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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

17719 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 39 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Jan. 15).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Wed 15: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 15: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 15: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 15: Hot Club of Heaton @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘third Wednesday in the month’ session. TBC.

Thu 16: Pete Tanton & the Cuban Heels @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio w. Graham Hardy @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. (inc. a welcome drink & table reservation). Book at: www.drinks@thepele.co.uk. A ‘Jazz at the Pele’ promotion.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick TD15 1AS. 7:30pm. Free. Album launch gig.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

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

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Skeltr & Skwid Ink @ The Bridge Hotel - July 9

(Review by Steve H/Photos courtesy of Ken Drew). 
After a matter of seconds of the opening number, I knew that this was going to be one of those extra special gigs. Ace BSH snapper Ken Drew confirmed my initial enthusiasm at the conclusion of the first number. This was Skeltr’s inaugural gig in this country (their only previous gig being at a festival in Rotterdam) maybe their freshness contributed to the raw power and excitement of this dynamic duo. Further tension was created each time a new piece was triggered on the various electronic devices as no one knew what the exact outcome would be. Luckily everything seemed to work perfectly and the audience was treated to as an exhilarating and uplifting performance as I can remember. 
Against a background of a pre-recorded soundscape of electronic samples, the band produced a ferocious and joyous live performance. Healey on alto was both melodic and adventurous whilst Hanson on drums was simply sensational. All the while the pair were augmenting everything going on with various electronic improvisations. The groove they created had everyone in the audience if not dancing then at least tapping their feet. Who knows how this band will develop? at least we will be able to get an another chance to see as they will be playing the Jazz Café in early 2018. I would catch them there if you can because soon they may well be headlining on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury.
Earlier in the evening, Skwid Ink, a young band from Leeds, performed a highly entertaining and creative set of ‘punk’ jazz. Appearing in various degrees of fancy dress although, fortunately, the blue crocheted balaclava of guitarist Lakin was quickly discarded due to it preventing him from seeing. Despite some poorly executed pieces of stagecraft,
the music was consistently interesting and enjoyable and I am sure they will only get tighter and better with time.

Steve H.   
Skeltr - Sam Healey (saxophone & keyboards & electronics); Craig Hanson (drums)    
Skwid Ink - Will Lakin (guitar); George MacDonald (keyboards); Fergus Quill (bass); George Hall (drums).

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