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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, 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

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.

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.

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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, December 13, 2018

Christmas Party Night @ Dormans Jazz Club Middlesbrough - Dec.6

(Review by Ron H)
The Middlesbrough Jazz and Blues Orchestra, a 20+ piece band led by Kevin Eland, held their Christmas party at Dormans Club playing to an enthusiastic capacity audience drawn from all age groups.

The band started the night with a great arrangement of St Louis Blues, giving the audience a taste of what was in store. This was followed by Sugar Valley with a nice intro from Dave Archbold on keyboards.

Let’s Take it Nice and Easy sang Django followed by a nice and easy big band arrangement of Winter Wonderland.

Vicki Jackson sang a rousing version of Route 66 with fine solos from Dave on keys, Dave Bell on sax and Neil Brodie on trumpet. Further numbers included Chameleon, Lonely St. Cute, featuring Shaun, and Miles of Milestones.
A sexy, slinky, Santa Baby was sung by Kate Bulman, watched by the youngest audience member ever, Kate's 4 weeks old son Lawrence. Blue Monk included lovely sax solos from Donna Hewitt and Jim Madrell.

Graham Thompson took over on keys for the second set which started with an up tempo Orange Sherbert followed by Bye Bye Blackbird with a fine solo from Kevin Eland and Kate Bulman singing Have Yourself a Merry Christmas. 

Other numbers included a very impressive rendition of Jim Martin’s bossa nova style arrangement of Silent Night with a moving solo from Kevin on flugel and Vicki Jackson sang the ever popular Mustang Sally with a rocking solo from Simon Jones on baritone sax. 

After Swinging Shepherd Blues, the night finished off in great style with Vicki singing Alright, OK, You Win. This was a memorable jazz party night with the interval food kindly provided by the band. 
With much appreciated help and support from the staff at Dormans, we have been able to run a highly successful weekly "Dormans Jazz Club" for the past 8 years.  Many of the best Jazz musicians in the area have played as guests with the  resident Tees Hot Club band as well as with their own groups on the monthly guest night.

Ron H.

1 comment :

Unknown said...

excellent show, well played by all

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