Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''We knew back in the day that Emmet [Cohen] had it.'' (DownBeat July, 2026)

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

18767 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 631 of them this year alone and, so far this month (July 31) 95.

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

From This Moment On

August

Tue 04: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 05: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 05: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 05: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 06: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 06: Wild Women of Wylam @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Feat. guest Zoë Gilby.
Thu 06: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 06: Bridget Metcalfe Sextet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 07: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 08: ???

Sun 09: 58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00-3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Ropner Park, Stockton. 2:00-4:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: The Gambling Janes @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 10: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm.Free.

Tue 11: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Keith Stephen's Hot Club Trio w. Caroline Irwin @ Blaydon Jazz Club (Black Bull). October 19

Keith Stephen (gtr); Roly Veitch (gtr/vcl); Bruce Rollo (bs/vcl); Caroline Irwin (vcl).
(Review by Lance).
Caroline wasn't firing a ukulele from the hip or a cornet from the lip (at least not during the first set) but this modern day flapper did flash her eyes, and us males paralyse, with her vocals during this fine session at the Black Bull.
It had been a while since I visited the cosy home of Blaydon Jazz Club involving for me as it does trains and boats and planes or, to be more precise, buses, metros and pedestrian flyovers. The trip was worth it.
The room has an ambiance that lends itself to whatever the evening holds in store allowing for interaction been performer and listener.
The two guitarists are masters of the style and it was interesting to compare the different sounds despite both using Maccaferri style guitars. Keith, on lead, punchier, harder sounding - the fighter. Roly, softer, sweeter - the boxer. But this wasn't a brawl, it was a meeting of the like-minded combining to turn Blaydon into the 21st Arrondissement.
On bass, Bruce Rollo plucked and slapped - no poncy arco stuff from him and Caroline, as stated, drew the audience in a manner that can best be described by the groups opening instrumental - Coquette!
Vocals on Fly Me To The Moon; Cuckoo (en Francais); Me, Myself and I (with great guitar interplay); Bésame Mucho (en Español); I Get the Blues When It Rains; This is my Lucky Day and I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter (w. vocal assist from Bruce). Roly sang Dinah (composed by Harry Akst w. words by Sam Lewis and Joe Young - no not our Joe Young - and not by Eddie Cantor as I suggested although he did originally perform it!)
A waltz about Hedgehogs featured some prickly guitar playing and my evening was rounded off with yours truly winning a bottle of vino in the raffle!
I wanted to stay longer but the trains and boats and planes scenario demanded an early depart.
Don't miss next months special - ace tenor player - Vasilis Xenopoulos. November 23.
Lance.

No comments :

Blog Archive