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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

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.

Friday, January 15, 2021

Alec Harper live streaming from Kansas Smitty's - Jan. 14

Alec Harper (tenor sax); Dave Archer (guitar); Will Sach (double bass); Jas Kayser (drums)

(Screenshots by Ken Drew)


This evening's live stream from Kansas Smitty's found itself up against an all star session on Frith Street (see LL's Supersax review). One change in the advertised line-up with pianist Noah Stoneman making way for guitarist Dave Archer (this evening standing up playing a Telecaster), other than that, it was business as usual. Drummer Jas Kayser handled the introductions, kicking off with The End of a Love Affair. For the next hour or so the quartet played an impeccable selection of tunes. 

The second number - Surrey with the Fringe on Top - proved to be the sole trio outing of the evening with tenor sax man Alec Harper sitting it out (bassist Will Sach playing the familiar melody). Harper returned to play Star Eyes followed by Trane's Lonnie's Lament. Kansas Smitty's boys and girls can, and do, turn their hand to anything, seemingly nothing is beyond them. From Coltrane to the 1931 Columbo-Gaskill ballad Prisoner of Love. Yes, whatever the era or style, they're up for it. Bernstein's Lucky to be Me and Come Rain or Come Shine (one of the many Harold Arlen-Johnny Mercer penned GASbook classics) concluded another hour of KSTV (Kansas Smitty's TV) top drawer entertainment.   
Russell        
  
Set list: The End of a Love Affair; Surrey with the Fringe on Top; Star Eyes; Lonnie's Lament; Prisoner of Love; Lucky to be Me; Come Rain or Come Shine
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