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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17777 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 98 of them this year alone and, so far, 23 this month (Feb.8).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Fri 14: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00-2:00pm. £5.00. at the door. New second Friday in the month concert series.
Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 14: Archipelago + Anna Tempest @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £8.00.
Fri 14: Paul Jones & Dave Kelly @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. Rhythm & blues.
Fri 14: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 14: Fiona Finden’s Jazz Express @ Flash House Brewing Co., North Shields. 8:00pm.
Fri 14: Jazz Sabbath @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

Sat 15: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 15: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 15: Elkie Brooks @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. ‘The Long Farewell Tour’.
Sat 15: Milne Glendinning Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 16: MOBO Song @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 12 noon. Free, performances on the concourse. Line-up inc. Jazz Attack (on stage time TBC) & Jambone (12:20pm).
Sun 16: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 16: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 16: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: BBC Introducing NE X MOBO Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 6:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Jambone, Knats, Rivkala, SwanNek.
Sun 16: The Shayo Experience @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 16: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. .

Mon 17: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 17: Matt Forster Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00. at the door; £8.20. (inc £0.20 bf) online, in advance.
Mon 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law, Paul Grainger, John Hirst.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 20: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone, Whitley Road, Holystone. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 20: James Birkett & Emma Fisk @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 20: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Jazz Milestones - 1975.
Thu 20: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 20: Orange Claw Hammer + Peony @ The Globe, Newcastle.7:30pm. Orange Claw Hammer play Captain Beefheart.
Thu 20: Jeremy McMurray & the Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Featuring special guest Zoë Gilby.

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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