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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17733 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 53 of them this year alone and, so far, 53 this month (Jan. 20).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Tue 21: ???

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

Thu 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, Holystone. 1:00pm. Free. Fortnightly.
Thu 23: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Obituaries 2024.
Thu 23: Jason Isaacs @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:30-6:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Thu 23: Pedal Point Trio @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 24: Zoë Gilby Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 24: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 24: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 24: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 24: Creakin’ Bones & the Sunday Dinners @ Lindisfarne Social Club, Wallsend. 9:00pm. Admission: TBC. Jazz, blues , jump jive, rock ‘n’ roll.

Sat 25: Boys of Brass @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:30-5:30pm. Free.
Sat 25: New '58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson's Wharf, Hartlepool. 6:30pm (doors). Free. A Burns' Night event. Jazz, swing, funk, soul, blues etc.
Sat 25: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 25: Jack & Jay’s Songbook @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 26: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: Graham Hardy Eclectic Quartet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 26: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 26: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:30pm. Free.
Sun 26: Gratkowski, Tramontana, Beresford, Affifi @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00. JNE.
Sun 26: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 27: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 28: ???

Wed 29: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 29: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 29: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Thu 30: Matters Unknown (aka Jonathan Enser, Nubiyan Twist) + support TBA @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:00pm doors). £12.22 (gig & food); £9:04 (gig only).
Thu 30: Soznak @ The Mill Tavern, Hebburn. 8:00pm. Free.
Thu 30: Struggle Buggy @ Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Rhythm & blues.

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, October 04, 2017

Three by Three a Feast of Trios @ The Bridge Hotel October 1

(Review by Steve H/Photos courtesy of Ken Drew). 
The final concert of the inaugural Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvisation was yet another sell out and by that I mean the ‘house full’ signs could be put out rather than that the musical integrity of the festival had been compromised. What a great weekend it had been an A to Z (Archipelago – to Zoe Rahman) of artists be they local, national or international. Great credit must be given to all involved but an extra special tribute should be paid to programme director Wesley Stephenson who not only dreamt up the whole idea but was actually able to deliver the project with such unprecedented success.  
The three trios played, to a great or lesser extent, something I would call chamber jazz and reminded me at times of the wonderful Bartok String Quartets.
The first trio up Musson, Kjaer & Marshall played in a fairly minimalist style and improvised around one another seamlessly. The music demanded 100% attention and the packed audience remained respectfully silent throughout which, given its size, was most impressive. A great start to the evening
After a short break Jurd, Kjaer & ‘Leafcutter’ John took to the stage. The ‘Leafcutter’ performed on an instrument which looked like it belonged more on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise rather than on the upstairs floor of The Bridge Hotel Newcastle. To the naked eye it appeared that that in each hand a crystal orb was being held and by moving the two orbs towards and away from a computer of some sort a marvellous concoction of sounds was conjured up with the added bonus of an impromptu light show to boot. I guess you could call it an optical Theremin. Not to be technologically outdone, Jurd used various objects as mutes including a half pint beer glass and an empty crisp packet. Hopefully Kjaer wasn’t feeling too left out and at least she was able to alternate between alto and flute. A very entertaining set indeed.

To complete not only this event but also the entire festival, Barrel stepped up to the plate. My first thoughts were that they appeared to be a classical string quartet minus a violin. However, aside from this obvious difference, the improvisation and the abundant sense of humour the trio displayed emphasised why I find this kind of music so much more enjoyable than straight forward classical chamber music. Every so often Kallin would yelp or chat to his fellow band members in a most humorous fashion yet rather than undermine the performance it seemed to enhance the proceedings adding a light touch to what can be a very intense form of music. A cracking end to an amazing weekend I can’t wait till next year’s festival!
Musson, Kjaer & Marshall: Rachel Musson (tenor sax), Julie Kjaer (alto sax); Hannah Marshall (cello).

Jurd, Kjaer & ‘Leafcutter’ John: Laura Jurd (trumpet); Julie Kjaer (alto sax,flute); ‘Leafcutter’ John (electronics).

Barrel: Alison Blunt (violin); Ivor Kallin (viola); Hannah Marshall (cello).

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