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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17805 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 126 of them this year alone and, so far, 51 this month (Feb.16).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mark Williams Trio @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 23: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Mu Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. CANCELLED!
Sun 23: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 25: ?

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: Jamie McCredie @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free. THIS WEEK ONLY JAMES BIRKETT (guitar)!
Fri 28: Luis Verde 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: Knats @ Lubber Fiend, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £11.50. (inc bf.). Album launch gig. Support act TBC.
Fri 28: Black is the Color of My Voice @ The Gala, Durham. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman show inspired by the life of Nina Simone, performed by Florence Odumosu.
Fri 28: Great North Big Band Jazz Festival: Musicians Unlimited @ Park View Community Centre, Chester-le-Street. 8:00pm. £10.00. (Weekend ticket £20.00., available on the door). Day 1/3. Musicians Unlimited in concert.
Fri 28: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

MARCH 2025

Sat 01: Great North Big Band Jazz Festival @ Park View Community Centre, Chester-le-Street. 11:00am. £15.00. Day 2/3.
Sat 01: TJ Johnson Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 01: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £25.00. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. Get your funk on! Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 01: Shunyata Improvisation Group @ The Watch House, Cullercoats. 2:00-3:30pm. Free.
Sat 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers. Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free.
Sat 01: Struggle Buggy @ The Peacock, Sunderland. 6:00pm. Blues band.
Sat 01: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 01: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.
Sat 01: Jack & Jay’s Vintage Songbook @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. 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, September 17, 2021

Exclusive! Autumn international jazz events announced

(Press release)

JazzLeeds autumn programme is a complete festival of music in itself. We are presenting more than 30 concerts to help people come back to live gigs again. Jazz is attracting a lot of interest these days from a new young audience – our programme includes all types of jazz with something for all tastes. We have some superb international evening concerts the Chief highlights are two women who have set the jazz world by storm – pianist and composer Nikki Iles who will be bringing her Nikki Iles Big Band to Seven Arts for two performances on October 7th, and jazz vocalist Liane Carroll who will be playing a rare date with top Scottish pianist Brian Kellock on December 2nd. 

From America there will be visits from superstar drummer Ari Hoeing and veteran saxman Greg Abate. Guitarist Nigel Price will be presenting a feature on the music of Wes Montgomery, vocalist Jeremy Sassoon will be playing and singing the jazz blues and soul music of Ray Charles, and we’ll also be hearing from some brilliant up and coming musicians as part of drummer Clark Tracey’s sextet.

As well as all this JazzLeeds presents our ever-popular Sunday afternoon series of jazz groups featuring musicians from the region including rising star singer Nishla Smith and vocalist and violinist Dom Ingham. All the concerts will be at Seven Arts in Chapel Allerton, Leeds. More information can be had from www.jazzleeds.org.uk and tickets are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/jazzleeds 

Seven highlights this autumn that you shouldn't miss

Nikki Iles Big Band @Seven Arts -Thursday evening 7 October – two performances at 7pm and 9pm  Thursday 7 October

Nikki Iles – Conductor, Piano, Accordion Mike Walker – Guitar Steve Watts – Bass Ian Thomas – Drums; Saxophones: Andy Schofield – Alto, Soprano, Flute Paul Jones – Alto, Flute Julian Siegel – Tenor, Bass Clarinet Tori Freestone – Tenor, Flute Karen Sharp – Baritone, Tenor, Clarinet Gareth Lochrane – Flute, Trumpets: Tom Walsh, Henry Lowther, James Copas, Nick Smart, Trombones: Gordon Campbell, Richard Henry, Ollie Martin, and Harry Maund.

Award-winning pianist and composer Nikki Iles is celebrated as one of the finest musicians the UK has ever produced. Tonight marks a new chapter in a long and distinguished career in British Jazz. Featuring commissions from over the years, new orchestrations of her own small band tunes and new compositions, the superb band she has assembled will showcase the depth and range of her writing and arranging. Expect great jazz from top-drawer musicians highlighting Nikki’s distinctive creative voice.

Ari Hoenig Trio @Seven Arts – Friday evening 15 Oct 8 7.30m 

Ari Hoenig drums with Tom Ollendorff guitar, Conor Chaplin bass.

Busy top-notch New York City drummer makes a rare visit to Leeds with guitarist Tom Ollendorff and bassist Conor Chaplin. They deliver sharp, streetwise modern jazz that borrows as much from drum 'n' bass as much as it does from pristine ECM and dirty downtown aesthetics

Support 7.30-8.00pm Rory Mann Quartet

Nigel Price Organ Trio featuring Vasilis Xenopoulos @Seven Arts Thursday 21 October 7.30pm

Nigel Price - guitar Ross Stanley – B3 Hammond Organ Vasilis Xenopoulos – Tenor Saxophone Joel Barford – Drums

Nigel Price is one of the UK’s leading jazz guitarists and a tireless supporter of live music, so it is with great pleasure that we welcome him back, leading his Organ Trio in an evening of tunes made famous by the legendary guitarist Wes Montgomery.

Greg Abate @Seven Arts Thursday November 11th 7.30pm

Greg Abate alto sax with the Pete Rosser Trio – Pete Rosser piano, Sam Jackson bass and John Settle drums

US alto sax star - post hard bop soloist who plays jazz festivals and clubs throughout North America and Europe, one of the hardest working and original jazz bebop saxplayers around.

Clark Tracey Sextet @Seven Arts Thursday Nov 18 7.30pm

Mark Armstrong - trumpet, Dan Higham - trombone, Tom Ridout - reeds, Will Barry - piano, James Owston - bass, Clark Tracey - drums

Clark Tracey returns to Leeds with a new line-up of gifted young musicians who have impressed audiences at clubs and festivals with a maturity beyond their years

Liane Carroll and Brian Kellock @Seven Arts Thursday Dec 2 7.30pm

 

Some musicians are talented, some brilliant and a few just seem to be made out of music. Vocalist Liane Carroll is one of these and it's hard to think of a better matched keyboard companion than Brian Kellock, Scotland 's finest jazz pianist

Jeremy Sassoon sings and plays the Ray Charles songbook. @Seven Arts Thursday Dec 16 7.30pm

Pianist and vocalist Jeremy Sassoon’s tribute to the music of Ray Charles captures the imagination of Jazz, Blues and Soul audiences alike with his all-star Quintet.

Sunday Jazz at Seven Arts, Autumn 2021

The popular Sunday afternoons at Seven Arts continue to showcase the best of bands from Leeds and the North of England. Some highlights this autumn are young Leeds bands including “Mangorata”, “Ancient Infinity Orchestra”, Jeff Hewer’s Quartet and “Doomtet”, a quirky look at the music of popular 1950’s pianist Winifred Artwell from Johnny Hunter and Adam Fairhill, cool jazz from Munch Manship’s Octet, contemporary sounds from “Universal Time”, jazz vocals and more from Wakefield’s Dom Ingham, Manchester’s Nishla Smith, Leeds Conservatoire alumnus Nel Begley with Rafe’s Dilemma and Leeds vocal favourite Nicki Allan with her quintet at the JazzLeeds Christmas Party in December. All concerts are at Seven Arts 1.30-4pm, presented by JazzLeeds

Sunday Sept 19 “Mangorata” led by Miles Pillinger

Sunday Oct 3 Dom Ingham Quintet

Sunday Oct 17 Ancient Infinity Orchestra

Sunday Oct 24 Munch Manship Octet play West Coast Jazz

Sunday Nov 7 Jeff Hewer Quartet

Sunday Nov 14 Nishla Smith Quintet

Sunday Nov 21 Richard Iles and “Universal Time”

Sunday Nov 28 Adam Fairhill and Johnny Hunter – “Winifred Atwell Revisited”

Sunday Dec 5: “Doomtet” led by Dave Edwards

Sunday Dec 12 “Rafe’s Dilemma”

Sunday Dec 19 JazzLeeds Christmas party with Nicki Allan’s Quintet

All concerts at Seven Arts 1.30-4pm £10 full price, £8 concessions for unwaged, £5 25s and under

Tickets www.ticketsource.co.uk/jazzleeds. Details www.jazzleeds.org.uk

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