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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

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

CD Review: Colin Steele Quintet – Even in the Darkest Places

Colin Steele (trumpet), Michael Buckley (saxophones), Dave Milligan (piano), Calum Gourlay (double bass) & Stu Ritchie (drums)
(Review by Russell)
Following a lengthy, debilitating illness Colin Steele is back. Off the scene for too long, trumpeter Steele has been in the studio to record a quintet album. Even in the Darkest Places references a difficult period from which he has emerged with renewed vigour, a new record and a gig diary as busy as any musician could wish for. The CD was recorded in July 2015 at Casltesound Studios, Pencaitland. Now, some twenty months later the physical product is finally available.
Steele is fortunate in being able to call upon some of Britain’s finest to help realise this new album of seven compositions. Long time collaborator Dave Milligan has arranged Steele’s tunes, and the presence of Michael Buckley, saxophones, new recruit Calum Gourlay, double bass, and drummer Stu Ritchie make Even in the Darkest Places an enticing prospect. Relaxed, uplifting melodies are a sure sign of Steele’s delight at being able to play once more. From I Will Wait for You to a lilting Independence Song to Steele’s insistence that There Are Angels, this new recording is a welcome addition to any CD collection. The closing number – Down to the Wire – hears Buckley on soprano dovetailing with bandleader Steele as Milligan, Gourlay and Ritchie hold it down. Steele injects an irresistible bop swing-time feel, the others go with it, Milligan swinging like nobody’s business with Gourlay and Ritchie right on it – Buckley switching to swinging tenor – and, the best part of sixteen steaming minutes later, Even in the Darkest Places leaves the listener wanting more.
Those wanting more can catch Colin Steele in concert across Scotland – and hopefully beyond – in the coming weeks and months. Even in the Darkest Places by the Colin Steele Quintet is out on Friday 17 March. For further details visit: www.colinsteele.com.                        
Russell.
NB: Steele describes his traumas and how they were overcome on this YouTube clip.













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