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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.

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 30: Jan Spencelayh & Dave Archbold @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 30: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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

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, November 28, 2016

CD Review: Kansas Smitty's House Band's - Kansas Smitty's Live.

'Sweet Pete' Horsfall (trumpet/vocal); Giacomo Smith (alto); Adrian Cox (clarinet); Dave Archer (guitar); Joe Webb (piano); Ferg Ireland (bass); Pedro Segundo (drums) + Marcus Bonfanti (guitar and vocal) on Messin' Around No More.
(Review by Lance).
After the Basin St. Brawlers at Darlington, The Classic Jazz Party (which I reluctantly had to forego), and last night's Globe session by the House of the Black Gardenia, it seems that music from an earlier age can still be a force today. This album reinforces that belief.
Recorded live at their East London HQ, Kansas Smitty's House Band is a small swing group creating waves in the capital. This, their second CD, comprises original compositions by various permutations of Webb, Smith, Ireland and Horsfall. (Quote), Bend their knee to what has gone before but they have their eye fixed firmly on the now.
I'll drink to that.

Whiskey Rag, a rollicking ragtime piece by Webb and Smith with fine clarinet from Cox,
gets things moving.
Anita, by Ireland and Smith, has Smitty playing some frantic alto throwing in a few bop phrases before Webb takes over with some two-fisted piano.
The live audience like it!
This is Goodbye sees Sweet Pete caressing Smitty's lyric with his whispered vocal. Ireland separates the vocal choruses with a delicate solo that adds to the tenderness of this sad song.
Here's to Huw: R'n'B' verging on R'n'R' and a workout for Joe Webb - I bet the crowd are dancing!
Messin' Round No More: Bluesman Bonfanti played Smitty's Bar in Broadway Market. Brought the house down and became an automatic choice for a cameo appearance - shades of vintage Eric Burden. His vocal and guitar work, only matched by Smitty's gutsy alto.
She's Got Soul: Reminds me of a rag but it's played in a kind of New Orleansy street beat.
North Henry Street lets Smitty loose, Webb makes full use of the 88 notes and Segundo makes the audience know he's not just a pretty face.
Goodnight my Friends is an appropriately named encore with Horsfall's vocal the fondest farewell ever!
More info.
The album was released on Friday (November 25).
Lance.
at

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