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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

17923 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 244 of them this year alone and, so far, 91 this month (March 31).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Tue 01: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Mark Robertson.
Tue 01: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 02: Lauren Bush: The Jazz Singer’s Toolkit @ The Pele, Corbridge. 1:00-4:00pm. Vocalist Lauren Bush with pianist Jamil Sheriff presents a jazz singing workshop. £40.00. (inc. evening concert, see below). Registration required for workshop: www.laurenbushjazz.com. All ability levels welcome.
Wed 02: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 02: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 2:30-4:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Wed 02: Lauren Bush & Jamil Sheriff @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00-9:00pm. £10.00. Concert performance. Tickets: www.laurenbushjazz.com.
Wed 02: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 02: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE! See website for updates: www.theglobenewcastle.bar.

Thu 03: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Women in Jazz.
Thu 03: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 03: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. A Tees Hot Club promotion. First Thursday in the month.

Fri 04: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 04: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 04: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 04: Ruth Lambert Quartet @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00.
Fri 04: Tom McGuire & the Brassholes @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £20.00.
Fri 04: Nicolas Meier’s Infinity Group + Spirit of Jeff Beck @ The Forum, Darlington. 7:30pm.

Sat 05: Tenement Jazz Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 05: Sleep Suppressor @ Head of Steam, Newcastle. 5:30-6:00pm.
Sat 05: King Bees @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 6:00pm. Free.
Sat 05: Raymond MacDonald & Jer Reid @ Lubber Fiend, Newcastle. 6:00-9:30pm. £7.72., £1.00. (minimum donation). MacDonald & Reid + Objections + Yotuns.
Sat 05: Jeff Hewer Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 05: Kamasi Washington @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. £33.00.
Sat 05: Vermont Big Band @ The Seahorse, Whitley Bay. 7:30pm. Tickets: £10.00 (from the venue).
Sat 05: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 06: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £7.50.
Sun 06: Learning & Participation Showcase @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm (1:00pm doors). Free. Featuring participants from Play More Jazz! Play More Folk! Blue Jam Singers & more.
Sun 06: Joe Steels Group @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00. Ferg Kilsby, Joe Steels, Ben Lawrence, Paul Susans, John Hirst.
Sun 06: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 06: Paul Skerritt @ The Hooch, Quayside, Newcastle. 6:00pm.
Sun 06: Leeway @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 07: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

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, March 14, 2018

For your diary...

Quite a weekend coming up starting at the Jazz Café on Thursday night (that's tomorrow March 15) at 8pm. This JNE promotion sees the launch of the long-awaited album by the Riviera Quartet.
Pete Tanton (trumpet); Mark Williams (guitar); John Pope (bass) and Russ Morgan (drums) are guaranteed to delight the audience with their post-bop approach to what was going on in the south of France in 1962 by Dizzy Gillespie. Can't guarantee Riviera weather but the music will make up for it. Kicks off at 8pm and it's only £6 although you are advised to bring more as you are sure going to want to buy a CD. In fact, £10 gets you entry and a CD!

However, don't think you will get a long lie in on Friday morning. No sir, not if you want to hear the classiest piano trio around who are playing at the Lit and Phil, Westgate Rd., Newcastle, at 1pm
I'm referring to the James Harrison Trio - James (piano); Anthony Ord (bass) and Tom Chapman (drums). Although relatively young by the jazz icons of yesteryear already, even though still in their '20s (I think), they've achieved well-deserved recognition amongst their peers. The first time I heard Harrison I was reminded of the first time I heard Paul Edis. Both had, and still have, a freshness of approach that makes listening to either such a pleasure. With Ord and Chapman lending solid support this will be the fastest hour you've ever known.
You'll need some time to chill out and reflect upon your lunchtime feast before setting off once more. 
However, 7 hours, less travelling time, should be enough to get you back in town for the Friday night duo set at the Jazz Café by Julija Jacenaite (vocals) and Steve Glendinning (guitar) although, as it's advertised as by Julija and Friends, expect the duo to be quickly augmented! The Lithuanian born singer has made quite an impact on the northeast jazz scene. One thing is for sure, the joint will be jumping! And it's free! 9pm start.
The line forms on the right...

Sunday, late afternoon, early evening, Hoochie Coochie's the only game in town. Jason Isaacs and the Ambassadors of Swing will be spreading the gospel according to the apostles Frank, Michael, Bobby, Elvis and Tony as well as a few latter-day saints. Backed by the most swinging band this side of Las Vegas, if swings your thing then The King will be on stage at 5:30pm but get there early (doors 4pm) otherwise the former bobbysoxers will have all the best vantage points.

Those who are fleet of foot or own a fast set of wheels may just manage to get over to Blaydon Jazz Club (Black Bull, Bridge St., Blaydon N21 4JJ) in time for an 8pm start by the Zoe Gilby Quartet.
In the first concert of the season at the long-running jazz club, singer Zoe will have Mark Williams (guitar); Andy Champion (bass) and Russ Morgan (drums) with her for an evening of standards, contemporary songs and originals penned by herself and husband Andy.

When operating on such a tight schedule as Sunday it's always good to have a Plan B so if you stay too long at Hoochie to get to Blaydon or if the lasses lose their crinolines, as, according to legend so often happens when 'gannin' along the Scotswood Road' then look no further than The Globe Jazz Bar at 11 Railway St. where the Jazz Coop present Alter Ego (photo courtesy of Russell) who blew up such a storm at Darlington last weekend. This bop-inspired band never fail to impress. 8pm. Talk about being spoilt for choice!
This is going to be a weekend to remember! So don't forget!
Lance.
PS: I should also mention that KOAN 7 are at The Globe on Saturday night but, as I've never heard them it would be unfair of me to comment.

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