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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

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: ???

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

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

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Vieux Carré Jazzmen & Guests @ Crescent Club, Cullercoats

Bob Wade (trumpet); Jim McBriarty (clarinet/tenor/vocal); Laurence McBriarty (trombone); Brian Bennett (banjo/vocal); Ollie Rillands (drums/vocals); Bill Colledge (bass guitar) + Neville Sarony (vocal); Miles Watson (vocal); Colin Aitchison (trumpet/vocal); Franco Valussi (clarinet).
(Review by Lance/photo courtesy of Colin Aitchison).
The annual visit by 'Our Man in Hong Kong' - ex-pat Colin Aitchison - and his Ned Kelly's escapees never fails to liven up the local scene. This afternoon, at the Crescent Club, Colin, Franco and Neville slotted into the Vieux Carré Jazzmen's line-up with ease making for a very enjoyable lunchtime session.
The VCJ set the scene with I'm Beginning to See the Light, McBriarty, the younger, taking the vocal and blowing fine tenor. Bourbon Street Parade reminded me of the Breda Jazz Festival back in the 1980s when it seemed to be practically the Dutch national anthem. Bob Wade and McBriarty, the elder. shone. 
Time to call the visitors up.
Neville Saroney sang Ain't She Sweet with Colin, Franco and the home team in there pitching.
Miles hadn't brought his trumpet (Miles without trumpet? it's like Samson without Delilah). However, he had brought his voice along and he sang Carolina Moon with an acapella intro which requires a very good ear indeed!
Neville sang Buddy Bolden Blues and Colin got into the act with Bring me Sunshine.
It was now raffle time which was a very good time if you had a pink ticket but not so good if you'd been dealt a green one. However, it did have a bonus inasmuch as the lady who sold me my green tickets turned out to be a girl I remembered from my schooldays. Lovely to see you again after all these years Philis (unusual spelling)!
The second set had Neville Sitting on Top of the World before bemoaning the fact that Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out.
Ollie, on drums, took over the mic. for a medley that incorporated [or so it seemed] every number that Bill Haley and Jerry Lee Lewis ever recorded. The audience loved it and the dance floor was awash with zimmer frames.
Ollie, depping on drums for Fred Thompson, provided alongside Brian and Bill, solid support throughout.
Colin sang that jazz classic, It's a Long Way to Tipperary and he soon had the crowd singing along (they knew all the words) before giving us Down by the Riverside. This had a spirited Jim Mc/Franco clarinet duet.
All too soon it was time for Brian to sing Goin' Home.
A most enjoyable afternoon.
Lance.
PS:L to R of the picture, Neville, Franco, Yours truly.

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