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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

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Jam Session @ The Black Swan - Nov. 27

(Review by Lance).

James Birkett is rarely seen on the jam session circuit but, tonight, he was part of the house trio and much appreciated by a decent turnout despite the atrocious weather and a couple of competing events at Sage Gateshead and the Bridge Hotel. 

As always, on these occasions there were highs and lows but, whatever, all taken in good spirit by players and listeners alike.

Stu Finden toted a gleaming baritone sax to great effect on Stella by Starlight and Yardbird Suite whilst Mrs Finden sang You Go to my Head with Mr Finden helping out on double bass. A little more volume on the mic would have helped the vocal. No such problems for Niffi who worked out on Do Nothin' Till You Hear From me and Let's Call the Whole Thing Off.


Always a pleasure to have Martin Waugh on piano. In deference, perhaps, to James Birkett who'd early played Django's Castle, he chose Nuages and there was some delightful interplay between the two. Later, he played a tune so familiar, it bugged me all night and it wasn't until I was homeward bound in a taxi* that I had my Eureka! moment - Stranger on the Shore.
Jeremy McMurray played piano behind John Rowland for What is This Thing Called Love? taken at rush hour tempo and a more sedate version of Sonny Rollins' Doxy. For some reason, I always think of this as a Monk tune - don't know why. 

Tenor and baritone had a blast on Tenor Madness then slowed things down for Tenderly - John Rowland played a nice cadenza at the end.

David Gray arrived in sartorial splendour and blew some triple tongued pyrotechnics on (pause) was it Cantaloupe Island or The Chicken or Milestones? Whatever, he lived up to his "Showtime" moniker. 

There were other songs that I may have overlooked and possibly other players such as the young keyboard player who, I think, needs a little more time in the woodshed...
No such prerequisites needed for Mo or Archie on drums who kept things a-swinging.

The finale had the whole gang up front with Fi providing the words to Bernie's Tune with Stu in Gerry Mulligan mode. Martin again on piano and, the only disappointment of the night, he didn't sing. Talking of which, Ray Burns sat in the wings with his accordion primed but they never even made it to the stage. 
Still, it was yet another enjoyable evening up "The Swannee".
Lance.
*The fact I hung on and went home by taxi rather than bus or metro is an indication as to how good a night it was (or how bad the weather was!)

James Birkett (guitar); Paul Grainger (bass); Russ Morgan (drums) + Stu Finden (baritone sax/bass); John Rowland (tenor sax); Martin Waugh, Jeremy McMurray, Brandon? (pianos);  Hazem Mohammed, Archie Williamson (drums); Niffi Osiyemi, Fiona Finden (vocals).

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