Bebop Spoken There

Dominick "Domo" Branch: ''Most people say drummers can't write, they're just time-keepers only beating on things. But I have a very musical brain.'' (DownBeat February, 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

18288 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 142 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 14), 42

From This Moment On ...

February

Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT! Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.
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: Squabble @ Warkworth Memorial Hall. 7:00pm. Steve Chambers (organ); Jude Murphy (double bass, vocals); Sid White (drums).
Fri 20: Jive Aces @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors).
Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.

Sat 21: ???

Sun 22: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 22: Joe Steels Group @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Sun 22: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Harben Kay Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: Joe Steels Group @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Finn-Keeble Group @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00.
Tue 24: Liam Oliver & Shayo Oshodi @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

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: Geordie Jazz Jam @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Newcastle University jam session. All welcome.
Wed 25: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 26: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £6.50.
Thu 26: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00 adv.
Thu 26: Mick Cantwell Band @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Blues.

Fri 27: Joe Steels Group @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT! A Blue Patch album tour.
Fri 27: Alan Barnes w. Mick Shoulder Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Trio: Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
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: Radio Hito + Eddie Prévost, Silvain Schmid & Tom Wheatley @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £12.22., £10.10., £8.00.
Fri 27: Giacomo Smith w Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.
Fri 27: Alan Barnes w. Mick Shoulder Trio @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £15.00. Trio: Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).

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

Monday, November 10, 2014

Am Jam @ The Globe. November 9

(Review by Russell).
Newcastle won. Time to head for the Globe. Taking the stairs (the recently installed lift didn’t seem to be working), that was the unmistakable sound of Fly Me to the Moon. As last month, Keith (guitar) lead the second Sunday in the month Am Jam session.
Three tenors (one doubling effectively on flute), a second guitarist, bass and drums. The tunes much the same as last time (the pad will develop over time); Blue Bossa, All of Me (the impressive Julie singing this one), Nica’s Dream with Fiona cruising on vocals, then Minnie sang Lullaby of Birdland. The heating on, the place seemed welcoming! Curtains hung since last time, things are taking shape. A few more listeners too. Take the A Train (Julie and Patrick’s sister vocals), Groovin’ High, then Patrick himself took the floor. He had recently written a poem a matter of days before marrying his third and last (current?) wife. He read it – For Whom the Scribe Scrolls. Ann arrived (late) and could hardly wait to reprise Fly Me to the Moon.
The band went for Billie’s Bounce (more work required on this one), then ‘up for it’ took on Pentup House. They took a second stab at it – Sonny Rollins won’t be losing any sleep over it! Julie returned to sing Satin Doll (good brushes from Alan) and that was about it.
Am Jam is a friendly, welcoming session. It isn’t a cutting contest. The least experienced players will receive a friendly welcome in a supportive environment. In two weeks’ time (Sunday 23, 3:00pm) Stuart Finden will lead the More Jam session (for ‘More’ best think ‘more advanced’), then Am Jam returns on Sunday 14 December, 3:00pm. All welcome.              
Russell. 

4 comments :

Jazz Co-op (On F/b). said...

Thank you Russell for nice review of our 'friendly, welcoming jam session'. And the lift is definitely working!

Minnie said...

Actually, I think we did forget to switch the lift on on Sunday - so sorry about that! We will remember in future!

Anonymous said...

From Ann Alex, I didn't even know they'd already done 'Fly Me to The Moon'. That's what you get for being late, but I was at a family do! Can't wait to try the lift next time!

Lance said...

Anonymous Ann Alex (AAA) - why weren't you at the Kate Daniels gig at Lit & Phil? You'd have had your singing batteries charged tonight! You could also dig Ruth at Caff tomorrow.

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