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

18288 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 142 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 14), 42

From This Moment On ...

February

Thu 19: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: George Shearing Jazz Moments.

Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT! Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.
Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: Squabble @ Warkworth Memorial Hall. 7:00pm. Steve Chambers (organ); Jude Murphy (double bass, vocals); Sid White (drums).
Fri 20: Jive Aces @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors).
Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.

Sat 21: ???

Sun 22: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 22: Joe Steels Group @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Sun 22: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Harben Kay Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: Joe Steels Group @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Finn-Keeble Group @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00.
Tue 24: Liam Oliver & Shayo Oshodi @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 26: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £6.50.
Thu 26: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00 adv.
Thu 26: Mick Cantwell Band @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Blues.

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

Friday, May 31, 2019

Preview: Jo Harrop, Vasilis Xenopoulos, Paul Edis Trio, Ed Cross String Quartet @ Sage Gateshead

Forget about the Spice Girls at the Stadium of Light on Thursday (June 6) There's a much bigger deal at Sage Gateshead that very same night.

The Paul Edis* Trio with super songstress Jo Harrop and the ever popular saxist Vasilis Xenopoulos are in concert having just played a reportedly tremendous gig down at London's 606 Club.
Let Paul tell us more about the upcoming Sage gig.

"About 10 years ago I got a call from my good friend, saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos. I’d met Vasilis when I was studying at music college in London. We’d played together loads as a duo then, and since I returned to the North East he’d started making what have now become almost annual trips to perform (he now considers himself an honorary Geordie!). 

Vas was on a gig that day with a London based singer, originally from 'up north' who was looking for a pianist for a gig later in the year. The singer was Jo Harrop, who it turns out had grown up in Chester-le-Street, just a few streets away from my family home! It took a Greek - based in London - to introduce us..! Since then, Jo too has made regular appearances in the region performing at Sage Gateshead, Ushaw College, Gala, Jazz Cafe and elsewhere. 

On Thursday next week (June 6) I'm really excited to be joined by Jo and Vasilis, alongside Russ Morgan (drums) Andy Champion (bass) and the Ed Cross string quartet to perform original songs and new arrangements from the Great American Songbook inspired by the themes of ‘Time and Place’. 

Tickets are still available via this link: https://sagegateshead.com/whats-on/paul-edis/
YouTube clip from '606' Club."

However, there is more! On Friday lunchtime (June 7) Paul and Vasilis perform a duo set at the Gala Theatre, Durham. Early booking is essential for this popular venue.

And still more! On Friday evening at Ushaw College Paul, Vasilis, Andy Champion and Russ Morgan play a quartet gig in a truly majestic setting.

Three unmissable gigs!
Lance.

* Paul Edis is currently Sage Gateshead’s Associate Artist which is funded with support from PRS for Music Foundation. Sage Gateshead support artists by creating opportunities for performance, commissions and touring as well as the chance to work closely with Royal Northern Sinfonia and their classical, jazz, folk and choral youth ensembles.

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