Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 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

18083 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1047 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 14), 61.

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Sun 21: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. ‘Xmas Swingalong’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 21: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ o2 City Hall, Newcastle. 6:00pm. £35.80., £33.25., £31.00.
Sun 21: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music.
Sun 21: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:30pm. Free.

Mon 22: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:30pm. ‘The A Capella Sessions’. Gardner, Paula Gardner, Alexia Hope Gardner Diamany.
Wed 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Thu 25: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:00pm. ‘All About the Bass Sessions’. Alexia Gardner, Paula Gardner, Jude Murphy.

Fri 26: ???

Sat 27: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 27: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. bf).

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, April 30, 2018

Preview: The Remi Harris Trio @ The Jazz Café - Wednesday May 2

(Preview by Russell)
This Wednesday (May 2nd) there is a long overdue appearance on Tyneside by the astonishingly talented guitarist Remi Harris. Largely self-taught, Worcestershire based Harris is just about at the halfway point of a lengthy tour of Britain and Ireland. The ‘Gypsy jazz’ or ‘Hot Club’ label is all too easy to append to Harris but there is more to him than that. Harris is indeed a fine exponent of all things ‘Hot Club’ and he’s got the ‘been there, done that’ t-shirt from Samois sur Seine. Countless concerts throughout Britain, a spot at the Montreal Jazz Festival, a long haul trip to Australia, CDs, radio and television appearances, Remi Harris has an impressive CV, all this before turning thirty!

At the age of seven Remi’s father helped him learn the rudiments and, in a few short years, he was playing gigs with school mates The Beatles were an early influence, similarly Chuck Berry and Jimi Hendrix. In his late teens, jazz grabbed Remi’s attention and by the age of 22 was able to give up a part-time job in a music shop, since when he’s made a living playing guitar. Year after year Remi is highly placed in the British Jazz Awards’ polls and his affinity with the great jazz guitarists - Django, Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery - makes him an attractive proposition for promoters and accessible to audiences wherever he goes. Remi started his 2018 tour on home ground at Yardbird Arts Club in Eardiston, Worcestershire and will draw to a close in June in Ireland. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Remi Harris in concert at Newcastle’s Jazz Café this Wednesday, May 2. Remi will be joined by ace rhythm guitarist Caley Groves and long-time musical associate, bassist Mike Green. It’s an eight o’clock start with doors at seven. Admission on the door is £12. It’s about time we Tynesiders got the opportunity to hear Remi Harris on our doorstep. This is it, let’s take it.
Russell

1 comment :

Lance said...

The Remi Harris album - In On The 2 - was one of my 'CDs of the Year' in 2017. Highly recommended.

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