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.

Monday, December 13, 2021

Adrian Cox: Paul 'Polo' Barnes - Dec 12

Adrian Cox (clarinet, vocals)

Preacher Adrian Cox opened the book at 'B' for Barnes, Paul Barnes. Down the years New Orleans has produced innumerable musicians. Clarinet maestro Cox confessed he knew of, but knew little about, Paul 'Polo' Barnes. Brother of Emile, Polo was born 120 years ago. He worked with many of the established names during the 1920s, from Chick Webb to King Oliver to Jelly Roll Morton. In his usual one hour live stream, Cox presented a potted history of his subject. 

Cox's many fans continue to log on at one o'clock Sundays to see what the genial clarinetist is up to. Over the course of a few days our man is likely to have played gigs in Britain, Europe and, quite possibly, somewhere like Mexico, seemingly taking it all in his stride. Energy levels high, enthusiasm brimming over, Cox is quick to acknowledge the source of nuggets of information supplied by the historians of the music. Reading from notes, simultaneously reading from a torrent of online comment, somehow Cox is able to focus on his performance - instrumentally and vocally. 

Today's set list ranged from Frank Loesser's Slow Boat to China to Tishomingo Blues to Fidgety Feet. Speaking of which, Adrian Cox never stands still - gigging, flying in and out of the country, completing more than one recording project, promoting a host of events and initiatives, the man is a veritable workaholic! Stay tuned for Cox's forthcoming activities. Russell     

Set list: Slow Boat to ChinaPanama RagTishomingo BluesStation Call(Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as IYou Made Me What I Am TodayTogetherCourthouse BumpFidgety Feet.   

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