Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Monday, April 22, 2019

A Starry Jazz in the Afternoon @ Cullercoats Crescent Club - Easter Monday (April 22)


(Review by Russell)

Easter Parade - what else? - for starters. Nobody's Sweetheart Now - frontman Herbie Hudson singing, a typical Monday at Cullercoats Crescent Club's long-running, weekly Jazz in the Afternoon session. Well, it was a regulation start alright, but, on this glorious afternoon on the Costa del Culler, we were soon to be in the presence of several superstars - on and off the stand.

Our first superstar, Cullercoats' number one songstress Teresa Armstrong, not only sang beautifully - Almost Like Being in LoveOnce in a WhileAfter You've Gone - she arrived with a soon-to-be star of the silver screen.

The Old Potting Shed's Cheeky Beaky was but one of four tempting hand pulls on the bar - a tip-top choice! The house band did what it usually does in letting drummer Ollie Rillands off the leash to rattle through a quick-fire rock 'n' roll medley. Every time, it never fails, Ollie had 'em up dancing. Doris Fenn, everyone's favourite banjo player, brought along daughter Anne Shackleton to sing Dream a Little Dream of Me. Doris playing ukulele, Anne singing splendidly, this an early highlight of what would turn out to be an afternoon of highlights.  

Messrs John Broddle and Miles Watson got up to do their thing; John singing a selection with his usual panache, including I'll See You in My Dreams and Stardust; trumpeter Miles blowing well and singing a couple into the bargain. Stew Rickard leaped into action, Hohner squeeze box in hand, singing, with audience participation, There's a Bug Goin' Round before standing toe to toe in a harp attack duet/duel with the fearless Herbie Hudson. 

It was an afternoon of star performers on and off the stand - Teresa, Stew et al on the stand and, visiting her aunt (Teresa) on an off duty afternoon, Debbie Honeywood. You'll soon be hearing much more about Debbie. Chosen from a long list of hopefuls, Debbie recently landed the lead role in Ken Loach's forthcoming film Sorry We Missed You. Next month down to earth Debbie will be walking on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival as she attends the film's premiere! Later in the year Debbie (and Teresa!) will be at the British premiere in Newcastle. It had been a memorable afternoon on the coast.
Russell

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