Total Pageviews

Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 2024).

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

17630 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 904 of them this year alone and, so far, 49 this month (Dec. 20).

From This Moment On ...

December

Thu 26: The Boneshakers @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. The 17th annual Boneshakers’ Shindig.

Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free. Business as usual!.
Fri 27: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 27: Michael Woods @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sat 28: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 11:30am. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 28: Fri 20: Castillo Nuevo @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 28: Jude Murphy, Rich Herdman & Giles Strong @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Stepney Bank, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

Sun 29: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 29: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 30: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Tue 31: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 12 noon-2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington (National Trust), Cambo, Morpeth NE61 4AR. 12 noon & 2:00pm. Admission to site £19.00.
Tue 31: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Archie Brown & Friends @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00-8:00pm. Free.

January 2025

Wed 01: ???

Thu 02: ???

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: John Gregory @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar.

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!

Blog Archive