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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 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

17904 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 225 of them this year alone and, so far, 72 this month (March 24).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 30: Jan Spencelayh & Dave Archbold @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 30: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

APRIL 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 @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 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, August 10, 2015

Zoe Gilby Quartet @ Ashington Jazz Club - August 5

Zoe Gilby (vocalist), Andy Champion (bass), Mark Williams (guitar), Richard Brown (drums).(Review by Peter S.)
The Quartet returned to the AJC after a long absence completing a commitment which was unfortunately cancelled at the last minute when our venue failed to inform us of closure for refurbishment.  Causing further problems, the management had offered a practice room above our function room for a local group. Following some diplomatic negotiations with JT an agreement was reached and the group agreed to stop at 8.00 p.m. and joined us for an evening of superb music.
From the outset we were entertained by this masterly combo to an eclectic selection of swinging music with a diversity of lyrics sourced by Zoe and her band and delivered in a very interesting and personal style. Since the last visit this Band has made remarkable progress in developing unique renditions of established standards and the very evocative and original lyrics of their own compositions.
Zoe described how she was strongly influenced and encouraged by her late father when many of us remember his appearances with the River City Jazzmen during the early years of this Club. Jazz music has never stood still and it is a delight to find that in our region there are young,  gifted musicians who are prepared to change the canvas of the music giving the genre another dimension. This makes the fresh delivery of the music very personable and identifiable and should be encouraged and applauded.  I recommend you to get out there and hear for yourselves the fine musical experience which this Quartet offers.
This sadly was the final meeting of the Ashington Jazz Club. An ageing membership, falling attendance numbers, and venue difficulties with the ever increasing costs in bringing Bands to the most northerly Jazz Club in England has convinced the members that the Club at this time is no longer a viable proposition. The AJC through Bebop Spoken Here wishes to thank all the many brilliant musicians who have been engaged on our stage over the last 31 years. There are many stories to tell of the great nights we have enjoyed in the company of musicians and friends. It has been a long journey but regrettably the Ashington A Train has reached its final destination. Sadly all good ideas come to an end but we shall always recall our memories with pride in what was achieved over the years at the AJC. I’m sure that our love of the music will endure long after the curtain has come down on our stage.   
Peter S.   

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