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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, 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

17904 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 225 of them this year alone and, so far, 72 this month (March 24).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 30: Jan Spencelayh & Dave Archbold @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 30: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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, June 04, 2021

Jo Harrop - Mary Janes and a Brand New Hat

(Press release)

Jazz vocalist and songwriter Jo Harrop has proudly revealed her new single ‘Red Mary Janes And A Brand New Hat’, the second track from her much-anticipated new studio album, The Heart Wants, due for release October 2021 on Lateralize Records.

Recorded in London and produced by Hannah V (who has worked with everyone from JP Cooper to Stormzy), ‘Red Mary Janes And A Brand New Hat’ was written by Harrop, Hannah V and Natalie Williams and features Jason Rebello (piano), Troy Miller (drums), Jihad Darwish (bass) and Jamie McCredie (guitar).

 

“Red Mary Janes And A Brand New Hat was written late one night at Hannah’s studio in Hoxton after a few bottles of wine,” Harrop explains. “We were all missing gigs and reminiscing about the good times when we got dressed up and took to the stage – the place where all troubles magically fly away. It’s a real contrast to the bluesy torch songs that I usually write, so perhaps people won’t think I’m totally miserable and heartbroken all the time after hearing this.”

 

“It’s really a song about getting ready to go out on stage and perform, dressed in something that makes you feel good and gives you confidence. A glass of good red wine, mic in hand…that’s how I always perform. One of my favourite lines in the song – ‘Whisper the blues right in your ear / Sing so softly only you can hear’ – sums up the intimate way that I try to tell a story when I sing. It’s a salute to all the female jazz singers I cherish, from Sarah Vaughan through to Nina Simone.”

 

Jo’s first solo single If I Knew was released this past April to much fanfare, including multiple plays on BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, and JazzFM.

 

“You know the voice, you know she’s quality… Absolutely gorgeous” – Jo Whiley, BBC Radio 2

 

Jo’s 2020 collaboration with Jamie McCredie Weathering The Storm received a raft of rapturous reviews upon its release, showing her velvety voice can melt the stoniest of hearts, with BBC 6 Music’s Iggy Pop exclaiming  “I Believe her… She convinces me.”

 

Jo will be making a welcome return to the stage as part of Lateralize Records’ Jazz On A Summer’s Evening showcase at London’s Cadogan Hall on 5th June 2021.

 

Jo Harrop is surely one of the brightest new stars in the jazz universe.

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