Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

From This Moment On

March

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Wednesday, December 03, 2014

Jazz Café Jam - Dec 2.

Peter Gilligan (pno); Paul Grainger (bs); Bradley Johnston (gtr); Paul Wight (dms) + Lindsay Hannon (vcl); Matthew MacKellar (dms); Mitch? (dms); Russ Morgan (dms); Nick Gould (ten); Jeremy (tpt); ? (vcl); ? (bs gtr) - maybe Uncle Tom Cobbly and all...
(Review by Lance/photo courtesy of Mike Tilley)
The room was literally jam packed with jammers, lined up in an orderly(ish) fashion, eager to blow. And who wouldn't with the house quartet laying down such a solid foundation?
In the old Crombie days Keith used to boast about the international nature of his clientèle. Well that tradition continues - Saturday we had Brazil and Germany represented and tonight we had trumpet man Jeremy from the south of France, blistering tenor saxist Nick from Edinburgh and a charming state-side lady, Carla, who exuded friendliness - nice to meet you Carla..
The joint was jumping.
And, although the room was full, where were those people who claim to be jazz fans but are rarely seen outside of their own comfort patch Dave and Pam obvious exceptions here and, of course, Bruce - if Bruce's Mike Hammer headgear is missing from a JC gig then I fear for the future of Jazzkind!
This was north east jazz at its finest - and it was free!
I'm not going to list all the highlights - there were too many - just debottomise the sofa in two weeks time and discover real live jazz. In the meantime, as you're reading this blog, just take in all the goodies that are available at a venue near you!
The music is (mostly) wonderful, the venues friendly and the ambience est nonpareill!
More photos by ....
Lance.

No comments :

Blog Archive