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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

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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

Thursday, March 17, 2022

A 3rd Year Finalist Showcase @ Newcastle University - Mar 16

Newcastle University's recently renovated boiler house has assumed a new lease of life as the Boiler House performance space. Located but a stone's throw from the Students' Union, the well-appointed venue welcomed students and non-students alike to listen to third year (and some second year) students in a showcase event. BSH noted the programme would include a performance by Jason Holcomb's recently formed (pre-pandemic) Newcastle University Jazz Ensemble...

Arriving in good time for a six o'clock start, several familiar faces were dotted around the building, all of them regular participants down the road at the Black Swan jam session. A new name - Charis Bailey - opened the show. Trombonist Charis led a five-piece band playing a couple of classic numbers - Bags' Groove and Autumn Leaves. Ms Bailey is yet to show up at a Black Swan jam session. Tuesday next week (March 22) will be the next opportunity, a case of now's the time...    
Eliza Gutteridge sang and played guitar in a stand-up, no-holds-barred, committed performance. The highlight of her short set was an original composition titled Night Terrors. Ms Gutteridge is a veteran of tv talent shows and on the evidence of this short set, the Newcastle University student's future in the music business seems assured.

The big band jazz set conducted by trombonist (and Newcastle University lecturer) Jason Holcomb was a rare outing for the Newcastle University Jazz Ensemble. No sooner had MD Holcomb put the band together, the pandemic put a stop to things. It is to be hoped this evening's performance will be the first of many more to come. The orchestra, comprising two reeds alongside other sections boasting a full compliment, is, given a fair wind, bound to develop at pace. Sitting in the ensemble's ranks, the familiar figure of guitarist Jacob Egglestone, however, on this occasion he was in the trumpet section! And, to add some experience to the ensemble, Newcastle alumnus and Bold Big Band trombonist, Alex Utting. The repertoire? Think A Train, that's where the band is coming from, or possibly going to!  The Newcastle University Jazz Ensemble is a work in progress.           

Clearly Confused (great name!) closed the show with a series of Brit Pop/indie covers (Pavement, Pulp, Radiohead) and an original number. Spied in the band were jam sessioners Ben Davies and Jacob Egglestone (guitars). All in all it had been a worthwhile outing. Russell    

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