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Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: '' A Love Supreme coincided with my search for meaning in life". (DownBeat, March 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

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Laurence Harrison, Paul Grainger, Tim Johnston.
Tue 18: Phil Bancroft’s Beautiful Storm @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £13.20 & £11.00.. A JNE-Gem Arts co-promotion.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, Holystone. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Nicknames.
Thu 20: Terri Green Experience @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £15.90.
Thu 20: Lindsay Hannon Trio @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Hannon’s ‘Tom Waits for No Man’ set.
Thu 20: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Mill Tavern, Hebburn. 8:30pm. Free.

Fri 21: Paul Skerritt @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 21: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 21: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 21: Giles Strong Quartet @ 1719, Hendon, Sunderland. 7:30pm. CANCELLED!
Fri 21: New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Featuring special guest Martin Litton (piano).

Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30pm-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 22: Swamp Stomp String Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Sat 22: Rivkala @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

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

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Kansas Smitty's live streaming Louis Armstrong's Town Hall Concert - Dec. 15

Enrico Tomasso (trumpet, vocals); Pete Horsfall (trumpet, vocals); Adrian Cox (clarinet, vocals): Daniel Higham (trombone); Joe Webb (piano); Will Sach (double bass); Jas Kayser (drums)

(Photos courtesy of Ken Drew)

The 'Town Hall Concert' tag encouraged large numbers to log on. In reality Rico Tomasso (Armstrong) and co roamed far and wide, back to the Hot Fives and Sevens of some two decades before the much vaunted 1947 NYC date. Historical accuracy aside, this Kansas Smitty's live stream would prove to be an absolute barnstormer. 

Struttin' with Some Barbecue opened the one hour set. The whoops and hollers from the lucky few in the socially-distanced audience said everything...this what what we've all been missing! The excitement-o-meter threatened to explode as Rico/Louis and a cookin' rhythm section almost blew the roof off the place. 
Pete Horsfall's deferential role as Bobby Hackett and Adrian Cox as Peanuts Hucko, took it down a notch on Do you Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans?  The audience reaction? Every bit as vociferous as before. Horsfall himself sang Earl Hines' Monday Date. 

Highlights from this Kansas Smitty's session were many, perhaps none better than Rico doing his best Louis with a marvellous On the Sunny Side of the Street with 'bone man Dan Higham scoring as Jack Teagarden, or perhaps Vic Dickenson. It was noticeable that the younger members of the band - Joe Webb, Will Sach, Jas Kayser, Dan Higham - were wreathed in smiles, they were definitely enjoying themselves! 

Royal Garden Blues almost caused a riot, Kansas Smitty's speakeasy fortunate not to be raided by the boys in blue: 
'Allo, 'allo, 'allo! What's goin' on 'ere, then? Kansas Smitty's Jack on the door: Er? Nothing much, officer, we're just havin' ourselves a party. Horsfall/Hackett and Joe Webb/Dick Cary took it upon themselves to cool it. Our duo calmed the situation with a respectful take on Dear Old Southland.

Time for two more; Rico and Adrian sharing the vocals on Old Rockin' Chair and on to the grand finale. Rico/Louis thanked his band mates for making it a memorable occasion and with that, Jas Kayser, learning on the job, had a ball soloing on Tiger Rag. The odds are Rico was thinking: These guys are good, and they're so young! A cracking session, Kansas Smitty's is the gig, log on for free (donations appreciated) at eight, Tuesday to Friday.  
Russell     
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