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Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 2024).

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

17655 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 929 of them this year alone and, so far, 74 this month (Dec. 31).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Thu 02: ???

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: Jason Isaacs @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 03: John Gregory @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar.

Sat 04: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Square, Middlesbrough. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 04: Rivkala @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 04: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £5.00. Xmas party (rescheduled from early December).

Sun 05: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £7.50.
Sun 05: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 05: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Americana, jazz & blues.
Sun 05: Papa G’s Troves @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free (donations).

Mon 06: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 07: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 7:00pm. Free.

Wed 08: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 08: The Tannery Jam Session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 08: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 08: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

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

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Jeremy McMurray and the Pocket Orchestra @ Dormans Jazz Club, Middlesbrough - June 6


Jeremy McMurray (piano); Mark Toomey (alto sax); Paul Donnelly (guitar) Peter Ayton (bass); Richard Brown (drums).
(Review by Ron H)

It’s always a pleasure to have the Pocket Orchestra led by Jeremy McMurray as our guest band, delighting the audience with a selection of beautifully played jazz classics and original compositions.

The first set began with a swinging version of Out Of Nowhere and, after an impressive Parker style alto solo from Mark, Jeremy on piano and Paul on guitar gave equally exciting solos. Backed by excellent support from Pete and Richard, it gave the audience high expectations for the rest of the evening.

A moving If I Should Lose You  was followed by an original composition of Mark's, Do You Have The Time? inspired by the circle of fifths clock pattern! This great bebop number showed how tight a unit they are.
After a samba version of Cole Porters All Of You, the tone was changed with a powerful and distinctive repetitive riff style blues composed by Jeremy - Pocket Blues. Some passionate solos brought the first set to a close.

That beautiful ballad Stolen Moments opened the second set before moving on to the fast, swinging, Miles Davis/Charlie Parker bebop number Sippin’ At Bells with Jeremy excelling on piano,  followed by the Dizzy Gillespie classic A Night In Tunisia.

Cole Porter's I Love You  and a terrific version of Wee, with outstanding solos all round, brought another memorable night by a group of the area’s most talented jazz musicians to a close. It was much appreciated by a sizable and discerning audience (in spite of the England match on tv.)

Also, the usual thanks go to Dormans Club for their help and support in running the Jazz Club.
Ron H

1 comment :

Unknown said...

Yes...a great night ,and a great venue that continues to keep modern jazz alive on Teesside

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