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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17719 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 39 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Jan. 15).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Wed 15: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 15: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 15: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 15: Hot Club of Heaton @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘third Wednesday in the month’ session. TBC.

Thu 16: Pete Tanton & the Cuban Heels @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio w. Graham Hardy @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. (inc. a welcome drink & table reservation). Book at: www.drinks@thepele.co.uk. A ‘Jazz at the Pele’ promotion.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick TD15 1AS. 7:30pm. Free. Album launch gig.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

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

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Hoochie Coochie Sept 21.

Michael Lamb (MD), Pete Tanton, Gordon Marshall, Dick Stacey (tpts); Keiran Parnaby, John Flood, John Day, Dave Barnes (tmb); Steve Summers, Keith Robinson (alt); Jamie Toms, Paul Gowland (ten);Laurie Rangecroft  (bar); Graham Don (pno); Pawel Jedrejewski (gtr); Michael Whent (bs); Guy Swinton (dms); James Hedley/Lindsay Hannon (vcls). 
(Review by Lance)/photo courtesy of Ken Drew)
There should be a warning on the music stands of the Strictly Smokin' Big Band  - like there are on a packet of Silk Cut - Smoking can damage your health. Take it from me that, listening to this band, the danger level is even higher! Lower your blood pressure? - no sir it will send it rocketing through the ceiling! So be warned!
However, if your constitution can cope, go for it. And if it can't? Then what a way to go!
We coped, I think, the band was at its storming best, the room was crowded and a ball was had. No need to single out the soloists, you know who they are and they didn't disappoint.
Lindsay and James were on the money and I was delighted by their How Do You Like Your Eggs in the Morning?
Memories of Vic Damone and Jane Powell in Rich Young and Pretty...aaah! 
Folk danced - doesn't that just add to the atmosphere? Music and dance, beats furrowed brows every time!
This band just goes from strength to strength - always a joy to hear but, the room was so crowded that maybe they need a bigger venue? Nah, the ambience is here and Warren has given them the space to blow so let's support them, and Warren, by at least buying a drink. After all, it costs nowt to get in!
Lance.
PS:: Just a few more observations - The Way You Look Tonight (by James) - the line "Keep that breathless charm" OMG Jerome Kern never wrote four more beautifully descriptive words.
Jive At Five - it was on the first ever LP I owned (Basie).
Is Four Brothers in the pad? and I know someone who'd love to hear Steve or Keith blowing on Jeeps Blues!
Lance.

2 comments :

Russell said...

Lindsay looked (and sounded) great and all the boys in the band appeared to have combed their hair! A 'smokin'' session.

Patti D. said...

Smokin' and stormin' - hotter than hades - and sweetly swinging. An ace gig.

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