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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

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.

Monday, May 06, 2019

Jazz Coop 5th Anniversary Party @ The Globe - April 30

(Report by Ann Alex)

A great time was had by all, no doubt about it. Five bands and a quiz devised by Lance, food and good company. We were celebrating International Jazz day and also the 5th birthday of the Jazz Co-op. I reckon there must have been 80 people, though not everyone stayed for the whole evening as this is jazz so people improvise even on their comings and goings.

The evening began with a set from the Swing Bridge Trio, new to me (Dan Martin. piano, Dave Parker bass, Peter Ninnim drums) and I began to furiously give out the quiz sheets, (available for £1 donation). After one glance most people declared that it was too hard but they had a try anyway. Thank you, everyone!
SAMPLE QUESTION: American trumpet player who married film star Betty Grable?
The answer was HARRY JAMES   (before my time).

SAMPLE EASY QUESTION: Name the guitarist who is one half of Hand To Mouth?
People couldn't fail with this one as the very man was standing on the stage as I read out the question. BRADLEY JOHNSTON had just concluded an excellent set of tunes wearing his other hat, along with James Birkett, very exciting music which held everyone's attention.

The quiz was won by Kevin Greene who was rewarded with a CD. Easier quiz please next time Lance! Or are we all jazz wimps?

The bands included Am Jam; Take It To The Bridge; and More Jam, besides the other two mentioned. They all acquitted themselves well. Don't ask me what they played as I was too busy thinking about the quiz, but I remember that the Swing Bridgers began with Yardbird Suite. I must mention Bernie Ranson who worked his socks off as he was up playing saxophone with Am Jam, More Jam and Take It To The Bridge, all three. More Jam were last up, with the addition of women singers, myself (All Of Me; I Only Have Eyes For You); Sheila Herrick with a fine version of Fine And Mellow; and Debra Milne with a perky version of Four.

Yes, it was a good do, so let's make it even better next year. And not forgetting thanks to the bar volunteers, Debra, Minnie, Jenny, Dave and Kevin.
Ann Alex  
PS: Apologies for the delay but I'm still having problems getting to grips with my new PC (computer).

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