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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17777 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 98 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Feb.8).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Tue 11: Steve Summers Quintet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Jam session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 13: Student Performances @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 4:00pm. Free. Inc. Olly Styles (tenor sax).
Thu 13: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: Artist Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Hannabiell & Midnight Blue.
Thu 13: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 14: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 12:30-1:30pm. £5.00. at the door. New second Friday in the month concert series.
Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 14: Archipelago + Anna Tempest @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £8.00.
Fri 14: Paul Jones & Dave Kelly @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. Rhythm & blues.
Fri 14: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Fri 14: Jazz Sabbath @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

Sat 15: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 15: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 15: Elkie Brooks @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. ‘The Long Farewell Tour’.
Sat 15: Milne Glendinning Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 16: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 16: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: BBC Introducing NE X MOBO Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 6:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Jambone, Knats, Rivkala, SwanNek.
Sun 16: The Shayo Experience @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 16: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Sun 16: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 17: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

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, December 21, 2015

Dirk Washington & The Groove Cats @ The Globe Jazz Bar - Dec. 20

Graham Justin – Trumpet/flugel; Damian Cook – alto/tenor; Stuart Davies – Guitar/vocal; Greg Arrowsmith – Keys; Joe Britton – Bass Guitar; Ollie Boorman – Drums.
(Review by Lance).
Panto party time at the Globe. Once again the Jazz Coop lured the band from the Theatre Royal's production of Dick Whittington to perform, and perform they did! The room was comfortably full with Coop members and Theatre Royalty all enjoying yet another Gig of the Year (in my eyes at least). Next year I think it will be easier to list those gigs that didn't fall into that category - so much good music has been played around the various venues.
But this was special even though occasionally ragged. It didn't matter, if anything it added to the sense of fun. Especially good to catch up with Stuart Davies again. The former Extreme Measures man not only laid down some excellent guitar work but rounded the night off singing a fusion version of Oh Didn't He Ramble! When I say 'Fusion' I don't mean a jazz fusion but rather a rock/skiffle fusion - Lonnie Donegan meets Eric Clapton! It worked. Stuart also came to the fore on a John Schofield number that had some blistering, paint-stripping tenor from Cook and, whilst the last thing the Globe needs is paint-stripping (although some may say it's the first thing it needs!), it drew the plaudits.
Cook's feature on Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas was an emotional and sentimental tenor tour de force without being gooey, reminding us that it's a jolly good tune for any time of year. Justin blew trumpet and flugel. A big sound and a range that maybe fell just short of the international space station 'up there'. He also wore a sweater with Xmas lights woven into it - he didn't win the fashion award!
Joe Britton solid on bass and Boorman a powerhouse behind the kit. The fours the pair exchanged on Meet the Flintstones was well worthy of a "Yabba dabba do"!
Which just leaves Greg Arrowsmith - did I say 'Just'? What an understatement! How come I've never heard this guy before? An original talent! No Peterson/Jarrett/Hancock clone but totally his own man. Impressed!
Can't wait until next Xmas!
Lance.

2 comments :

stevebfc said...

Just like to add that as one the volunteer barman on the night what a lovely bunch of genuine guys the band were.

Unknown said...

I haven't heard such exciting exuberant and spontaneous music for a long time. Utterly brilliant.

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