Total Pageviews

Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17805 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 126 of them this year alone and, so far, 51 this month (Feb.16).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mark Williams Trio @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 23: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Mu Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. CANCELLED!
Sun 23: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 25: ?

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Jamie McCredie @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free. THIS WEEK ONLY JAMES BIRKETT (guitar)!
Fri 28: Luis Verde Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Knats @ Lubber Fiend, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £11.50. (inc bf.). Album launch gig. Support act TBC.
Fri 28: Black is the Color of My Voice @ The Gala, Durham. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman show inspired by the life of Nina Simone, performed by Florence Odumosu.
Fri 28: Great North Big Band Jazz Festival: Musicians Unlimited @ Park View Community Centre, Chester-le-Street. 8:00pm. £10.00. (Weekend ticket £20.00., available on the door). Day 1/3. Musicians Unlimited in concert.
Fri 28: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

MARCH 2025 Sat 01: Great North Big Band Jazz Festival @ Park View Community Centre, Chester-le-Street. 11:00am. £15.00. Day 2/3.
Sat 01: TJ Johnson Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 01: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £25.00. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. Get your funk on! Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 01: Shunyata Improvisation Group @ The Watch House, Cullercoats. 2:00-3:30pm. Free.
Sat 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers. Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free.
Sat 01: Struggle Buggy @ The Peacock, Sunderland. 6:00pm. Blues band.
Sat 01: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 01: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.
Sat 01: Jack & Jay’s Vintage Songbook @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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

Monday, December 30, 2019

Probably the last jam session of the year @ The Globe - December 29

(Review/Photos by Lance).

The longest, established, floating jam session in Newcastle has been moored at The Globe for some years now usually on a Wednesday where it is given the more respectful title of a "Jazz Worskshop". The vagaries of the festive season meant that this year it moved to last night (Sunday) which, as the list of jammers indicates was a popular move. The audience too showed up in numbers and a jolly time was had by all.

With so much toing and froing it was impossible to list an orderly programme of events suffice to say everyone was having fun and it was good to meet up with friends and acquaintances old and new.

Bert Louissen, on a visit from Holland sang and played keyboard à la Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder with Georgia on my Mind and I Wish. The latter number had backing vocals from Teresa and Jude and brought the biggest round of applause of the evening.

Teresa sang Dance me to the End of Love whilst Jude was here there and everywhere singing, fluting, saxing and bass guitaring - such talent. 

John Hutton, who could have been mistaken for a bouncer, gave a spirited version of Fly me to the Moon and later rocked the joint with a number I failed to make a note of. Magda impressed with Mean to Me, likewise Sheila with Fine and Mellow whilst BSH's own unique chanteuse Ann Alex took centre stage for Secret Love.

Amidst the surrounding mayhem, like the Emperor Nero, Dave Weisser kept his cool blowing tightly muted cornet and his Miles Davis tee shirt was not out of place.

Pianists and drummers seemed to be on a conveyer belt Sam Young switching from piano to drums and back again to make room for Lewis Currie on piano and his sidekick, whose name I missed out on, on drums.  Matt Fairhurst, subtle and laid back had a spell on kit as did the more extrovert Geoff Smith. One of the pleasant surprises in an evening full of surprises was Lauren Ainsborough on keyboards. Look forward to hearing more.

One minor gripe: Does everyone have to take a solo on every number, particularly when a singer is on stage? A rationed approach would allow more numbers. However, that's jam sessions for you and it was still an excellent evening.
Lance.
PS: Apologies to anyone I've missed out or got their name wrong - corrections are welcomed.

Dave Weisser (cornet); Jude Murphy (alto sax/flute/bass guitar/vocal); Ray Johnson (trumpet); Bernie Ranson (tenor sax); Nigel Greenwood (alto sax/trumpet/piano/vocal); Rachel Richman (alto sax); Poppy Pagan (flute); Pete Bennett, Roy Stephenson (guitars); Dave Parker (bass); Bert Louissen (piano/vocal); Lewis Currie, Lauren Ainsborough (piano); Sam Young (piano/drums); Geoff Smith, Matt Fairhurst, A.N. Other (drums); Teresa Danby, Ann Alex, John Hutton, Sheila Herrick, Magda Ruta (vocals).

2 comments :

Anonymous said...

Witty, excellently-written, informative, timely review which captured the spirit of the evening! And so great to meet you at last!! Teresa D

Teresa Danby (on F/b) said...

What a great job you guys do writing up these events in such a timely way... I am sure it helps keep the music scene alive and thriving and encourages people to go along and take part or listen. And what a great venue The Globe is!! So welcoming (and that goes for all the musicians and audience and organisers too).

Blog Archive