Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: ''It was then that Coltrane came along and single-handedly brought this dimension of spirituality into jazz. It was a pivotal experience to me.'' (DownBeat September, 2026)

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

18957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 821 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 30.) 100.

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

From This Moment On

October.

Tue 06: Alan Law @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free. Alan Law (piano) w. Paul Grainger (double bass).
Tue 06: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Murray Oak, Paul Grainger, John Bradford.
Tue 06: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 06: Black is the Color of My Voice @ Northern Stage, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman stage play inspired by Nina Simone. First night of two.

Wed 07: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free. Wed 07: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 07: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 07: Black is the Color of My Voice @ Northern Stage, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman stage play inspired by Nina Simone. Second night of two.

Thu 08: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 08: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free (donations).
Thu 08: Indigo Jazz Voices w. Little Big Band @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 09: Dean Stockdale Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums).
Fri 09: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle.

Sat 10: Catfish Keith @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £19.00. + bf. Jumpin’ Hot Club.

Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free. Feat. guest Jack ‘Banjo’ Courtney (trumpet).
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Harry Christelis Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A Jazz Co-op-JNE co-promotion.

Mon 12: Jack Pearce Quintet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 12: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Monday, June 08, 2015

Durham University Big Band @ the Globe Jazz Bar, Newcastle.


(Review by Lance/photo by Dave Parker)
Woody Herman's Apple Honey got the show on the road - it was 7pm, The advertised 6pm turned out to be doors. Nobody seemed to know in advance what time the actual gig would kick off. The band didn't, the Jazz Coop members didn't and neither did the audience, the majority of whom had arrived circa 6pm! Nevertheless, Apple Honey is a guaranteed icebreaker and when DUBB hit the deck running all thoughts of lynching the Coop PR team vanished!
Being comprised of Durham Uni undergrads the personnel obviously turns over each year as players graduate or are sent down. Debra M summed it up by saying "Best catch them near the end of term".
On tonight's performance the end of term was clearly in sight as those days and nights of rehearsing their extra curricular activities (only a couple of them are actual music students) bore fruition.
After Apple Honey, the only other tried and tested warhorses were Buddy Rich's Love For Sale and Sammy Nestico's Hayburner. The rest were contemporary offerings by such as Kenny Wheeler, ex alumni Matt Sulzmann and JJ Wheeler, among others.
Main soloists were the two tenors, altoman Garel, guitarist Farley, pianist Jacobs and trumpet ace Clark who was outstanding as was Chris Jones as MD and 'bone soloist on Barcarolle although it was Naomi on baritone who, quite literally, had the last word - or rather - note! The undermiked Laura Paul fought an uphill battle to be heard over 16 men/women swinging but when her, often wordless, vocals did rise above it, it was awesome! A stratospheric range, intervals pitched perfectly and a voice that resonated with class.
Good to know the big band sound lives on today - Glenn Miller would be proud albeit somewhat bemused!
Lance,
Dan Garel, Felicity Evans (alt); Matt McKernan John Somerton (ten); Naomi Tansey (bar); Sam Clark; Noah Lawrence, Nick McLeish, Charles Price (tpts); Chris Jones, Nat Jackson, John Harper (tmbs); Matt Jacobs (keys);Ollie Farley (gtr); Luke Stuart-Smith (bs); Tristan Bacon (dms); Laura Paul (vcls).
at

1 comment :

Russell said...

Absolutely spot on about Laura Paul - perfectly pitched! The line-up, as listed, is 100% accurate. A cracking gig!

Monday, June 08, 2015 5:55:00 pm

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