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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

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Early Bird Band @ Ushaw Jazz Festival 2017 - August 25

James Metcalf (trumpet), Ben Lawrence (trumpet & piano), Ryan De Silva (baritone saxophone), Andrew Hedges (trombone), Matthew Downey (guitar), Philipp Grobe (piano),  Alex Shipsey (bass) & Hattie Steel (drums) + Paul Edis (tenor saxophone)
(Review/photos Russell).
The second annual Ushaw Jazz Festival opened early Friday evening with a one set performance from the Early Bird Band. Established by musician and educator Paul Edis a little over three years ago at Newcastle’s Lit & Phil Library, this young musicians’ Saturday morning workshop goes from strength to strength. One or two have already flown the nest ensconced at prestigious music schools, another is about to live the dream at Berklee, and others are set to follow in their footsteps.
The current cohort assembled in the Francis Thompson Room as early evening sunlight flooded in through the open sash windows. One dep in – debutant drummer Hattie Steel for Dylan Thompson. The Early Birds are always up for a challenge and the modal form of Maiden Voyage didn’t appear to inhibit them. Leading the way, trumpeter James Metcalf. Band mate, guitarist Matthew Downey, made a contribution with Dr Edis supervising matters and playing some tenor saxophone for good measure. Trumpeters Metcalf and Ben Lawrence exchanged lines on St Thomas with Hattie Steel making her mark in front of a capacity audience. The ensemble hit on a groove with The Ending, a new chart put together in a blink of an eye. Think Dizzy, north African souks; Metcalf conjuring the sights and sounds with Ryan De Silva blowing baritone with no little swagger.


Lou Donaldson’s Blues Walk heard Metcalf once again, Andrew Hedges on trombone, and Philipp Grobe (the Early Birds like to tease him with ‘Dr Phil’!). Bird (that’s the inspirational Charlie Parker) contributed My Little Suede Shoes followed by Herbie Hancock’s pension pot Chameleon featuring a spot-on bass line from the young man seated at the back, Alex Shipsey. The Early Birds are very much a band, playing together, learning together. However special mention must go trumpeter Ben Lawrence. Dr Edis offered the quietly spoken young man the opportunity to play a solo piano piece. Trumpeter, yes, but what a good piano player! Kern and Hammerstein’s GASbook standard All the Things You Are played with imagination and sensitivity, the first highlight of this year’s Ushaw Jazz Festival.       
Russell

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