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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17680 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 23 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Jan. 9).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Wed 15: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 15: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 15: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 15: Hot Club of Heaton @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘third Wednesday in the month’ session. TBC.

Thu 16: Pete Tanton & the Cuban Heels @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio w. Graham Hardy @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. (inc. a welcome drink & table reservation). Book at: www.drinks@thepele.co.uk. A ‘Jazz at the Pele’ promotion.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick TD15 1AS. 7:30pm. Free. Album launch gig.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

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, May 29, 2018

BSH Interviews Pete Gilligan

Prior to his gig at the Prohibition Bar, Gateshead, last night BSH Editor Lance caught up with pianist Pete Gilligan for a chat and an update:

Pete, until recently, you were pretty much a regular on the northeast jazz scene. How did you get to come up here in the first place?

I originally came to the northeast to go and study on the jazz, popular and commercial music course with James Birkett at what was then the John Marley Centre in Benwell. So that's why I came up here. Also, my sister lived in Sunderland for some time.

You were also very much involved with the Jazz Caff (Café) both ancient and modern for quite a long time.


The ancient involvement started when, I think, Jeff Armstrong asked me to come along and sit in with his band on a Friday night where Crombie then refused to let me in as he didn't recognise me even though I was in a suit with a piano! I spent about an hour in the rain before I eventually got in. From that point onwards I played there, well it was, at least, weekly until, well fairly recently.

And in the modern version you started off the jam session.

Well, with Paul Grainger, yes.

And it's continued very successfully.

So it seems to be, I'll find out on Tuesday.

And then you upped and offed.

Yes, I found myself doing a cruise ship gig in the South Pacific that ended up sooner than I planned and, well January and February in the northeast can be a bit cold and if you've given all your gigs and your teaching away it can be a bit bleak so we decided to do a bit of travelling which very quickly evolved into me working so that what was intended to be a three month holiday turned into 18 months and now I'm going back there. None of this was really planned, it's just the way it happened.

Do you work regular?

Yes, with a minimum of six gigs a week.

With good guys?

Yes with some very good guys. A New York drummer, Sean Kelly, a Thai bass player and another band with an Italian drummer, an American singer, Thai musicians, a five-piece and I also do a couple of solo gigs.

A good scene then?

Very good.

Do you have any plans to do some recording?

Yes I have. When I come back here in a few months, with some of the guys, and also out there. In the past I've always recorded for other people. Although I do actually prefer playing live.

I'll look forward to hearing them. Finally, when do you go back?

You'll have got rid of me by June 7.

I'll be counting the days - with sadness I hasten to add. Thanks Pete.

No problem.

Lance.

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