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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17755 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 76 of them this year alone and, so far, 1 this month (Feb.1).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Sat 08: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 08: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 08: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 08: Lewis Watson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 08: Anth Purdy @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. ‘Swing Jazz Guitar’.
Sat 08: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A Newcastle University Jazz Orchestra event. All welcome.

Sun 09: Glenn Miller & Big Band Spectacular @ The Forum, Billingham. 3:00pm.
Sun 09: The New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 09: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Tom Remon & Mark Williams @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 09: Rod Oughton’s Tomorrow’s New Quartet with Ben van Helder @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Line-up inc. Deschanel Gordon.
Sun 09: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 10: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 11: Steve Summers Quintet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Jam session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 13: Student Performances @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 4:00pm. Free. Inc. Olly Styles (tenor sax).
Thu 13: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: Artist Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Hannabiell & Midnight Blue.
Thu 13: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

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

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

CD Review: Victoria Klewin And The True Tones - Dance Me To Heaven

Victoria Klewin (vocals); Sophie Stockham (sax); Paul Field (brass, harmonica); Sam Mills (keys); Paul Crawford (guitar); Mark James (bass); Tom Bradley (drums)
(Review by Ann Alex).
If I ever tire of the North East (not very likely) I’m going to live in Bristol if this CD represents the sort of music available on the ‘burgeoning Bristol music scene’, as it is described on the insert. This band produces jazz, blues, soul and funk in the form of original love songs with titles such as Not All That Glitters; Got A Question; Why Should I?. The lyrics are down to earth but well written, Ms Klewin’s voice is sweet yet gritty, with surprising depths, and the band is skilled, lively and versatile. 
This is a debut CD, paid for by crowdfunding. The songs were all written by Ms Klewin between the ages of 16 and 28 and we are told that she has many more such songs stored away for future CDs. I think we’ll hear more of her in the future.
Here is a run-down of the tracks: Can’t Help Myself – funky, brassy riffs and lively keys.
Not All That Glitters – quiet voice and guitar opening, then swinging jazz with a scat chorus to end.
Taking Me Down – discusses an unhappy love affair, rocky, funky.
Got A Question – funky brass and lovely lower tones from the vocals.
Dance Me To Heaven – jazzy with a good sax solo
Home Alone – All about seduction, not loneliness, with a chorus of just bass and finger-snapping. 
That’s How It Is – a soul style song of comfort.
For The Good Of Myself – Lyrics on the lines of ‘release me’ with a bluesy ending.
Roving Eye – Blues with a chorus of ‘free your mind’.
If This Is Love – features a sad sounding harmonica and a gospel-influenced tune.
Why Should I ? – All about a love affair which is too wild, to the sound of a keys solo and funky brass. 
The CD is self-released and available from October 2016.
Ann Alex.

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