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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

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.

Saturday, March 28, 2015

CD Review: James Birkett & Bradley Johnston Together

James Birkett (guitar) & Bradley Johnston (guitar)
(Review by Russell)
North east-based guitarists James Birkett and Bradley Johnston have been working together for some time as a duo and have recently released their first CD recording. Together comprises thirteen tracks, of which eleven were composed or recorded by iconic figures in the history of jazz. Two compositions are the duo’s – Blues for BJ (comp.J.Birkett) and James Waltz (comp. B.Johnston).They stand comparison.
Sage Gateshead’s music education programme brought together lecturer Birkett and Johnston, the guitar student. On this recording they have taken classic tunes on loan. Respect for the material permeates the CD from start to finish. From Jobim to Venuti, Eddie Lang and Lonnie Johnson to Rollins and Coltrane to Django, sensitivity and respect are paramount. Oleo, Giant Steps, Blue Room and Doxy, a mix of tunes, all of them handled with care, the craft of the jazz guitarist clear for all to hear.
The sound balance is excellent, recorded at Sage Gateshead by Dan Martin and mixed and mastered by Adam Sinclair. Those familiar with the duo’s playing will recognise who’s taking the solo on any given track. Those less familiar will be impressed on first hearing and will want to search out the duo to hear them in concert. Purchasing Together is a recommended first step – James Birkett and Bradley Johnston Together (JBBJ 1). Buy a CD at a gig (be sure to get it signed, it is likely to become a collector’s item) or contact the guitarists at: www.jamesbirkettmusic.com and brad.believe@hotmail.co.uk.
Russell.               
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