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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

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.

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.

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.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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

Friday, December 01, 2017

Alter Ego @ The Globe - November 30

Keith Robinson (alto saxophone), Niall Armstrong (tenor saxophone & flute), Dave Hignett (trumpet & flugelhorn), Andy Hawking (piano), Paul Grainger (double bass) & David Francis (drums)
(Review by Russell)
Baby, it’s cold outside…I really can’t stay. It was cold outside, it was cold inside. As snowflakes fell the band must have wondered if anyone would turn up. A bottle of Black Sheep, a half glass, ‘hello’ to the few hardy souls (the band), quick, choose a seat. Newcastle’s Jazz Co-op on Railway Street was open for business.
Alter Ego got cracking with some familiar material. First, Blues Marx with Niall Armstrong loosening up on tenor, a brisk In Walked Bud, the band now nicely warmed up (musically speaking!), time for Keith Robinson to cut loose on Andy Hawking’s Scriabin Scraps. There’s something about the alto; cutting, calling, insistent. Ron McClure’s Sunburst turned up the thermostat (the heating was on), a flugelhorn feature for Dave Hignett bookended by flautist Armstrong on Sudden Samba, a typically good set from Alter Ego brought to a close with Kenny Garrett’s robust Computer G featuring Dave Hignett’s blues breaking flugel solo. Keith Robinson thanked the audience (there was an audience) for making the effort on a night such as this as the boys in the band headed to the bar.

Dexter Gordon’s Cheese Cake a tasty second set first bite with a ravenous Andy Hawking playing some great piano. The absent Tony Abell’s Llangranog Blues heard from Dave Hignett on trumpet – Dave, don’t blow the roof off, not tonight, it’s freezing! – and a solo feature for depping bass man, Mr Paul Grainger. Keith Robinson would later acknowledge PG’s sterling contribution in reading a snow flurry of dots on the night. Dog Leap Bounce (comp N. Armstrong) called for more alto from Robinson, and as the evening drew to a close with Bobby Watson’s cleverly constructed A Wheel within a Wheel featuring the swooping horns of Robinson, Armstrong and Hignett, the man at the back, drummer David Francis, job done, packed away his Art Blakey drum tutor for another day.        Russell
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