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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

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Bruce Adams w. Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Globe Jazz Bar February 18













(Review and b&w photos by Lance/Colour photos courtesy of Ken Drew).

This was a near-perfect Jazz Coop gig. How could it not be with the UK's number one big band trumpet ace playing with what many would claim to be the UK's number one big band?
SSBB hit the deck running with Gerry Mulligan's Red Door. Jamie Toms indicating in his fiery solo that he was well and truly up for it.
Old Man River introduced guest trumpet player Adams who made the most dynamic entry of any trumpet player I've ever heard. He came on like a tidal surge starting round about top C and just getting higher and higher - phew! If the evening had ended then I'd have gone home happy.
But, this was just the beginning!
Adams' frequent sidekick, Alan Barnes, supplied the next number - Side Steppin' - great tune and another great solo.
I Can't Believe You're In-Laws With me - a quirky title for a feature that had the two tenors Kerridge and Toms slugging it out no holds barred.
Time for a vocal or three by F'reez who obliged with Higher Ground, Sunny and my favourite jazz waltz (apart from Bluesette) The Mood I'm in. The band slotted in the Film Noir 1 piece that they do so well. David Barnes' trombone helping to bring those mean streets to life - come to think of it I walked down a few getting here...
Graham Don impressed on Pianitis.
Bruce came back for a quasi Dixie arrangement of Darktown Strutters Ball. Shades of the old Billy May album, Sorta Dixie. Keith Robinson blowing clarinet.
The set came to a close with an arrangement by Marvin Stamm of Secret Love, our star switching to flugel for this one
Time to replenish our glasses.
What's this? Ran out of real ale! The busiest jazz night of the year so far and not enough ale. As I said earlier, a near-perfect gig...
However, suitably sedated with a bottle of Wylam Brewery's Bohemia, beverages became a back number as the Big Band bounced back with Benny Golson's Whisper Not. Toms, Kerridge, Lamb, Pawel, Summers and one of the 'bones led the charge to the line.
Pronk had Pawel pronking whilst Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea saw the saxes play a perfectly balanced chorus that drew the applause - as did David Barnes' trombone solo.
Minor's Holiday featured Bruce, Kerridge and some fine drumming from Tom Chapman - first time I've heard him with the band.
You Can't Go Home Again, a Don Sebesky number recorded by Chet Baker and Paul Desmond, had Bruce switching from flugel to trumpet and back again. I Love You, a straight ahead swinger.
F'reez returned for Gambling Man Blues and On a Clear Day.
Bruce played Ozone Friendly then One Note at a Time.
This latter number was a real blast featuring Adams, Tanton and Lamb so no pressure on our lads! They acquitted themselves well, not trying to beat  Bruce at his own game but capitalising on their own strengths.
The finale/encore, Sorta Ragtime dates back to a later version of Kenny Baker's Dozen of which Adams was a part. Imagine that, Bruce and Kenny in the same band!
David Barnes, Kerridge, Toms, Summers, Robinson and Don all soloing as of course was Man of the Match, Bruce Adams.
Nice gig, shame about the beer!
Lance.

3 comments :

Russell said...

Ken's photograph of Bruce Adams playing flugelhorn shows a 'no smoking' sign on the wall...somewhat incongruous at this Strictly Smokin' gig!

Hugh said...

This gig was not just smokin', it was on fire! Agree Lance, shame about the ale - it was all gone by the time I arrived just after 8 (a heavy demand on Friday according to bar staff). After my first pint of draft IPA (which also ran dry) I was reduced to drinking lager. I took the recommendation of one of the bar staff, Leffes, which was OK, but tasted much better (once it warmed up a bit!

Lance said...

Omitted to mention, in my review, the sterling section work by Gordon Marshall and Tom Hill. Both of whom were singled out by Bruce Adams. Also Michael Whent on bass guitar. Many have said that the bass is the most important member of any band - and the least acknowledged. Likewise the trombones, I know the names and the faces but can never connect the two! All did a sterling job. Plus my old acquaintance Laurie, as good an anchorman as you'll find in any sax section outside of LA (Lower Ashington). Joke over, he does the biz.

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