Total Pageviews

Bebop Spoken There

Trevor Mires: ''My mum is a Dean Martin fan: I'm not, so I would grab my skateboard and get out of the house whenever I heard "Everybody Loves Somebody, Sometime." ". (Jazzwise, 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

17957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 278 of them this year alone and, so far, 34 this month (April 14).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Only Six Standards.
Thu 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Fri 18: Alexia Gardner @ Fika Gallery, Oldgate, Morpeth NE61 1LT. 7:00pm. Trio (Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy).RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 13

Fri 18: Sarah Jane Morris & Tony Remy: The Sisterhood @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. CANCELLED! 7:30pm (doors). £25.00.

Sat 19: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 19: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 19: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 21: Newcastle Record Fair @ Copthorne Hotel, Newcastle. 10:00am. Going in search of the Buddy Bolden cylinder…
Mon 21: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. Coquetdale Jazz.

Wed 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 23: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 23: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

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, May 23, 2021

Tessa Smith Band @ Seven Arts, Leeds - May 23

Tessa Smith (vocals); Anna Chandler (alto sax); Jason Scott (piano); Sam Jackson (bass); John Arneson (drums)

The livestreams and the live gigs seem to be working well together. Last night we had the 606 and Kansas Smitty's and, today, this afternoon, a JazzLeeds promo at Seven Arts kept the ball rolling, a ball that will continue to keep on rollin' tonight at the Globe in Newcastle, a place not too far removed from where today's star was born.

Tessa Smith, originally from Hexham, or thereabouts, studied at Leeds College of Music and has since been making waves on the vocal jazz scene both in Leeds and elsewhere including some very prestigious venues. Apart from the voice, her easy chatty intros to the songs reveal an infectious personality that immediately draws the listener in. 

Today's two hour session (twenty minute interval) included some tried and tested standards that were impeccably sung alongside four excellent players all of whose names were new to me albeit not any longer.

Particularly impressive was Anna Chandler on alto who soared like an early Art Pepper or Paul Desmond - keep an eye out for her, she's the absolute real deal.

Likewise Jason Scott on piano hit all the right notes in all the right places - he's another comer.

With Jackson and Arneson holding it all together this was as good a way as any to spend a Sunday afternoon. Lance

First set: Almost Like Being in Love; Makin' Whoopee; Feelin' Good (in 3/4); When You're Smiling;  'Tain't Nobody's Business if I Do (tribute to Bessie and Billie); How High the Moon? (tribute to Ella w. scat choruses); The Folks Who Live on the Hill (tribute to Peggy); Shout, Sister, Shout; Mr Bojangles.

Second Set: Happy Day Medley (This is a Very Special Day/It's a Lovely Day Today/It's a Good Day) You've Got a Friend in Me; All of Me; East of the Sun; Girl Talk; A Spoonful of Sugar (Julie Andrews it wasn't!); Everytime we Say Goodbye; Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone.

No comments :

Blog Archive