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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: Durham Jazz Fest @ Dunelm House, Durham Students' Union, Durham. 1:00pm ('til late). £10.00. Line-up inc. Durham University Big Band; Durham University Jazz Society; Northern Lights A Cappella; Durham University Jazz Orchestra; Cache Out; Flo & Co; Holy Grale Sessions.
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

Wednesday, August 02, 2017

Last of the summer jam @ The Jazz Café - August 1










(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy Mike Tilley [above]  & Russell [below])
They came out of the woodwork for this one. The last jam session of the summer encouraged all and sundry to turn out – musicians and audience. The Jazz Café’s popular twice monthly session was so busy that more than one aspiring participant didn’t get the nod. The house trio opened the evening’s entertainment at eight o’clock, played a couple of tunes, played a couple more and in a trice it was ten minutes to nine. Hopeful sitters-in were massing at the bar waiting to be called.
First up, veteran modernist Ian Forbes. Mr Forbes doesn’t hang around, if it looks like he’ll have to bide his time, he’s off into the night. Forbes shared Stolen Moments with Jazz Co-op guitarist Keith Barrett before giving way to Trinity-bound Abbie Finn, joined by folk fiddler Andy Lawrenson to play a few numbers including a swinging There Will Never Be Another You. Early Birder Ben Lawrence played some piano and former Early Bird guitarist, currently studying at Birmingham Conservatoire, Francis Tulip, upped the ante with some fiery bop-ish lines, as did the emerging piano talent that is Joel Brown. Matt MacKellar was in the house and duly took his turn, as did Debra Milne singing a couple including Señor Blues with Bradley Johnston having returned to the stand. ‘Showtime’ did what he always does – inject ‘oomph’ into the proceedings. Good on yer David Gray! The bar did good business, plenty of bodies in, and yet another drummer – looking not unlike a young Ginger Baker! – made his way through the throng to grab a piece of the action. Ben Fitzgerald the name, he’ll be back.

It was just about time, but not before a new face made his debut – Josh Eckert, guitar, fitted in well. Let’s hope he returns when the jam session resumes in September. Literally last but not least, from France, vocalist Sarah Linscott made a welcome contribution alongside a soprano sax cameo from Paul Gowland. Time please! See you all on Tuesday, September 5.                         
Russell.

Bradley Johnston (guitar), John Pope (double bass) & Paul Wight (drums) + Keith Barrett (guitar), Francis Tulip (guitar), Josh Eckert (guitar), Ben Lawrence (piano), Joel Brown (piano), Andy Lawrenson (violin), Paul Gowland (soprano saxophone), David Gray (trombone), Ian Forbes (drums), Abbie Finn (drums), Matthew MacKellar (drums), Ben Fitzgerald (drums), Debra Milne (vocals) & Sarah Linscott (vocals)     

1 comment :

Lance said...

Ten to nine? Bit late to start the jamming.

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