Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: ''It was then that Coltrane came along and single-handedly brought this dimension of spirituality into jazz. It was a pivotal experience to me.'' (DownBeat September, 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

18957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 821 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Sept. 30.) 100.

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

October.

Thu 08: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 08: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Newcastle Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free (donations).
Thu 08: Indigo Jazz Voices w. Little Big Band @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 09: Dean Stockdale Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums).
Fri 09: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 09: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 09: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle.

Sat 10: Catfish Keith @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £19.00. + bf. Jumpin’ Hot Club.

Sun 11: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free. Feat. guest Jack ‘Banjo’ Courtney (trumpet).
Sun 11: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 11: Harry Christelis Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A Jazz Co-op-JNE co-promotion.

Mon 12: Jack Pearce Quintet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 12: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 13: Alan Law @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 2:00pm. Free. Alan Law (piano) w. Julija Jacenaite (vocals).

Wed 14: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 14: Jam session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 14: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 14: NW FRQNC @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £15.00. Selina Albright, Gianni Vancini.
Wed 14: Jacob Egglestone Trio @ Elder Beer, Heaton, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00. JNE.

Wednesday, March 09, 2022

Jammin' @ the Black Swan - March 8

(Pics © Russell)
Stu Collingwood (keys); Paul Grainger (bass); Michael Mather (drums) + Stuart Turner, Ben Davies, Jacob Egglestone, Laurence Harrison (guitar); Abbie Finn, Bailey Rudd, Chris ?, Wilf Pease (drums); Will Reece, Patrick Cromb, Fionnuala Bradbury, Kit Giroux, Conor Polley (vocals); Esther Coombes (alto sax/clarinet); Ruby ? (flute); David Gray (trombone); Murray Wankling (piano); Adam Sams (bass clarinet); Edgar Bell (cornet) - there may have been others ...

They came and went with such rapidity that I soon gave up trying to keep score. Next time I'm going to wear shades, a false beard, drink lager and blend anonymously  into the background so I can just enjoy the  music!

Being International Women's Day it would ill become me not to mention the goils. Esther Coombes blew some nice clarinet and tasty alto on Mr PC (or should that have been re-titled Mr PG?) which was much appreciated by those of us sitting up front. A mic would have helped for those stationed further afield. Fionnuala Bradbury faced similar problems singing Someone to Watch Over me until David Gray came to the rescue and twiddled a few knobs allowing us to appreciate an excellent voice - remember the name.

Ruby played flute. I didn't catch her surname so, given the day of the week, I'll call her Ruby Tuesday. I didn't recognise the tune either but she got a good sound. Abbie Finn needed no introduction - we all know and love her - and she delivered.

It was a night that was awash with drummers, guitarists and singers. Some familiar, some new  to the scene and all, we trust, will be back.

The aforementioned David Gray blew some blistering trombone, guitarist Adam Sams opted, this week, for bass clarinet and Edgar Bell played cornet. There was so much more but space and time precludes further detail.

However, one person deserved of mention who was enjoying the music in a flamboyant fashion turned out to be no less a person than the son of Senegalese icon Youssou N'Dour. The vacationing Chicago resident showed his enthusiasm in no uncertain manner!

Next jam is on March 22. Lance

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