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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

17923 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 244 of them this year alone and, so far, 91 this month (March 31).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

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.

Mon 07: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 08: ???

Wed 09: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 09: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 09: Tannery jam session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm.
Wed 09: Anatole Muster Trio @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £17.50., £12.50. concs.
Wed 09: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED?

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

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Paul Edis Sextet @ Ushaw College - July 29

Paul Edis (Piano); Graham Hardy (Trumpet, Flugel); Graeme Wilson (Tenor, Flute, Baritone); Chris Hibbard (Trombone); Mick Shoulder (Bass); Adam Sinclair (Drums).
(Review by Steve T).
My mission, which I chose to accept, is to complete this review without the need to Read More.
Tangle Foot (four bottles), the splendour of Ushaw College, Lord Paul, another five of the hottest musicians from Edinburgh to Darlo and a little over thirty keen Jazz souls spread across all tables, which isn't half bad for mid-summer.
The Timothys to the delight of the four Early Birds there, Adam clattering his kit like I don't think I've heard him before. 
Cluster Fluster and I hear Duke and Mingus but its writer hears Gil Evans. For formal composition, are there three better in the Jazz idiom?
Ravelations, get it? Ravel, Debussy! Via Trane, a hint of Favourite Things during a splendid tenor solo, already rich with Trane, and McCoy Edis responds.
Inevitably, more Mingus influence on Ah Hum which Paul cites as one of his best albums, but to these ears, it's the best Jazz album I know that isn't by Miles.
Some more Mingus in Paul’s sketch of Spain, Knight Errant, mixed seamlessly with influences from Miles and Gil Evans, Chick Corea and more Ravel.
Angular, Administrate This featuring, I think, the most powerful muted horn playing I've ever heard. Graham’s mute and particularly Chris' trombone are crucial in bringing the Mingus sound to the sextet; for me the most under-rated of all the Jazz giants.
Mr Hipster, Eastern and I could barely keep it together for Missing You so I don't know how Lady Kate, for whom it was written, managed.
Lost in Translation sounds like classic American TV cop show and left me suspicious that part of Pauls' secret is he's ambidextrous.
Blues for Dad proved an excellent finale, Micks' sumptuous bass solo taking possibly the strongest applause of the night, Adam still on all cylinders and a great head from the assembled horns.
Incredible I thought during the gig, not just one but two musicians on stage - well, carpet - who can play their own music exclusively, which can compare favourably with anything coming out of the UK or Europe.
Did I make it? I blew it didn't I!
Steve T.

1 comment :

Hugh said...

Read more?
Yes, a joy to read though, Steve.

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