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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

17630 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 904 of them this year alone and, so far, 49 this month (Dec. 20).

From This Moment On ...

December

Wed 25: Wot? No jazz!

Thu 26: The Boneshakers @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. The 17th annual Boneshakers’ Shindig.

Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free. Business as usual!.
Fri 27: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 27: Michael Woods @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sat 28: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 11:30am. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 28: Fri 20: Castillo Nuevo @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 28: Jude Murphy, Rich Herdman & Giles Strong @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Stepney Bank, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

Sun 29: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 29: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 30: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Tue 31: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 12 noon-2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington (National Trust), Cambo, Morpeth NE61 4AR. 12 noon & 2:00pm. Admission to site £19.00.
Tue 31: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Archie Brown & Friends @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00-8:00pm. 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

Friday, January 22, 2016

Jamie Mackay @ St Nicholas Cathedral. Newcastle. Jan 22

Jamie Mackay (guitar)
(Review by Russell)
Sage Gateshead BMus student Jamie Mackay brought along his Telecaster to sit in front of the altar to play a few improvisations. Billing the recital as ‘fusion guitar’ could have deterred some with visions/nightmares of searing seventies pyrotechnics. Thankfully, it wasn’t anything of the sort.
Citing the quiet simplicity of Jeff Buckley and the harmonic intricacies of Bill Evans and Charlie Hunter as influences, Mackay played five pieces during a half hour set. Titles not important (some pieces probably didn’t have one), the performance focused upon the feel generated in St Nicholas’ imposing space. 
The cathedral-like dimensions (pun intended), the attentive few in the pews and the serene atmosphere encouraged Mackay to play with the amazing acoustics of the place. Finger style, no sign of a plectrum, Mackay fused the blues with gospel, an Eastern vibe with flamenco, to small group jazz guitar playing.
Tone and volume control were impeccable, Mackay’s keen ear tuned to his surroundings. This ‘lite bite’ lunchtime recital was a jazz delight. Jamie Mackay can be seen around and about checking out who’s who on the scene. It’s about time the talented Mackay played a proper gig in a proper jazz joint, the kind he referred to as having low ceilings and sticky floors. Promoters of the world…okay, we’ll start with promoters in Newcastle…it’s time to check out Jamie Mackay.                       
Russell.

1 comment :

Jamie Mackay said...

Cheers Russell! This made my day! Especially as I read this before a money gig in the bigg market in Friday night!! Haha Put me in a great mood, thanks it means a lot! PS tried to find you on social media to private message a thank you, but failed

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