Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 2026)

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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

From This Moment On

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Friday, October 08, 2021

Swing Manouche @ Bishop Auckland Town Hall - Oct. 8

Mick Shoulder (guitar); Danny Lowndes-Smith (guitar); Henry Palfrey (guitar); Ray Winning (clarinet); Paul Grainger (double bass)

The lunchtime jazz sessions at Bishop Auckland Town Hall (BATH) resumed today. It had been quite some time since the last concert in the (Stan) Laurel Cafe. In common with every other venue, the pandemic put a stop to all activities. In addition, a lengthy refurbishment programme delayed matters further. To celebrate the resumption of jazz at BATH, Mick Shoulder's Swing Manouche took inspiration from Django Reinhardt. 

Mid-2021 Swing Manouche took on a new look. Guitarist Danny Lowndes-Smith joined the outfit, as did clarinetist Ray Winning having recently relocated from Lincolnshire to Rowlands Gill. The new line-up - Mick, Danny, Ray and the man for any and every occasion, bassist Paul Grainger - was set fair. And so to this afternoon...

As Swing Manouche opened with When Day is Done the quartet had become a quintet! Not only was Henry Palfrey making his debut with the band, it transpired this was rhythm guitarist Henry's first ever gig, anywhere! How nervous must the man have been?! During the one hour performance Mick introduced his band mates. Informing the audience that this was Henry's first time on a public stage the reaction couldn't have been more supportive as sustained applause rang around the room! Nuages, Djangology, Minor Swing, the familiar repertoire couldn't have been other than a help to the new man.
 
As the hour was almost up, Mick introduced the band one more time: Danny (an excellent Djangologist), Ray (a superb clarinetist), Paul (on top form), Henry (holding his own in hot company). And, of course, band leader Mick Shoulder. If this is to be Swing Manouche's settled line-up be sure to catch the band when you get the opportunity. And the band's next gig just happens to be tomorrow (Saturday) at Claypath Deli in Durham. It's a seven o'clock start, a tenner admission. Russell
      

Set list: When Day is DoneAnniversary SongNuagesDouce AmbianceMysteriousDjangologyMinor SwingTroublant BoleroDark Eyes.   

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