Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''We knew back in the day that Emmet [Cohen] had it.'' (DownBeat July, 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

18754 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 618 of them this year alone and, so far this month (July 28) 82

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

July

Wed 29: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 29: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 29: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 29: Abbie Finn Trio @ Music Dept., Durham University. 9:15pm. A Durham Fringe Festival event

Thu 30: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 30: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £6.50.
Thu 30: 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 31: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 31: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 31: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 31: Red Kites Jazz @ Land of Oak & Iron, Winlaton. 6:00-9:00pm. Free.
Fri 31: Milne Glendinning Band @ Repas 7 by Night, Berwick. 8:00-9:00pm. £6.00. A Berwick Fringe Festival event. £6.00 (£6.00 wristband access to all Fringe events).

August

Sat 01: Jazz Weekend workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 9:30am. £95.00. Tutors: Nel Begley & Paul Edis: Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop. Day 1/2.
Sat 01: Jim Wright’s Rhythm Deluxe @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.
Sat 01: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Saltburn Bandstand. 2:30-4:30pm. Free.
Sat 01: Milne Glendinning Band @ Leonard’s Coffee House, Durham. 6:20pm. £7.00. A Durham Fringe Festival. 1/2.
Sat 01: Paul Skerritt Swing Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 8:00pm. Free.
Sat 01: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.
Sat 01: The Swing Commanders @ The Amphitheatre, Stockton. 9:00-10:30pm. Free. Stockton International Riverside Festival.

Sun 02: Jazz Weekend workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 9:30am. £95.00. Tutors: Nel Begley & Paul Edis: Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop. Day 2/2.
Sun 02: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £10.00.
Sun 02: Ian Bosworth Quintet @ Chapel, Middlesbrough. 1:00pm. Free. Feat. guest Sue Ferris.
Sun 02: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 02: Milne Glendinning Band @ Leonard’s Coffee House, Durham. 6:20pm. £7.00. A Durham Fringe Festival event. 2/2.
Sun 02: Nel Begley & Paul Edis @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £14.00., £12.00., £7.00.

Mon 03: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 03: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Tue 04: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Alice Grace & Ben Helm: A Festive Afternoon Tea @ Bonbar - Dec 20

(Review by Russell)
It's that time of year, you can't escape it. Seasonal goodwill and bonhomie...don't you just love it? Bah humbug! But wait, if compelled, what better way to participate in the festivities than to take afternoon tea listening to Alice Grace singing a selection of Christmas songs accompanied by guitarist Ben Helm? 

Bonbar in Newcastle city centre offered a glass of fizz, a selection of sandwiches, scones and tea or coffee. And, as a bonus, the chance to pull a festive cracker! Santa, Baby, Alice resplendent in seasonal Santa red, Last Christmas, Ben decorating the one-time chart topper with a light dusting of Jingle Bells, perfect. 
Ain't Misbehavin' sang Alice, she wasn't, they weren't. Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town...resistence is futile, come along, sing! A fluted glass of fizz, chicken and salmon sandwiches, a parade of Christmas jumpers, scones with jam and cream to come. Fingerpicking Ben offered stylish accompaniment to the always stylish Alice. They were having fun and why not - it's nice work if you can get it. 

Rockin' around the Christmas Tree, seasonal lyrics adorning Georgia, by now Bonbar's afternoon tea crowd was in a Winter Wonderland. Black coffee, a bottle of Camden's Pale Ale, now for the scones...

Cheek to Cheek sang AG, Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! then Jingle Bells good and proper. Our Christmas duo were enjoying themselves, Bonbar's patrons appreciative of their light-hearted, relaxed performance. The Christmas Song just had to be in the set list, the somewhat surprising, but welcome inclusion of Autumn Leaves offered contrast as did Slade's Merry Christmas Everybody. It was time to go...Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Yes, Christmas starts here!   
Russell.        
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2 comments :

Lance said...

Afternoon tea? Does CAMRA know about this?
I understand the Ebenezer Scrooge Appreciation Society is considering a vote of no confidence regarding your re-election to the presidency of the above society.

Thursday, December 20, 2018 7:08:00 pm
Russell said...

The consumption of a bottle of Camden's Pale Ale should ensure my re-election!

Thursday, December 20, 2018 9:07:00 pm

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