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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17719 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 39 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Jan. 15).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio w. Graham Hardy @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. (inc. a welcome drink & table reservation). Book at: www.drinks@thepele.co.uk. A ‘Jazz at the Pele’ promotion.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick TD15 1AS. 7:30pm. Free. Album launch gig.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

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, May 31, 2015

Folk Degree Performances at Sage Gateshead, May 26 – 29

(Review by Ann Alex).
Last week was one of my favourite weeks of the year, when the students from the Newcastle Uni Folk and Traditional Music degree give their assessed performances – we got 12 free 40-minute concerts, great value for no money.  The standard seems to rise year by year and the performers communicate well with the audiences.  You’ll be asking me what this has to do with a jazz blog, all this unaccompanied song, folk fiddles, flutes, bodhrans?  I always watch for jazz elements and other items which I think will be of interest. 
The most unusual thing I saw onstage was 2 people playing 1 fiddle, I kid you not, a woman played the fiddle in the usual way and a percussionist tapped the top of the fingerboard with what appeared to be 2 thin metal sticks, adding a pleasing percussive rhythm, making a satisfying tune.  The percussionist was Callum Younger, a grandson from the well known folk family, the Elliotts of Birtley. He was brilliant on his chosen instrument, the bodhran, a 1-sided Irish drum which is held on your lap.  This instrument can produce different tones and unbelievable rhythms, especially jigs and reels of course.  Then we had Bevan Morris, a second year student who was much in demand as a double bass player, so he appeared on stage with many different line-ups.  Another great musician, I’ll be watching for him appearing at jazz venues and I can’t wait for his final recital in 2 years time.  Folk music has developed well, you wouldn’t have seen a double bass on stage, even 20 years ago.
And I must mention The Backyard Rhythm Orchestra, led by Luke Phillips-Griffiths on flute, comprising trombone, clarinet, guitar, accordion, synth, drum kit, and also Katy Trigger on bass.  They did a dynamic set of Balkan music, reels, Macedonian tunes and Klezmer music, very exciting stuff.  You can hear them for yourself at Gateshead Old Town Hall on Sunday June 7, when they take part in a concert in memory of Keith Morris.  Proceeds go to the Musicians Union.
Be there!    
Ann Alex.

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