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Bebop Spoken There

Van Morrison: ''Basically, I'm coming from jazz. Not pop, not rock, not what's commercial. That's where I started, and that's still where I am. I feel the same as I did when I was listening to Louis Armstrong, Lead Belly, Jelly Roll Morton''. (The Northern Echo, 12 June 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

1803759 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 480 of them this year alone and, so far, 58 this month (June 18).

From This Moment On ...

JUNE 2025

Sat 21: Jason Holcomb Jazz Ensemble @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 5:30-7:30pm. Free. A 'Sunderland Year of Music' event.
Sat 21: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Red Kites Jazz @ Staithes Café, Dunston. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 22: Phoenix 4 @ Wallington, Northumberland. 12 noon-1:00pm & 2:00-3:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington, Northumberland. 1:00-2:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Jason Isaacs Trio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 4:00pm. £18.00. + £1.08 bf.
Sun 22: JazzMain @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: MSK Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00. at the door; £8.20. (inc £0.20 bf) online, in advance.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.

Tues 24: ???

Wed 25: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 25: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 25: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 25: The Magpies of Swing @ The Roxy, Leadgate, Co. Durham. 7:30pm. A Ginger Jitterbugs swing dance event, all welcome.

Thu 26: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Brass Instruments & the use of mutes.

Fri 27: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm.
Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 27: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 8:00pm. ‘Time After Time’.

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

Saturday, November 09, 2019

Mike Durham's Classic Jazz Party @ Village Hotel - Nov.2

Saturday evening - Nov.2
(Review by Russell)

The second of this year's three half hour Professor spots featured Andrew Oliver. The man from Oregon, USA first came to the attention of BSH more than four years ago when the pianist visited Newcastle's Jazz Cafe leading the Kora Band. That was very much a contemporary outfit, here at the CJP Oliver fully immersed himself in the jazz of the twenties and thirties. Stride, ragtime, Jelly Roll Morton a current obsession, Oliver, soon to return to the States after several years domiciled in London, gave a brilliant, robust barrelhouse display. 

Bands within the Bands gave Richard Pite licence to roam across the 'classic jazz' era landscape picking and choosing material from a vast number of small combos led by big band leaders. Assisting the Cadogan Hall jazz concert series' mastermind were Duke Heitger, trumpet, the reeds of David Horniblow and Matthias Seuffert, the fine trombonist Alistair Allan, the ever-elegant Martin Litton, piano and Frenchmen Félix Hunot, guitar/banjo and Henry Lemaire, string bass.

Joan Viskant is a welcome presence at any Classic Jazz Party and this year's edition found her leading a swift half hour set titled Joan Viskant - The Chicago Songbird. Ms Viskant was indeed born in Illinois' Windy City, relocated to Paris before settling in London. Praise from the likes of Benny Carter and Frank Sinatra suggests JV has what it takes and she has. Flapper, vamp, Viskant plays the part. Saucy, sassy numbers featured with our singer guided through the speakeasies and gin joints from West Allotment to downtown Chicago by an A-list band including Malo Mazurié, trumpet, Claus Jacobi, reeds and pianist Martin Litton

London's Bright Sparks were active during the 20s and 30s. Martin Wheatley prepared arrangements for a five piece outfit comprising Michael McQuaid, reeds (equally accomplished on clarinet or saxophone), Morten Gunnar Larsen, piano, Josh Duffee playing xylophone and vocals of the debonaire kind by Spats Langham.

Hits of McKinney's Cotton Pickers required no fewer than fourteen musicians to handle Claus Jacobi's set of Don Redman's arrangements which ushered in the swing era. Malo Mazurié and Enrico Tomasso took on the trumpet parts, Bixian Andy Schumm played cornet, Brit Graham Hughes and American CJP debutant Dave Bock shared 'bone duties, David Boeddinghaus played piano and, following a quick costume change, Ms Joan Viskant returned to help swing that music. 

It turned eleven o'clock, the bar was open, Saturday evening's Pub Jam session was about to begin. Four hours later it was time for bed.          
Russell
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