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Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: '' A Love Supreme coincided with my search for meaning in life". (DownBeat, March 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

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, Holystone. 1:00pm. Free. CANCELLED PERMANENTLY!
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Nicknames.
Thu 20: Terri Green Experience @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £15.90.
Thu 20: King Bees @ The Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Superb blues band.
Thu 20: Lindsay Hannon Trio @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Hannon’s ‘Tom Waits for No Man’ set.
Thu 20: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Mill Tavern, Hebburn. 8:30pm. Free.

Fri 21: Paul Skerritt @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 21: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 21: Giles Strong Quartet @ 1719, Hendon, Sunderland. 7:30pm. CANCELLED!
Fri 21: New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Featuring special guest Martin Litton (piano).

Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30pm-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 22: Swamp Stomp String Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Sat 22: Rivkala @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

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.

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 15, 2015

SHIVER/D'Silva, Pope & Alderson @ Bridge Hotel, Newcastle

SHIVER
Chris Sharkey (guitar); Andy Champion (electric bass); Joost Hendrickx (drums). 
(Review/photos courtesy of Ken Drew)
What can I say?  We’ve seen Shiver in various locations so we know their style, we know what to expect. Or rather, we thought we knew what to expect - would anything be different for a ‘Splinter’ session?
Overall, it began with what appeared to be a slow-burning fuse which gave time for the audience to witness and relish the construction of the multi-layered soundscape which was slowly unfolding in complexity and power.  Bass loops, guitar loops, with adjustments to both yet fully supported throughout by Hendrickx’s own rhythms perfectly complementing the guitar and bass riffs and rhythms.
 Then onto a meandering bass line from Champion, with Sharkey playing a simple melody on a small keyboard nicely enhanced by various effects yet still with the drums evident and constantly busy.  No effects for Hendrickx – mallets, sticks and manual dexterity were used to great effect.  A relatively quiet passage, quite peaceful – but consistent with the evolving soundscape throughout. This was a well disguised segue which took us through the more familiar Shiver territory through further development of the multi-layered sounds they had laid out before us, building to an almighty crescendo resulting from the furious energy which the trio had been holding in reserve.   
We knew what to expect – and they delivered!!  The two segued pieces were expertly delivered in a familiar style, but still a unique performance nonetheless.  We had witnessed and thoroughly enjoyed an awesome sonic powerhouse in action – and loved every second!! 
D’Silva,  Pope  & Alderson
 Karl D’Silva (alto sax); John Pope (bass); Christian Alderson (drums)

The double bill opened with a band who are fresh on the scene. D’Silva’s first performance for Jazz North East on Tyneside, and meeting Alderson for the first time during the sound check. That’s a NEW band playing Improv at its freshest.   Expectations were based on their individual talents – so how would the ensemble gel in just one set?  The first piece was generally quiet with occasional outbursts. The next, extended piece, took time to explore various rhythms & interplay among the band. A final shorter piece was loud and expressive i.e. dynamic! Full of statements with the band members playing as if they had all been here and played before.  Overall, very energetic with melodic and thoughtful passages from D’Silva.  Often driven by the bass, usually rhythmic yet sometimes percussive (not exactly bass-slap) but always supporting and often pushing to explore new areas – quite a driving force!  Alderson’s contribution was consistently evident, again thoughtful passages demonstrated the close interplay within the trio.  Overall a varied 3 pieces, nicely contrasting, and cohesive throughout.  A line-up that works, and works really well!
Photos.
Ken Drew

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