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.

Saturday, April 08, 2017

CD Review: Brass Mask – Live

Tom Challenger (tenor saxophone), George Crowley (tenor saxophone), Rory Simmons (trumpet), Alex Bonney (trumpet), Nathaniel Cross (trombone), Dan Nicholls (organ & percussion), Theon Cross (tuba), Jon Scott (percussion) & John Blease (drums)
(Review by Russell)
Mardi Gras time down in the Servant Jazz Quarters. In 2015 Tom Challenger’s nine piece second liners played a gig at the Dalston, London jazz and cocktails venue, recorded it, and released it on the Babel Label as Brass Mask Live. Eight tracks, a little more than fifty minutes’ worth of music, a brass band on steroids. If you’re feeling down, ask your GP to write a prescription for some of what Brass Mask are on, it’ll prove the ideal tonic.

Challenger and George Crowley blow tenor, Rory Simmons and Alex Bonney blow trumpet, there’s a theme developing…Nathaniel Cross, trombone, and Theon Cross, tuba, blow. Brass Mask Live is something of a blowing session! Dan Nicholls’ chitlin’ circuit organ stirs it up and the percussionists Jon Scott and John Blease (and Nicholls) dance themselves to a standstill. Dance to the band live, or dance to the band in your kitchen as you’re cookin’ up a gumbo, Live is in the tradition – Rebirth, Dirty Dozen, Youngbloods, Northern Monkeys – with a twist…a dash of free-ish, electronic paprika added to the mix. Brass Mask Live is available on Babel Label (catalogue no. BDV15137).           

Russell.
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