Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 2026)

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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

From This Moment On

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Jazz Café Jam Session - February 21

Mark Williams (guitar); Paul Grainger (bass); Russ Morgan (drums) + Michael Lamb (trumpet); Vince Webb (piano); Alex Moniakis (guitar); Paul Gowland (soprano).
(Review by Lance).
Possibly because it was half-term, there were fewer jammers than usual this week. However, although lacking in quantity, there was no shortage of quality which meant that those who did play had more opportunity to shine rather than the normal wham bam thank you, ma'am, next please situation that inevitably occurs.
Thus, after a few numbers, the trio were joined by Michael Lamb who, no doubt inspired by Saturday's big band session with Bruce Adams, was on fire. I Love You; Long Ago and Far Away and September in the Rain were right on the money. Vince Webb, last here on that memorable evening when Eric Burdon's backing band turned up,  sat in on piano for Days of Wine and Roses and Tadd Dameron's Ladybird. Impressive!
Good to see Paul Gowland back in action, testing the water on soprano alongside a first-timer, Greek guitarist, Alex Moniakis. Moniakis, a student of Mick Wright and yet another fine guitarist slotted in nicely for Just Friends. Vince returned and Russ displayed dexterity a-plenty in his drum solo.
Gowland can play a ballad as good as anyone and Darn That Dream was no exception. Likewise young Vince.
Lamb returned for Billie's Bounce and Secret Love after which I reluctantly left for the legendary number 27 bus.
One of those evenings where less was more!
Photos.
Lance.
PS: Special mention of Russ and Paul [Grainger] who played without respite.

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