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Bebop Spoken There

George Porter Jr.: ''To me, syncopation is like jazz. It wasn't meant for the masses. It was meant just for a hip few". (DownBeat, May 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

17985(and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 306 of them this year alone and, so far, 62 this month (April 26).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Sun 27: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 27: Andrea Vicari Trio @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. Vicari (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); John Bradford (drums).
Sun 27: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 27: Vasilis Xenopoulos-Paul Edis Quartet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. Xenopoulos, Edis, Paul Susans, Russ Morgan.
Sun 27: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 27: JustKing Jones @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £17.50. JustKing Jones (alto sax, soprano sax); Jordan Williams (piano); Jason Clotter (bass); Malcolm Charles (drums). Ace NYC outfit!
Sun 27: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 27: Swing Manouche @ Warkworth Memorial Hall. 7:30pm. £15.00. Tickets from 01665 711388.
Sun 27: Vasilis Xenopoulos-Paul Edis Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Xenopoulos, Edis, Ken Marley, Russ Morgan.

Mon 28: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 29: ???

Wed 30: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 30: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 30: International Jazz Day @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £16.00.; £14.00. adv.. Feat. Guido Spannocchi, John Pope & Steve Hanley + Take it to the Bridge participants + Open Mic Night participants.

MAY 2025

Thu 01: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Member’s Contribution.
Thu 01: Alabaster de Plume @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm.
Thu 01: Living in Shadows + OUTRI @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Thu 01: The Shayo Experiment @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Shayo Oshodi & Liam Oliver.
Thu 01: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free.

Fri 02: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 02: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 02: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 02: Anna Reay & Deon Krishnan @ STACK, Seaburn. 4:30-6:15pm. Free.
Fri 02: Nauta @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 7:00pm. £7.50. A ‘Nauta’s House’ gig featuring Nauta & guests Shayo Oshodi & David Gray.
Fri 02: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 02: Dom Pipkin @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Solo piano.
Fri 02: Abbie Finn Trio @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00. + bf.

Sat 03: Hot Fingers @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 03: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £25.00. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. Summer Samba Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 03: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 03: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 03: Postmodern Jukebox @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm.
Sat 03: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:00pm doors). £3.00. + bf.
Sat 03: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.
Sat 03: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:30pm. 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

Sunday, November 06, 2016

Early Bird Band @ Jazz Café - Saturday morning, November 5.

Number One wife was nervous watching them without Francis and the new guitarist seemed nervous when he realised we were his parents (sat with his mother). No need, Lord Paul knows his business and, with no shortage of willing pianists in the band, there was no compulsion to put in another guitarist if there wasn't anyone good enough, but there was, and a very different type of guitarist to Francis.
The set began with Yardbird SuiteBen and James inseparable on trumpets before Ben took the solo. A newcomer, Alex Thompson, took the first of a number of great alto solos followed by Lord Paul. On clarinet for the set, the MD exchanged fours with the ever impeccable Matthew Mackellar.
Bye Bye Blackbird followed, the two trumpets really are playing well together now. James took the solo followed by Alex, with Dr Phil displaying a gentle touch - variety and inventiveness making total sense.
With just over twenty in the Caff, mostly, but not exclusively, friends and family, Lord Paul took the opportunity to remind us they'd had a mere ninety minutes rehearsal. It never ceases to amaze me that such young musicians (16-18 yrs) can do this.
Mercy Mercy Mercy by Cannonball, courtesy Zawinul, and fine solos by Ryan De Silva, and Hedges  -the best solo I've heard him (Hedges) play, subtly reflecting back to the melody a couple of times.
Mathew Downey up next on guitar, a nice bluesy feel, spending time at the bass end - he also plays upright bass - which makes for a greater impact when he climbs up the scales. Takes his time more than his predecessor, building it up as he went along and creating a thoughtful, satisfying solo while putting his own stamp on it,. Dr Phil showing why he's a great accompanist too. 
The assembled horns came back in with an almighty sound many big bands would die for! Lord Paul’s flitting about on clarinet adds colour, before it grounds to an ending which Lord Paul admitted they hadn't planned. 
Paul described Sergio Mihanovich’s Some Time Ago as lovely and it was. Lush guitar chords when saxes were joined by brass before Ben took a solo, nice piano fills behind him. Clarinet solo and it ended with 'lines' from the full horn section, impeccably executed.
Blues Walk from the Clifford Brown/Max Roach book, so I'm guessing at a James suggestion, which they played entirely by ear. The restoration of an Early Bird tradition with one bass solo in the final piece, some tasteful comping from the guitarist, leading into another powerhouse performance by the drummer. We're used to never hearing a bum bass note from the Early Birds and this tradition is another which looks set to continue - another pair of size elevens filled.
More from Ryan - Paul's found two cracking alto players - followed by a ‘bone solo and my nomination for the most improved musician in the band.
Following the final performance by the previous lineup, Editor Lance said the horns were slightly under par, and I agreed, but this morning they were spot on, solid throughout and they brought it to a grand finale.
In my estimation they're already ready for a bigger platform and I'm looking forward to seeing them supporting a major local band or travelling musician at a Caff, Globe, College or Church Hall very soon.
Steve T.
Paul Edis (clarinet, MD), Ben Lawrence, James Metcalfe (trumpets), Ryan De Silva, Alex Thompson (alto), Andrew Hedges (trombone), Mathew Downey (guitar), Phil Grobe (piano), Alex Chipsey (bass), Matthew Mackellar(drums).

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