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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

18037 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 458 of them this year alone and, so far, 36 this month (June 11).

From This Moment On ...

JUNE 2025

Sun 15: Lewis Watson Quartet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 15: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:00pm.
Sun 15: Under the Wellie @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 15: Hannah Brine Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 16: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.
Mon 16: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 17: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 18: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 18: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:30pm. Free. Concert performance (open to the public)..
Wed 18: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 19: Gareth John & the SOS Big Band @ The Forum Music Centre, Darlington. 7:00pm. £25.00.

Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: David Gray's Flextet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 20: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. £21.50. ‘Time After Time’.br/> Fri 20: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm.
Fri 20: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. Superb Chicago blues band.

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.

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

Saturday, October 04, 2014

Yes Mo Blues - Mo Scott Blues Band @ Jazz Café October 3.

Mo Scott (vcl); Garry Dunn (gtr); Deon Krishnan (bs gtr); Paul Smith (dms).
(Review by Lance/photo, video footage by Mary B).
The material was familiar yet sounded as fresh as if it were the first time round. Mo may not look the archetypal blues mama but when she starts hollering you know the sound and the feeling coming out of that diminutive frame is the real deal! If variety is the spice of life then tonight The Caff was a blues/rock delicatessen. Son House, Sonny Boy, Big Mama, Stevie Ray, Ray Charles, Chuck and many more provided the piquancy that filled the air. Was this Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Memphis or New Orleans? No, it was Newcastle. Outside, on Forth Lane, a reveller danced to the music as if it were New Years Eve. Come to think of it - every Friday night in Newcastle is New Years Eve!
The band had a few deps tonight which didn't detract one iota from the finished product. Deon Krishnan looked like a middleweight contender but once he unleashed the six string bass guitar he was up there with the heavyweights. The analogy is apt as, back in the 1920s, the pub across the alley was once managed by former world heavyweight champion Tommy Burns - there should be a blue plaque outside.
There should also be four blue plaques outside The Caff after tonight!.
Gary Dunn could be mistaken for a bank clerk or a junior doctor. He ain't, he's a northern guitar legend, a Prince of Plectra, he rocks and rocks good.
Paul Smith is one of the punchiest drummers around - jazz, blues, rock, big band - whatever the groove, with PS in the driving seat you'll get there in the end.
From the above you'll gather that this was one mind-blowing, blues-busting, night - if you doubt me check out the YT clip of Yellow Moon.
Lance.

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