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Bebop Spoken There

George Porter Jr.: ''To me, syncopation is like jazz. It wasn't meant for the masses. It was meant just for a hip few". (DownBeat, May 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

17985(and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 306 of them this year alone and, so far, 62 this month (April 26).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Wed 30: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 30: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 30: International Jazz Day @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £16.00.; £14.00. adv.. Feat. Guido Spannocchi, John Pope & Steve Hanley + Take it to the Bridge participants + SH#RP Collective with Lindsay Hannon - open rehearsal.

MAY 2025

Thu 01: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Member’s Contribution.
Thu 01: Alabaster de Plume @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm.
Thu 01: Living in Shadows + OUTRI @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Thu 01: The Shayo Experiment @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Shayo Oshodi & Liam Oliver.
Thu 01: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free.

Fri 02: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 02: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 02: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 02: Anna Reay & Deon Krishnan @ STACK, Seaburn. 4:30-6:15pm. Free.
Fri 02: Nauta @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 7:00pm. £7.50. A ‘Nauta’s House’ gig featuring Nauta & guests Shayo Oshodi & David Gray.
Fri 02: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 02: Dom Pipkin @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). Solo piano.
Fri 02: Abbie Finn Trio @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00. + bf.

Sat 03: Hot Fingers @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 03: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £25.00. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. Summer Samba Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 03: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 03: Struggle Buggy @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. Blues.
Sat 03: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 03: Postmodern Jukebox @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm.
Sat 03: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:00pm doors). £3.00. + bf.
Sat 03: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.
Sat 03: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:30pm. Free.

Sun 04: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £7.50.
Sun 04: Sax Choir @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 04: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 04: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:00-5:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 04: Rivkala @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 04: Boys of Brass @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free.
Sun 04: Ben Crosland Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 05: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 05: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 06: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Victoria & Albert Inn, Seaton Delaval. 12:30pm. £14.00. Tel: 0191 237 3697. ‘Victory in Europe Afternoon Tea’ (VE Day 80th anniversary).
Tue 06: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law, Paul Grainger, John Hirst.
Tue 06: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 06: FILM: Whiplash @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. 8:15pm.

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

Thursday, May 04, 2017

Darlington Jazz Festival: Dave O’Higgins @ The Majestic Theatre - Saturday April 29

(Review by Russell)
Saturday evening is the big set piece occasion at the Darlington Jazz Festival. This year’s big ‘do’ relocated to the recently restored Majestic Theatre on Bondgate. This ‘majestic’ 1930s Art Deco building (lots of marble, many original features retained) with its large stage accommodated a big band with ease. The Durham Alumni Big Band is one of the best in the land with a succession of big name guest artists singing its praises. This evening’s soloist, Dave O’Higgins, similarly heaped praise on ‘this magnificent big band’.

This sold out concert began with a set from the Durham County Youth Big Band. Awards come the way of DCYBB on a regular basis. At the heart of it is the dedication of Durham Music Service tutors working year round to nurture the musicians of tomorrow. The young musicians in the band looked the part and the performance belied their years. MD Shaune Eland assembled his charges in the wings ready to take to the platform on time (a learning experience, be ready to go on time!). The sections boasted mid-teen veterans of top flight regional jam sessions, professional gigs and occupants of coveted chairs in the senior Alumni band. Any self-respecting big band will have one or two Sammy Nestico charts in the book and the Durham County Youth Big Band is one of them. Orange Sherbet and Odyssey were on the set list and, Basie-like, the DCYBB purred and purred. Bacharach and David’s The Look of Love featured alto saxophonist Beth Roberts. Of late, Roberts has held her own at jam sessions (sessions of frighteningly high standard). This high profile festival concert would appear to have held few fears for the promising altoist. Guest artist Dave O’Higgins graciously joined the orchestra to play tenor on Misty. A memorable occasion for all concerned.

The Durham Alumni Big Band took to the stage on time…all but one. Running late, Omar Shade, baritone sax, risked the wrath of MD Shaune Eland! Credit to the young man he literally held up his hands as he took his seat in the section. MD Eland could but laugh! The first set ranged from Cole Porter to Wayne Shorter to a Ted Heath arrangement of Fats Waller. Matt Roberts’ arrangement of Shorter’s Lady Day featured Dave O’Higgins (O'Higgins out front in lounge suit, behind him the band in dickie bows) and the sheer class stood out a mile. The arranger M Roberts was in the house. An Al Wood arrangement of Ted Heath’s version of Honeysuckle Rose highlighted the work of the ace trumpet section: Messrs Ian Robinson, Matthew Robinson, Tom Hill, Jonny Dunn and Gordon Marshall. The arranger, Mr Wood, a keen supporter of Darlington Jazz Festival, was in the house.

The interval at a gig is a chance to take five, enjoy a drink and exchange pleasantries. For some it is a busy old time. Danielle Drew and colleagues worked throughout – ‘doing the door’, sorting out the raffle and attending to a thousand and one other matters. Danielle and other unsung volunteers make Darlington Jazz Festival what it is – the friendliest of festivals.

Matthew Robinson almost stole the show at the beginning of the second set. Standing out front, a measured, confident trumpet solo on St Louis Blues won huge applause. Dave O’Higgins inspired the band to ever greater heights. He introduced two of his own compositions – The Road to Rack and Ruin and New Orleans. The latter number allowed MD Eland to take a break, O'Higgins himself content to let the band play. Drummer Stephen Fletcher set up and maintained a Louisiana shuffle as all and sundry had a blast, not least pianist Dean Stockdale, Alex Baker (alto) and D O’Higgins himself. The Majestic Theatre proved to be an ideal venue, the Durham Alumni Big Band and the  Durham County Youth Big Band did themselves proud, in conclusion, an all round success.
Russell
Durham Alumni Big Band: Director Shaune Eland; saxophones Alex Baker, Kirsty Dunn, Daniel Johnson, Jake Steels, Omar Shade; trumpets Ian Robinson, Jonny Dunn, Tom Hill, Matthew Robinson, Gordon Marshall; trombones Alastair Wood, Terry O’Hern, Andrew Kirtley, Dave Hamilton; rhythm section Dean Stockdale, Shaun Henderson, Amy Baker, Stephen Fletcher


Durham County Youth Big Band: Director Shaune Eland; saxophones Beth Roberts, Joe Hesleton, Omar Shade, Tom Joashi, Ben Knivett; trumpets Matthew Robinson, Alice Huseyinoglu, Bethany Windle, Jonathan Hopkins, Suzy Lucas; trombones Matthew Hopkins, Becky Potter, Andrew Hedges, James Terrill; rhythm section Beth Caygill, Emily Simpson, Ben Hacker, Peter Kirkman         

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