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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17655 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 929 of them this year alone and, so far, 74 this month (Dec. 31).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Tue 07: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 7:00pm. Free.

Wed 08: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 08: The Tannery Jam Session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 08: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 08: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Thu 09: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: John H Hammond.
Thu 09: FILM: Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 2:35pm. Documentary (dir. Johan Grimonprez) ‘about jazz, (de)colonial history and activism featuring Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone and Dizzy Gillespie’.
Thu 09: Happy Tuesdays @ Ye Olde Cross, Ryton. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 09: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. Ragtime piano. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 09: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. A Tees Hot Club promotion. The session now monthly, next one Thursday 2nd Feb, then first Thursday in the month thereafter.

Fri 10: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 10: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 10: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 11: Jason Isaacs @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 11: Under the Wellie @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 12: The New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 12: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 12: King Bees @ The Tyne Bar, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. Superb Chicago blues band.
Sun 12: Dave Bottomley @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar.
Sun 12: Jack Pearce Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 13: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 13: Raymond MacDonald & Andy Champion @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00.

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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