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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

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.

Friday, December 24, 2021

Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms - Xmas Eve

Maureen Hall (vocals); Gavin Lee (clarinet); Don Fairley (trombone); Brian Chester (keyboards); Tom Darbyshire (double bass, vocals); George Davidson (drums, vocals) + John Broddle (vocals)

Christmas Eve, the Monkseaton Arms, Rendezvous Jazz, full house. Maureen Hall's long-established outfit continues to pull in the punters, here in Monkseaton, over at the Red Lion in Earsdon, and on occasional forays further afield, often taking a bus load of supporters for a weekend away.This afternoon Maureen had the A-team out. To her left, Gavin Lee, clarinet, to her right, trombonist Don Fairley. The rhythm section - pianist Brian Chester, string bassist Tom Darbyshire, drummer George Davidson - reported for duty, ready and willing to don Santa/silly hats. 

Much of the set list featured requests, some of the numbers toasting absent friends, some remembering folk who, sadly, are no longer with us. Royal Garden Blues was as good a way as any to start this Christmas Eve session. Lee and Fairley shared the bulk of the solo spots, Chester too. The band singers numbered three, Maureen, of course (Light from the Lighthouse a highlight, Maureen has a penchant for a spiritual), George Davidson (It's a Long Way from Tipperary an oddity, but hey, everyone sang along) and, rather effectively, Tom Darbyshire taking a chorus on Darktown Strutters' Ball

John Broddle called in for a pint, singing just the one number - After You've Gone. Rendezvous Jazz at the Monkseaton Arms is a no nonsense, foot-tapping Dixieland session. Give it a try, it's free admission, do buy a raffle ticket or three, top tip...arrive early for a good seat!        

Rendezvous Jazz will be up in Northumberland for a two night stay at the Riverdale Hall Hotel in Bellingham, Friday 18 to Sunday 20 March next year. For full details call Riverdale Hall on 01434 220254. And before then, Maureen and the boys will be back at the Monkseaton Arms next Friday (New Year's Eve) at one o'clock. Russell    

Set list: Royal Garden BluesDr JazzI Saw Mommy Kissing Santa ClausBourbon Street ParadeCareless LoveI Wan'na be Like YouClarinet MarmaladeChristmas IslandAfter You've GoneDarktown Strutters' BallAre You Lonesome Tonight?HiawathaIt's a Long Way to TipperaryLight from the LighthouseCanal Street BluesBlues My Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me.  

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