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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 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

17719 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 39 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Jan. 15).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio w. Graham Hardy @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. (inc. a welcome drink & table reservation). Book at: www.drinks@thepele.co.uk. A ‘Jazz at the Pele’ promotion.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick TD15 1AS. 7:30pm. Free. Album launch gig.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

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, March 26, 2021

Rico's Popup Louis Anniversary Special - Mar. 26

(Screenshot by Russell)
Rico Tomasso (trumpet, cornet, flugelhorn, trombone); Michael McQuaid (reeds); Martin Wheatley (guitar, banjo); Andrew Oliver (piano); Nick Ball (drums); Analucia Tomasso (vocals) 

Hot Fours, Fives and Sixes, a Blue Seven, Louis, Red Allen, Bix and Bunny, yes, an anniversary special. It's one year since Rico Tomasso first ventured into the weird and wonderful world of the live stream. And, most weeks during lockdown(s) Rico has been there, Fridays at seven o'clock. 

(Screenshot by Russell)
Assisting Rico this week, Bunny Berigan, Henry 'Red' Allen, Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbecke (see black & white photo, top left, clockwise). Hot Fives to begin with My Heart. In truth, the four legends were present in spirit only, those actually providing the backing to Rico were modern day greats (see colour photo, from the left, clockwise) Messrs Andrew Oliver (all the way from Portland, Oregon!), Michael McQuaid, Nick Ball, Rico, a mystery trombonist and Martin Wheatley.  

Red Allen, Patrol Wagon Blues, Rico singing, Fireworks with Nick Ball's bock-a-da-bock' intro, stomping piano by Oliver and excellent ensemble work from the 'Five'. Bix Beiderbecke time, time for Rico to pick up his cornet to play Blue River. From Bix to Bunny Berigan's version of Davenport Blues, Rico back on trumpet, the 'boys' of the orchestra recreating a a swing band feel, McQuaid's swinging clarinet solo. McQuaid doubled on tenor to fill out the sound on I Can't Get Started. To close, a marvellous story about Rico's parents meeting Lil Hardin in Paris! Rico's daughter Analucia Tomasso joined Rico and co to sing Harlem on Saturday Night. It had been quite a celebratory evening.           
Russell

Set list: My HeartYou're NextPatrol Wagon BluesFireworksBlue RiverDavenport BluesI Can't Get StartedHarlem on Saturday Night.       

2 comments :

Mike Farmer said...

About three years ago I was in Melbourne Austrailia and my son and I went one Sunday afternoon to the Emerald Bistro to have a meal and hear some jazz. There was a very good tenor player who was called Michael MacQuaid playing with the house quartet. I had a brief chat with him during the interval and he told me he sometimes plays in the UK.

Russell said...

Mike, the very good tenor player Michael McQuaid is a multi-reeds virtuoso and he's been resident in London for some time. Indeed he is co-director of Mike Durham's International Classic Jazz Party. If you're interested, this year's event, near Whitley Bay, is scheduled to take place Nov 5-7. The festival website is: www.whitleybayjazzfest.com.

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