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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

Monday, February 26, 2018

Bradley Johnston @ The Fire Station, Sunderland - Feb 25

Bradley Johnston (guitar)
(Review by Russell)
Arriving in good time for Bradley Johnston’s early evening jazz guitar residency it was immediately apparent that the Fire Station was busy, more so than on previous visits to Sunderland’s latest and most welcome café bar eaterie. With tables occupied, high bar stools claimed and the few coveted, oh-so-comfortable Engine Room sofas accommodating Wearside’s early birds, it was good fortune that your correspondent and his companion for the evening bagged two fireside chairs adjacent to Brad’s performance space.

Wave, Night and Day, Stella by Starlight, just three early highlights of Brad’s seamless opening set. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, Stormy Weather, Billie’s Bounce (thanks to Brad for being the BSH fact-checker…of course it was Billie’s Bounce!). A heartening development to report…the first applause came not from your BSH correspondent and his companion, rather a party of four at a nearby table showing its appreciation of Brad’s consummate guitar playing. Furthermore, later in the evening, a listener, sitting at a table on the far side of the room, took time to approach Brad and engage our guitarist in conversation, a conversation ending in a firm handshake. A new residency can take time to build an audience and these two instances suggest things are moving in the right direction.

Brad’s acoustic guitar section included Ferry Across the Mersey. A nice enough tune, but on a jazz gig? During one of two intervals, Brad explained that guitar hero Pat Metheny recorded the number. That explains it! Returning to the GASbook; A Foggy Day, How High the Moon?, All the Things You Are, one could listen to this all night but it’s a nine o’clock finish for Brad, time though for Lush Life, Body and Soul, a fleeting reference to Misty then Skylark and Oleo. Job done, Brad came over for a chat, the Fire Station doing good business, a best guess is that the venue’s management is likely to continue with the residency. To help ensure it does, do get along, Sundays at six.          
Russell


1 comment :

Russell said...

A correction is required - it wasn't Oleo, it was Doxy. Note to self - pay attention at the back!

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