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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

17777 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 98 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Feb.8).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Tue 11: Steve Summers Quintet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Jam session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 13: Student Performances @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 4:00pm. Free. Inc. Olly Styles (tenor sax).
Thu 13: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: Artist Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Hannabiell & Midnight Blue.
Thu 13: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 14: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 12:30-1:30pm. £5.00. at the door. New second Friday in the month concert series.
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: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 14: Archipelago + Anna Tempest @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £8.00.
Fri 14: Paul Jones & Dave Kelly @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. Rhythm & blues.
Fri 14: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Fri 14: Jazz Sabbath @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

Sat 15: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 15: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 15: Elkie Brooks @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. ‘The Long Farewell Tour’.
Sat 15: Milne Glendinning Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 16: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 16: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: BBC Introducing NE X MOBO Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 6:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Jambone, Knats, Rivkala, SwanNek.
Sun 16: The Shayo Experience @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 16: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.
Sun 16: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 17: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

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, September 24, 2020

Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone - Sept. 24

Jim McBriarty (clarinet, vocals); Lawrence McBriarty (trombone); Brian Bennett (banjo); Bill Colledge (bass guitar); Fred Thompson (drums, vocals) + John Broddle (vocals) 

The Vieux Carré Jazzmen were quick out of the blocks when pubs first reopened, initially performing in the Holystone's pub beer garden, more recently indoors. Now it's face coverings on entry, face coverings when moving around the premises, face coverings to exit, this is the gig-going experience, seemingly for the next six months. Today's inclement weather no doubt deterred some, no doubt others opted to forego the 'new normal'. The VCJ set sail on the little heard Mezz Mezzrow-Sidney Bechet number Out of the Gallion

On board the Good Ship Holystone today were the McBriartys (Jim, clarinet, Lawrence trying out his recent eBay purchase, a nice-sounding King trombone), the unobtrusive Bill Colledge, bass guitar and singing drummer Fred Thompson, all four skippered by Captain Brian Bennett. Why Don't You Go Down to New Orleans? sang McBriarty J. Presumably we were aboard the Good Ship Holystone sailing down the Mississippi. Alright, admittedly a bit of a stretch but use your imagination!

Fred Thompson sang about The Gypsy, an old Inkspots' tune, apparently. Mr J Broddle was in the house. Skipper Bennett motioned to John who made his way to the stand, wondering if he had to sing wearing a mask! Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams then I'll See You in My Dreams - two dreamy numbers to momentarily forget these nightmarish times. 

During the interval a near-disaster occurred. No one was in a mile of it (honest, guv'nor!) when...Captain Bennett's banjo, perched on a stool, slowly but surely toppled, crashing to the floor! No harm was done. Phew! 

Second set. Vocalists McBriarty and Thompson said they didn't know/couldn't remember the lyrics to Red Sails in the Sunset. Captain Bennett called up John Broddle, he would know it, and he did! The other McBriarty, Lawrence 'King' McBriarty, suggested Bugle Boy March. Captain Bennett pointed out the band was short of a bugler. McBriarty declared he would play the intro on his newly-acquired King. And off he went...playing the intro to Bourbon Street Parade! Bennett called an immediate halt. McBriarty said: Oh, aye, that was Bourbon Street Parade. Take two...Bugle Boy March. Hooray! 

The 1919 Rag added a bit pep to proceedings, drummer Thompson took it down again singing Float Me Down the River and with the time fast approaching three o'clock the VCJ said 'good afternoon' with a spritely Ain't She Sweet?  
Russell       

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