Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

From This Moment On

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

The Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Fox Inn, Hexham - March 17

Dean Stockdale (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums)
(Review by Russell)

The world as we knew it was closing down around us but Hexham Jazz Club was determined to go out on a high. The Fox Inn on West End Terrace is a friendly, one room community pub with a supportive landlord. Jazz once a month is fine by Mine Host. He'll stand at the bar listening not saying much and there's nowt wrong with that. Of course the show couldn't have happened without musicians and three of the region's finest offered to play the gig...


Dean Stockdale, Paul Grainger and Abbie Finn arrived in good time knowing that in all likelihood there would be a sparse audience. To play a gig in such circumstances is forever to their credit. It helped no end that they're amiable souls. Essentially playing for themselves and a handful of hardy/foolhardy types, pianist Dean got things underway with On the Sunny Side of the Street. Never could Dorothy Field have imagined her 1930s' lyrics would appertain to 21st century Britain...Walked with no one, talked with no one...

The Nearness of You (comp. H. Carmichael; lyrics Ned Washington) seemed another apt number or maybe not! Musically excellent, as a suggestion/recommendation, definitely not! Dean was playing at the top of his game, Paul too. And then there's Abbie. We're lucky to have Abbie, one of the new wave of first rate musicians, working on the local scene. In the better times ahead be sure to show your support at gigs. 

The Gershwins' They Can't Take That Away from Me with Ira's lyric We may never meet again sounded prophetic! The Dean Stockdale Trio is a class act - great tunes, great musicianship, the evening was memorable for a number of reasons - the stocism, laughing in the face of adversity and, of course, the jazz. Alice in Wonderland took us out of the current crazy world in which we find ourselves into a land of make believe, waltzing to the sound of Dean Stockdale, Paul Grainger and Abbie Finn. Thanks guys, let's do it again in the better times ahead when you'll be playing to a full house!   
Russell
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