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.

Sunday, February 08, 2015

New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Caedmon Hall.Feb. 7.

Graham Hardy, Alisdair Lord (tpt); Neville Hartley (tmb); Gavin Lee, Jim McBriarty, Alan Marshall, Steve Andrews (reeds);  Ian Wynne (pno); Phil Rutherford(sousa); Keith Stephen (bjo/gtr) Steve Doyle (dms); Caroline Iwin (vcl) + Keith Nichols (pno/vcl); Nick Ward (dms); FransSjöstrom  (bs sax).
(Review by George Watt).
February 7 and another sell out for the New Century Ragtime Orchestra at Gateshead's Caedmon Hall  Filled to capacity with enthusiasts of this band of musicians who gave presentations of tunes to which our great - grandparents tapped their to feet a 100 years ago.
A few changes have taken place in the line-up with trombonist Don Fairley retiring from the band. His old friend and look-a-like Neville Hartley vacates the piano stool to join the brass. The vacancy at the keyboard brings the exiting young talent of Ian Wynne. Another change is the hair colouring of singer Caroline Irwin who is now an even more striking brunette.
Guesting on bass saxophone was Frans Sjöstrom  who comes from Sweden. He probably uses the instrument as a submarine it is so large. Another guest was Nick Ward whose subtle drum work was stunning. Topping the visitors list was Keith Nichols who enchanted us all with his stride piano playing and musical monologues. We are indeed fortunate to have such a band on our doorstep.
George W.

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