Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Friday, October 10, 2014

The DB Jazz Project - Bridge Hotel October 9

David Keighley (saxes); Thomas MacMillan (gtr); Adrian Sander (bs gtr); Ben Grant (dms).
(Review by Lance).
It was good to see a crowded room of predominantly young people for this launching of DB Jazz Project - a new band albeit one with a few gigs under its belt already.
No shortage of technique amongst the quartet - enhanced (or otherwise) as it was by a distracting screen projection and some electronic sorcery - Keighley can certainly blow tenor and MacMillan knows his way around the fretboard. Likewise drums and bass put the boot in making for an explosive start. The influences were many and the material varied. Coltrane, Brecker - even Snake Davis - all provided the ammunition either directly or by suggestion.
The delays used on Isabel made for a cosmical sound (the 's' is optional) that took us to a far off land where few jazz orientated bands return from. The sound was as kaleidoscopical as the changing patterns on the screen and I was tempted to check the parking lot for a UFO berthed alongside a Honda Jazz 1.4.
Karma (Calmer?) Blue brought us back down to earth. A quirky, yet logical, head made this the most accessible number so far and, at this point, I unfortunately had to leave.
My intention was to catch the last set by The Collective at Hoochie but, it was cold and drizzling and the 27 bus was approaching so valour gave way to discretion and I took an early bath.
Apologies to both bands but deffo check out the DBJP at a venue near you - you won't regret it.
Lance.

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