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Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: '' A Love Supreme coincided with my search for meaning in life". (DownBeat, March 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

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30pm-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 22: Swamp Stomp String Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Sat 22: Rivkala @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

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: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

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

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

Monday, September 13, 2021

Sunday Night @ the Globe: Matt Holmes' Ari Hoenig Quintet - Sept. 12

Matt Holmes (drums); Liam Brennan (alto sax); Francis Tulip (guitar); Will Markham (piano); James Owston (bass)

Ari Hoenig is probably the hottest property in NYC percussion circles which, in actual fact, probably means the world so to step into his shoes is surely a daunting challenge for any drummer to take up.

That Holmes picked up the gauntlet so successfully, given that he's young and British may come as a surprise to some but it can happen - ask any tennis fan!

The second set of this tremendous gig was based around Hoenig's album Punkbop - Live at Smalls although I'm not sure where the punk fits in although, upon reflection, maybe it is a good description. The bop element is at the core but there is also this free, metal, feel about it suggesting that another jazz tributary is feeding the big river.

Numbers from the album were: Birdless; Lines of Oppression; Dark News; Rapscallion Cattle and Remembering

They were extended workouts that, had they gone on forever they still wouldn't have been long enough. I must check out the original album because, on tonight's showing, if it's better than this then it has got to be one helluva recording because this was one helluva gig.

Five Birmingham based musicians who sounded as if they were at the top of their game but, given their youth, maybe they're just at the bottom of their game. As Dave Parker said in his introduction - I can't wait to hear them twenty years from now.  But, twenty years from now you most certainly will  have to go to London or New York to hear them.

The opening set contained a mix of originals, an oblique version of Stella by Starlight that Holmes retitled as Stella Stars - an amazing arrangement!

Francis T composed the opener, The Brunswick, named after a Birmingham pub,  Holmes gave us Light Music (which was anything but!), The One With the Can (inspired by a former neighbour) and Owston chipped in with Last Song For Charlie, dedicated to the late player bass player Charlie Haden before the set came to a close on Tenor Madness. This was a fast bopper that had cutting edge solos all round. 

Prior to tonight alto saxist Brennan was the only unfamiliar name to me - not any more - any time he's on a gig 'up north' I'll be in the front row. Same applies to all five. Great band.

Once again The Globe and the Jazz Co-op have delivered the goods and, if you were too exhausted after completing the Great North Run to make it in person then be sure to log on to the livestream - it's unmissable! Lance

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