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.

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.

Tue 13: Alan Law @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free. Alan Law (piano) w. Julija Jacenaite (vocals).

Saturday, August 08, 2015

The Early Bird Band @ The Jazz Café - August 7.


Paul Edis (clt/md); Ben Lawrence (tpt); Dan Lawrence (bs gtr); Francis Tulip (gtr); Matt MacKellar (dms).
(Review by Lance).
Taking leader Edis out of  the equation the average age of the band was about 15/16. Close your eyes and the sounds you were hearing came from a much more mature ensemble. Due, no doubt to the ministrations of Paul Edis via Sage Gateshead's Jambone band and the monthly Early Bird workshops run by Edis at the Lit and Phil from whence the band name evolved. All involved can be proud of tonight's session
MacKellar, a frequent jammer at the Tuesday night jam sessions, knows how to drive a band as was displayed in the opening St. Thomas. Edis, later compared the role of a drummer to that of a goalkeeper in as much as you only notice him if he makes a glaring error. Using this analogy he may be needed up the road at Gallowgate on Sunday!
Scrapple From the Apple didn't have a 1,2, a 1234 count in - more of an 'on your marks, get set go' instruction and the musical Olympians of the future burst from the blocks intent on glory with gold medals all round!
With the emergence of Bradley Johnston from the Jambone ranks I thought lightning couldn't strike twice but, in Francis Tulip, we have a talent to cause Bradley to start looking over his shoulder! At 17, he displays a rare maturity in his playing albeit without losing the freshness that only youth can bring - watch this space!
The brothers Lawrence - apologies Dan I didn't quite get you in the picture - were well featured. Ben on Autumn Leaves and Dan on Now's The Time as well as making significant contributions to Tadd Dameron's Ladybird, All the Things You Are and Oleo.
Another Dameron tune would have been appropriate - Our Delight!
Lance.
PS: Oh yes and then there was 'old man' Edis on clarinet - BG Lives! Full marks, not just for his command on this, among the most difficult of instruments, but for his skill and patience in bringing these callow youths to such an enviably high standard - chapeaux!
at

No comments :

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )

Blog Archive