Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: ''It was then that Coltrane came along and single-handedly brought this dimension of spirituality into jazz. It was a pivotal experience to me.'' (DownBeat September, 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

18957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 821 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 30.) 100.

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

October.

Mon 05: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 05: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Tue 06: Alan Law @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free. Alan Law (piano) w. Paul Grainger (double bass).
Tue 06: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Murray Oak, Paul Grainger, John Bradford.
Tue 06: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 06: Black is the Color of My Voice @ Northern Stage, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman stage play inspired by Nina Simone. First night of two.

Wed 07: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free. Wed 07: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 07: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 07: Black is the Color of My Voice @ Northern Stage, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman stage play inspired by Nina Simone. Second night of two.

Thu 08: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 08: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free (donations).
Thu 08: Indigo Jazz Voices w. Little Big Band @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 09: Dean Stockdale Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums).
Fri 09: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle.

Sat 10: Catfish Keith @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £19.00. + bf. Jumpin’ Hot Club.

Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free. Feat. guest Jack ‘Banjo’ Courtney (trumpet).
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Harry Christelis Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A Jazz Co-op-JNE co-promotion.

Thursday, May 02, 2019

Vieux Carre Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club - May 1

Ray Harley (trumpet); Jim McBriarty (clarinet, vocals); Lawrence McBriarty (trombone); Brian Bennett (banjo, vocals); Bill Colledge (double bass); Fred Thompson (drums, vocals) + Miles Watson (trumpet, vocals)
(Review by Russell/Photos to follow)

May Day, be vigilant! Morris dancers, handkerchiefs at the ready, could be round the next corner! Arriving a little late in Cullercoats (a change of train, an amended timetable) with spots of rain in the air, the Vieux Carre Jazzmen were already at it with All of Me entertaining a good number in the bar of the sea-front Crescent Club. 

Singing drummer Fred Thompson sang a couple; Georgia then Slow Boat to China, handing over to Jim McBriarty who was all Smiles. Bandleader Brian Bennett brought the first set to a close singing Oh, You Beautiful Doll - did he have anyone in mind?

The Crescent Club puts most other club venues to shame with its permanent selection of three or four handpulls on the bar and it really excelled this aternoon in not only offering Grainger Ale but, believe it or not, it was 'from the wood'! Jazz venues, take note!

It's a rarity these days catching Ray Harley on a gig. When he is, it's worth paying attention. Our trumpeter called quite a few of today's numbers and hearing him blow on Swing that Music made the trip to the coast worthwhile. Bandleader Bennett interjected to oversee the raffle. First prize, according to BB, was a trip to Gran Canaria plus a bottle of wine. He enquired of the winner if he could get to the airport in 20 minutes. Our prize winner replied: No. Bennett said: In that case your prize is no longer valid, although you get to keep the wine!

McBriarty J sang Hoagy's New OrleanMcBriarty L, that's Lawrence, didn't sing, choosing to play trombone) and a while later trumpeter Miles Watson joined the VCJ to sing Bye Bye Blackbird. Rar
ely  does a Wednesday session stray beyond three o'clock but this one did, only slightly, as the band squeezed in Tiger Rag, FT crooning Up a Lazy River and When You're Smiling. Brain Bennett  sent 'em on their way with, as ever, Goin' Home.    
Russell  
  
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