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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 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

17945 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 266 of them this year alone and, so far, 22 this month (April 8).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Mon 14: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 14: Zoë Gilby Quintet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Only Six Standards.
Thu 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Fri 18: Alexia Gardner @ Fika Gallery, Oldgate, Morpeth NE61 1LT. 7:00pm. Trio (Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy).RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 13

Fri 18: Sarah Jane Morris & Tony Remy: The Sisterhood @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00.

Sat 19: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 19: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 19: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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, August 24, 2017

Key Moments 6

As a teenager, my interest in pop music morphed to R&B as I had liked The Stones prior to discovering Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley. I got to like folk, blues, and from there, discovered Jimmy Yancey and the great blues and boogie-woogie pianists. The eureka moment came when a workmate played me Oscar Peterson’s Night Train album. He also played me Mingus’ Blues & Roots. Both iconic albums.
I had played a little R&B on guitar but left off playing for quite a few years but once I heard George Barnes with the Ruby Braff Quartet I was totally hooked on his style and went out and bought a cheap [Gibson] 335 copy and started practising along with albums, especially those by Barnes.
I remember a magical session at The New Orleans Club, Forth Banks, Newcastle,  with the Zbigniew Namyslowski Quartet.  That one session blew me away and widened my tastes and curiosity about the music considerably.
Another wonderful session was at the Corner House, Whitley Bay – Warne Marsh/Lee Konitz Quintet with our own Dave Cliff.
Two all-time favourite albums, one instrumental, one vocal both played with a great depth of feeling:
Richie Kamuca Quartet – ‘Tis Autumn.
Rebecca Kilgore with Bobby Gordon’s Trio - Remembering Maxine.
Roly.

6 comments :

Alan Smith said...

George Barnes with the Ruby Braff Quartet - Absolute perfection.

Liz said...

Hello Roly, talking of Richie Kamuca, it was through him that I heard the beautiful"Dear Bix" which I know that you sing (with feeling!)

Roly said...

Thanks Liz - and Dave made 'Getting Some Fun Out of Life' a great album where he sings his own song 'Dear Bix' - that's where I first heard it. Then on 'Drop me off in Harlem' (another great album) Dave plays with Kamuca and Richie sings it. There are also some tracks on this album with a trio, Kamuca with Ray Brown and Herb Ellis. Delightful stuff.

Lance said...

Dear Bix was written by Dave Frishberg who also made a fine album with Rebecca Kilgore.

Ron said...

Zbigniew Namyslowski Quartet at New Orleans Jazz Club, An ' I was there' moment , never to be forgotten. Have a copy of the very rare LP they recorded in London (Decca) as well.
Ron Ainsborough

Liz said...

Herb Ellis was one of my late dad's favourites. "Drop me off in Harlem "what a great title for a great album!wish I lived nearer to you North East musicians Roly!

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