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

Camilla George live steaming from Ronnie Scott's - August 31

Camilla George (alto sax); Shirley Tetteh (guitar); Al MacSween (piano, keyboards); Daniel Casimir (double bass, electric bass); Rod Youngs (drums)

Camilla George studied for three years at Trinity Laban and graduated with MMus Jazz Saxophone, since when she has gone on to make a big impression on the London jazz scene and wider British scene. This live stream gig from Frith Street featured rising star guitarist Shirley Tetteh who has made an equally big impression at the beginnings of what is sure to be along, successful career. This set of seventy five minutes or so from Ronnie Scott's attracted an online audience from all four corners of the globe. 


All but one of the all-original numbers were from George's latest CD The People Could Fly, the one other composition was drawn from the alto saxophonist's debut album, Isang. The band - Al MacSween, piano, Daniel Casimir, bass and drummer Rod Youngs - formed a collective powerhouse from which George launched a succession of intense solos: taut, slow burning, ratcheting up the tension, releasing and resolving with her band mates taking up the baton to develop their own incendiary solos. 

Tappin the Land TurtleHe Lion, Bruh Bear, Bruh RabbitThe Most Useful Slave - each and every composition demanded A grade chops and all were nailed, individually and collectively. How Nehemiah Got Free emerged as the tune of the night - George laying down a killer solo, Tetteh unfazed, a match for the band leader. Camilla George is in the vanguard of the new generation. As and when she takes to the road be sure to check her out. 
Russell

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