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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

Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30pm-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 22: Mississippi MacDonald @ Claypath Deli, Durham. 7:00pm. Blues.
Sat 22: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm. £16.50. SOLD OUT!
Sat 22: Michael Woods @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

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.
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: 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.

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

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Abbie Finn Trio: Jazz on a Summer's Day @ St. James' & St. Basil's Church, Newcastle.

Abbie Finn (drums); Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Paul Grainger (bass).

Well it's Sunday so you have two options. You can either go to church  or go down to the pub. I opted to kill two birds with one stone. 

Abbie Finn, a drummer whom we have raved over ever since she first showed at the local jam sessions, and her two associates had the honour of playing the first ever open air jazz gig since Lockdown - and in the grounds of a church, whose green and pastured lands saw a hundred, maybe more, worshipping the drumlady. and, of course, her fellow disciples.


Like all of us, the trio had been in lockdown since the world, temporarily we hope, stopped turning. Musicians, hairdressers, razor-blade manufacturers and many other professions have been losing customers. However, today was truly a historic moment. If you're going to do it, do it in the glorious setting of the garden of those two Saints Jas and Bas. Rain? No chance, somebody up there likes jazz!

An idyllic setting is, perhaps, an over used word but, it was just that! We made our optional donations and purchased our refreshments and settled back ...

A mix of originals and standards kept everyone happy. Harry blew well within himself doing just enough to please the fans without upsetting the Bishop if he just happened to drop by. Paul, on bass, provided a few of his own as well as slotting in the occasional solo. His chorus or two on Tangerine was a masterclass on the art of playing an effective solo whilst still reminding the listener what the tune was. As juicy a Tangerine as I've heard in a long time.

Abbie, of course, was and is the consummate artist and, after the session, announced that the trio were going into a studio to record their first album. Details of this and forthcoming gigs will be found on her Facebook page ... for those who don't use Facebook ... watch this space!
Lance

4 comments :

Richard Grainger said...

Well I looked her up on Youtube like I do on so many of your recommendations Lance... she's got it.

Magdalena Ruta (on F/b) said...

Amazing feeling being there on the grass :) thanks x

Rachel Richman (on F/b) said...

It was a fantastic occasion in so many ways.

Miriam said...

Fantastic to get out in the fresh air, see a few friends, have a glass of wine and listen to some great jazz musicians. Thank you Abbie, Paul and Harry 🙏🎶🎷🥁🎻

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