Total Pageviews

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

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 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: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

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

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.

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, October 01, 2014

Jazz Esquires @ The Porthole, North Shields.

Terry Dalton (tmb/vcl); Tony Winder (ten/clt/wbd); Laurie Brown (clt/dms); Pepe Greenaway (alt); Roy Gibson (keys); Peter Ninnim (dms).
(Review by Lance).
Back in the 1940s, one of the London jazz clubs was The Nuthouse - I think Carlo Krahmer had a band there. This was before my time but today, the Porthole could easily have inherited that mantle. I say this with fondness and affection as it was a fun packed afternoon albeit not always intentionally!
My mission had several aims, not all of which were accomplished.
Laurie Brown on tenor. I knew the ex-Squadronaires' drummer as a first rate stickman, a good vibes player and a competent owner of a clarinet. But how did he rate on tenor? The jury is out on this one as he arrived tenor-less. Still he did okay on clarinet, opening the case like a true pro. (Actually he blew some fine choruses too!)
Miles Watson: Miles was miles away today which caused some confusion when I overheard Terry say, "This is one of Miles' numbers". I anticipated All Blues but I'd picked up on the wrong Miles - Dinnington as opposed to Detroit - still Terry's vocal on Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter didn't hurt and Tony's metal Selmer clarinet solo was worth the £3 pint of Tyneside Blonde.
Pepe Greenaway: Good to catch up with Pepe AKA Peter. These days he's definitely Pepe and his alto solos - modern by comparision - were indeed peppery.
Roy Gibson: Without a visible bass player I wondered where the perfectly executed basslines were coming from. Roy's a two hander so I guessed he had a set of pedals. I couldn't verify this until the interval otherwise the ladies present may have thought I was trying to look up their skirts! This was silly as they were, like so many women do these days, wearing trousers. Perhaps us men should start wearing skirts!
Tony Winder: Tony blew tenor, clarinet and brought the house down with his washboard playing - next week I'll bring my laundry. He also gave a nice rendition of Have You Met Miss Jones? on tenor.
Terry Dalton: Trombone like it should be played - Teagarden and Dorsey the latter being remembered on Getting Sentimental Over You. Terry also took care of the vocals apart from...
Dave Bosomworth: In the absence of Teresa, Dave was the only floor singer, albeit not without some non-vocal "help". Dave gave out with Sunnyside of the Street and It Had to be You. The latter title may have been directed at the lady who joined him on the sunnyside of the street to add some Terpsichore to the proceedings. She had fun and wasn't ejected!
Peter Ninnim: Peter can swing a band of any size and it was a treat to hear two good swingers such as Laurie and Peter alternating behind the kit.
So there you have it. If you go along with the sentiments expressed in their opening number that It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing then the Porthole is the place for you.
If nothing else, the Ferry 'cross the Tyne is worth the trip!
Lance.

No comments :

Blog Archive