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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

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

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: 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.

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

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ McConnell's Gin & Ale House, Jarrow - February 14

Bob Wade (trumpet); Jim McBriarty (clarinet/alto/vocal); Lawrence McBriarty (trombone); Brian Bennett (banjo/leader); Bill Colledge (bass guitar); Fred Thompson (drums/vocal) + Jess McConnell (vocal ).
(Review by Lance).
I'd spent the afternoon on the operating table at South Tyneside General - a funny way to spend Valentine's Day. Normally, I'd have stayed home to recuperate but, having set the wheels in motion for the VCJ to play a gig at McConnell's Gin and Ale House, I wasn't going to let Carpel Tunnel Syndrome keep me away.
I'd also heard good reports about trumpet player Bob Wade, a recent arrival to the area having spent many years living, working and playing in South Africa and I wanted to check him out.
I wasn't disappointed. Nice round tone, lyrical, and, at times, fiery he seemed to give the band a lift.
The brothers McBriarty held their own alongside the newcomer with the rhythm section providing the springboard.
A typical Vieux Carré session - Running Wild; Dinah; Bye Bye Blues; I'm Beginning to See the Light; Hello Dolly; Bourbon St. Parade; Royal Garden Blues; Lazy River; When You're Smiling; Avalon; Doctor Jazz; Exactly Like You; At the Jazz Band Ball; Lady be Good; Darktown Strutters Ball; Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen; Goin' Home and a reprise of Hello Dolly with vocal by Jess McConnell himself!
There were also vocals from Fred Thompson and Jim McBriarty - even ladies dancing and, fortunately, My Funny Valentine wasn't played on the banjo.
Lance.

2 comments :

Bill Harper said...

nice to see the old band back in full swing after all these years ---- your mention My Funny Valentine reminds me of a sunday morning session at the Brahms & Liszt in the Bigg Market with the RED CARR ALL STARS (Ronnie Young). During the interval a group of us were discussing the use of banjos in jazz.As a pianist I found them an absolute nightmare but Clem Avery who was in the audience, was defending them vigourously.The discussion fell apart in gales of laughter when Ronnie McLean (also in the audience)quietly interjected that he found it hard to imagine a beautiful ballad like LAURA being performed on the banjo.Clem conceded defeat !!!!!

Lance said...

I will remember the story. I don't know if if I was actually there or if I heard it from Ronnie McLean himself during those years I worked with him in Windows. Ronnie, God rest his soul, had a habit of recounting his favourite stories to all in sundry. He played in Dusseldorf with Lennie Hastings band and, during the time we worked together, I think I learned more about Dusseldorf than Adolph Hitler did.

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