Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 2026)

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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

From This Moment On

March

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Monday, March 14, 2016

This Thursday at the Jazz Café - Gerry Richardson's Big Idea. Don't miss it!

Gerry Richardson's Big Idea play their first gig of 2016. This is a nine piece Hammond organ based band which plays an eclectic mix of Funk, Latin, African and straight ahead Swing, both originals and covers. They will also be premiering some new compositions and arrangements.
What makes Big Idea special is not just the quality of the tunes but also that they're interpreted by a group of the North's leading player's. Lyrical altoist Garry Linsley (like rock steady drumming legend Paul Smith a regular member of Gerry's trio) lines up alongside acclaimed saxophonists Sue Ferris and Stuart Johnson, while the brass section of Mark Webb, Dave Hignett and David Gray pack a punch worthy of Muhammed Ali.
Guitarist Rod Sinclair is a virtuoso at home in everything from classic jazz to R'n'B while the whole ensemble is driven relentlessly forward by the leader's dynamic work on the Hammond Organ.
When Gerry dreamed up Big Idea, it was a great idea - providing a potent and enthralling example of 'little big band' music at its very best.

They filled Hoochie Coochie last November and this is a smaller venue so either book in advance or pitch your tent in Pink Lane now!
Gerry Richardson's Big Idea - Jazz Café, 25 Pink Lane, Newcastle NE1 5DW. Thursday, March 17. 8pm. 0181 2229882. £6/£4 under 18's with an adult.

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