Bebop Spoken There

Donovan Haffner ('Best Newcomer' 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards): ''I got into jazz the first time I picked up a saxophone!" - Jazzwise Dec 25/Jan 26

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

18146 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 24 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 7), 24

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Fri 09: The House Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00.
Fri 09: Nauta @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00. Trio: Jacob Egglestone, Jamie Watkins, Bailey Rudd.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Warren James & the Lonesome Travellers @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £15.00.
Fri 09: The Blue Kings @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £10.00. (£8.00. adv.). All-star band.

Sat 10: Mark Toomey Quintet @ St Peter’s Church, Stockton-on-Tees. 7:30pm. £12.00. (inc. pie & peas). Tickets from: 07749 255038.

Sun 11: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 12: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 12: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.

Tue 13: Milne Glendinning Band @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00. Coquetdale Jazz.
Tue 13: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 14: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 14: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 15: Mark Toomey Quartet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. Quartet + guest Paul Donnelly (guitar).

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

Friday, November 22, 2019

Sue Ferris Trio @ The Merry Monk, Bishop Auckland - Nov 22


Sue Ferris (tenor sax, flute); Paul Edis (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass)
(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy of Jerry E)

Three top class musicians - bandleader Sue Ferris arrived with minutes to spare, Paul Edis a little earlier and Mick Shoulder, as promoter of Bishop Auckland's monthly jazz gig, was on the premises in good time to ensure things were set fair. A Sue Ferris Trio gig is an occasional happening and when it happens it's one that shouldn't be missed. Quite a few fans thought along similar lines and as the one o'clock start approached the Merry Monk was comfortably full.

No rehearsal, none required, Sue, Paul and Mick opened with Ellington's Just Squeeze Me. A round of solos - tenor sax, piano, bass - set the ball rolling, it was going to be a good one. Miles Davis' Four - Sue perceptively commenting that the number would be played by three (the trio) - once again featured a round of solos, this time in a different order, first Paul, followed by Sue, then Mick. 


Bandleader Ferris plays a mean baritone sax but the big beast wasn't required today. Instead it was tenor sax all the way with a couple of tunes on flute. And SF is a fabulous flautist! A Child is Born, then Witchcraft. A flute double header, great stuff with pianist Paul fleetingly quoting I'm Beginning to See the Light during a swinging, bluesy solo.

Lerner and Loewe's Almost Like Being in Love sparked audience debate - was it from South Pacific or BrigadoonBrigadoon it was. Time invariably flies at a one hour lunchtime gig and today's performance did just that. Sue's pad could have entertained us 'til the cows came home but, with time pressing, three further selections brought to a close a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. First, Stanley Turrentine's Sugar, Rodgers and Hart's My Romance and a breezy Sandu. Top class jazz in Bishop Auckland and there's more next month. On Friday December 13, it's the Dean Stockdale Trio. 
Russell.

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