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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

Friday, October 30, 2020

Abbie Finn Trio: Northern Perspective album launch @ Prohibition Bar - Oct. 29

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

In the middle of a pandemic what do you do? Stay at home, switch off the light and persuade yourself the end of the world is nigh? How about if you play an album launch gig with a socially distanced audience? Enterprising? Crazy? Enterprising drummer and bandleader Abbie Finn isn't crazy (as far as we know) and, and with the willing participation of Harry Keeble and Paul Grainger, proceeded to play two sets to a full house at Prohibition Bar in Newcastle.
Northern Perspective is Abbie's debut CD as leader and this late-October concert served not only to promote the album but to celebrate the fact that this was a significant milestone in what is sure to be a long, fruitful career. Those of us expecting something from the new CD were wrong-footed as Abbie chose to open the set with Hank Mobley's Remember from the tenor saxophonist's Soul Station album. Tenor saxophonist Harry relished the material and Invitation gave him another opportunity to stretch out, post bop-style. 

Abbie's Walkabout, the opening track on the album, could well be the County Durham based musician's early-career signature tune. Boppish with a subtle swing feel, it's certainly a confident, introductory statement. Another one new to the trio's set, Body and Soul, was set up for Harry, wasn't it? A sax and bass intro, then the floor was Harry's. Listening, thoughts turned to what this young man will be capable of in, say, ten years time...

It would seem Harry has an interest in Norse mythology and such like. Whatever, Ginnungagap was a taut, tense tussle between Nordic gods and our rising tenor sax star. Harry lived to tell the tale. And that was it, the end of the first set. A short interval and the Abbie Finn Trio would return to play a second set.

Night and Day (Harry in overdrive, Abbie knocking out a great solo), Abbie taking Seven Steps to Heaven, then another cut from Northern PerspectiveThere Will Never Be Another You (arr. Finn) featuring Mr PG, that's bass man Paul Grainger, conjuring a most musical solo. To play material other than from the album was a refreshing departure from the usual 'hard sell' one has come to expect at an album launch but we did want to hear these, and other, numbers from the new album. 

Who would plan, and play, an album launch gig on their birthday? Abbie Finn, that's who! What's that about being crazy?! No birthday cake, no blowing out candles, yes, we are living in strange times. Our birthday girl waltzed through Chick Corea's Windows (PG contributing a mid-tune, down beat sneeze, adding to, rather than distracting from, the composer's much-loved number!). 

Abbie, centre stage, literally and metaphorically, addressed her audience in a relaxed, engaging manner. In a few, short years Abbie has come a long way...Durham Music Service providing learning and performance opportunities, Leeds College of Music, Trinity Laban (London), securing an on-stage part in a Harold Pinter play, gigging, teaching, and now, a first album. In typical self-effacing style, Abbie gave the last word to Paul. The last word, and the last track on Northern Perspective, our bassist spoke about composing Umlazi Morning. The trio played it. Music speaks louder than words and all that. To find out more about Abbie and her current activities visit: www.abbiefinn.com.  
Russell      

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