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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

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: MOBO Song @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 12 noon. Free, performances on the concourse. Line-up inc. Jazz Attack (on stage time TBC) & Jambone (12:20pm).
Sun 16: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt 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. .

Mon 17: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 17: Matt Forster Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00. at the door; £8.20. (inc £0.20 bf) online, in advance.
Mon 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law, Paul Grainger, John Hirst.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, Holystone. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Jazz Milestones - 1975.
Thu 20: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 20: Orange Claw Hammer + Peony @ The Globe, Newcastle.7:30pm. Orange Claw Hammer play Captain Beefheart.
Thu 20: Jeremy McMurray & the Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Featuring special guest Zoë Gilby.

Fri 21: JazzMain @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 21: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 21: Joe Steels Trio @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. TBC.
Fri 21: Emma Rawicz w. Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

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 19, 2015

Get on the Mainline to Darlington Jazz Festival

(Preview by Russell).
The fourth annual Darlington Jazz Festival returns this week (Thursday 23-Sunday 26 April) with a new look and a fantastic line-up! The festival launches the borough-wide Darlington Arts Festival running throughout May. Jazz fans will be spoilt for choice at various venues across the town centre. Concerts, jam sessions, street performances – it makes for a busy, memorable long weekend.
The Jazz Festival kicks-off with a workshop on Thursday evening at Crown Street Art Gallery and Library. Star trumpeter and jazz educator Matt Roberts returns to his home town to lead the event beginning at six o’clock. All abilities are encouraged to attend (Roberts will engage with everyone, rested assured) and at £6.00. it may well be the best six quid you’ll ever spend. Places are limited (Roberts’ popularity guarantees a large uptake), to check availability visit: www.darlingtonjazzfestival@live.com.
The Matt Roberts’ Sextet will set the performance standard in a Jazz After Dark concert  on Friday night at the Voodoo Café on Skinnergate (opposite Binns’ department store). Roberts will be playing the music of Fats Navarro. He is bringing in a superb band with Matt Anderson on tenor. Eagerly anticipated, this could be the gig that gets somewhere near capturing the levels of excitement generated by the Cookers’ triumphant appearance at last week’s Gateshead International Jazz Festival. On stage at 9:00pm (doors 8:30pm), get there early. Admission on the door is £7.00. Start queuing now!
Saturday (25th) offers something for everyone. Darlington Jazz Festival presents Coffee House Jazz at Clervaux Bakery. Early birds can get along to Darlington’s artisan bakery on Coniscliffe Road to hear jazz throughout the day and partake of a menu offering the most tempting of culinary delights. Jazz Comes to the Quakerhouse begins at one o’clock in the Camra-rated public house in Mechanics’ Yard. Not only does jazz come to the pub for the festival, it is to be one of the principal new homes of Darlington Jazz Club. This festival offering (1:00pm, £5.00.) includes the superb pianist Dean Stockdale, local lad Will Howard blowing up a storm and the fabulous Zoe Gilby accompanied by first call guitarist Mark Williams. In the Dolphin Centre’s Central Hall at seven o’clock there is a set-piece occasion. The award-winning Durham Alumni Big Band will be in concert with two award-winning soloists of international standing. Multi instrumentalist Al Wood and Bruce Adams will join the band in an evening of big band swing. Billy May, Basie and others will be in the pad. Listen out for trumpeter Tom Hill playing Memories of You alongside Adams. The Durham County Youth Big Band will feature in a support set. The young musicians on the stand will, no doubt, graduate to the senior ranks. A grand night is in store. Tickets (£10.00.) are available from the Dolphin Centre on Bull Wynd. A late night in Darlington isn’t a bad idea – head from the Dolphin Centre to the Quakerhouse (two minutes’ walk) for a Late Night Jam starting at ten thirty. Admission is free although donations would be appreciated.
Sunday (26th), the final day of the Darlington Jazz Festival. An Afternoon of Big Bands and Jazz Combos at St Augustine’s Parish Centre (Larchfield Street) features two big bands and a compact touring trio. The mighty Darlington Big Band will hold court and the juniors - Darlington Little Big Band - will have their turn in the spotlight. By way of contrast, bassist/vocalist Nicola Farnon performs with regular collaborators Piero Tucci (keyboards, saxophones and accordion) and drummer Phil Johnson. Starting at 2:00pm, admission is £6.00. The closing event of this year’s Darlington Jazz Festival will be at the same venue on Larchfield Street beginning at half past five. Presented by Darlington Jazz Club, the Simon Read Octet will guarantee a fantastic finale. Bassist Read will have Sam Gardner (drums) alongside, the piano stool will be occupied by the brilliant Jamil Sheriff and rising star trumpeter Laura Jurd should draw the crowds. Admission £6.00. Why not take advantage of a £10.00. ticket deal for both concerts at St Augustine’s?
For details of the 2015 Darlington Jazz Festival: darlingtonjazzfestival@live.com       
Russell.

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