Bebop Spoken There

Jools Holland (on his 2026 spring/summer tour): ''With the mighty [R&B] Orchestra, our wonderful boogie woogie singers, and the brilliant Joe Webb opening the shows [including Darlington Hippodrome, June 19], we're in for some very special evenings of music.'' The Northern Echo February 5, 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

18263 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 117 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 6), 17

From This Moment On ...

February

Sat 07: The Big Easy @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.
Sat 07: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30-3:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 07: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £27.50. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. St Thomas & Bésame Mucho. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 07: Side Cafe Oᴙkestar @ Café Under the Spire, Gateshead. 6:30pm. Table reservations: 0191 477 3970.
Sat 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 08: Swing Tyne @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12 noon (doors). Donations. Swing dance taster class (12:30pm) + Hot Club de Heaton (live performance). Non dancers welcome.
Sun 08: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 09: Mark Williams Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 09: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 10: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 11: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington.. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 11: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 12: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 13: Noel Dennis Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm . £9.00. Dennis (trumpet, flugelhorn); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 13: Joe Steels @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 13: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm.
Fri 13: Tom Remon & John Moriarty @ The Ship Isis, Silksworth Row, Sunderland SR1 3QJ. 7:00pm. £10.00 + £1.00 bf.

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, December 04, 2020

Rico & Denny sing & play Louis & Frank - Dec. 4

Rico Tomasso (trumpet, vocals); Denny Ilett (guitar, vocals)

Rico thanked Denny Ilett for once again joining him on another Popup Louis. Guitarist Denny was the first of Rico's many fellow musicians to join him on his now long running weekly live stream sessions. Tonight's gig would take a look at tunes loosely associated with Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra. 

Tonight's first number - All God's Chillun Got Rhythm with Denny double-tracking rhythm and lead parts. What is This Thing Called Love? with Rico recalling favourite versions including Bud Powell and Sidney Bechet. Blueberry Hill gave Rico an opportunity to sing, not to mention play his horn, in the style of his hero, Louis Armstrong. Loads of people copied that said Rico. Do Nothing Till You Hear from Me (Concerto for Cootie) featured the vocals of Denny in tribute to Sinatra. 

Earlier in the day Rico had been over to Norfolk visiting his mother. Judging by the photo it seems our host didn't have time to change out of his country squire gear before switching on the live stream. Ever resourceful, on his trip to the Broads Rico called into a local hardware store to stock up on his plungers!  

Birth of the Blues - Louis and Frank together and what do you know? Rico and Denny's vocals were spot on! I'll Never be the Same - Rico wondering out loud if Sinatra recorded it, Louis did with Oscar Peterson. More of Denny's double-tracking on this one, his solo lines akin to the Hot Club school. I Get a Kick Out of You, Cole Porter's tune very much associated with Sinatra but, as Rico pointed out, Armstrong played it with Oscar Peterson. No vocals on this one, just trumpet and guitar. And to close, Slow Boat to China

Next week, all the way from Portland, Oregon, pianist Andrew Oliver will be joining Rico. Seven o'clock sharp. 

Russell

Set list: All God's Chillun Got Rhythm;  What is This Thing Called Love?Blueberry HillDo Nothing Till You Hear from MeBirth of the BluesI'll Never be the SameI Get a Kick Out of YouSlow Boat to China

1 comment :

Lance said...

Did Sinatra ever record I'll Never be the Same ? Sure did! It's on one of his most famous albums - In the Wee Small Hours.

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