Bebop Spoken There

Dominick "Domo" Branch): ''Most people say drummers can't write, they're just time-keepers only beating on things. But I have a very musical brain.'' (DownBeat February, 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

18263 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 117 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 6), 17

From This Moment On ...

February

Tue 10: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 11: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington.. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 11: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 12: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00. CANCELLED!

Fri 13: Noel Dennis Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm . £9.00. Dennis (trumpet, flugelhorn); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 13: Joe Steels @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 13: Tom Remon & John Moriarty @ The Ship Isis, Silksworth Row, Sunderland SR1 3QJ. 7:00pm. £10.00 + £1.00 bf.
Fri 13: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm.

Sat 14: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 14: Big Joe Louis + Michael Littlefield @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £16.00. Jumpin’ Hot Club.
Sat 14: Brass Fiesta @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 10:30pm. Free.

Sun 15: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Trio + Jason Holcomb. Free.
Sun 15: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Wild Women of Wylam @ Ye Olde Cross, Ryton. 7:30pm. Free.
Sun 15: Yorkshire Gypsy Swing Collective @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 16: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 16: Jasper Lo + Daniel Chandler Trio @ Little Buildings, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £7.00. + bf.
Mon 16: Joe Steels Group @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00. A Blue Patch album tour.

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

Monday, January 07, 2019

A Gala Performance, a Darlington Opus

PHOTOS (courtesy of Malcolm Sinclair).

 County Durham correspondent Tony Eales filed a report on recent events in Durham and Darlington. On Friday lunchtime TE attended Durham's Gala Theatre to hear trumpeter Noel Dennis reprise his Tom Harrell project. 'Aurora' played to yet another full house* as Teesside-based Dennis (trumpet/flugelhorn) performed music associated with the revered American in the A-list company of Mark Williams, guitar, Andy Champion, bass, and drummer Russ Morgan. Zoë Gilby's voice and lyrics formed an integral part of the one hour set.

Later in the day Mark Williams and Russ Morgan made the short trip down to the Traveller's Rest in the Cockerton suburb of Darlington to rendezvous with bassist Paul Susans to play a gig at the long-running Opus 4 Jazz Club. Williams' trio played to a somewhat smaller audience* in the upstairs function room on West Auckland Road. The trio's setlist was, perhaps, a little different to the usual straight ahead, swinging fayre to be heard at Opus 4.  
Russell 
* Next month's lunchtime concert (Friday 1 Feb) is guaranteed to sell out. The Paul Edis Trio: A History of Jazz Piano features pianist Edis working with Andy Champion and Russ Morgan in an entertaining and informative potted history of, as it says on the tin, the history of jazz piano. S/he who hesitates will be locked out at one o'clock on February 1. Don't delay, this one will sell out. Call the Gala's box office now: 03000 266 600.

** The Traveller's Rest is sure to be busy next month. The now annual appearance by Alan Barnes - on Friday 8 February - at the Opus 4 Jazz Club has become an immensely popular affair. Admission is £12, pay on the door. Don't be caught out, from now on doors open half an hour earlier at 7:30 with the first set starting at eight o'clock. And if, inexplicably, Barnes alone doesn't light your fire, then factor in the trio he'll be working with...Messrs Edis, Champion and Morgan. Yes, world-class jazz in Darlington at a bargain twelve quid. Start queuing now!       
Russell.
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