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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17777 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 98 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Feb.8).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Mon 10: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 11: Steve Summers Quintet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Jam session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 13: Student Performances @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 4:00pm. Free. Inc. Olly Styles (tenor sax).
Thu 13: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: Artist Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Hannabiell & Midnight Blue.
Thu 13: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 14: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 12:30-1:30pm. £5.00. at the door. New second Friday in the month concert series.
Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 14: Archipelago + Anna Tempest @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £8.00.
Fri 14: Paul Jones & Dave Kelly @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. Rhythm & blues.
Fri 14: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Fri 14: Jazz Sabbath @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

Sat 15: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 15: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 15: Elkie Brooks @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. ‘The Long Farewell Tour’.
Sat 15: Milne Glendinning Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 16: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 16: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: BBC Introducing NE X MOBO Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 6:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Jambone, Knats, Rivkala, SwanNek.
Sun 16: The Shayo Experience @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 16: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Sun 16: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

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, February 27, 2015

More Jam @ The Globe. February 22

(Review by Russell)
The Newcastle Jazz Co-op’s monthly jam session designed for the more experienced musician drew a healthy number of participants (two or three of them being first time visitors) to the Railway Street venue located just off Scotswood Road between Metro Radio Arena and Newcastle College. The Findens (Stuart and Fiona) led the friendly gathering and Stuart opened on guitar with Ain’t Misbehavin’, Bernie’s Tune and, at violinist Kay Usher’s suggestion a Latin feel on Out of Nowhere.
The guitarists walked in. Friends Tom Lapworth (Ibanez) and Fardin Esfandiari (Strat) sat in on Ladybird, Solar and Blue Bossa. Young and talented, these guys are sitting in around town – catch them at a jam session soon. In walked John Rowland. With Stuart Finden on tenor preferring to leave the six string work to the young guns, a three-tenor horn section (the Findens and Rowland) played some bop, then the session’s highlight featured fabulous tenor from JR on In a Sentimental Mood.
The vocalists (an all-female roll call) had their say; Minnie Fraser Ain’t Misbehavin’, Julie Autumn Leaves and Ann Alex Fly Me to the Moon. ‘Mr Barman’ (aka Keith Barrett) grabbed the chance to play his wide-body Gibson on Bye Bye Blackbird. Graham Morris (yet another young guitarist) joined the party on Days of Wine and Roses.
Good to see Ray Truscott out and about. Our six-string maestro didn’t hang around too long (two or three tunes), but the stuff he laid down had ‘quality’ written all over it. The afternoon’s three hour session flew by and special mention for the bass and drums boys – Andrew and Andy – who worked ceaselessly for the love of it. More Jam meets again on Sunday 22 March (3:00-6:00pm). Free admission to performers and listeners alike. The ‘other’ jam session at the Globe – Am Jam – takes place next on Sunday 8 March, same time, same place. Led by Keith Barrett, if you are looking to sit in and gain invaluable experience in a non-competitive, supportive environment, this could be the session for you.    
Stuart Finden (tenor saxophone & guitar), Fiona Finden (tenor saxophone & vocals), John Rowland (tenor saxophone), Kay Usher (violin), Tom Lapworth (guitar), Fardin Esfandiari (guitar), Graham Morris (guitar), Keith Barrett (guitar), Minnie Fraser (vocals), Julie Allen (vocals), Ann Alex (vocals), Andrew  Porritt (double bass), Ray Truscott (electric bass) & Andy McClellan (drums)
Russell.

1 comment :

Lance said...

I must apologise to Russell and the participants at the jam for the delayed posting of his review. This was due to problems with my PC which have hopefully been resolved.
Similar apologies to those who have sent me a mountain of CDs for review - these may take a little longer!

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