Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Tuesday, January 02, 2018

Bernicia Duo @ The Half Moon, Stakeford - January 1

Kenny Craig (tenor), Alex Heck (guitar).
What a fine way to usher in the new year. (OK 12hours late!) An excellent duo and a superb pint of Golden XPA.  Advertised and carried out as a 12noon to 3pm session this duo provided us with three action-filled three-quarters of an hour sets. A few friendships were renewed with the band & various musos in the bar, including Ashington guitarist/bandleader Mickey Balls. I had not realised that the Half Moon put on all styles of music on a regular basis. Something to look out for.

 Too many great numbers to mention them all. As I arrived there was a rainbow over the pub so Somewhere over the Rainbow went down well!  Many of the standards were covered including Fly Me to the Moon, Blue Bossa, Autumn Leaves and All of Me. Of special mention was a very soulful version of Autumn Leaves. A very polished and well thought out programme.

3pm came around all too quickly and the duo packed up the Transit. Off down the road  for a 6pm start at Gateshead with their main  band “The Chosen Few”
Alex Heck informed me he is on the Sunderland University music degree course at the Sage. He tells me that sadly the course is soon to come to an end. I'm sure these two fine performers will continue in successful music careers if their performance today was anything to go by.
John T.
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