Total Pageviews

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

17945 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 266 of them this year alone and, so far, 22 this month (April 8).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Sun 13: Daniel John Martin with Swing Manouche @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00.
Sun 13: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 13: Hejira: A Celebration of Joni Mitchell @ Wylam Brewery, Newcastle. 8:00pm (7:00pm doors). £22.50.
Sun 13: Wilkinson/Edwards/Noble + Chojnacki @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £13.20., £11.00. JNE.

Mon 14: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 14: Zoë Gilby Quintet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

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.

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, July 02, 2021

The Vieux Carré 4 @ The Holystone - July 1


(Photo by Russell)
Mick Hill (trumpet, vocals); Lawrence McBriarty (trombone, vocals); Brian Chester (keyboards); Fred Thompson (drums, vocals) + John Broddle (vocals) 

Let's call them the Vieux Carré 4, what with Messrs Bennett and Grainger indisposed and Mr J McBriarty away on holiday. Depping today were Brian Chester, piano, and trumpeter Mick Hill. Throughout the afternoon mad dogs and the Vieux Carré took shelter from a midday sun. 

Vocal duties were shared by mainstay vocalist/drummer Fred Thompson, Mick Hill and the band's other McBriarty, trombonist Lawrence. Doctor Jazz (Thompson vocal), Baby Won't You Please Come Home? (Hill vocal) Dallas Blues (and McBriarty) and more got things off to a steady start. 

MC Thompson, playing most of the set with brushes, asked for 'a big hand' for the day's guest vocalist. To jovial cries of Who?! (the culprits were lurking within the band, not the audience!), John Broddle got to his feet. Mr Broddle likes to sing choice material and today was no exception. I'll See You in My Dreams and Out of Nowhere illustrated the amiable Broddle's impressive phrasing of a lyric. 

Second set, Alexander's Ragtime BandBig Butter and Egg ManSweet Lorraine and others, yes, a typical selection here at the Holystone on sunny North Tyneside. Next week, if the sun shines, it's likely the Vieux Carré will once again set up in the beer garden. One o'clock start, bring a Panama. Russell

1 comment :

Brian Bennett said...

Really cheesed-off not to have been on this gig especially with local legends, MICK HILL and BRIAN CHESTER being back in action on trumpet and piano after a long lay-off…and if I say so myself, a typically fab selection of tunes by the Vieux Carré 4. Back next Thursday with the usual suspects - if it’s sunny and warm we’ll be in the beer garden - remember to book your table in advance 0191 266 6173

Blog Archive