Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 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

18083 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1047 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 14), 61.

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Sun 21: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. ‘Xmas Swingalong’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 21: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ o2 City Hall, Newcastle. 6:00pm. £35.80., £33.25., £31.00.
Sun 21: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music.
Sun 21: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:30pm. Free.

Mon 22: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:30pm. ‘The A Capella Sessions’. Gardner, Paula Gardner, Alexia Hope Gardner Diamany.
Wed 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Thu 25: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:00pm. ‘All About the Bass Sessions’. Alexia Gardner, Paula Gardner, Jude Murphy.

Fri 26: ???

Sat 27: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 27: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. bf).

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

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Georgia Cécile @ Ronnie Scott's - Nov. 9

Georgia Cécile (vocals); Ryan Quigley (trumpet); Euan Stevenson (piano); Andrew Robb (double bass); Max Popp (drums)

A Ronnie Scott's debut for Georgia Cécile attracted a full house. A 2019 Scottish Jazz Awards winner (Best Vocalist), our Edinburgh based Glaswegian could scarcely contain her excitement at being on hallowed ground, no. 47 Frith Street, Soho. Where many legendary names once stood, Georgia Cécile's time had come.

Accompanying our debutant, three of Scotland's finest and an adopted Scot: Ms Cecile's long time songwriting partner, pianist Euan Stevenson, bassist Andrew Robb (no stranger to Ronnie Scott's), first call trumpeter Ryan Quigley, and Chicagoan Max Popp, drums. 

Taking centre stage to a rapturous reception, a smiling, perhaps a tad nervous, Georgia was about to sing her heart out. Songs from her recently released album Only the Lover Sings formed the basis of her set alongside two or three GASbook gems. From Come Summertime to the Ellington-inspired Harpoon, Georgia knocked 'em for six, and this was only the beginning. In My Solitude featured Ryan Quigley's lyrical side, Month of May gets better with each hearing (was there a My Favorite Things quote in there?), Bitter Sweet, the Gershwins' I Was Doing Alright featuring Quigley, Stevenson and a round of fours with Max Popp, one sensed things were going well.  

Georgia confided she'd never sung Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep in public...until this evening. Georgia and Euan, as a duo, performed the Irving Berlin number as if it had been in the pad for years. Marvellous, simply marvellous. Max Popp's brushes enveloped Goodbye Love with Andrew Robb momentarily in the spotlight. The Man I Love featured the boys in the band (Ryan Quigley killing!), Georgia smiling, we were nearing the end of a memorable evening. To deafening applause - some were on their feet - Georgia simply had to oblige with an encore and she did, going out with He Knew How to Love. This evening, Ronnie Scott's belonged to Georgia Cécile.
Russell       
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