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Bebop Spoken There

Van Morrison: ''Basically, I'm coming from jazz. Not pop, not rock, not what's commercial. That's where I started, and that's still where I am. I feel the same as I did when I was listening to Louis Armstrong, Lead Belly, Jelly Roll Morton''. (The Northern Echo, 12 June 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

17,533 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 497 of them this year alone and, so far, 75 this month (June 23).

From This Moment On ...

JUNE 2025

Wed 25: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 25: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 25: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 25: The Magpies of Swing @ The Roxy, Leadgate, Co. Durham. 7:30pm. A Ginger Jitterbugs swing dance event, all welcome.

Thu 26: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Brass Instruments & the use of mutes.

Fri 27: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm.
Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 27: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 8:00pm. ‘Time After Time’.

Sat 28: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Linskill Centre, North Shields. 4:00-10:30pm. Free, but ticketed (over 18s only). A multi-bill, multi-genre ‘Canny Shiels - North Shields 800’ event. Three Kings Brewery on site.
Sat 28: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 28: Jude Murphy & Dan Stanley @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 29: Jude Murphy & Dan Stanley @ Wallington, Northumberland. 12 noon-1:00pm & 2:00-3:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 29: Bal Bruch Social Dance @ As You Like It, Sandyford, Newcastle. 12:30pm. Free. Dance event with Hot Club de Heaton performing live (2:00-3:00pm). A ‘Jar on the Bar’ event.
Sun 29: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ The Fire Station, Sunderland. 3:00pm. Ray McVay & co.
Sun 29: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 29: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 29: Zoë Gilby w. Ryton Choral Society @ Corbridge Middle School NE45 5HX. 5:30pm. £15.00. Gilby w jazz trio & choir. ‘An evening of jazz song for choir’.
Sun 29: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 29: John Wilson & the Sinfonia of London @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. ‘Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Greatest Hits’.
Sun 29: Out Front @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. JNE.

Mon 30: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.

JULY 2025

Tue 01: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Mark Robertson.
Tue 01: Customs House Big Band @ Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. 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, May 18, 2015

Jazz Co-op @ The Globe: The Blue Jazz Sextet: Saturday May 16

George Anyfantis (piano); Karen Rann (sop sax); Jeff Smith (ten sax); Keith Barrett (guitar); Dave Parker (bass); Michael Howard (drums)+ Helen Neilson and Barry Keatings
(Review by Ann Alex).
This was the first outing for the expanded Blue Jazz Quintet who are now a sextet with the addition of Keith on guitar, and also a new pianist, George, who both did a good job as newbies. Straight in with A Foggy Day In London Town, even though it was a fine Spring evening in Newcastle with a large audience in the Globe Jazz Bar – large audiences at this venue are becoming the norm these days. Moanin’ sounded good, lots of solos and Karen moving rhythmically to the sound and a final flourish from the saxes.  Rumour has it (or I’ve invented it) that instead of guest vocalists next time, Karen will be guesting as a dancer. But, seriously, it’s lovely to see musicians so enthusiastic about playing.
 A Latin number was followed by All Blues, a tricky tune if ever there was one, with noticeably effective solos from both of the newbies, including big chunky bluesy chords from the piano.  After My Funny Valentine, up stepped Barry, with Misty, an intriguing slow start and the rest of the band entering later, a good arrangement.  Next came Four, fast-moving philosophical words set to a Miles Davis tune and, naturally, 4’s from the band, and then God Bless The Child.  Well sung, Barry.
Tenor Madness, Well You Needn’t, Angel Eyes (Dave on bass proclaimed that this one was named after Karen!) all proceeded well, as did Smile (written by Charlie Chaplin, did you know?) with a slow chorus then a quick change to upbeat, then even faster.  We’re in the 2nd set by now and after a boppish tune, up steps Helen with Black Orpheus, Take The A Train and Song For My Father.  Helen sings Bossa numbers well, very relaxing to listen to, and with some effective improvisation with good illustrations from the band, drums clinking the Latin rhythms and bass and piano giving us trainish sounds on A Train.
I’m glad to say the Metro didn’t call me home before the end of the show, so I heard the final numbers, which were a slinky Footprints and Work Song, the latter rounded off with jungle-type drums and the soprano sax.  A very enjoyable evening.
Ann Alex

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