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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

17945 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 266 of them this year alone and, so far, 22 this month (April 8).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Mon 14: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 14: Zoë Gilby Quintet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Only Six Standards.
Thu 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Fri 18: Alexia Gardner @ Fika Gallery, Oldgate, Morpeth NE61 1LT. 7:00pm. Trio (Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy).RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 13

Fri 18: Sarah Jane Morris & Tony Remy: The Sisterhood @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00.

Sat 19: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 19: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 19: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Lindsay Hannon/Alan Law @ Jazz Café - Macmillan Cancer Care Coffee Afternoon.

Lindsay Hannon (vcl); Alan Law (pno).
(Review by Lance/photo courtesy of Mike Tilley).
A coffee afternoon (to allow late night jazzers time to get out of bed) didn't draw the charitably minded members of the community in the numbers anticipated. Perhaps it should have held with tradition and made it a Coffee Morning thus catching the jazz owls before they went to bed! Whatever, if you missed it it was your, and unfortunately, Macmillan Cancer Care's loss.
A chocolate walnut gateaux that probably contained all of the calories in the world went down a treat as did the duo up front.
Alan Law is perhaps the most underrated pianist in town. No bombastic, flamboyant shows of bravado - just gentle, melodic and sympathetic nuances behind Lindsay and only the occasional ff flourish when soloing.
The material was a mix of standards and more contemporary offerings. Cry Me A River is a much maligned song but, when sung by Julie London or Lindsay Hannon, it is a pearl.
Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis - a Tom Waits gem  that our girl did justice to. - Cole Porter never got within a mile of a lyric like this!
At Long Last Love saw Asbury Park substituted with Saltwell Park, Leazes Park and various other local parks and Billy Bragg's Saturday Girl, a poetic tale of adolescent love, - We'd sit together in double history twice a week - another one to hit the spot.
All this and chocolate walnut gateaux - I need to lie down!
Lance.

3 comments :

Patti D. said...

Ah yes - sorry I missed this - and these great songs covered! The Tom Waits one is a masterpiece ..... and to think I didn't get a lick of that choco/walnut delight! Most important of course is the whole reason for the gig - raising ££'s for Macmillan Cancer Care. They do amazing work.

Mike Tilley said...

Just an update we raised 140 pounds for Macmillan, pretty good for a leisurely afternoon.
Mike

Jen Errington said...

This was a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Lindsay and Alan on top form. I had home made coffee/walnut - it was delicious. Very pleased to hear the amount raised despite such small numbers.
Jen

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