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.

Thursday, June 17, 2021

CD Review: Beverley Beirne – Dream Dancer

Beverley Beirne (vocals); Sam Watts (piano); Flo Moore (bass); Ben Brown (drums, perc, conga); Rob Hughes (sax, flute); Duncan Lamont (sax track 3, 9); Jason Miles (Fender Rhodes, strings, Hammond B3 on various tracks); Romero Lubambo (guitar track 9) Cyro Baptista (perc track 9)

Why haven't I heard this great singer before? I've been asleep on the job. This is Ms Beirne's third album, new takes on songs to do with dancing, a very enjoyable listen with a tinge of sadness for the late Duncan Lamont, ace saxman, who features on his own songs Now We're Just Friends and Old Brazil. No messing around, it's straight in from the start, fast drums and bass on Let's Face the Music and Dance, and a rich alto voice which can take higher notes in its stride.

A Weaver of Dreams gives us skilled bass accompaniment and solo work from Flo Moore, which really does flow more (joke, couldn't resist); Lamont's lyrics on Now We're Just Friends are unusual, 'We slashed at our lives, like children with knives';  Let's Dance is a samba with an extended coda, which Bowie, who wrote the song, would have loved.

Temptation is a Latin number with hand drums and voice introduction and a flute solo which reminded me of snake charming; Winter Moon is somewhat menacing, with a slow click on drums, sung feelingly, all about loneliness. The title track Dream Dancing is a swinger with sax and piano solos. Pieces of Dreams, is thought-provoking, apparently about finding an identity, an unusual song for the final track.

Beverley Beirne, a professional singer since the age of 19, began by singing classically, studied acting, completed a degree in English and Drama, worked for BBC Yorkshire TV, had a supporting role in Emmerdale, studied jazz with Tina May and Alan Barnes, performed at festivals and clubs in the UK and Europe and is currently the artistic director for Ilkley Jazz Festival, which is the venue for her next live show on August 21, 2021.

The album is available everywhere from July 5, 2021. 

See www.beverleybeirne.com  

AnnAlex

Let's Face the Music and Dance; A Weaver of Dreams; Now We're Just Friends; Let's Dance; Daydream; Temptation; Fascinating Rhythm/Thou Swell; Bill; Old Brazil; Winter Moon; Dream Dancing; Pieces of Dreams

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