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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

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.
Sun 19: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

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

Tue 21: ???

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

Thu 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, Holystone. 1:00pm. Free. Fortnightly.
Thu 23: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Obituaries 2024.
Thu 23: Jason Isaacs @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:30-6:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Thu 23: Pedal Point Trio @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 24: Zoë Gilby Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm.
Fri 24: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 24: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 24: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 24: Creakin’ Bones & the Sunday Dinners @ Lindisfarne Social Club, Wallsend. 9:00pm. Admission: TBC. Jazz, blues , jump jive, rock ‘n’ roll.

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 17, 2014

Jason Isaacs @ Bonbar, Newcastle. November 16.

Jason Isaacs (vcl/ten); Mark Webb, Darren Irwin (tpt); Dave Brock  (tmb); Lewis Watson (ten); Ray Dales (alt); Stuart Collingwood (pno); Neil Harland (bs); Simon Ferry (dms) + The Fenner Sisters, Dorothy Ellis (vcl).
(Review by Lance).
There was a buzz about Bonbar as I exited the rain-swept mean streets into the glitzy interior of what was once the very majestic Old Assembly Rooms. There were a few distingué traces on the faces of those in the bar where, the tannoy was playing Fats Waller's version of Two Sleepy People followed by Ella and Louis duetting on  Dream a Little Dream of me.. Never experienced that before!
The women were in their LBDs, - some more L than others - the men had the the cool, clear (ish) eyes of a seeker of wisdom and truth.
The mood was set, the food served and the wine approved, all that remained was the cabaret...
Wow!
Isaacs has the voice, the energy, the charisma of the Rat Pack, Elvis and half a dozen others combined!
He hit the deck running (literally) with Lady is a Tramp, Come Fly With Me, Beyond the Sea. Tenor blasted Why Don't You Do Right? and likewise on Summertime. I once went to a gig where the singer didn't sing Summertime but it was so long ago I can't remember where or when or who the singer was. Probably circa 1970.
Dorothy Ellis joined our man for the Me and my Shadow routine, The Fenner Sisters became The Raelettes for Hit The Road Jack, The Jordinaires for the Wonder of You and surely deserved a spot of their own.
Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown had Jason strutting his stuff on the bar top - this guy is quite incredible! The bartenders too were shimmy shaking and singing along. Yours truly even did a little fantastic light tripping fuelled by a gallon or two of Pinot Grigot and a nearby LBD.
But now, the end was near and we faced the final curtain which of course was only the penultimate curtain.
The familiar introduction to New York, New York brought rapturous roars of recognition from the crowd - one day the band will play that intro and the singer will go into Chicago!
It was quite a night, fine wine, good food and great music. Also nice to share a table with trumpet ace Alan Smith whom I hadn't seen for many a blue moon. Then there were the LBDs...
As Jason sang, Heaven, I'm in Heaven...
Photos.
F/b photos.
Lance.
PS: Only criticism - the sound balance could have been better which begs the question of doing sound checks in an empty room.

3 comments :

Liz said...

did we ever find out why his gig in York was cancelled?

Mrs Isaacs said...

Circumstances beyond our control Liz but we do plan to be back x

Liz said...

oh good, I'll be there!

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