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.

Tuesday, September 01, 2020

Jordan Alfonso and the Alan Law Trio, celebrating the Charlie Parker Centennial with a Jazz Coop Livestream on Sept. 6

To say that our local jazz promoters have been somewhat slow in celebrating the centennial of one of jazz's greatest and most iconic figures would be putting it mildly.

Obviously, the current climate precludes live gigs nevertheless, livestreaming is possible and, in this respect, the Jazz Coop leads the way, as it so often does, and - even though a week late as regards the actual date of the magical 100 figure - they have set up a gig featuring an alto saxist and a trio more than capable of doing "Bird". Imagine a tribute to Charlie Parker without an alto sax player! - "Hamlet without the Prince of Denmark" is the much used phrase that springs to mind!

In this case, the Prince of Denmark is Jordan Alfonso. To be or not to be is no longer a question and with Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Rob Walker (drums) Bird truly will live!
Lance

(Globe press release)

We are planning to allow audiences into The Globe as soon as we can accommodate them safely and within government guidelines.


With a solid grounding in jazz, saxophonist Jordan Alfonso has made a name for himself in multiple genres of music. Developing a solid reputation in the North East, his playing has led him to playing both as a solo artist and with bands around the UK as well as across Europe and the USA. Despite being a sought-after session musician and recording artist, he will always relish an opportunity to get back to his jazz roots, with Charlie Parker’s bebop style a fundamental influence.


Ably backed by stalwarts of the local jazz scene – Alan Law piano, Paul Grainger bass and Rob Walker drums – it should be a great night with legendary Parker quotes a plenty.

“If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn.” 

So that the musicians can get paid, we ask you to make a small ‘entrance donation’, which we recommend should be £5 per person. If you are able to give a bit more this will be really welcome at this time when gig income for musicians has almost completely stopped.


TO VIEW THE LIVESTREAM GIG PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING:
1. Make a donation via the following link: https://bit.ly/2DMHb1d

Donate what you can afford, £5 per person is the suggested minimum. Please do so as early as possible, as a rush of requests just before the gig may result in some people missing the start.


2. When we have received notification of your donation we will send you an email with instructions on how to view the livestream. Please note that this is not an automated process. Our volunteers may not respond immediately. Also remember that our message will go to the email account which may not be the one you usually use with your payment

3. We recommend that you access and save the link as soon as you receive our instructions. On Sunday 6 September ‘doors open’ at 7.45pm so get comfortable and chat with other members of the audience.

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