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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.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

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. 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.

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, July 18, 2021

Sunday Night @ the Award-Winning Globe: Alter Ego - July 18

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)
Dave Hignett (trumpet, flugel); Keith Robinson (alto/soprano sax); Niall Armstrong (tenor sax, flute); Paul Donnelly (guitar); Tony Abel (bass guitar); Dave Johnson (drums).



Q: What's the difference between a live gig and a livestream?

A: The former is usually too short and the latter is usually too long!

To elaborate. On a live gig you're enjoying it in the, socially distanced, convivial company of like-minded enthusiasts. Come the interval, drinks are ordered, observations are made about the gig, even a chance to chat with the performers or, maybe, strike up a new acquaintance before the band return for an even better set - few bands show all their cards in the opening deal.

Contrast that with sitting at home watching/listening on PC, smartphone or whatever - it's not the same.

The 606 streams the first set live and leaves the second set for those who've actually turned up.

Having said that, tonight's session was everything I've come to expect from the band and, true to form, the game was duly lifted in the second set.

I didn't catch the opening title - I'd taken up Keith's suggestion to make a cup of tea and, as it had been a long time since I'd performed such a task, I eventually gave up and settled for a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.  

Suffice to say that when I returned they'd hit the ground running and the tight arrangements were just that little bit looser and all the better for it.

(Collage by Ken Drew)
Replacing keyboards with guitar in the form of Paul Donnelly was/is a masterstroke. His solos challenge the horns to put up. They did and, although there were fewer stratospheric flights from Dave than is his norm, on the penultimate number he did unleash a solo that maybe rattled a few glasses! Niall and Keith both blew their sox off, Niall, apart from some sound tenor playing also provided much of the material whilst Keith's alto and occasional soprano was never less than lyrical.

Tony Abel, bassist, composer, is one of those guys who pop up infrequently but, when he does, you know you're in the presence of a self-effacing star.

Early days to pass judgement on drummer Johnson but, he held his own with these seasoned sessioneers which is a massive plus for him.

A great band that is even greater when they stretch the elastic... Lance

PS: Re my opening question, both The Globe and the band got it just right tonight.

Little Mama; Red Blues; Zip It; Quasimodo; Mustard Mash; Dog Leap Bounce; Bacon Sandwich;  Wheel Within a Wheel; How Low the Sun; Llangranog Blues; Undertone; Not Moanin'; Diva; Football Blues ...

1 comment :

Keith Robinson (on F/b) said...

Thanks for your support Lance. Your reviews are always interesting and valued

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