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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

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.

Thu 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, Holystone. 1:00pm. Free. Fortnightly.
Thu 23: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Obituaries 2024.
Thu 23: Jason Isaacs @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:30-6:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Thu 23: Pedal Point Trio @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 24: Zoë Gilby Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm.
Fri 24: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 24: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 24: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 24: Creakin’ Bones & the Sunday Dinners @ Lindisfarne Social Club, Wallsend. 9:00pm. Admission: TBC. Jazz, blues , jump jive, rock ‘n’ roll.

Sat 25: Boys of Brass @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:30-5:30pm. Free.
Sat 25: New '58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson's Wharf, Hartlepool. 6:30pm (doors). Free. A Burns' Night event. Jazz, swing, funk, soul, blues etc.
Sat 25: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 25: Jack & Jay’s Songbook @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 26: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: Graham Hardy Eclectic Quartet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 26: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 26: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 26: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:30pm. Free.
Sun 26: Gratkowski, Tramontana, Beresford, Affifi @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00. JNE.
Sun 26: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

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

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Move over Hollywood - make room for Jarrow!

Over the years, Jarrow has had many characters who've enhanced (or otherwise) the town's image. I was born there so, I admit, I'm biased!

Ellen Wilkinson, the town's greatest MP, Steve Cram, Alan Price, John Miles just a few of those Jarrow (Jarra?) lads who moved on to greater things.

There were others. Jarrow Elvis didn't quite make the big time - some might say he didn't even make the small time. The Jarra Lads were a popular duo in the days when CIU clubs thrived - what went wrong there?

Jess McConnell had been one half of The Jarra Lads and, after various enterprises in the licence trade, found himself behind the bar/scenes of the Gin and Alehouse on Walter St. just down from the Town Hall. As I walked by this latter building, where the historic Jarrow March began in 1936, I reflected that the Gin and Alehouse, which is now in the process of incorporating the pub's original name of The Albion into its logo although the sign-writers seem to be a little late arriving, looked to be doing good business.

And so they were (doing good business) - today was a Film Premiere and you don't get too many of them in Jarra. Well, it wasn't exactly the premiere more a preview of this evening's premiere which was just as well as there were one or two hiccups before the lion roared - or, in this case, a rather sweet looking cat.

The idea, apart from pulling in the punters, was a tribute to the NHS and no one would object to that (are you listening government?) that took us on a trip that began in the past century and beyond recalling events that shaped history. This was done, imaginatively, by Jess donning a variety of hats and wigs and appearing as everyone from Al Jolson to David Bowie. That he didn't sound or look like any of them and the chronology was not quite, shall we say, chronological, he did have the mannerisms down to perfection, and, at the end of the day, it all worked and the room applauded.

It was a pleasant, enjoyable 30 minutes and, to quench your thirst, the delectable Charli was there to serve up Strongarm, Theakston's, Hobgoblin, Bitter & Twisted - certainly beats a bucket of popcorn!
Lance.
Two showings tonight at 20:30 & 22:30 hours. Be there for the red carpet arrival! Absolutely unmissable!

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