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Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 2024).

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

17655 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 929 of them this year alone and, so far, 74 this month (Dec. 31).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Sat 04: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Square, Middlesbrough. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 04: Rivkala @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 04: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00. Xmas party (rescheduled from early December).

Sun 05: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £7.50.
Sun 05: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 05: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Americana, jazz & blues.
Sun 05: Papa G’s Troves @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free (donations).

Mon 06: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 07: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 7:00pm. Free.

Wed 08: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 08: The Tannery Jam Session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 08: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 08: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Thu 09: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: John H Hammond.
Thu 09: FILM: Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 2:35pm. Documentary (dir. Johan Grimonprez) ‘about jazz, (de)colonial history and activism featuring Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone and Dizzy Gillespie’.
Thu 09: Happy Tuesdays @ Ye Olde Cross, Ryton. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 09: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. Ragtime piano. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 09: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. A Tees Hot Club promotion. The session now monthly, next one Thursday 2nd Feb, then first Thursday in the month thereafter.

Fri 10: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 10: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 10: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 10: Joe Steels Trio @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. 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, December 21, 2015

The BB Quartet with James Birkett @ Blaydon Jazz Club – Dec 20

Roly Veitch (guitar & vocals), Jeremy McMurray (piano), Neil Harland (double bass) & David Francis (drums) with James Birkett (guitar)
(Review by Russell/photos by Russell & Kathy M)
Blaydon Jazz Club’s Christmas party at the Black Bull attracted the regulars and they did themselves proud in providing a sumptuous DIY buffet. Then there was the music: a jazz club known across the region, and beyond, for its unfailing commitment to swinging jazz welcomed erstwhile club pianist Jeremy McMurray, the always welcome Neil Harland (a musician’s musician), drummer David Francis and special guest James Birkett (guitar).
Roly Veitch’s inimitable vocals opened the first set on I’ve Got a Date with an Angel. An encapsulation of Blaydon Jazz Club in one tune; respect for the melody, first rate intimate musicianship, a listening audience. The Days of Wine and Roses, Autumn Leaves (Jeremy McMurray and James Birkett solos) and I’m Old Fashioned – staples at Blaydon, hear the tunes elsewhere and one thinks ‘Blaydon Jazz Club’. James Birkett’s incomparable guitar playing featured on Doxy and the quintet shone in closing the first set with Nature Boy.
The interval buffet was of such proportions that Black Bull patrons in the bar were lucky recipients of an unexpected feast! Much chatter, catching-up and talk of next year.
The second set resumed with the guitar duo of Veitch and Birkett. All of Me then I Can’t Get Started enthralled. Some could listen to an entire evening of jazz guitar, your Bebop Spoken Here correspondent included. Messrs McMurray, Harland and Francis returned to the stage, the quintet conferred and settled on a blues in F. They made it look easy, it was fantastic, that’s for sure! Dr Birkett suggested Come Get to This. A raised eyebrow or two as the sheet music was handed out, Birkett said ‘shuffle funk’. They proceeded to shuffle the funk – these guys can play anything! From 70s retro funk to a 1920 Broadway show – Look for the Silver Lining from Sally (Francis using brushes). The party drew to a close with another Sonny Rollins’ number. Oleo never fails.
Photos.      
Russell.

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