Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

March

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Monday, October 22, 2018

Gerry Richardson's Big Idea @ Hoochie Coochie - October 21

(Review/photo by JT)
I can’t believe that it’s a year since Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea was at Hoochie (that memorable gig with STING.) The band's performance there yesterday was their third annual visit but unfortunately no special guest this time. Warren informs me that Gerry’s trio also gets an annual outing, but I must have missed that.
                                                                                                                               
The first set began with three instrumentals - Stone Church, Blues for Red followed by Ska Odyssey. Big Jazz Club in the Sky was next - a vocal for Gerry. African Sunset,  Turnaround Shuffle came next. The set finished with my favourite vocal from Gerry, Lady Day and John Coltrane.
The second set started with Groovy Baby, Money's Getting Cheaper (vocal) and Another Dark One followed by Right On, I Think I’ll Lay waste to Myself Tonight and a new one to me – All About McGriff. Next was  Ain’t No Stopping us Now and Another Dark One. The set finished with Autumn in Barrio, Take the Tee Train and Night Train, with everyone getting a solo.

Gerry must be very proud. Yes, he’s got this band honed to perfection! I must make special mention of sound engineer Darren Allan. It’s a good sound system at Hoochie and Darren had it set up as it should be – making every solo sound clear and well balanced with rest of the band.

Thanks to Warren once again for putting on this free gig. It’s only a shame we will have to wait a year for the next one!
Gerry Richardson (Crumax Keyboard); Garry Linsley (alto); Stuart Johnson (tenor); Sue Ferris.(Baritone & Flute); Mark Webb, Dave Hignett (trumpets); David Grey ( trombone); Rod Sinclair (guitar); Adam Sinclair (drums).

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