Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

March

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Preview: Tonight! Harry Keeble Quartet EP launch

This evening (Thursday 22) at Prohibition Bar in Newcastle, tenor saxophonist Harry Keeble launches his recently recorded EP. The Beacon features original compositions performed by Harry's A-list band; guitarist Mark Williams, bassist Andy Champion and drummer Abbie Finn. Harry and Abbie met at Leeds College of Music and since graduating they've continued to make a big impression on the regional jazz scene and beyond. Mark and Andy, themselves graduates of Newcastle College, run their own bands and are in great demand locally and nationally. 

Harry granted BSH access to the recording and on first listening there is much to like about it. The FirehillsThe Glen and The Sunken Forest showcase Harry's mature compositions and his commanding tenor saxophone playing. The majority of the solos are shared between bandleader Harry and guitarist Mark. The Firehills is a slow-burner of a tune, Mark soloing, Harry assured on tenor, Andy as dexterous on electric bass as he is on double bass. The Glen is in ballad form, its composer producing a finely wrought solo. The Sunken Forest ups the tempo, urgent, into swing time, bold tenor sax, Mark playing as fluently and inventively as we know he can. Holding it all together, drummer Abbie steps up to show what she can do. 

Tonight's HKQ gig on Pink Lane gets underway at eight o'clock (doors at 7:00pm). Advance tickets - £7.50. - are available from: www.wegottickets.com. It's first come, first served to get the best seats! Russell          

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