Total Pageviews

Bebop Spoken There

Van Morrison: ''Basically, I'm coming from jazz. Not pop, not rock, not what's commercial. That's where I started, and that's still where I am. I feel the same as I did when I was listening to Louis Armstrong, Lead Belly, Jelly Roll Morton''. (The Northern Echo, 12 June 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

17,533 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 497 of them this year alone and, so far, 75 this month (June 23).

From This Moment On ...

JUNE 2025

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: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 25: The Magpies of Swing @ The Roxy, Leadgate, Co. Durham. 7:30pm. A Ginger Jitterbugs swing dance event, all welcome.

Thu 26: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Brass Instruments & the use of mutes.

Fri 27: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm.
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: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 8:00pm. ‘Time After Time’.

Sat 28: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Linskill Centre, North Shields. 4:00-10:30pm. Free, but ticketed (over 18s only). A multi-bill, multi-genre ‘Canny Shiels - North Shields 800’ event. Three Kings Brewery on site.
Sat 28: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 28: Jude Murphy & Dan Stanley @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 29: Jude Murphy & Dan Stanley @ Wallington, Northumberland. 12 noon-1:00pm & 2:00-3:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 29: Bal Bruch Social Dance @ As You Like It, Sandyford, Newcastle. 12:30pm. Free. Dance event with Hot Club de Heaton performing live (2:00-3:00pm). A ‘Jar on the Bar’ event.
Sun 29: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ The Fire Station, Sunderland. 3:00pm. Ray McVay & co.
Sun 29: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 29: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 29: Zoë Gilby w. Ryton Choral Society @ Corbridge Middle School NE45 5HX. 5:30pm. £15.00. Gilby w jazz trio & choir. ‘An evening of jazz song for choir’.
Sun 29: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 29: John Wilson & the Sinfonia of London @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. ‘Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Greatest Hits’.
Sun 29: Out Front @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. JNE.

Mon 30: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.

JULY 2025

Tue 01: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Mark Robertson.
Tue 01: Customs House Big Band @ Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.

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, December 07, 2014

Keith Stephen’s Hot Club Trio w. Caroline Irwin – Christmas @ Ashington Jazz Club. Dec. 3

Keith Stephen (Guitar), Caroline Stephen (Vocalist), Roly Veitch (Guitar),  Keith Rollo (Bass).
(Review by Peter S.)
The final Gig of the year provided an evening with the ever popular Gypsy Jazz of Keith Stephen’s Hot Club Trio on stage for the sixth year in a row to entertain at our Christmas Party.
A good audience took their seats to enjoy an exciting evening of wonderful music. The first set got underway in some style. Keith, recovering from illness, had returned to his best while Caroline presented her lyrics as only she can with a smile and youthful energy and occasionally in another language. What a talent! Mr. Rollo’s ability on slap bass was incredible - at times sounding almost like a small drum kit. The dependable and very accomplished guitar of Roly Veitch is always a pleasure for the AJC audience which he has supported over many years. 
The Club crowd showed their genuine appreciation as each melody came to an end. In addition to the individual solo spots performed during the evening we were introduced for the first time to the  close harmony of the gentlemen in the band which was very effective and offered a new dimension which I hope they will include  in the future.
The second set began in much the same happy spirit with a seasonal song or two which had the audience joining in the festive fun. Audiences like to participate when the opportunity arises. The interval began after Caroline, with Santa Baby, made way for the arrival of “Santa John” with his bag of goodies which were distributed throughout the audience with some jollity.
At the end of this successful year for the AJC it is now the moment to offer our appreciation and thanks to all those wonderful North East Musicians who have come this far north and displayed  their obvious talents. Thank you so much for bringing Jazz Culture in its many forms to our town.
On behalf of John T. and myself, a big thank you to the members for your support throughout the year without which we would have no Club.  A bigger thanks to John T. whose time and effort makes this all happen.
I would also like to thank Ashington Town Council for the help which has been given and to those who have helped to publicise our programmes, especially Bebop Spoken Here Jazz Blog which  has thought my reviews fit for publication. Thanks Lance.
All that remains for me to say on behalf of the Club is - have a wonderful Christmas with family and friends and I hope you keep Jazzing in the New Year. See you there.
Next Meeting- Wednesday, January 7  2015 at 8.00p.m. at the Elephant when our Guests will be the Alter Ego Sextet.
Peter S.

No comments :

Blog Archive