Bebop Spoken There

Dominick "Domo" Branch: ''Most people say drummers can't write, they're just time-keepers only beating on things. But I have a very musical brain.'' (DownBeat February, 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

18288 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 142 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 14), 42

From This Moment On ...

February

Thu 19: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: George Shearing Jazz Moments.

Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT! Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.
Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: Squabble @ Warkworth Memorial Hall. 7:00pm. Steve Chambers (organ); Jude Murphy (double bass, vocals); Sid White (drums).
Fri 20: Jive Aces @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors).
Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.

Sat 21: ???

Sun 22: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 22: Joe Steels Group @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Sun 22: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Harben Kay Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: Joe Steels Group @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Finn-Keeble Group @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00.
Tue 24: Liam Oliver & Shayo Oshodi @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 26: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £6.50.
Thu 26: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00 adv.
Thu 26: Mick Cantwell Band @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. 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

Thursday, April 12, 2018

A Dun Cow Coda (jam session April 11)

(Review/photo by Russell)
As BSH’s Editor-in-Chief wandered off into the night, John Pope wandered into the Dun Cow. The house trio’s fixer and hard-working bassist Paul Grainger eyed JP’s arrival, and, in next to no time Grainger was at the bar as Pope gave him a spell. JP was joined on the stand by Newcastle Uni’s final year music students (the Dun Cow could be their local) Ben Richardson, piano, and drummer Harry Still.* These lads have impressed sitting in at the Jazz Café’s jam session and they seemed up for it here in Brandling Village. And whatever lies ahead for them, in years to come they’ll look back to the time they worked with vocalist Alice Grace! 
Yes, the fabulous Ms Grace returned to the stand, as did the horns of Johnson and Probyn, to sing Night and Day. AG’s scatting is second to none, and, having attended (and reviewed) countless gigs, your reviewer has heard nothing better, anywhere, anytime, it’s as simple as that.

And as a finale, it was all in for a rollercoaster ride on Caravan. The Dun Cow’s jam session runs fortnightly Wednesdays (next one April 25). The alternate fortnightly Wednesdays feature gigs. If you’re around next week (April 18) it’s Julija Jacenaite singing to Alan Law’s piano accompaniment.
Russell.

* Ben and Harry, along with many other students, are soon to give their degree recital final performances. Members of the public are welcome to attend, keep an eye on BSH’s listings for details of times and locations. We wish Ben, Harry and their fellow students the best of luck.          

1 comment :

Patti said...

Russell will have the support of all us jazzers - many long past studenty time - in wishing the best of luck to all the final recital guys (and gals?). Exciting times ahead for all of you!

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