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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 2025).

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

17680 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 23 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Jan. 9).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Tue 14: Zoë Gilby Quintet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 15: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 15: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 15: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 15: Hot Club of Heaton @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘third Wednesday in the month’ session. TBC.

Thu 16: Pete Tanton & the Cuban Heels @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio w. Graham Hardy @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. (inc. a welcome drink & table reservation). Book at: www.drinks@thepele.co.uk. A ‘Jazz at the Pele’ promotion.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick TD15 1AS. 7:30pm. Free. Album launch gig.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

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, July 17, 2019

The Ray Dales Quartet @ Dormans Jazz Club Middlesbrough - July 11

Ray Dales (alto sax) Jeremy McMurray (piano) Keith Peberdy (bass) Paul Smith (drums)
(Review by Ron H)

When four well-known local jazz musicians of this calibre play together, the audience can expect a night of both interesting and exciting interpretations of jazz classics.

They weren’t disappointed!

The first set opened with one of Ray's favourites complete with a blistering sax intro to an up-tempo version of  Secret Love. Equally impressive solos followed setting the standard for the night.
A more relaxed It Could Happen To You was followed by a Peter Carter arrangement of I'm Old Fashioned played as a Bossa Nova – Jeremy was outstanding.

A favourite of mine, Jerome Kern’s All The Things You Are, was beautifully played as was Weaver Of Dreams. The set closed with a fast and precisely played version of the Miles Davis classic Four. 

A lively start was made to the second set with Sonny Rollins Pent Up House that included an excellent bass solo from Keith and Paul showing his metal on drums with a superb solo.

My Foolish Heart - a tasteful piano and sax intro featured Ray at his very best. 

Gerry Mulligan’s North Atlantic Run was followed by a rarely heard jazz version of Shaker Song by Manhattan Transfer.

After a night of such great jazz the audience demanded an encore so the well-known Sunny brought the evening to a close.  

An excellent night of jazz played  by the quartet who were brought together by Ray, in keeping with the high standards of the guest nights.
Thanks as usual go to Dormans Club for their help and support in running the jazz club.  
Ron H

1 comment :

Peter Carter said...

Hi Ron,

I read your review of the Ray Dales Quartet gig at Dormans Club, it was nice to get a mention for the arrangement I did for Ray of “I’m Old Fashioned”. I remember Ray told me what he had in mind for the tune and I wrote out the parts for him. I did some others for Ray at the same
time including “North Atlantic Run” which he also played last Thursday.
I’m pleased these numbers are still being played by Ray.
Keep doing the reviews Ron, - I read Bebop Spoken Here every day.
Best Regards,
Peter

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