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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: 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

Monday, June 25, 2018

A Farewell to Dan - Court Inn, Durham - June 24.

(Review by Russell)
It could be said that comparisons are invidious. Perhaps, but in this instance well made, serving to illustrate a great talent that, over the last four years, lit up the northeast jazz scene and is, sadly, about to leave us. BSH readers of a certain vintage will, no doubt, fondly recall the wonderful alto saxophonist Nigel Stanger (Newcastle Big Band). Last night at Durham’s Court Inn a jam session featuring some of the best up-and-coming talents bade farewell to Durham University music student Daniel Garel.
Dan plays alto sax, he’s been a key figure in the Durham University Jazz Society (DU Jazz Soc), performed and recorded with the award-winning Durham University Big Band (DUBB) and DJazz (Durham Jazz Festival) wouldn’t have been half the success story it has become without his not considerable efforts. And so to last night. Why not organise a final jam session? Dan being Dan, that’s precisely what he did. A house rhythm section to die for – Angus MacNaughton, bass, and Matt MacKellar, drums, augmented by the prodigiously talented guitarist Francis Tulip – this had all the makings of a storming session…and that’s exactly what we got!
Durham’s students were out in force to say their goodbyes to Dan and one or two of them sat in – a piano player, a guitarist doubling up on keys, a drummer and a brave alto saxophonist! However, the evening was about Dan, a final opportunity to hear him play and to wish him well. Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise, Stella by Starlight, On Green Dolphin Street – fabulous tunes, and, on each one, our soon-to-depart alto saxophonist played stunningly well.
Messrs Tulip and MacKellar had their moments (they’re too talented not to produce the goods), Angus MacNaughton, Dan’s one-time flatmate, played in-the-pocket bass guitar and the sitters-in proved their worth... Blue Bossa, Now’s the Time and Have You Met Miss Jones?  - these were to be the last few tunes we’d hear Dan take to town. And as the evening drew towards its close, the unexpected happened…Dan’s mate, Tristan Bacon (DUBB drummer) got up to sing! And the tune?   It’s Only a Paper Moon!

So, that’s it, Dan Garel is leaving us. A handshake to wish him well, farewell to a great alto player, and a nice bloke into the bargain. Come see us again Dan, there’s always a jam session going on somewhere in town! 
Russell

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