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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

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.

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: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

King Bee @ Hoochie Coochie - Dec. 23

Jason Holcomb (tmb); Richard Burns (tpt); Chris Jelly (vbs); David Wilde (ten/bar/fl); Steve Glendinning (gtr); Marco Cafolla (keys); Brendan Murphy (perc); Dan Brady (bs); Paul Crown (dms) + Graham Hardy (tpt).
(Review by Lance).
They had a ball - we had a ball. If this is Xmas? Let's have it every week never mind every year! Hoochie was full of festive cheer, antler adorned 'airstyles, tinsel everywhere even the band added to the glitter with the band manager's missis' sparkly top just outshining Dave Wilde's green waistcoat! Trumpet player Richard confessed he'd spent a fiver on more sparkly stuff most of which was woven around his trumpet - these Aussie's sure know how to push the boat out! Brendan wore an elfish hat and beards abounded (real ones!)
Which only leaves the music.
Manager Les described it as - "It's not jazz and it's not funk"
Who cares? It's funkin' good!
Dave Wilde, despite the waistcoat, blew some wild tenor, baritone and flute. Chris Jelly? Show me a better vibes player. Stevie G - we've heard him many times - he never let's us down. Jason blows trombone like as though he was born with a  silver slide in his mouth. Brendan (he can make a triangle swing!), Richard, Dan, Paul - you're the top. Throw in former band member Graham Hardy for a couple of numbers, Marco on keys and the Wow factor is plenty high on the Richter scale!
Band of the Year? Venue of the Year? Party of the Year?
No contest!
Lance.

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