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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

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

A Few Thoughts

(By Lance)

We all have our own ways of dealing with life's ups and downs although currently the downs seem to be winning - or are they? In the world wars we were, like in a Rocky movie, on the ropes until the last round when victory was snatched from the jaws of defeat.

One of the reasons for this is, because although we're only a small island, we always punch above our weight. Another is that we come together in adversity. I was overwhelmed on the night of the clapping and equally so tonight by the concern of my neighbours, worried in case I wasn't getting enough - food that is!


Facebook is much maligned but, in these times, it is as welcome and informative as an Alvar Lidell BBC broadcast during WWII. And, just as in wartime, music comes in to its own. Glenn Miller's AEF outfit was much more exciting than his civilian outfit but, with social distancing, big bands are not an option for streaming although Strictly Smokin' miraculously managed it using mobile phones - incredible!

Also on Facebook, tenor sax titan Simon Spillett  (pictured above) is posting a daily diary of events as to how he and his immediate neighbourhood are coping. It's compelling reading, you're following him every step of the way - 2 metres behind of course - his pithy observations put the whole thing into perspective. Go into Facebook and log on to his page. He writes, like he plays - at length - but making every note or every word count.

Myself, I've settled down with a can of Doombar and some Freddie Hubbard vinyl on Blue Note. Open Sesame, an album I can't remember buying, has some cracking tenor from Tina Brooks, McCoy Tyner on piano and Hubbard at the top of his game. I think I'll make each night a Blue Note night but saving the Dexter's for the celebration party when this is all over! 
Lance

1 comment :

Francis Tulip said...

Transcribing loads of Freddie at the moment. What a beast! Everyone should check out (if they haven't already), Ready for Freddie, the Artistry of Freddie Hubbard, Hub-tones, Going up etc plus all the stuff with Wayne, Herbie and the jazz messengers. Ask James Metcalf for more Freddie Hubbard stuff!

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