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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 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

17923 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 244 of them this year alone and, so far, 91 this month (March 31).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Thu 03: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Women in Jazz.
Thu 03: Eva Fox & the Jazz Guys @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Thu 03: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm. Free. A Tees Hot Club promotion. First Thursday in the month.

Fri 04: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 04: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 04: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 04: Ruth Lambert Quartet @ Saltburn Community Hall. 7:30pm. £12.00.
Fri 04: Tom McGuire & the Brassholes @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £20.00.
Fri 04: Nicolas Meier’s Infinity Group + Spirit of Jeff Beck @ The Forum, Darlington. 7:30pm.

Sat 05: Tenement Jazz Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 05: Sleep Suppressor @ Head of Steam, Newcastle. 5:30-6:00pm.
Sat 05: King Bees @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 6:00pm. Free.
Sat 05: Raymond MacDonald & Jer Reid @ Lubber Fiend, Newcastle. 6:00-9:30pm. £7.72., £1.00. (minimum donation). MacDonald & Reid + Objections + Yotuns.
Sat 05: Jeff Hewer Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 05: Kamasi Washington @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm. £33.00.
Sat 05: Vermont Big Band @ The Seahorse, Whitley Bay. 7:30pm. Tickets: £10.00 (from the venue).
Sat 05: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 06: Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12:45pm. £7.50.
Sun 06: Learning & Participation Showcase @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm (1:00pm doors). Free. Featuring participants from Play More Jazz! Play More Folk! Blue Jam Singers & more.
Sun 06: Joe Steels Group @ Central Bar, Gateshead. 2:00pm. £10.00. Ferg Kilsby, Joe Steels, Ben Lawrence, Paul Susans, John Hirst.
Sun 06: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 06: Paul Skerritt @ The Hooch, Quayside, Newcastle. 6:00pm.
Sun 06: Leeway @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 07: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 08: ???

Wed 09: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 09: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 09: Tannery jam session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm.
Wed 09: Anatole Muster Trio @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £17.50., £12.50. concs.
Wed 09: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED?

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

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

John Hallam Quartet @ the Railway, Stockport - Jan. 11

John Hallam (baritone/tenor sax/clarinet); Paul Hartley (guitar); Ken Marley (bass); Phil Bennett (drums)

I must admit to a liking for the baritone sax although I have never played one but I  do enjoy listening to people  like Gerry Mulligan, Pepper Adams, Nick Brignola and anyone else who can get around the larger horn. I was very pleased to see John Hallam had brought along a baritone sax tonight together with tenor sax and clarinet.. He chose an interesting selection of tunes which included some Ellingtonia, a Mingus number, one by Basie and some lesser known standards making a total of twelve for the two sets.


The opening tune, Fine and Dandy, sounded good and Hallam played a fiery solo well supported by Paul Hartley and his colleagues. This was followed by Hushabye, a number most jazz fans will recall was a big feature for Monty Sunshine when he was with the Chris Barber Band. I always thought this was a Scandinavian folk song and I’m sure Johnny Griffin played this sometimes and I think he recorded it on the Black Lion label.


The first time John featured his baritone was on Bernie’s Tune and he displayed a big modern sound taking it at a fast lick with energetic solos from the rest of the band.  


During the second set things took on a different sound when local pianist/arranger Brian Pendleton  sat in on the house upright and contributed some fine solos especially during the Ellington numbers.


Next jazz gig at the Railway is Sunday Jan. 16 with harmonica man Robin Sunflower - Mike Farmer

 

Fine and Dandy; Hushabye; I Would Do Anything For You; Jelly Roll Blues; Bernie's Tune; A Hundred Years From Today; 9-20 Special; Mr Gentle and Mr Cool; Do Nothing Till You Here From Me; What is This Thing Called Love?; In A Mellow Tone; Times A Wastin’\,

2 comments :

Lance said...

Heard John Hallam many times at Blaydon Jazz Club when it was held in the working men's club. He played all of the three horns mentioned and some of the same tunes too. I got to talk to him at one gig and found him to be very approachable. Good to know he's still blowing as well as ever.

Russell said...

Yes, I too heard John at Blaydon and most recently at Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club. And, how about John Marley? Newcastle born and bred!

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