Bebop Spoken There

Warne Marsh: "At some point, you have to be prepared to create—to perform. It's vital, man, if we're talking about jazz, the original jazz, the performing art. It fulfils its meaning only when you play it live in front of an audience." DownBeat January 1983.

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

18191 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 45 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 14), 45

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Tue 20: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Ben Lawrence, Paul Grainger, Joe Deans.

Wed 21: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 21: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 21: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 22: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: 2025 obituaries.
Thu 22: Ronnie Scott’s Soho Songbook @ The Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm. SOLD OUT!
Thu 22: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta. @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm (doors). £6.50 (inc. bf).

Fri 23: Sue Ferris Quintet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 23: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 23: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 23: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 24: An Evening with Will Todd @ Durham Cathedral. 7:30pm. Feat. Voices of Hope, Strictly Smokin’ Big Band (members of) & Alice Grace. Performance inc. Todd’s Jazz Missa Brevis. £25.50., £13.50., £19.50., £10.50.

Sun 25: Musicians Unlimited @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: Gaz Hughes Trio @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 25: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 25: Alexia Gardner Trio @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00.

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 Heart; You're Next; Patrol Wagon Blues; Fireworks; Blue River; Davenport Blues; I Can't Get Started; Harlem on Saturday Night.       
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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.

Sunday, March 28, 2021 12:44:00 pm
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.

Sunday, March 28, 2021 2:39:00 pm

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