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Bebop Spoken There

Van Morrison: ''Basically, I'm coming from jazz. Not pop, not rock, not what's commercial. That's where I started, and that's still where I am. I feel the same as I did when I was listening to Louis Armstrong, Lead Belly, Jelly Roll Morton''. (The Northern Echo, 12 June 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

18037 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 458 of them this year alone and, so far, 36 this month (June 11).

From This Moment On ...

JUNE 2025

Wed 18: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 18: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:30pm. Free. Concert performance (open to the public)..
Wed 18: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 19: Gareth John & the SOS Big Band @ The Forum Music Centre, Darlington. 7:00pm. £25.00. CANCELLED!

Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: David Gray's Flextet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 20: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. £21.50. ‘Time After Time’.
Fri 20: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm.
Fri 20: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. Superb Chicago blues band.

Sat 21: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Red Kites Jazz @ Staithes Café, Dunston. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 22: Phoenix 4 @ Wallington, Northumberland. 12 noon-1:00pm & 2:00-3:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington, Northumberland. 1:00-2:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Jason Isaacs Trio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 4:00pm. £18.00. + £1.08 bf.
Sun 22: JazzMain @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: MSK Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00. at the door; £8.20. (inc £0.20 bf) online, in advance.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.

Tues 24: ???

Wed 25: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 25: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 25: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 25: The Magpies of Swing @ The Roxy, Leadgate, Co. Durham. 7:30pm. A Ginger Jitterbugs swing dance event, all welcome.

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

Wednesday, February 03, 2016

Jazz Café Jam Session - Feb. 2

(Review by Lance)
Whilst there was a gale force wind outside, they were also blowing up a storm inside and, although the jammers weren't standing ten deep at the bar waiting to give it their best shot, those that were there did themselves proud.
On drums tonight a rare appearance by Dave McKeague - he did good. Bradley and the trio got things rolling with A Weaver of Dreams and Jim Hall's Waltz New, a number that went seamlessly from 3/4 to 4/4 with no loss of momentum, swinging all the way. No More Blues then Watch What Happens.
What happened was a belter of a drum solo from McKeague.
Gilligan relinquished the piano and the brave Anyfantis took over - any pianist who follows Gilligan is brave! Nevertheless, George did okay with All of Me and Secret Love.
Enter The Broons. Father and son, bass player and pianist. Young Joel now sports a beard, not yet of Graingerlike magnitude but suffice enough to indicate he's maturing fast, rather like his piano playing which is beginning to take on a more contemporary edge. Pater Brown, his pate totally bereft of hair, gelled with his offspring on All the Things You Are and Things Ain't What They Used to be with Bradley on fire as ever.
Time for Gowland, on alto this week, to take centre stage as the house trio reassembled for Broadway - the 1940 number  - not to be confused with The Drifters' On Broadway, This tribute to the Great White Way swung.
The Chick Corea/Gary Burton number Crystal Silence wasn't a swinger but a meditative searching opus that was deservedly applauded vociferously.
Duncan Walker, on tenor this week, invited us to Take the A Train followed by a sensuous In a Sentimental Mood.
Lamb and Gowland, away from SSBB, teamed up for Bye Bye Blackbird. This was the real deal! Blistering trumpet, paint-stripping alto, pianistic perfection, rock solid basslines and kick-ass drumming.
Lamb went into ballad mode for Victor Young's Beautiful Love then Gowland joined him for Freddie Hubbard's great 'waltz' Up Jumped Spring.
As I left, Days of Wine and Roses wafted across the room - quite a night!
Photos.
Lance.
Pete Gilligan (pno); Paul Grainger (bs); Bradley Johnston (gtr); Dave McKeague (dms) + George Anyfantis (pno); Joel Brown (pno); Steve Brown (bs); Paul Gowland (alt); Duncan Walker (ten); Michael Lamb (tpt); Nick Kalanek (dms).

1 comment :

Lance said...

Apologies for not mentioning Nick Kalanek who sat in on drums towards the end. Great stuff, Nick!

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