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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17719 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 39 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Jan. 15).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Thu 16: Pete Tanton & the Cuban Heels @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio w. Graham Hardy @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. (inc. a welcome drink & table reservation). Book at: www.drinks@thepele.co.uk. A ‘Jazz at the Pele’ promotion.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick TD15 1AS. 7:30pm. Free. Album launch gig.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

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 10, 2020

Come this way ma'am!

(By Russell)
The following is based on a true story.

So there we were attempting to gain entry to the US of A through Uncle Sam's pre-clearance facility at Dublin Airport on the pretence of attending a country music festival in Wisconsin. Shoes off, keys, mobiles, all scanned, now to get past US Border Control...

Fingerprints...check, perfunctory questions: Reason for visit? Trying to be  nonchalant, sounding casual: Attending a country music festival in Wisconsin. Did it sound convincing? You're clear to go through, sir. Yeah, the sap bought it! My travelling companion approached the security checkpoint. Same drill, not quite the same result. Fingerprints...Ah, one moment ma'am! Damn, they were onto us! Come this way, ma'am. My companion protested: What's wrong? I'm going to a country music festival. I'm innocent. They weren't buying it. She was looking at a stretch of ten to fifteen in San Quentin.

We were escorted to the US 'Admissibility Review Area'. We waited and waited. US Border Control officers were busy 'interviewing' dodgy looking characters. Come on, you expect me to believe that? A look of concern, or was it terror, was etched across the face of the suspect. But I can explain...They were having none of it: Sure you can, said a sceptical, stoney-faced type. A couple of heavies stood nearby waiting to apply more effective interview 'techniques'. 

My companion was called to the desk. Okay, ma'am. Your prints don't match those on our database. How do you figure that? Stay cool, baby! I...I can't understand it said my companion. Sure, you don't said the stoney-faced one. Things were looking bad. The stoney-faced one went over to whisper something into the ear of the heavies. They looked like specialists in bespoke cement overcoats. Then, out of the blue: You're free to go, ma'am. Enjoy your trip to the USI sure do love that country music, ma'am!

Perhaps we'll never know why or how we were sent on our way. We exited via a side door. No pictures! (see photo). Little did they know we were heading to a jazz festival! 
Russell

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