Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 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

18083 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1047 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 14), 61.

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:30pm. ‘The A Capella Sessions’. Gardner, Paula Gardner, Alexia Hope Gardner Diamany.
Wed 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Thu 25: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:00pm. ‘All About the Bass Sessions’. Alexia Gardner, Paula Gardner, Jude Murphy.

Fri 26: ???

Sat 27: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 27: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. 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

Monday, March 08, 2021

Alan Broadbent Trio live streaming from Small's, NYC - Mar. 7

Alan Broadbent (piano); Harvie S (double bass); Billy Mintz (drums) 

In April 2017 pianist Alan Broadbent visited Tyneside to appear at the Gateshead International Jazz Festival in a duo performance with singer Georgia Mancio. This live stream appearance from Small's provided another chance to hear the New Zealander, this time with his trio. In a one hour set of six numbers, Broadbent's performance in the company of Harvie S and Billy Mintz reaffirmed the view that he is a supreme interpreter of classic material. This Greenwich Village gig could be described as 'the art of', the art of classy piano playing, the art of impeccable bass paying (Harvie S) and the art of minimalism as demonstrated by Mintz. 

Charlie Haden's Hello My Lovely opened the set, the trio totally at ease, Mintz, with brushes in hand, barely moving. For three or four numbers it was music all the way, Broadbent would make the introductions in due course. What is This Thing Called Love?, a disguised, to your reviewer's ear, Struttin' with Some Barbecue into an instantly recognisable Body and Soul. Broadbent did eventually speak to his audience - the lucky few in the venue and a sizeable online following. Two contrasting numbers to end the set - Bernice Petkere's Lullaby of the Leaves from the early thirties followed by Gigi Gryce's Minority which featured a cameo drum solo from Mintz. It had been an excellent set courtesy of three great players.   
Russell

Set list: Hello, My LovelyWhat is This Thing Called Love?Struttin' with Some BarbecueBody and SoulLullaby of the LeavesMinority

1 comment :

Lance said...

Alan Broadbent also appeared in Newcastle with Woody Herman at the City Hall circa 1970.

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