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Bebop Spoken There

Trevor Mires: ''My mum is a Dean Martin fan: I'm not, so I would grab my skateboard and get out of the house whenever I heard "Everybody Loves Somebody, Sometime." ". (Jazzwise, 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

17957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 278 of them this year alone and, so far, 34 this month (April 14).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Sat 19: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 19: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 19: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 21: Newcastle Record Fair @ Copthorne Hotel, Newcastle. 10:00am. Going in search of the Buddy Bolden cylinder…
Mon 21: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. Coquetdale Jazz.

Wed 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 23: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 23: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Thu 24: Mary Coughlan @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm. £33.80. Blues, jazz etc.
Thu 24: Darlington Big Band @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 25: Vasilis Xenopoulos & Paul Edis @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT! Duo performance.
Fri 25: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 25: Andrea Vicari Trio @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. Vicari (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums).
Fri 25: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 25: Red Kites Jazz @ Land of Oak & Iron, Winlaton Mill. 6:00-9:00pm. Free.
Fri 25: Vasilis Xenopoulos & Paul Edis @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Fri 25: Struggle Buggy @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. Rhythm & blues.
Fri 25: Paul Skerritt Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm. £20.30., £18.00. All-star big band.
Fri 25: Andrea Vicari Trio @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Vicari (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); Russ Morgan (drums). An Opus 4 Jazz Club event.

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

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

All the Right Moves - Square One Take It to the Next Level

(Press release)
Scottish jazz quartet SQUARE ONE are all set for a flying start to 2016 with a significant recording project in the pipeline, and a major funding boost behind their ambitious plans for the future.
Square One have already caught the ear of influential critics, made an outstanding EP of shimmering beauty and originality, and recently became the proud recipients of a Peter Whittingham Jazz Award. This prestigious accolade is the catalyst that will enable them to go to the next level and fulfil their undoubted promise.
The panel of judges included BBC Radio 3’s Julian Joseph who remarked that Square One are, ''A soulful and empathetic band with irresistible charisma - they dominated the room from beat one''. Elsewhere, the leading jazz magazine Jazzwise has described them as, “Stirring and Dynamic''.
The Glasgow-based quartet began as a collaboration in 2014, and they have performed regularly ever since. In June, they released an astonishing eponymous debut recording that immediately caught the attention of peers, fans and pundits alike. This immensely accessible EP of highly original tunes embraces highly fluid, warmly melodic jazz that hangs out with soulful balladry; slides into ECM inspired cool and nods respectfully to the classic jazz iconography.
The primary focus is the highly articulate conversational interplay between guitarist Joe Williamson and award-winning pianist Peter Johnstone. Similarly, the emphatic synergy between David Bowden on bass and Stephen Henderson on drums provides layers of energy, intensity, rhythm and texture. Together, Square One create a fully-interlocking, four-cornered mosaic of colourful, eclectic jazz.
The Square One EP contains forty-five minutes of stunning contemporary jazz music from four important new voices. It is full of music that moves towards other sounds and jumps the boundaries between folk, fusion, world music and sophisticated, jazz-tinged rock. It’s little wonder then that much anticipation already surrounds the prospect of striking new sounds from Square One.
Fans of fresh, new thinking in music and powerful jazz performances can catch Square One at one of their upcoming shows in the New Year.
Square One in 2016
Edinburgh Jazz Bar 27th January 2016 9.00 pm
Aberdeen Blue Lamp 28th January 2016 7.30 pm
Glasgow Griffin 9th February 2016 7.30 pm.

1 comment :

Paul Bream said...

Worth noting that Jazz North East have already booked Square One for a Newcastle gig, although fans will have to wait a little while - they'll be playing the Bridge Hotel on Sunday 10th July as one half of a double bill, with a local band (yet to be decided).

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