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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 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

17904 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 225 of them this year alone and, so far, 72 this month (March 24).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 30: Jan Spencelayh & Dave Archbold @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 30: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

APRIL 2025

Tue 01: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Mark Robertson.
Tue 01: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, North St., Ferryhill DL17 8HX. 7:30pm. 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

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Big Band Metheny live streaming from Ronnie's - Mar. 21

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)
Dominic Bentham's big band playing the music of Pat Metheny at Ronnie Scott's. Many of Bob Curnow's arrangements would feature during the evening. Little more than five minutes in 800 were online. A quiet opening, layering sound upon sound, James from Offramp the first familiar number of the set, the 'bones developing the melody. 

Song for Bilbao, as heard on last night's Michael Brecker session from Kansas Smitty's, swiftly followed by a feature for Matt Winch's flugelhorn on the ballad Always and Forever, it became clear this Metheny (and Lyle Mays) concert programme was a labour of love for Bentham and the entire band. Bentham suggested Metheny's music was 'quite cinematic', adding the band would play a sweep of tunes without further commentary, soloists included Aaron Liddard (alto sax), Michael Underwood (tenor sax), Sid Gauld (trumpet), Tommy Andrews (soprano sax), Chris Lowe (trombone) and percussionists Nigel Appleton and Rob Millett. 

(Collage by Ken Drew)
Afternoon, arranged by Bob Curnow, bore a remarkable similarity in melody to Bacharach and David's (They Long to Be) Close to You. Bandleader Bentham related the story of an enquiry from a couple hoping to book the band for their wedding reception. Well, it takes all sorts! To close a concert of some 75 minutes, baritone saxophonist Erica Clarke led off on Last Train Home. For Metheny devotees it is likely this live stream gig was a lockdown highlight, one thing's for sure, 900 plus online were in seventh heaven.        
Russell 

Matt Winch, Andy Gibson, Giles Straw, Sid Gauld, Ed Benstead (trumpets); Martin Gladdish, Chris Lowe, Dave Liddell, Dave Horden (trombones); Tommy Andrews, Aaron Liddard, Andrew Linham, Michael Underwood, Erica Clarke (saxophones); Hilary Cameron (piano); Dominic Bentham (bass); Nigel Appleton (drums); Rob Millett (percussion) 
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