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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

17719 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 39 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Jan. 15).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

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: ???

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

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

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Latest on jazz @ the Block & Tackle


The management of the Block and Tackle, Ashington, wish to confirm that the monthly jazz night featuring the River City Jazzmen is definitely continuing on the third Tuesday of the month. 

Please note that this has no connection with the now defunct Ashington Jazz Club, the previous organisers of the event. 

The next session is on Tuesday August 20 and includes as guest players Australian reed man, Don Armstrong and Brian Chester on keyboards. Starting time is 8.30pm and entrance fee is £4.00, with the option of buying raffle tickets. 

We look forward to keeping the jazz flag flying in the area, and will be pleased to welcome all followers of jazz.

Gordon Solomon.

1 comment :

carstairs said...

many years since I visited Ashington, so last Tuesday I tootled off to the new home of jazz at the Block & Tackle pub, picking up my friend Don Armstrong on the way. Originally from Whitley Bay ( living a few doors down my street ) Don made a name for himself as a great reedman in the North East across the spectrum of genres before he travelled via Africa to Adelaide. In recent years Don and Lisa have returned for extended holidays, being welcomed with open arms by musicians for the quality of his playing on a variety of instruments.

The usual band welcomed Don and also Brian Chester, depping for Jim McBriarty and Keith Stephen. Regular members include Gordon Solomon - tb, Bob Wade - cornet & flugel, Phil Rutherford - sousa and Tommy Graham - dms. A first class lineup of experience musicians who demonstrated their abilty to listen to each other.

The repertoire may have been slightly different from normal, with Don on his 'mini ' sopranino sax ("takes up less on the plane"!), alto, very fluid clarinet and some short bits of aluminium piping with holes in ( Swinging Shepherd Blues ). Apart from the usual pot-boilers which most audiences recognise, the band included a few Swing numbers including Swinging The Blues. Solos abounded, including the singing Sousa of Mr Rutherford.

An excellent night in a good venue, which has the advantage of good parking and also being on the ground floor. I remember climbing the stairs at the Elephant! No joke for bass player or drummer!

Third Tuesday in the month. 8.30 start. Recommended.

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