Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 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

18799 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 663 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 12) 32.

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

August

Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: John Settle Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. John Settle (vibes); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 14: Bold Big Band @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00 + bf.

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

Sun 16: Vintage Explosion @ Cliffe Park, Roker, Sunderland SR6 8DB. 5:00-10:30pm. £44.00 (inc. bf).

Mon 17: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 20: Edson Angus Quartet @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 20: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Friday, May 29, 2020

Kai Hoffman: Livestream - May 29

Kai Hoffman (vocals); Roger Lewyn (piano).

I missed the first 53 minutes thinking I'd be just in time to catch Kai's last number. 

I was wrong! I caught her last five numbers!

I blinked! Was this Kai? Last time I saw her was upstairs in Ronnie's where she was launching an album. On that occasion she was the archetypal blonde bombshell and the party was like something out of Some Like it Hot (BBC2 tomorrow, 3:40pm) with Kai in great voice.

This was back in 2013 and the American expat has toned down her hair but not her voice!

As I said, at the beginning, I was expecting one number and got five!

Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets; There Will Never be Another You; I Will Survive - don't cringe, forget all the karaokes that had you sneaking out of the lounge and seeking refuge in the bar. Instead, remember Gloria Gaynor's original version. This is as good an alternative as you're gonna get. We'll Meet Again - course we will, er won't we? Done here as a sort of doo-wop shuffle.

Finally, that good old Newcastle/New Orleans/Wallsend number - The House of the Rising Sun.

Before closing, a massive shout to Roger Lewyn who, although unseen, contributed massively - he's a man who plays mighty fine piano, yes sirree! Kai being American I thought I'd throw in a couple of phrases I picked up from watching B-movies just to make her feel at home.

Kai is back next Friday at 7:30pm.
Lance.

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