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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17719 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 39 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Jan. 15).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Wed 15: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 15: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 15: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 15: Hot Club of Heaton @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘third Wednesday in the month’ session. TBC.

Thu 16: Pete Tanton & the Cuban Heels @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio w. Graham Hardy @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. (inc. a welcome drink & table reservation). Book at: www.drinks@thepele.co.uk. A ‘Jazz at the Pele’ promotion.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick TD15 1AS. 7:30pm. Free. Album launch gig.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

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, April 25, 2016

GIJF: JB’s Cats - Sage Gateshead April 16

Ben Lawrence (trumpet), Alex Thompson (alto saxophone), Alex Iles (piano), Nathan Lawson (guitar), Tom Henry (guitar), Alex Shipsey (bass) & Dylan Thompson (drums) + Dr James Birkett (MD)
(Review by Russell)
Early Saturday evening on the concourse at Sage Gateshead, tutor Dr James Birkett and his band of young musicians entertained an appreciative crowd for half an hour or so. A band of talented teenagers, some of them can be heard out busking across Tyneside, and, on occasion, sitting in at the big boys’ jam sessions.
Ranging in teenage years (and height) the young musicians showed no fear playing some standard tunes, taking solos and winning applause for their efforts. Opening with Herbie Hancock’s Cantaloupe Island followed by a spot-on tick-tocking Milestones, JB’s Cats purred like well-fed (tutored) pussycats. An excellent Cherokee, taken at a big boys’ lick, Tom Henry’s guitar solo on Song for my Father, Ben Lawrence’s extended trumpet solo on Goodbye Pork Pie Hat with Alex Thompson playing good alto on the same number, a mature performance from pianist Alex Iles, these guys impressed, big style! Bass player Alex Shipsey, the newest member of the ensemble, played as though he had been in the band for years and guitarist Nathan Lawson knew all the chords. And then there was the drummer. At the back, a budding Jimmy Cobb/Buddy Rich had it all covered…hi-hat, rim shot, snare, kicking bass drum, the name to note is Dylan Thompson. Tutor Dr James Birkett works with these guys week in week out, they’re going places. Jazz lives!               
Russell.
Apologies for lack of photos which is why it has taken so long to post but if anyone has any photos please get in touch (Editor)

1 comment :

Lance said...

Hi Lance
Could you please thank Russell for the great review about JB's Cats at the GIJF.
I see he's requested if anyone has a photo to get in touch.
I hope this one is suitable. It's the only one we have of the full band.
Thanks
Andrea & Keith
(Proud parents of Alex & Dylan Thompson!)

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