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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

1803759 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 480 of them this year alone and, so far, 58 this month (June 18).

From This Moment On ...

JUNE 2025

Sat 21: Jason Holcomb Jazz Ensemble @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 5:30-7:30pm. Free. A 'Sunderland Year of Music' event.
Sat 21: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Red Kites Jazz @ Staithes Café, Dunston. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 22: Phoenix 4 @ Wallington, Northumberland. 12 noon-1:00pm & 2:00-3:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington, Northumberland. 1:00-2:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Jason Isaacs Trio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 4:00pm. £18.00. + £1.08 bf.
Sun 22: JazzMain @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: MSK Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00. at the door; £8.20. (inc £0.20 bf) online, in advance.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.

Tues 24: ???

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’.

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, November 08, 2015

Jo Harrop & Paul Edis @ The Jazz Café – November 6

Jo Harrop (vocals) & Paul Edis (piano)
(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy of Mike Tilley).
Eagerly anticipated, a fourth engagement in three days in the region, Jo Harrop arrived at the Jazz Café in good time despite a late-running train. Pianist Paul Edis arrived on foot, walking to work, as it were. A lunchtime appearance at the Gala Theatre had drawn a full house, this Newcastle date promised to be the perfect conclusion to Harrop’s flying visit.
This Can’t Be Love, Love Me or Leave Me, East of the Sun, Harrop began in fine style. A Friday night crowd can be less than attentive but not on this occasion. Vocalist Jo Harrop held the audience in the palm of her hand from the first note, a sign that we were listening to something special. Paul Edis’ frequent Jazz Café appearances invariably elicit a similar response from patrons. A wonderful Autumn in New York, a snap-of-the-fingers take on a familiar number – Bye Bye Blackbird – featured a playful Edis at his best, and It’s Alright with Me made your reviewer’s notebook. All were excellent – it was one of those nights.
Billie Holiday numbers (a fabulous I’m a Fool to Want You), Anita O’Day referenced – it was one of those nights! Harrop sang I’ve Got the World on a String (starting here in the Jazz Café, tomorrow the world!). An interval chat with a Lincolnshire couple who have only recently moved to the north east (one of them a musician) indicated they were more than impressed. They’ll be back.
I Can’t Give You Anything But Love (Edis’ left hand pattern), Sophisticated Lady (she is) and a requested Summertime. The latter could/should be on the ‘oh, not again’ banned list of tunes. Well, anytime Ms Harrop chooses to sing it is absolutely fine. One word went in to the notebook…Wow!  Some Nina Simone and Billy Taylor’s I Wish I Knew…the Jazz Café’s regulars were being spoiled rotten, the new faces couldn’t believe the quality. You Must Believe in Spring concluded the set. This was another ***** star evening at the Jazz Café.  
Russell

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