Total Pageviews

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

Sun 09: The New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 09: Glenn Miller & Big Band Spectacular @ The Forum, Billingham. 3:00pm.
Sun 09: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Tom Remon & Mark Williams @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 09: Rod Oughton’s Tomorrow’s New Quartet with Ben van Helder @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Line-up inc. Deschanel Gordon.
Sun 09: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

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.

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

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Darlington Jazz Festival. Sunday April 26: An Afternoon Session @ St Augustine’s

(Review by Russell)
St Augustine’s Parish Centre, an established venue thanks to Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club’s monthly concert promotions, hosted the final day of this year’s Darlington Jazz Festival. Set in leafy grounds, a musician playing with his young daughter, doors open on a mild spring afternoon, the scene exemplified the festival organisers’ relaxed, welcoming approach.
Inside, preparations were almost complete. A festival banner being hung, similarly the   sponsors and Musicians’ Union’s pop up banners were put in place. Three bands were scheduled to perform. Darlington Big Band had the honour of kicking-off proceedings. Mostly old hands, ‘punctuality’ their middle name, the boys set up in good time, ready, keen to get started. 
In the absence of Richie Emmerson, Andy Bennett led the orchestra. Stan Kenton charts, a Horace Silver tune, Theme From Love Story, Frank Mantooth’s arrangement of Alfie, a varied pad, expertly played. The latter number featured a flugel solo from Bill Watson – great playing. Will Howard depped at short notice, reading the charts as they were put in front of him, taking several solos – a real talent is Mr Howard.
Darlington Big Band:
Andy Bennett (MD, alto & soprano saxophones), Will Howard (tenor saxophone & clarinet), Alan Thompson (alto saxophone), Jill ? (alto saxophone), Eric ? (baritone saxophone), Bob Temple (trumpet), Bill Watson (trumpet), Alan Smith (trumpet), Alan Catherall (trumpet), Terry O’Hern (trombone), Dave Brock (trombone), Alistair Wood (trombone), Chris Hibbard (bass trombone), ?? (piano), Tom Stephenson (guitar), Alan Smith (bass guitar) & Ray Campbell (drums)
-----
Out of town visitors played the middle set of three. The Nicola Farnon Trio made the trip from Sheffield in a tightly-packed estate car – double bass, keyboards, saxophone, drum kit, PA, not forgetting three musicians! Almost a quarter of a million miles on the clock, Farnon, Piero Tucci and Phil Johnson have been around the block a few times. Their set proved to be the surprise hit of the festival. Ms Farnon has three things going for her; an engaging personality, excellent musicianship and a great voice. Make that five things – Piero Tucci is equally adept playing keyboards and tenor saxophone and drummer Phil Johnson knows his way around the kit. The material comprised familiar, classic numbers given a fresh slant, played with verve and consummate skill. A perceptive listener said it was a pleasure to listen to musicians really enjoying themselves. Well said, that man!
Tunes included Cheek to Cheek, This Can’t Be Love, One Note Samba, No Moon at All and The More I See You. Every one of them hit the spot. And then there was a Farnon original – Perfect Loverly Day. Great bass playing, a fabulous voice, Tucci’s swinging tenor and keyboards, Johnson’s propulsive sticks’ work – this gig will live long in the memory for all the right reasons. Note to promoters – book the Nicola Farnon Trio as your audience will be thoroughly entertained and will demand that you book them again! A Day at the Market, a live CD recording by the Nicola Farnon Trio offers more of the same. A review of the 2014 release will be posted in the coming days.
The afternoon’s entertainment concluded with a performance by Darlington’s Little Big Band. The junior big band boasted no fewer than six trumpets, five trombones, six reeds, piano, bass and drums. Tutored by Ian Robinson, the band showed what it could do with classic material. Bill Bailey, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (beautifully played), First Time Around, a stompin’ Stompin’ at the Savoy, Splanky – all skillfully played with commitment and enjoyment. The St Augustine’s audience made a point of giving every encouragement to the stars of tomorrow. Mr Robinson spoke about the development of jazz education in County Durham over several years and this current crop of young musicians serves as testament to the invaluable work done by many of his colleagues throughout the county.           
Russell.      

No comments :

Blog Archive