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Bebop Spoken There

Trevor Mires: ''My mum is a Dean Martin fan: I'm not, so I would grab my skateboard and get out of the house whenever I heard "Everybody Loves Somebody, Sometime." ". (Jazzwise, 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

17957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 278 of them this year alone and, so far, 34 this month (April 14).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Fri 18: Alexia Gardner @ Fika Gallery, Oldgate, Morpeth NE61 1LT. 7:00pm. Trio (Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy).RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 13

Fri 18: Sarah Jane Morris & Tony Remy: The Sisterhood @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. CANCELLED! 7:30pm (doors). £25.00.

Sat 19: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 19: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 19: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 21: Newcastle Record Fair @ Copthorne Hotel, Newcastle. 10:00am. Going in search of the Buddy Bolden cylinder…
Mon 21: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. Coquetdale Jazz.

Wed 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 23: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 23: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Thu 24: Mary Coughlan @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm. £33.80. Blues, jazz etc.
Thu 24: Darlington Big Band @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

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, August 26, 2018

Giles Strong/Roly Veitch Jazz Guitar Duo & Tulip/MacKellar Quartet @ Ushaw, Durham - August 25

Roly Veitch & Giles Strong (guitars)
(Review by Lance).
A delightful vignette, tasteful and perfectly executed by two masters of their craft. George Barnes, Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, George Van Eps are some of the names that spring to mind when searching for comparisions. Both Roly and Giles tick plenty of the above boxes and although Pat Metheny isn't in there, nor is Eddie Lang. Instead, it's straight down the middle swing each with their own individual approach, an approach not too far apart. Giles is possibly the more forceful player, Roly the more laid back but, having said that, the roles change from piece to piece making for a very evenly balanced set.
Apart from the heads and the solos, there were moments of fuguelike interplay as their lines crossed, twisted, turned and intertwined. The subtlety left the listeners breathless and nobody dared to drop a pin in case it led to the building being evacuated.
The applause at the end, a solid indication of the warm appreciation built up between the players, the audience and the rich musical heritage brought to life.
I'll Remember April; You'd Be So Nice to Come Home to; Alone Together; Flamingo; Body & Soul; Love For Sale; I Hear a Rhapsody; a take on an intro to Billie's Bounce; A complex and fascinating All the Things You Are (who said that tune was worn out? Not in the hands of these two); I Love You,
----- 
Francis Tulip (guitar); Joel Brown (piano/Yamaha Emulator/church organ); Andy Champion (bass); Matt MacKellar (drums).
Earlier, we had more guitar wizardry from the Tulip/MacKellar Quartet. Guitar wizardry in a more contemporary vein. I sat alongside Roly who was mega impressed and later, in their own set, Roly's co-pilot Giles also praised this band. And justifiably so. With super-sub Andy Champion on double bass, the quartet maintained the high standard that myself and other BSH pundits have raved about.
The programme was very much as before and didn't suffer from that. Practice makes perfect they say and this was perfect although by the next gig it may be even more perfect. Certainly, when the CD is released (soon) I'm sure the end product will be the most perfect (grammarians start commenting now!)
Tulip and MacKellar are rightfully recognised as superlative players, as is Joel Brown who, apart from playing piano and producing B3 sounds on his pocket keyboard was spotted, prior to the gig, playing pipe organ in the majestic surrounds of Ushaw's magnificent St. Cuthbert's Chapel. Sounded like a Bach Toccata and Fugue but probably wasn't. Joel is heading off to Africa shortly so his final appearance may well be in the less salubrious surrounds of the Jazz Café jam session on 9/11.
We wish him well.
Back to the Francis Thompson Room which, today, could have been renamed the Francis Tulip Room or come to that, any of the participating musicians. In years to come maybe there will be a blue plaque or a commemorative portrait adorning the walls.
Wouldn't be undeserved.
Lance.
More photos.

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