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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17777 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 98 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Feb.8).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Sun 09: The New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 09: Glenn Miller & Big Band Spectacular @ The Forum, Billingham. 3:00pm.
Sun 09: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Tom Remon & Mark Williams @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 09: Rod Oughton’s Tomorrow’s New Quartet with Ben van Helder @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Line-up inc. Deschanel Gordon.
Sun 09: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 10: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 11: Steve Summers Quintet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Jam session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 13: Student Performances @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 4:00pm. Free. Inc. Olly Styles (tenor sax).
Thu 13: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: Artist Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Hannabiell & Midnight Blue.
Thu 13: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 14: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 12:30-1:30pm. £5.00. at the door. New second Friday in the month concert series.
Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 14: Archipelago + Anna Tempest @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £8.00.
Fri 14: Paul Jones & Dave Kelly @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. Rhythm & blues.
Fri 14: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Fri 14: Jazz Sabbath @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

Sat 15: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 15: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 15: Elkie Brooks @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. ‘The Long Farewell Tour’.
Sat 15: Milne Glendinning Band @ 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

Sunday, April 29, 2018

Swing Bridge @ The Globe Jazz Bar, Newcastle - April 28

Dan Martin (piano); Dave Parker (bass); Peter Ninnim (drums).
(Review by Lance).
What’s in a name? Last week, at The Globe, we had a band called Tedulca – a name which did nothing to attract as it gave no indication what they were about. As it turned out, they were brilliant but only those who were curious enough found out.
Last night’s band, Swing Bridge was more obviously named - music that swung combined with local colour by appropriating the name of one of the crossings of the River Tyne. The fact that that bridge only swings open 3 or 4 times a week could also have acted as a deterrent.  Fortunately, I’m pleased to say, this trio swings out more frequently.
Dan Martin was a new name to me and I was curious to find out more. I’d erroneously assumed he’d moved to Newcastle from out of the area but, when questioned, he informed me that he’d come from Gateshead, presumably via the Redheugh or Tyne Bridge (traitor), where he’s a Minister at the Tyneside Church Centre. He’s also a fluent pianist - some choice chords from Peterson, Shearing and co and nice angular solos without being too flamboyant.
Together with Dave Parker on bass, who worked hard, impressing on the Pink Panther Theme, and Peter Ninnim who drove things along in his inimitable fashion, soloing at length on Norwegian Wood complete with fluorescent sticks! made for an enjoyable evening.
It wasn’t a wild night, rather a tasteful evening of what could be described as ‘chamber jazz’.
Martin’s arrangements were good and often imaginative. It’s probably still a work in progress but one to keep an eye on.
Lance.

First set: Now’s the Time; Cheek to Cheek; Wave/Besame Mucho; Scrapple From the Apple; Gee Baby Ain’t I Good to You?; Someday my Prince Will Come; I’ve Got You Under my Skin; A Foggy Day.

Second set: Swing Bridge Blues; Girl Talk; Triste; My Favourite Things/Cry me a River; Pink Panther Theme; Norwegian Wood; I Wish I Knew How it Felt to be Free; There Will Never be Another You; I Wanna be Like You.

Don't forget that Monday, April 30 is International Jazz Day. Celebrate it at The Globe from 5:30pm. It's free with lots of bands and musicians playing. It's also the Jazz Co-op's fourth anniversary so come along and party!

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