Bebop Spoken There

Dominick "Domo" Branch: ''Most people say drummers can't write, they're just time-keepers only beating on things. But I have a very musical brain.'' (DownBeat February, 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

18288 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 142 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 14), 42

From This Moment On ...

February

Thu 19: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: George Shearing Jazz Moments.

Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT! Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.
Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: Squabble @ Warkworth Memorial Hall. 7:00pm. Steve Chambers (organ); Jude Murphy (double bass, vocals); Sid White (drums).
Fri 20: Jive Aces @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors).
Fri 20: Alex Clarke w. Dean Stockdale Trio @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm. Clarke w. Dean Stockdale, Mick Shoulder, Abbie Finn.

Sat 21: ???

Sun 22: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 22: Joe Steels Group @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Sun 22: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Harben Kay Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: Joe Steels Group @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Finn-Keeble Group @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00.
Tue 24: Liam Oliver & Shayo Oshodi @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 26: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £6.50.
Thu 26: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00 adv.
Thu 26: Mick Cantwell Band @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Blues.

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, November 06, 2019

Preview: Greg Abate w. Paul Edis Trio @ Black Swan - Nov. 7

(Preview by Lance)

Back in the day when the late Chris Yates was at the helm of JNE the Corner House regularly played host to top American stars such as Lockjaw Davis, Joe Newman, Art Farmer and many many more. Sadly, like dear Chris, most of those greats are now gone and there have been few to replace them - who indeed could?

Answer in two words: Greg Abate!

The American alto sax/flute player has made several visits to Tyneside and it has to be said that he has never disappointed unlike some  'names' back in 'the good old days' who, shall we say, were sometimes past their best...

Not so Greg, his playing has been a constant delight on each and every visit. Even now DownBeat's critics still consider him a 'rising star' - if his star, musically speaking, rises any higher he'll be playing How Low the Moon

Working with the Paul Edis Trio (once more) we can rest assured that those who appreciate solid, swinging, modern jazz without any bells and whistles are in for a dream night. Get your tickets now because, if you were planning to opt for the Gala duo gig with Paul on Friday as an alternative, there were, at last count, only 3 seats left which gives you an indication of the demand to hear Greg and to hear him with a top class trio at a two set gig is likely to be even more stupendous  to quote a Charlie Parker number. Who knows? - Greg may have Stupendous in his repertoire but, even if not, this gig will be an unmissable experience for ornithologists - they may find some exquisite new species flying around the room!
Lance.

Greg Abate w Paul Edis Trio - Black Swan, Westgate Road, Newcastle NE1 1SG. 8:00pm. £10.00. (£8.00. concs.). A Black Swan-JNE co-promotion.

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