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.

Thursday, February 24, 2022

Four @ The Exchange, North Shields - Feb. 23

Bernie Ranson (saxes, keys, vocals); Barbara Wilcox (keys, vocals); Dan Stanley (guitar); Harry Husaini (electric bass); Alan Wann  (drums) + Will Charlton (vocals)

Four at The Exchange was a misnomer tonight, we started with five and then for a short while there were six!

The regular quartet was joined for the evening by guitarist Dan Stanley showing that he was more than comfortable with the material. It was obvious that he knew his craft and he wasn’t shy in showing it! A teacher in the real world he finds it difficult to find the time to indulge himself - and us - but this being half term he was willing and able. Hopefully this won’t be the first and last time we see him at The Exchange.

The regulars at The Exchange were happy to settle in for their regular Wednesday night fix of jazz standards starting with the beautiful  Everything Happens to Me through Black Orpheus, I Can’t Get StartedBeatrice  and Autumn Leaves amongst other favourites.

From the start it was clear that the band were out to enjoy themselves. Bernie put down his sax, took the piano seat and sang I Thought About You and But Beautiful. Barbara took it back and sang Angel Eyes and then out of the audience stepped up Will Charlton to sing Georgia on my Mind. Will admits he is more of a rhythm and blues man but maybe his foray tonight into singing with this band will make him think about extending his repertoire. He could be a welcome addition to the local jazz scene. Sylvia

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