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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

17923 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 244 of them this year alone and, so far, 91 this month (March 31).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Thu 03: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Women in Jazz.
Thu 03: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 03: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. A Tees Hot Club promotion. First Thursday in the month.

Fri 04: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 04: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 04: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 04: Ruth Lambert Quartet @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00.
Fri 04: Tom McGuire & the Brassholes @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £20.00.
Fri 04: Nicolas Meier’s Infinity Group + Spirit of Jeff Beck @ The Forum, Darlington. 7:30pm.

Sat 05: Tenement Jazz Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 05: Sleep Suppressor @ Head of Steam, Newcastle. 5:30-6:00pm.
Sat 05: King Bees @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 6:00pm. Free.
Sat 05: Raymond MacDonald & Jer Reid @ Lubber Fiend, Newcastle. 6:00-9:30pm. £7.72., £1.00. (minimum donation). MacDonald & Reid + Objections + Yotuns.
Sat 05: Jeff Hewer Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 05: Kamasi Washington @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. £33.00.
Sat 05: Vermont Big Band @ The Seahorse, Whitley Bay. 7:30pm. Tickets: £10.00 (from the venue).
Sat 05: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 06: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £7.50.
Sun 06: Learning & Participation Showcase @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm (1:00pm doors). Free. Featuring participants from Play More Jazz! Play More Folk! Blue Jam Singers & more.
Sun 06: Joe Steels Group @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00. Ferg Kilsby, Joe Steels, Ben Lawrence, Paul Susans, John Hirst.
Sun 06: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 06: Paul Skerritt @ The Hooch, Quayside, Newcastle. 6:00pm.
Sun 06: Leeway @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 07: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 08: ???

Wed 09: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 09: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 09: Tannery jam session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm.
Wed 09: Anatole Muster Trio @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £17.50., £12.50. concs.
Wed 09: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED?

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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