Bebop Spoken There

Dominick "Domo" Branch: ''Most people say drummers can't write, they're just time-keepers only beating on things. But I have a very musical brain.'' (DownBeat February, 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

18288 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 142 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 14), 42

From This Moment On ...

February

Thu 19: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: George Shearing Jazz Moments.

Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT! Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.
Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: Squabble @ Warkworth Memorial Hall. 7:00pm. Steve Chambers (organ); Jude Murphy (double bass, vocals); Sid White (drums).
Fri 20: Jive Aces @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors).
Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.

Sat 21: ???

Sun 22: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 22: Joe Steels Group @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Sun 22: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Harben Kay Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: Joe Steels Group @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Finn-Keeble Group @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00.
Tue 24: Liam Oliver & Shayo Oshodi @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 26: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £6.50.
Thu 26: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00 adv.
Thu 26: Mick Cantwell Band @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Blues.

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

Friday, April 07, 2017

GIJF Day 2: Garibaldi Plop and The ICP Orchestra @ Sage Gateshead - April 1

ICP Orchestra
Ab Baars, Toby Delius, Michael Moore (reeds); Thomas Heberer (trumpet); Wolter Wierbos (trombone); Mary Oliver (violin); Tristan Honsinger (cello); Guus Janssen (piano); Ernst Glerum (bass); Han Bennink (drums).
(Review by Steve H/Photos courtesy of Ken Drew)
The ICP Orchestra (Instant Composers Pool) was formed 50 years ago in The Netherlands. Sadly co-founder Misha Mengelberg died recently (a photo tribute to the man is currently on show until April 14) but drummer Hans Bennnink, aged 75, still drives the band with tremendous energy and good humour. It would be hard to single anyone out in this 10 piece ensemble. I enjoyed everyone’s playing but Cellist Tristan Hinsinger has to get my MVP award, not only for his poetry reading and singing but also for the most amazing piece of conducting which took the form of a dance. All in all a delightful performance full of spontaneity, wit and swing -pure class.


Garibaldi Plop
Roberto Negro (piano); Valentin Ceccaldi (cello); Sylvain Darrifourcq (drums)
The opening set of this double was joy from beginning to end. A musical journey which explored every nook and cranny of the musical spectrum. There were: quiet bits, melodious passages, free and improvised parts and in one particular passage the most sensational, cacophonous, wild, explosive ensemble playing I have had the good fortune to experience. My only complaint was that it was over all too quickly (45minutes). I really could have done with the same again.
Steve H.

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