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Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: '' A Love Supreme coincided with my search for meaning in life". (DownBeat, March 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

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Laurence Harrison, Paul Grainger, Tim Johnston.
Tue 18: Phil Bancroft’s Beautiful Storm @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £13.20 & £11.00.. A JNE-Gem Arts co-promotion.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, Holystone. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Nicknames.
Thu 20: Terri Green Experience @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £15.90.
Thu 20: Lindsay Hannon Trio @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Hannon’s ‘Tom Waits for No Man’ set.
Thu 20: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Mill Tavern, Hebburn. 8:30pm. Free.

Fri 21: Paul Skerritt @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 21: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 21: Giles Strong Quartet @ 1719, Hendon, Sunderland. 7:30pm. CANCELLED!
Fri 21: New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Featuring special guest Martin Litton (piano).

Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30pm-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 22: Swamp Stomp String Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Sat 22: Rivkala @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. 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

Thursday, October 04, 2018

Take it to the Bridge - Remembering Barrie Ascroft @ The Globe - Oct. 3.

Dave Weisser (cornet/vocals); Nigel ? (flugel); Jude Murphy (alto/flute/vocals/piano); Rachel Richman, Cormac Loane, A.N. Other (altos); ?  (soprano); Bernie Ranson (tenor); Roy Stephenson (guitar); Alan Law (piano); Dave Parker (bass); John Bradford (drums).
(Review by Lance).
There was an empty feeling as the piano was ominously silent whilst the band set up. Dave Weisser shared photos and memories of Barrie Ascroft and more than a few hugs were shared as they prepared for the opener - appropriately titled Mr. Rascal. Composed by the late Barrie it's a catchy theme. Jude played piano (is there any instrument this lady doesn't play?) until Alan Law arrived and took over.
Eleven musicians kicked off. Some I knew and some I didn't but all sincere and determined to do Barrie's memory proud. It became twelve with the arrival of Cormac Loane who had drawn accolades at Monkseaton on Tuesday and did likewise today.
However, although Take it to the Bridge is part jam session and part workshop, this wasn't a cutting contest but rather a group of like-minded individuals working together as a team and, as such, to single out individuals would be unfair. Suffice to say that Barrie would have been proud to see the show going on and, in Alan Law, couldn't have had a better dep.
Apart from Mr. Rascal we had Caravan; Nuages; Love For Sale (vocals from both Jude and Dave Weisser on this one) a riff-laden version of Ornithology (bop vocal from Jude); a piece based on Trane's Lonnie's Lament and Night and Day (more vocal magic).
It may not seem a lot of tunes but with 11/12 soloists per number, there was hardly time for much more.
A poignant and yet enjoyable evening.
Lance
PS: Photo of Barrie (top right) sent to me by Jude.

6 comments :

Peter Gilligan (On F/b) said...

Rip. Barrie ( Baz) Ascroft, great bloke, great player, and hugely supportive to me. X

Eric Stutt (on F/b). said...

RIP Barrie. Great Bloke great Musician will be missed.

Laurie Brown (on F/b). said...

A great talent RIP Barrie.

Jude Murphy (on F/b). said...

Glad you were there to share the vibe, Lance. An odd night, knowing the space at the centre of it, but still enjoyable

Robert Laing (on F/b). said...

A nicer bloke you will never meet.

Rach said...

i took that photo of Baz and sent it to Jude. From 2 years ago. Rare picture of him smiling

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