Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 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

18083 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1047 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 14), 61.

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Sun 21: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. ‘Xmas Swingalong’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 21: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ o2 City Hall, Newcastle. 6:00pm. £35.80., £33.25., £31.00.
Sun 21: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music.
Sun 21: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:30pm. Free.

Mon 22: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:30pm. ‘The A Capella Sessions’. Gardner, Paula Gardner, Alexia Hope Gardner Diamany.
Wed 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Thu 25: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:00pm. ‘All About the Bass Sessions’. Alexia Gardner, Paula Gardner, Jude Murphy.

Fri 26: ???

Sat 27: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 27: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. bf).

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, November 26, 2016

Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Millstone. Nov 24

(Review by Russell/photo from BSH archive).
The last one of the year. The Strictly Smokin’ Big Band’s monthly open rehearsal night saw one or two deps in, perhaps the regulars were Christmas shopping or maybe stranded at a distant Metro station thanks to day-long delays on Tyne and Wear’s so-called ‘rapid’ transit system. Audience numbers were down slightly making available a couple of seats.
Vocalist F’reez sang about seeing on a clear day and walking his baby back home. Alice Grace sang about being too darn hot. Benny Golson’s Whisper Not heard several roaring solos courtesy of Messrs Paul Gowland, Michael Lamb, Jamie Toms and Steve Summers. The band ran through a Bill Holman arrangement of Stevie Wonder as prep for their next gig. The session was very much ‘workshop’ rather than ‘polished concert performance’.

Occasions such as this give a fascinating insight into the workings of a big band.
Steve Summers toted alto, soprano and flute, taking the honours on Horace Silver’s Sister Sadie. One wonders which is Dr Summers’ first instrument? Horace Silver wouldn’t have hesitated to hire him on any of them! The Strictly Smokin’ have a busy gig diary over the next few weeks: December 14th @ Sage Gateshead in support of the BMus Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music course; December 16th and 17th @ The Black Swan (tickets have been selling like hot cakes, a few left for Friday, very few left for Saturday 17th); a post-Christmas blow out @ Hoochie Coochie, Thursday 29th and a New Year’s Eve bash over at Prohibition Bar on Brandling Street, Gateshead.            
The Strictly Smokin’ Big Band’s monthly session at the Millstone, South Gosforth (seven o’clock, free admission) resumes Thursday January 26, 2017. Do get along, the real ales are tip top and you’ll be supporting the grass roots of the music.
Russell.    
Strictly Smokin’ Big Band: trumpets: Michael Lamb MD, Pete Tanton, Tom Hill, Dick Stacey; trombones: ?, Mark Ferris, John Flood, Keith Norris; Paul Gowland (tenor), Jamie Toms (tenor), Steve Summers (alto, soprano, flute), Keith Robinson (alto), Laurie Rangecroft (baritone), Mick Wright (guitar), Michael Whent (bass), Alan ? (drums); vocals: Alice Grace & F’reez


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