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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

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

The Dean Stockdale Trio @ Blaydon Jazz Club - Nov.15

(Photo by Roly )
Dean Stockdale (piano); Andy Champion (double bass); John Bradford (drums)

In the face of the ongoing pandemic Blaydon Jazz Club continues to present the best in jazz. It's been a difficult time for all and trying to reconnect with a loyal audience isn't the easiest thing to achieve. It's evident some have chosen to stay home, to 'wait out' the worst of it. Most weeks there isn't an awful lot happening on a Monday evening, therefore it made sense to take advantage of the situation, hence jazz at the Black Bull presents the opportunity for one and all to get along once a month, third Monday in the month to be precise. This evening the prospect of listening to the Dean Stockdale Trio enticed some of the club's regulars to switch off the television and head to Bridge Street.

Dean Stockdale is one of the region's busiest pianists and it's always a treat to hear him play. Joining him on this engagement, the fine bassist Andy Champion and the equally fine drummer John Bradford. Our trio would play a choice selection of GASbook numbers alongside one or two Stockdale originals. The Hustler opened the first of two sets, musicians of the calibre of Champion and Bradford, irregular Stockdale sidemen, enabled them to slot straight in - it's one of the wonders of jazz! From here on in, Jimmy Van Heusen and Oscar Peterson would feature prominently, and there would be room for something by Mingus and Rodgers and Hart. 

It Could Happen to You and Darn That Dream were ideal numbers for the Black Bull - bona fide GASbook material, sensitively played by the trio. Stockdale is a big fan of Oscar Peterson - who isn't?! - so we got to hear Kelly's Blues (named after one of OP's wives) and Hymn to Freedom (the evening's elegant set-closer). Bassist AC has got a great sound, when hasn't he? Allied to imperious technique, it's little wonder the Tyneside based musician has a national reputation. In recent times drummer JB's profile has risen considerably, go to a gig and he's likely to be on it!  A listening, responsive musician, JB is a safe pair of hands. 

Ellington's In a Sentimental Mood, given a Latin, bossa-like treatment worked well, Nostalgia in Times Square (Stockdale included the Mingus number on his Origin album) was as much typical Stockdale as the composer, and Mia's Lullaby written by tonight's guest, Dean Stockdale, offered variety throughout an evening of straight ahead, swinging jazz. 

Next month, the date for your diary is Monday 20 December. The musicians TBC, watch this space - Russell      
                               
Set list: The HustlerOn the Sunny Side of the StreetMia's LullabyIt Could Happen to YouIn a Sentimental MoodNostalgia in Times SquareKelly's BluesDarn That DreamFirst LightHave You Met Miss Jones?Hymn to Freedom.  

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