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Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: '' A Love Supreme coincided with my search for meaning in life". (DownBeat, March 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.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Laurence Harrison, Paul Grainger, Tim Johnston.
Tue 18: Phil Bancroft’s Beautiful Storm @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £13.20 & £11.00.. A JNE-Gem Arts co-promotion.

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: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Nicknames.
Thu 20: Terri Green Experience @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £15.90.
Thu 20: Lindsay Hannon Trio @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Hannon’s ‘Tom Waits for No Man’ set.
Thu 20: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Mill Tavern, Hebburn. 8:30pm. Free.

Fri 21: Paul Skerritt @ 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: Giles Strong Quartet @ 1719, Hendon, Sunderland. 7:30pm. CANCELLED!
Fri 21: New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Featuring special guest Martin Litton (piano).

Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30pm-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 22: Swamp Stomp String Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Sat 22: Rivkala @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

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.

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

Monday, April 13, 2015

GIJF Day Two: Late Night Jam Session @ The Jazz Café

(Review by Russell/photos courtesy of Mike Tilley)
Gone midnight, exit Sage Gateshead, over the Swing Bridge, wandering through Dante’s Inferno (aka the Quayside/Central Station), heels, legs, swaying revellers, side-stepping a freshly deposited curry (Sunday morning’s pigeons’ breakfast) and on to the Jazz Café. A good night it was with Sue Ferris and Dean Stockdale reported Kay. ‘Hello Mike, is there a good crowd in upstairs?’ ‘Yes, a good few’ the reply. A bottle of Grainger Ale, up the stairs we go.
The jam session was in full swing. And it was swinging. Hey! That’s Francesco on piano, Russ Morgan at the kit, the uber-cool Paul Susans laying it down and Mr Mark Williams perched on a stool to one side. Out front, newcomer Alice Grace sang. Word gets around. The vocalist made an impression at Friday night’s jam session at the Globe and here she was again. More sitters-in than one could remember without a hastily scribbled list…the long-time-no-see Sarah Travena turned-up to play soprano, Paul Gowland, a bottle of his favourite Banana Beer at hand, on alto. Talk about ‘long-time-no-see’, Ben Gilbert joined in, Yuya Honami was in the house, Pete Gilligan was around somewhere and house band drummer Tim Johnston was taking five. Caff regulars (some worse for wear), a few jazz heads, one or two new faces, don’t these people have homes to go to?
All the Things You Are, In a Sentimental Mood (Gowland terrific), then a real treat. Stu the Rapper did his thing on The Chicken (Yuya on drums, Susans funkin’, Gowland on the money). Oh, yes. Lindsay was in town. Gilligan back at the keys, he called one last number. Brief discussion, they settled on Straight No Chaser. Veronica Lake (aka Ms L Hannon) invited Alice Grace to join her on the stand. Ms Grace sang and scatted. Wow! A star is born! Grace is in town on a short visit from Dubai. Her intention is to return to Tyneside on a more permanent basis in a couple of months or so. When she does, make it a priority to hear her sing. Gone 2:00am. Dante’s Inferno awaits…        
In no particular order (possibly omitting a name or two, apologies if that is the case), the cast list reads as follows: Peter Gilligan (piano), Paul Susans (double bass & bass), Tim Johnston (drums), Mark Williams (guitar), Paul Gowland (alto), Sarah Travena (soprano), Francesco Falcioni (piano), Ben Gilbert (piano), Russ Morgan (drums), Yuya Honami (drums), Stu the Rapper, Lindsay Hannon (vocals) & Alice Grace (vocals)         
Russell.

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