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Bebop Spoken There

Van Morrison: ''Basically, I'm coming from jazz. Not pop, not rock, not what's commercial. That's where I started, and that's still where I am. I feel the same as I did when I was listening to Louis Armstrong, Lead Belly, Jelly Roll Morton''. (The Northern Echo, 12 June 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

1803759 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 480 of them this year alone and, so far, 58 this month (June 18).

From This Moment On ...

JUNE 2025

Sat 21: Jason Holcomb Jazz Ensemble @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 5:30-7:30pm. Free. A 'Sunderland Year of Music' event.
Sat 21: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Red Kites Jazz @ Staithes Café, Dunston. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 22: Phoenix 4 @ Wallington, Northumberland. 12 noon-1:00pm & 2:00-3:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington, Northumberland. 1:00-2:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Jason Isaacs Trio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 4:00pm. £18.00. + £1.08 bf.
Sun 22: JazzMain @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: MSK Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00. at the door; £8.20. (inc £0.20 bf) online, in advance.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.

Tues 24: ???

Wed 25: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 25: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 25: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 25: The Magpies of Swing @ The Roxy, Leadgate, Co. Durham. 7:30pm. A Ginger Jitterbugs swing dance event, all welcome.

Thu 26: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Brass Instruments & the use of mutes.

Fri 27: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm.
Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 27: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 8:00pm. ‘Time After Time’.

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

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Jazz North East & Splinter @ the Bridge present: Engine Room Favourites

Martin Archer & Mick Beck (reeds); Graham Clark (violin); Corey Mwamba (vibes); Laura Cole (keyboards); Seth Bennett (bass); Steve Dinsdale (retired hurt), Peter Fairclough, Johnny Hunter, Walt Shaw (percussion). Star Rating *****
 (Review by Steve H./Photo courtesy of Ken Drew.)
When I first heard about this Decatet playing at the Splinter gig I was concerned that the band members might outnumber the audience. I needn’t have worried one of the percussionists (Steve Dinsdale) had to drop out (eaten on the way up according Martin Archer) so now reduced to a nontet the numbers were once again in favour of the audience. As it happens a more than reasonable sized crowd were treated to a memorable gig. Those risk adverse jazz fans who stayed away missed out on one of the most enjoyable and creative gigs of the year.  
Band leader Archer appears to be a musical cross between Clive Anderson and Alan Carr. In addition to his  multi reed playing he composed, cajoled, conducted, cavorted and chanted  throughout the evening.
The ensemble kicked off with  Junko Heart Bad Time from Slackwater  described by Archer as a medley of everything we have ever played and what a joy it was too - vibrant, flamboyant and featuring plenty of melodies for those who like to have a tune with their jazz.  
Although everyone in the Nontet made an outstanding contribution a special mention has to go to Watt Shaw on percussion who made up for the absence of Steve Dinsdale with an octopus like performance of animated percussion . The first set concluded with Satin Lantern a short piece introduced by Archer as  a ‘Salsa’; members of the audience were invited to dance with the band leader but sadly no one took him up on his offer.
After the interval the band performed  its most complex piece You Will Never Know me which was conceived in 3 separate units, the first Section comprising  bass, piano and vibes, the second reeds and violin and the third percussion. The piece felt almost Classical in a Bartokian way and it would be unfair to single out any performer such was the sheer class of all involved.   At the piece’s conclusion Archer suggested that it could have been renamed We will never know it! The evening concluded with a cover of ‘Hard Blues’ which  was simply magnificent – upbeat, uptempo, uplifting and  a duet between Archer on Soprano and Mwamba on vibes was absolutely mesmerising. A wonderfully entertained  audience snaked its way down the Bridge staircase and onto Castle Garth still buzzing  with excitement and admiration for what they had just experienced.
Steve H.

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