Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: ''It was then that Coltrane came along and single-handedly brought this dimension of spirituality into jazz. It was a pivotal experience to me.'' (DownBeat September, 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

18957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 821 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 30.) 100.

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

October.

Mon 05: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 05: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Tue 06: Alan Law @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free. Alan Law (piano) w. Paul Grainger (double bass).
Tue 06: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Murray Oak, Paul Grainger, John Bradford.
Tue 06: Customs House Big Band @ The Masonic Hall, Ferryhill. 7:30pm. Free.
Tue 06: Black is the Color of My Voice @ Northern Stage, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman stage play inspired by Nina Simone. First night of two.

Wed 07: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free. Wed 07: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 07: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 07: Black is the Color of My Voice @ Northern Stage, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman stage play inspired by Nina Simone. Second night of two.

Thu 08: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 08: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free (donations).
Thu 08: Indigo Jazz Voices w. Little Big Band @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 09: Dean Stockdale Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums).
Fri 09: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle.

Sat 10: Catfish Keith @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £19.00. + bf. Jumpin’ Hot Club.

Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free. Feat. guest Jack ‘Banjo’ Courtney (trumpet).
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Harry Christelis Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A Jazz Co-op-JNE co-promotion.

Wednesday, April 07, 2021

Live at Jack's Place #10 - April 7

(Screenshot by Lance)
Jack Cotterill (drums); Jamie Brownfield (trumpet); Fraser Urquhart (keys); Ed Harrison (bass); Georgia Cécile (vocals).

Okay, let's get the negatives out of the way first. The sound balance was poor, particularly on the keyboard, and Ms Cécile's announcements weren't very clear. Also, initially, there was a lot of buffering which, on Facebook, is not unusual, although it did lessen as the show progressed and, finally, the picture which was as sharp as a tack during the early stages was, later, either out of focus or else I need to go to Specsavers. 

However, despite all that, it was still as good a way as any to spend a lockdown Wednesday evening.

(Screenshot by Lance)
The majority of the 60+ minutes centred around the bubbly lass from Edinburgh who ducked and weaved as she wound her vocal chords around as choice a selection of standards as you are likely to find should you traverse the length and breadth of Broadway. Difficult to pick out one favourite but, for me, Gershwin's Soon just edged it over another Gershwin classic, I Was Doing Alright. I look forward to catching her live live. 

Urquhart also came down from Edinburgh and he played some nice things despite the sound issues. Jamie Brownfield we know well and he blows fine trumpet in a style that hovers around the mainstream to bop period. A variety of mutes provided an interesting contrast to his open horn blowing. Harrison was, generally speaking, laid back although his solos were fine and usually contained a hint of the melody. As for the leader himself, he did the necessary when the necessary was necessary and didn't do the necessary when the necessary wasn't necessary (apologies for using necessary unnecessarily but it's long been one of my spelling bogey words - I guess I've now got it well and truly conquered although, getting back to Gershwin, It Ain't Necessarily So!) 

Next week it's a New Orleans' themed show.

Lance

Move (instrumental); I Only Have Eyes For You; Thou Swell; Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You?; I Was Doing Alright; On Green Dolphin Street (instrumental); I Get Along Without You Very Well (voice and keys); Soon; Don't go to Strangers; Just You, Just Me.

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