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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 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

17904 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 225 of them this year alone and, so far, 72 this month (March 24).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Mon 31: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

APRIL 2025

Tue 01: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Mark Robertson.
Tue 01: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 02: Lauren Bush: The Jazz Singer’s Toolkit @ The Pele, Corbridge. 1:00-4:00pm. Vocalist Lauren Bush with pianist Jamil Sheriff presents a jazz singing workshop. £40.00. (inc. evening concert, see below). Registration required for workshop: www.laurenbushjazz.com. All ability levels welcome.
Wed 02: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 02: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 2:30-4:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Wed 02: Lauren Bush & Jamil Sheriff @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00-9:00pm. £10.00. Concert performance. Tickets: www.laurenbushjazz.com.
Wed 02: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 02: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. POSSIBLE CANCELLATION. See website for updates: www.theglobenewcastle.bar.

Thu 03: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Women in Jazz.
Thu 03: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 03: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. A Tees Hot Club promotion. First Thursday in the month.

Fri 04: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 04: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 04: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 04: Ruth Lambert Quartet @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00.
Fri 04: Tom McGuire & the Brassholes @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £20.00.
Fri 04: Nicolas Meier’s Infinity Group + Spirit of Jeff Beck @ The Forum, Darlington. 7:30pm.

Sat 05: Tenement Jazz Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 05: Sleep Suppressor @ Head of Steam, Newcastle. 5:30-6:00pm.
Sat 05: King Bees @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 6:00pm. Free.
Sat 05: Raymond MacDonald & Jer Reid @ Lubber Fiend, Newcastle. 6:00-9:30pm. £7.72., £1.00. (minimum donation). MacDonald & Reid + Objections + Yotuns.
Sat 05: Jeff Hewer Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 05: Kamasi Washington @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. £33.00.
Sat 05: Vermont Big Band @ The Seahorse, Whitley Bay. 7:30pm. Tickets: £10.00 (from the venue).
Sat 05: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 06: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £7.50.
Sun 06: Learning & Participation Showcase @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm (1:00pm doors). Free. Featuring participants from Play More Jazz! Play More Folk! Blue Jam Singers & more.
Sun 06: Joe Steels Group @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00. Ferg Kilsby, Joe Steels, Ben Lawrence, Paul Susans, John Hirst.
Sun 06: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 06: Paul Skerritt @ The Hooch, Quayside, Newcastle. 6:00pm.
Sun 06: Leeway @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Alice Grace Quartet @ The Empty Shop, Durham - June 16

Alice Grace (vocal); Pete Gilligan (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Russ Morgan (drums).
(Review by Steve T)
Lance did a comprehensive appraisal of an Alice Grace gig earlier in the week so you've had the older man viewpoint, this is the middle aged account, and you'll soon have the young man’s version of her Sunday night quintet gig at Blaydon from Russell.  
It was the first chance we have had to 'welcome' Alice to the Empty Shop and we weren't sure what the crowd would be like with students swanning about in their nice gowns, some mid-exams and others gone home, but we had a decent crowd of about thirty, enough to make it look busy.
Russell was a no-show due to a big band night nearer to home with the added attraction of making big band nut Tony jealous, but leaving me with the problem of where to get some paper; Ealesy, but no more than two flyers allowed!
I was taken by how confident, comfortable and relaxed Alice Grace is, though it seems she's been doing this for years. The rapport with her audience was easy and I loved the way she bossed the men in grey suits about. Not just a front person, this really was her band.
Opener Weaver of Dreams revealed a lovely clear voice which became even lovelier and clearer after a little twiddle of her amp before song two. Another spellbound audience and, once again, the Empty Shop couldn't believe its luck. Appropriate silence maintained at all times and solo applause intact and Tony, and this has very much become his night, wouldn't have it any other way. 
Her singing struck me as note perfect, husky when required and able to summon vibrato where necessary. Oozing style, class and sophistication, the North East has another superstar Jazz singer. She even wrote lyrics for a Chick Corea piece; is there no end to her talents?
When I lived in a nurses home (or was it a nursing home?), Thursday night was big night out but I would always stay in to watch politics and, following the shocking events of Thursday (and I'm no fan of politicians), I planned to leave during the break to get home for Question Time, but didn't dare miss anything. During the interval, the lady herself sat with us but all I could say was 'welcome'.
Highlight of the night for me was Until You Come Back To Me, I think a Stevie Wonder song but I play it by Lady Soul. A little tapping or knocking wouldn't go amiss but that's as critical of the night as I can get.
The men in grey suits were exemplary, as usual, particularly Russ playing with his hands, taking it up switching to sticks, which I love, but it was her night, they knew it and didn't mind one bit.
I was going to say tata but knew that all I'd manage would be 'welcome', so I left.
(NB. only avid viewers of 2 1/2 Men will have the first idea what I'm on about).
My intention was that this was going to be a Durham double header, with Swing Manouche the next day, but was scuppered by the arrival of Mr Edis senior at the Gala.
Working title was to be 'Beauty and the Beast' but I point blank refuse to divulge which was which so don't even ask. No.
The only thing I’d like to add re the Gala is pah! - How do you spell pah? Another string to add to the bow of Edis junior; a ringer hustling us all to believe he's an alright clarinet player. Word is on the street (52nd that is, or is it somewhere in Paris?) Return to Forever have agreed to reform with Sonny Rollins on tenor, but only if Lord Edis will play clarinet.
Steve T

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