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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

17945 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 266 of them this year alone and, so far, 22 this month (April 8).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Mon 14: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 14: Zoë Gilby Quintet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Only Six Standards.
Thu 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Fri 18: Alexia Gardner @ Fika Gallery, Oldgate, Morpeth NE61 1LT. 7:00pm. Trio (Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy).RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 13

Fri 18: Sarah Jane Morris & Tony Remy: The Sisterhood @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00.

Sat 19: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 19: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 19: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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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