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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

17904 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 225 of them this year alone and, so far, 72 this month (March 24).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

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: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
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.

Sun 30: Jan Spencelayh & Dave Archbold @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 30: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: 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

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

CD Review: In Other Words - In Other Words

In Other Words: Alex Thompson (alto saxophone, clarinet); Nathan Lawson (guitar); Dylan Thompson (drums)
(Review by Russell) 
Twelve tracks, all of them more than familiar. The trio of Alex Thompson, reeds, Nathan Lawson, guitar, and Dylan Thompson, drums, will need little introduction to those who follow the Tyneside jazz scene. They’ve been gigging as a trio and in several other bands for a couple of years or so. In Other Words is the name of their band and in December of last year they spent a day at Blast Recording Studios in the Ouseburn, Newcastle laying down the tracks that make up this album.  
Watermelon Man opens the CD and Neal Hefti’s Li’l Darlin’ closes it. Ten other varied tracks give an indication of what they can do. The brisk opener is followed by Dexter Gordon’s Cheese Cake and if you didn’t know of their individual and collective abilities before listening to the CD then by this point you most certainly will!        

On In Other Words Alex plays alto saxophone and clarinet demonstrating a command of the tune, developing sinuous solos, all the while respecting the melody. Guitarist Nathan comps effectively and solos fluently across a range of material. Dylan, the youngest member of the trio, has shown Tyneside audiences what he can do and now he’s put it down on CD. A Foggy Day and Goodbye Pork Pie Hat are considered, beautifully crafted pieces, Caravan and Chameleon are the fun time tunes, the three musicians in the groove, enjoying themselves.

Two unexpected numbers make the cut; Strangers in the Night works surprisingly well, and a duo feature for Alex playing clarinet alongside Nathan’s guitar on Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans? is one of many highlights. Alex stays on clarinet as Dylan picks up the brushes for the final, aforementioned number – Li’l Darlin’ – ensuring the trio does justice to a timeless tune.               
If you didn’t know who these three were you’d never guess they’re still at school. Alex Thompson plays a mean saxophone, clarinet too. Brother Dylan Thompson is a real prospect. A drummer of immense promise, if he really wants to make it there’s nothing stopping him. And guitarist Nathan Lawson knows all the chords. In Other Words gig around town and further afield and now they’ve released a CD it could well encourage regional promoters to offer them a gig.    

Follow In Other Words on Facebook – www.facebook.com/inotherwordsuk – and be sure to buy a copy of their new album!            
Russell

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