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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

Wednesday, October 02, 2019

Mark Toomey presents a tribute to Cannonball Adderley @ Domans Jazz Club Middlesbrough - September 26

Mark Toomey (alto sax); Jeremy McMurray (piano); Jud Downs (trumpet); Peter Ayton (bass) Paul Smith (drums).
(Review by Ron H)

The Mark Toomey Quartet, enhanced by the addition of Jud Downs, became a quintet for this tribute to Julian ‘Cannonball’ Adderley.

The late alto saxist has long been a favourite of Mark’s as was evidenced on the opening number the well-known Work Song. Written by Cannonball’s brother Nat, it showed the audience just how tight a unit this was. The great trumpet solo from Jud set the standard for the night. 

Sack O' Woe by Cannonball opened with a heavy drum & piano intro before going into  a swinging blues with impressive solos all round.


Frank Rosolino's Blue Daniel was followed by a terrific up tempo version of Big "P" by Jimmy Heath with, again, great solos from  Mark on alto, Jeremy on piano and Jud on trumpet.

A beautifully played Latin/swing Azule Serape by Victor Feldman and the Cole Porter classic What Is This Thing Called Love? brought the first set to a close.

Taken from the Capital Them Dirty Blues album, Sam Jones's Del Sasser provided a great opener to the second set.

A bossa nova, Saudade, featured Jeremy on piano with nice rhythmic bass and drum backing from Pete and Paul  whilst still leaving plenty of scope for Mark and Jud to show their skills.

The Randy Weston Hi-Fly was given a dramatic piano intro followed by the band playing so well together with solos all round.

Stars Fell on Alabama, with tasteful piano and sax solos, offered complete contrast to Sam Jones’ Unit 7 - a great up tempo swinger from the album the quintet recorded with Nancy Wilson.

With the audience calling for an encore the challenging  Quincy Jones' Jessica's Day was played expertly leaving the listeners aware of the talent on stage and the inspiration that had inspired it - Cannonball Adderley.

A tribute night to a great saxophonist with the band sounding almost like a big band at times playing many difficult pieces which was also a tribute in itself to Mark's excellent skills in arrangements and it certainly left a lasting impression with the audience.

Another successful night at the Dormans Jazz Club with many thanks to the Dormans Club for their support.
Ron H

1 comment :

Steve T said...

A Sack a Woe. Takes me back to a time when I paid £27 for a Japanese CD of Mercy Mercy Mercy (also Live Evil). A friend was shocked but I told him if you need it you need it. How times have changed or - should I say - how the media has changed. Would have loved to have made it but the Boro is largely a mystery to me.

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