March 24).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

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: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong 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: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 30: Jan Spencelayh & Dave Archbold @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 30: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

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

Thursday, September 18, 2014

CD Review: Partisans – Swamp

Julian Siegel - saxophones & bass clarinets;  Phil Robson – guitars; Thaddeus Kelly – bass; Gene Calderazzo – drums.
(Review by Steve H.)
The Partisans could be described as an Indie Jazz British super group - all members being stars in their own right. Swamp is the band’s fifth studio album since their formation in 1996 and the tightness and empathy in this performance are apparent throughout.
Flip the Sneck (Siegel) is a jolly opener with an easily recognisable theme.  Siegel  leads the way before Robson ends the piece with a crushing guitar solo. Low Glow (Siegal) has a great bass  background reminiscent of Miles’ 70’s era recordings complemented by Calderazzo’s sensitive drumming allowing Siegal and Robson space to flow with fine solos. 
Thin Man (Robson)  is driven by Calderazzo’s classic drumming as again Robson and Siegel serve up tasteful and interesting solos . The title track Swamp (Robson) certainly evokes the feeling of being in the middle of some whirling foggy morass. This is the ‘free-est’  and for me the most enjoyable track on the album again with a definite  Miles Davis electronic feel to it. Robson uses fascinating electronic effects whilst drum and bass really set the groove. 
Veto (Siegel) is another vehicle for the tenor player to delight with a more or less straight ahead piece and the guitar is also played in classic jazz fashion. Overview (Robson) starts with a gentle airy soprano solo before Robson takes over with one of his more imaginative guitar breaks.  Mickey (Robson) sees Siegel and Robson once more trade solos as bass and drums provide the perfect backdrop. Finally, Icicle Architects (Robson) starts with a melancholic bass clarinet solo before slowly building to a rumbling group finale.
Apart from the title track this album is more landscape garden than quagmire so for those who revel in tight well executed contemporary jazz played by a first rate ensemble this will be a fine offering. For those seeking some heavier trekking this album may be a few mud baths short of a Swamp. 
Swamp is released by Whirlwind Recordings Ltd. on Sept. 22.
Steve H.
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