Total Pageviews

Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: '' A Love Supreme coincided with my search for meaning in life". (DownBeat, March 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

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30pm-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 22: Swamp Stomp String Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Sat 22: Rivkala @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

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!

Blog Archive