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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

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

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: 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.

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

Sunday, April 05, 2015

Colin Dawson w. Levee Ramblers New Orleans Band Springwell Village Hall - April 1

Colin Dawson tpt, Dave Rae  bjo & vcl, Liz Bacon - clt, Paul Bacon - dms, Jim Blenkin - tmb, John Robinson - db bs, Mac Rae – clt/ dms/ vcl.
(Review by Ray Robson)
The Levee Ramblers rose from the ashes of the "Rae Brothers N.O. Band", with virtually the same line up bar Mick Hill or guest trumpeters taking Mac’s original role. The Springwell weekly set has been going some time now, though we have personally only "discovered" it since the sad demise of "Jazz at the Fell".
Tonight was quite a special event, with not only the appearance on guest trumpet of Colin Dawson, but with a "one man band" virtuoso sit in from Mac Rae taking in first clarinet then later drums & vocals!
Colin is an International Jazz Trumpeter, these days still based in Germany, but proud of his roots & obviously quite happy to sit in with friends at a small venue, probably a nice relaxing evening for him too.
The first two numbers flew by while we appreciated quite what a musical feast we faced ...Careless Love then Mac subbed on clarinet with both he & Colin giving an excellent lead on Mahogony Hall Stomp. Mac added vocals on My Blue Heaven then Willie the Weeper and Corrine Corrine showed us Colin's undoubted talent & reminded us that the rest of the band were pretty good too! Louis Armstrong's Shine took us to the interval where we tried to catch our breath & replenish our glasses. Royal Garden Blues kicked off the second half, with Punch Miller's Long Distance Blues keeping the pace swinging along. A quick break in the music, as we enjoyed the recital skills of Ken & laughed at his satnav exploits ....great verse & humour. Another tactical team change ....Mac moving to drums with Liz recalled at clarinet & Paul sitting out ....Over in the Gloryland echoed round the hall with Mac’s vocals, then we took the Canal Street Blues and a Sentimental Journey to a rousing finale with It’s My Party.
Sometimes good nights just sneak up on you ....& this was one of them ....the Levee Ramblers will always entertain you, but the addition of such a classy trumpet player & the welcome albeit temporary return of the prodigal Mac I felt really gave the packed Hall a first class night of New Orleans Jazz ...well done to all of you players.
Ray

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