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Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 2024).

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

17630 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 904 of them this year alone and, so far, 49 this month (Dec. 20).

From This Moment On ...

December

Tue 24: Lindsay Hannon & Mark Williams @ Ernest, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 11:00am-1:00pm. Free.
Tue 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.

Wed 25: Wot? No jazz!

Thu 26: The Boneshakers @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. The 17th annual Boneshakers’ Shindig.

Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free. Business as usual!.
Fri 27: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 27: Michael Woods @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sat 28: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 11:30am. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 28: Fri 20: Castillo Nuevo @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 28: Jude Murphy, Rich Herdman & Giles Strong @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Stepney Bank, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

Sun 29: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 29: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 30: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

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, October 03, 2021

Jamie Cullum @ Sage Gateshead - Oct. 2

(Photo courtesy George Milburn)
Jamie Cullum (piano, vocals); Rory Simmons (trumpet) + Tom Richards (tenor sax, baritone sax, clarinet, keys, perc.); Tom Varall (guitar); Loz Garratt (bass, bass guitar); Brad Webb (drums); Marc Henderson & Aisha Stewart (dancers, backing vocals).

My apologies for not getting all of the names straight away but when you're on your feet clapping, whooping and hollering and in the dark, it's impossible to make legible notes but, at a time like this, who keeps score? However, I did manage eventually so now amended. 

The concert, held over from the cancelled 2020 jazz festival, was three levels full - I guess nobody cashed in their tickets after the cancellation and why would they? This was the blast to end all blasts!

A carefully choreographed mix of jazz, soul and rock 'n' roll whipped the audience into a frenzy. Jamie, I can't believe he's now 42, still looks like the cherub of 20 plus years ago - at least he did from row R.

The audience were his from the opening bars. He's got charisma to spare and he knows how to put it about.

However, his jazz roots are never far away even when the heat is on and, amidst all the crowd pleasing stuff, he slotted in I Get a Kick Out of You. Not his recorded version but an arrangement that had the two horns and rhythm blowing a bop intro. They also took extended solos with Simmons' muted solo taking the gold but the tenor man had his day in the sun later - on clarinet.

What a Difference a Day Made brought claps of recognition from the crowd and Jamie's solo piano/vocal version of You Can't Hide Away From Love was a pin drop moment or maybe I should say a switch  your off phone moment.

And hey! What about the backing vocalists cum dancers? Stupendous movers with Henderson performing some near Olympic gymnastic moves!
(Photo courtesy George Milburn)

As the evening drew towards a climax our tenor man, Tom Richards, emerged brandishing a clarinet and you don't see many of those at gigs of this nature - this could be a game-changer. Finest clarinet solo I've heard in many a long year. By this time we were dancing in the aisles as was Jamie before he opted to continue atop of the Steinway (which is a fine way...).

There was obviously an encore hovering but, with a bus to catch, I reluctantly left. This was one special night. Oh, and by the way, Jamie Cullum plays mighty fine piano ...
.
Sam Wills (keys, vocals); Ed Blakely (guitar, bass guitar).

(Photo courtesy George Milburn)
Earlier Sam Wills prepared the scene with a short set that held the crowd. Normally when there's a name act the ones in the posh seats head back to the bar after the first number - I didn't see anyone leaving I guess Sam could be on his way. Lance

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