Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''We knew back in the day that Emmet [Cohen] had it.'' (DownBeat July, 2026)

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

18767 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 631 of them this year alone and, so far this month (July 31) 95.

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

From This Moment On

August

Sun 02: Jazz Weekend workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 9:30am. £95.00. Tutors: Nel Begley & Paul Edis: Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop. Day 2/2.
Sun 02: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 02: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Feat. guest Sue Ferris.
Sun 02: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 02: Milne Glendinning Band @ Leonard’s Coffee House, Durham. 6:20pm. £7.00. A Durham Fringe Festival event. 2/2.
Sun 02: Nel Begley & Paul Edis @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £14.00., £12.00., £7.00.

Mon 03: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 03: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Tue 04: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 05: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 05: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 05: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 06: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 06: Wild Women of Wylam @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Feat. guest Zoë Gilby.
Thu 06: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 06: Bridget Metcalfe Sextet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 07: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 08: ???

Friday, September 29, 2017

Strictly Smokin’ @ The Millstone - September 28

(Review by Russell)
Another public rehearsal session at the newly refurbished Millstone with the SSBB. A varied set list starting with Maroon 5’s Sunday Morning. The all-American boys scored a couple of hits from their 2002 album Songs for JaneShe Will Be Loved and the aforementioned Sunday Morning. Strictly Smokin’ vocalist Alice Grace sang it with lyrics sheet in hand. It’s shaping up to be another winning tune for the band. The SSBB’s other vocalist – F’reez – sang, as he often does, Sunny, with a blast on alto from Keith Robinson.
At this monthly session the one thing you’re guaranteed is variety. Catch As Catch Can swung at a lick with Paul Gowland, tenor, breezing through his solo spot. Later Gowland rose to play Body and Soul duly winning applause from the regulars in the Millstone’s upstairs function room. The band is one of disciplined sections with a take-your-pick selection of accomplished soloists and several got a chance to have a blow including Pete Tanton, David Barnes, and the engine room boys Graham Don and Pawel Jedrzejewski.

One of the joys of gig-going is being surprised – a tune, a solo, a phrase. Well, Alice Grace singing Hard Hearted Hannah was one such surprise. Fantastic! If the wonderful Ms Grace turned up at a New Orleans /Dixieland session looking to sit in, there’s yer tune!

The Strictly Smokin’ Big Band is looking forward to a big gig on Sunday 15 October. Superstar Joe Stilgoe will be working with the band at Hoochie Coochie and the word is tickets are going fast. To be sure of your ticket visit the SSBB’s website for details: www.strictly-smokin.co.uk          
Russell
Michael Lamb MD, Pete Tanton, Gordon Marshall, Dick Stacey trumpets; David Barnes, John Flood, Laura Davison, Kieran Parnaby trombones; Jamie Toms, Paul Gowland, Keith Robinson, Dave Kerridge, Laurie Rangecroft saxophones; Pawel Jedrzejewski guitar; Graham Don keyboards; Michael Whent bass; Guy Swinton drums; Alice Grace vocals; F’reez vocals   


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