Bebop Spoken There

Gary Bartz: ''Music is nature's gift to man. It's the only religion. We're living in a terrible era, but what a beautiful thing music is. Look how it brings us together like religion is supposed to; and with no language barriers.'' (Jazzwise 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

18897 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 761 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 11.) 40.

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

September.

Mon 14: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Ben Lawrence, Paul Grainger, Bailey Rudd.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 17: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 17: Front Porch Blues @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 17: Miles 100 @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00. Jack Courtney (trumpet); Sue Ferris (tenor sax); Tom Atkinson (guitar); Alan Law (piano); Deon Krishnan (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums). A night of Miles Davis.
Thu 17: Amphitrio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £7.00. Andrei Petrache (piano); Mike Alex (double bass); Philip Goron (drums).

Fri 18: Danny Lownes’ Hot Club @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Mark Williams Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Old Black Cat Jazz Club.
Fri 18: Emma Fisk’s Hot Club du Nord @ St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook. 7:30pm. £10.00., £5.00. student.
Fri 18: Rivkala + Beccy Sloan @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £10.00.

Sat 19: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal. All welcome.
Sat 19: Sing Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00-5:00pm. £27.50. Tutor: Alexia Gardner: Nina Simone. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 19: Ray Stubbs’ R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sat 19: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal. All welcome.

Sun 20: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 20: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.

Wednesday, November 06, 2019

Alice Grace & Paul Edis @ Jazz Cafe Mezzanine - Nov. 6

Alice Grace (vocals); Paul Edis (piano)
(Review by Russell)

Newcastle Arts Centre's mezzanine cafe was standing room only today and little wonder with Alice Grace and Paul Edis  working together for the first time as a duo. Anyone unfamiliar with either musician's work would never have guessed this was a scratch pairing. Alice insisted they hadn't rehearsed, they simply met up, agreed a set list and went for it. 

Loud applause greeted each and every solo with some in the room frequently whistling their appreciation. Days of Wine and Roses opened the set and the pattern was set...loud applause and whistling followed by loud applause and whistling. Chick Corea worked with vocalist Bobby McFerrin on the pianist's composition Windows. Here on Westgate Road Alice penned her own lyrics to the tune as Paul adopted the role of Corea. Thoughts turned to a Gig of the Year nomination.
Blame it on My Youth sang Alice - simply marvellous. Similarly I'm Old Fashioned, a number Alice hadn't previously sung but was inspired to do so having recently heard Claire Martin sing the Jerome Kern/Johnny Mercer standard with the Strictly Smokin' Big Band. Wonderful scatting by Alice, superb piano playing by Paul.  

Alice suggested Autumn Nocturne. As Paul found the chart Alice said she would have to sing it in a different key. Turning to her duo partner she said: Should we do something else? Paul replied: No, I'll transpose it. Sure enough, our pianist did just that. Clever stuff! Clifford Brown's Joy Spring brought to a close a superb first set.

King Pleasure's Swan Blues (a reworking of Gene Ammons' Hittin' the Jug) worked brilliantly. Alice pointed to Pleasure's uber cool vocal. Well, how about Alice's uber cool vocal? Sensational! BSH insists they reprise this one at their next gig! But Not for Me, Ladies in Mercedes (comp. Steve Swallow, lyrics Norma Winstone), Devil May Care, The Nearness of You (a request), a Gig of the Year nomination was all but assured. 

It had been a treat listening to Alice and Paul, it's inconceivable that they won't work together again. I Thought About You then Taking a Chance on Love, cue applause, our duo taking a bow, they must do it again. 
Russell.
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