Total Pageviews

Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 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

17904 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 225 of them this year alone and, so far, 72 this month (March 24).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 30: Jan Spencelayh & Dave Archbold @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 30: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

APRIL 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 @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 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

Friday, December 12, 2014

The Big Chris Barber Band @ Sage Gateshead. December 11

Chris Barber (trombone & vocals), Bob Hunt (trombone & trumpet), Mike Henry (trumpet & clarinet), Pete Rudeforth (trumpet), Richard Exall (baritone & tenor saxophones, clarinet), Bert Brandsma (tenor & alto saxophones, clarinet),Trevor Whiting (tenor & alto saxophones, clarinet), Joe Farler (guitar & banjo), Jackie Favelle (double bass & electric bass) & Alan ‘Sticky’ Wicket (drums)
(Review by Russell)
A broken down vehicle left the Chris Barber band on the hard-shoulder of the M69 for hours on end. Their Sage Gateshead concert was delayed one hour with a nine o’clock start and a ready agreement to play one long set (ninety minutes) without pause.
Sage Gateshead’s café, bar and brasserie did unexpected extra business and the hiatus was accepted by all as just one of those things. Hall One staged a Motown revue and a glittering fashion parade (the punters) walked on by to the amusement of the hardened jazzers killing time on people watching duty. Hall Two opened its doors in good time – Sage staff were, as ever, courteous in admitting patrons and assisting some in finding a numbered seat. All three levels in the cockpit-theatre space were open (level one, or the ‘stalls’, if you will, well-populated).
Chris Barber walked onto stage alone and offered a rambling, bumbling apology. Good, all was well with the world! His band joined him. Bourbon Street Parade. Great! Thank you Mr Barber. If there had been time for just the one number it would still have been a treat. Thankfully, this was just the start. Ellington played a big part during the evening. The first Ducal instalment – three numbers topped and tailed by Rent Party Blues and Jubilee Stomp – showcased the immaculate ensemble work of Barber’s outfit, with Bob Hunt’s lovingly crafted arrangements a joy to listen to. Barber took the first of several vocals (perhaps an under-rated aspect of his work) on Take My, Hand Precious Lord and Goin’ Home. Clarence Williams’ Wild Cat Blues (Barber recalled the band’s first recording of the tune was way back in 1955) heard Richard Exall’s excellent baritone and the equally proficient Trevor Whiting on tenor. The sections’ contributions were never less than top drawer; trumpets Mike Henry and Pete Rudeforth spot-on (open or muted), similarly the reeds with Dutchman Bert Brandsma particularly impressive on clarinet and ‘Sticky’ Wicket holding it together behind the traps.  
More Ellington – East St Louis Toodle-Oo and Merry Go Round (Barber solo). Black and Tan Fantasy raised the stakes with Bob Hunt doing things on trombone that appeared to be impossible! Plungers were regularly plungered across reeds and brass to great effect. Barber, conscious of the time, mis-read his watch, calling time some thirty minutes too soon. On-stage asides quickly reshuffled the set list. All Blues focused on Exall’s alto, Hunt’s muted horn and Jackie Favelle’s subtle double bass playing (other band members wandering off into the wings). Hot and Bothered and Petite Fleur (inevitably) told us it was just about time to say farewell to the Big Chris Barber Band…until the next time. A rockin’ Rockin’ in Rhythm (a phalanx of frontline plungers) called time…almost. Who wants Ice Cream? Vanilla, sarsaparilla, this was a gig with a cherry on top! See you next time Chris!                          
Russell.

1 comment :

George Watt said...

There is little more to add to Russell's brilliant synopsis of a wonderful evening. It was the first time I had been in this particular hall and it was perfect for the occasion. Chris has not improved his diction over the years and together with my hearing problem I could not make out what he was saying - but it was ever so. However, his musicianship left nothing to be desired although I sometimes thought he was about to lean on his trombone.

Blog Archive