Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 2026)

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

18799 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 663 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 12) 32.

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

From This Moment On

August

Thu 13: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 13: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 13: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free. CANCELLED! Back on Aug. 27.
Thu 13: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

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: John Settle Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. John Settle (vibes); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 14: Bold Big Band @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00 + bf.

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

Sun 16: Vintage Explosion @ Cliffe Park, Roker, Sunderland SR6 8DB. 5:00-10:30pm. £44.00 (inc. bf).

Mon 17: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Sunday, September 09, 2018

King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers - September 7

King Bees: Michael Littlefield (guitar, vocals); Scott Taylor (harmonica, guitar, vocals); Dominic Hornsby (piano, guitar, vocals); Simon Hedley (double bass); Giles Holt (drums)
(Review by Russell) 
The joint was jumpin' ahead of the band taking to the stage. The sound was terrible, particularly during the first set. This was Billy Bootleggers and somehow it works. King Bees are resident first Friday in the month and don't folk know it?!

Little Walter into I Don't Know, the whole thing was driving Michael Littlefield CuckooMy BabeWalkin' by Myself, Littlefield again in the driving seat, in his Automatic. Feedback, howling, swirling, annoying, the first set plagued, the second set would surely be better, surely? No matter, Billy Bootleggers' patrons were on the dance floor from the off and that's where they stayed 'til silly o'clock. 

Littlefield's frontline partner Scott Taylor stole the show second set with a killing Hard Hearted Woman - harmonica and vocals to die for. Piano man Dominic Hornsby takes an occasional vocal and tonight he headed for Kansas City and the Nelson Street crowd went with him. 

The temperature was rising, Taylor reckoned 103, 4 and 5. The rhythm section boys - Simon Taylor playing double bass (not many blues bands boast a Willie Dixon aficionado) and blues boy drummer Giles Holt - kept it doggone steady throwing in a shuffle as and when. 

On the home straight turnpike, Littlefield bellowed Caldonia! We were almost home but not before three encores. Yes, three! Taylor telling all 'bout his Lovin' Machine and this ain't a King Bees' gig without these Hoochie Coochie men getting their Mojo Workin' 

The best blues gig in town. Make that the best blues gig anywhere. Next one October 5. Be there.    
Russell   



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