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Bebop Spoken There

Van Morrison: ''Basically, I'm coming from jazz. Not pop, not rock, not what's commercial. That's where I started, and that's still where I am. I feel the same as I did when I was listening to Louis Armstrong, Lead Belly, Jelly Roll Morton''. (The Northern Echo, 12 June 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

1803759 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 480 of them this year alone and, so far, 58 this month (June 18).

From This Moment On ...

JUNE 2025

Sat 21: Jason Holcomb Jazz Ensemble @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 5:30-7:30pm. Free. A 'Sunderland Year of Music' event.
Sat 21: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Red Kites Jazz @ Staithes Café, Dunston. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 22: Phoenix 4 @ Wallington, Northumberland. 12 noon-1:00pm & 2:00-3:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington, Northumberland. 1:00-2:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Jason Isaacs Trio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 4:00pm. £18.00. + £1.08 bf.
Sun 22: JazzMain @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: MSK Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00. at the door; £8.20. (inc £0.20 bf) online, in advance.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.

Tues 24: ???

Wed 25: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 25: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 25: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 25: The Magpies of Swing @ The Roxy, Leadgate, Co. Durham. 7:30pm. A Ginger Jitterbugs swing dance event, all welcome.

Thu 26: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Brass Instruments & the use of mutes.

Fri 27: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm.
Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 27: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 8:00pm. ‘Time After Time’.

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

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Easter Early Birds @ The Jazz Café – April 15

(Review by Russell)
A bright and breezy Saturday morning. Their regular Saturday morning workshop done, the Early Birds were ready to admit the paying public. Teenage musicians under the tutelage of Paul Edis, the Early Birds develop apace and an audience keeps on turning up to hear what they’ve been up to. The half hour set flies by, just enough time to drink that coffee (or beer) and scoff a Jazz Café scone (home made by Natalie).
Baritone saxophonist Ryan De Silva led the way on But Not For Me followed by Matthew Downey, guitar. Ben Lawrence playing keyboards suggested a tune of his own (the title temporarily alludes your reviewer), a tune deservedly in the pad alongside time-honoured material. MD Paul Edis, on flute, James Metcalf, flugel (on loan from Mr G Hardy), and the composer himself, the soloists.
Bassist Alex Shipsey is a listening musician, excellent throughout, sat to the left of Berklee-bound drummer Matthew MacKellar. RNCM undergraduate Dan Lawrence depped, albeit briefly, for Alex Shipsey, and the other Alex, Alex Thompson, blew some good alto on My Favourite Things. Thirty minutes later…time to go out on Bird’s Yardbird Suite. The next Early Bird session, date TBC, will be at the Lit and Phil. Eleven o’clock on a Saturday, you’re coming into town anyway, so, drop by the Lit & Phil to catch up with what’s going on. Two pounds on the door, it’s well worth it.
You don’t have to wait too long to hear some of these young musicians again. This Tuesday (April 18) there will be a contingent of them at the Jazz Café’s jam session. Free admission, eight o’clock start, you won’t believe how good they are. Go on, make the effort, you’ll conclude that jazz is alive and kicking!   Russell.       
James Metcalf (trumpet & flugelhorn), Alex Thompson (alto saxophone), Ryan De Silva (baritone saxophone), Matthew Downey (guitar), Ben Lawrence (keyboards), Alex Shipsey (bass), Matthew MacKellar (drums) & Paul Edis (MD, flute) + Dan Lawrence (bass)      

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