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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17719 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 39 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Jan. 15).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Wed 15: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 15: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 15: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 15: Hot Club of Heaton @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘third Wednesday in the month’ session. TBC.

Thu 16: Pete Tanton & the Cuban Heels @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio w. Graham Hardy @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. (inc. a welcome drink & table reservation). Book at: www.drinks@thepele.co.uk. A ‘Jazz at the Pele’ promotion.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick TD15 1AS. 7:30pm. Free. Album launch gig.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

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

Sunday, November 09, 2014

Havana Club 5 @ Empty Shop, Durham. Nov. 6

Carlos Luis Rivera (Vocals, Timbales/Bongos); Paco Rivera (Congas/Hand Perc.); Paul Grainger (Bs Gtr); Alan Law (Piano)
(Review by Teresa Driscoll).
It’s a weekday night, this quirky city centre venue is full to bursting, all seats and floor space taken... and the manager’s having to turn people away. The audience members - mostly students - listen and watch reverentially.  No, not a scene from a 1960s folk revival concert – it’s a Havana Club 5 gig in Durham, part of the monthly jazz night programme at Empty Shop.
Our evening of Latin and Afro Cuban music is led by front man Carlos who entertains with his spirited percussion, strong vocals, dancing, audience engagement, and humour “On percussion we have mi primo, Paco Rivera; on bass, we have el señor......Paul, and on piano, el señor.... el señor... Alan”. You had to be there.
The band kicks off with a number called Carlito’s Way (by Carlos), followed by the steadier El Cantante and moving on with Vacilon, Vivar and Mandinga. There were excellent solos from all the band members who have very different styles and energy, but complement each other well.
Set 2 starts with a dramatic version of jazz standard Afro Blue. Percussion instruments from Paco’s store are handed out (along with verbal instructions) to around half a dozen audience members, the rest of us are clapping along and you know what? It sounds amazing, it's fun, we felt part of the music.
El Cuarto de Tula – a Cuban ‘son’ made famous by the Buena Vista Social Club. Paco and Carlos on percussion, Paul on bass and Alan on piano are a strong team and make a brilliant job of this one (with more superb solos).... if there had been any floor space there would have been lots more dancing.
We’re then treated to an energetic version of Canteloupe Island (resisting the temptation to call out “funky funky” as in U3’s Cantaloop). Next comes Tristeza and we da-da along with the familiar tune. For the lively Con Que the audience sing phrases back at Carlos while the band holds it together brilliantly.
As the last number comes to an end and things wind up for the night, there is a palpable disappointment in the air....come back to Durham soon Havana Club 5!
Teresa D.

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