Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: ''It was then that Coltrane came along and single-handedly brought this dimension of spirituality into jazz. It was a pivotal experience to me.'' (DownBeat September, 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

18957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 821 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 30.) 100.

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

October.

Mon 05: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 05: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Tue 06: Alan Law @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free. Alan Law (piano) w. Paul Grainger (double bass).
Tue 06: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Murray Oak, Paul Grainger, John Bradford.
Tue 06: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 06: Black is the Color of My Voice @ Northern Stage, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman stage play inspired by Nina Simone. First night of two.

Wed 07: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free. Wed 07: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 07: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 07: Black is the Color of My Voice @ Northern Stage, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman stage play inspired by Nina Simone. Second night of two.

Thu 08: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 08: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free (donations).
Thu 08: Indigo Jazz Voices w. Little Big Band @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 09: Dean Stockdale Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums).
Fri 09: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle.

Sat 10: Catfish Keith @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £19.00. + bf. Jumpin’ Hot Club.

Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free. Feat. guest Jack ‘Banjo’ Courtney (trumpet).
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Harry Christelis Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A Jazz Co-op-JNE co-promotion.

Monday, June 27, 2016

Pat McMahon Trio @ The Tyne Bar. June 26

Pat McMahon (guitar & vocals), Ray Johns (keyboards) & Paul Wight (drums)
(Review by Russell)
Blues skies, sunshine. The Ouseburn waters low, ducks and swans meander on mudflats.
Moored boats, some tied-up since last century, a sorry state, they’re not going anywhere.
New build homes in a tranquil, waterside location, reserve your plot now. Yours for £££ Riverside Walk it’s called, and there’s a rather decent pub at the end of the street.
The Tyne Bar on Maling Street comes into its own on a day like this. Pub goers sit in the sun, some shelter from it in front of the outdoor stage. Yes, a Sunday afternoon gig at the Tyne Bar is the new Sunday lunch. Forget the kitchen drudgery and get down to the Tyne Bar to hear some blues, rocking blues or rockabilly, there’s always something to catch the ear.
Today Pat McMahon sang some songs. A rocking beat, swirling keys, the main man totes a Flying V. Nailing that rocking beat is Sid Wight. Yes, a familiar figure on the north east jazz scene, Sid or Paul – he answers to either – is nothing if not adaptable. On West Coast numbers PW is as good as any with brushes in hand, down at the Tyne Bar playing a rock heavy blues beat with sticks comes all too easy. Ray Johns has gigged with the big names yet is ready and willing to rattle the keys on a trio gig with Pat McMahon.
The beers were going down, the sun went in. The storm clouds gathered. McMahon opted to play his cherry red Gibson 335 on a Dion number to close out the first set. Your scribe decided to head for cover hoping to avoid what looked likely to be thunder and lightening before too long. Note to self: check out the Pat McMahon Trio at a pub gig (indoor) soon!     
Russell.  

1 comment :

Sid White (on F/b) said...

Didn't know you were their Russell thanks for a nice review .

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