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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17755 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 76 of them this year alone and, so far, 1 this month (Feb.1).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Sat 08: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 08: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 08: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 08: Lewis Watson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 08: Anth Purdy @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. ‘Swing Jazz Guitar’.
Sat 08: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A Newcastle University Jazz Orchestra event. All welcome.

Sun 09: Glenn Miller & Big Band Spectacular @ The Forum, Billingham. 3:00pm.
Sun 09: The New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 09: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Tom Remon & Mark Williams @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 09: Rod Oughton’s Tomorrow’s New Quartet with Ben van Helder @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Line-up inc. Deschanel Gordon.
Sun 09: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 10: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 11: Steve Summers Quintet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Jam session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 13: Student Performances @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 4:00pm. Free. Inc. Olly Styles (tenor sax).
Thu 13: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: Artist Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Hannabiell & Midnight Blue.
Thu 13: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

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

Sunday, March 27, 2022

Musicians Unlimited @ The Park Inn, Hartlepool - March 27

Mick Donnelly (MD); Alan Catherall, Dave Harrison, Kevin Eland, Bill Watson (trumpets); John Day, Kieran Parnaby, ?, Peter Morgan (trombones); Mark Toomey (alto sax, clarinet); Kim Skerritt (alto sax); Josh Bentham (tenor sax); Sue Ferris (tenor sax, flute); Jill Nelson (baritone sax); Dave Archibold piano); Gary Hadfield (bass guitar); John Bradford (drums); Ernie Jackson (percussion); Jan Spencelayh (vocals)

Mick Donnelly thought he'd never again say: Welcome to the Park Inn. Pre-lockdown days Musicians Unlimited's weekly gig on Park Road attracted a loyal following. Now, in these supposedly post-pandemic times, following a short residency at South Durham Social Club, Hartlepool's ace big band made a one-off return as part of a year-long 'grand tour' of several Hartlepool venues.

MD Donnelly grudgingly agreed to open with In the Mood, saying: After that we'll play the stuff we want! Glenn Miller's much-loved number featured Mark Toomey (alto) and Sue Ferris (tenor) trading, likewise trumpeters Bill Watson and Kevin Eland. A good start. 

Band singer Jan Spencelayh impressed, not least on a superb rendition of Cheek to Cheek. One long-time supporter of Musicians Unlimited declared he liked hearing Jan sing. He isn't alone in that regard. The first set instrumental highlight came in the form of Blues in Hoss' Flat with Sue Ferris tearing it up on tenor and the trumpet section bang on the money. 

Second set, more good stuff: a brace of Sammy Nestico arrangements (Traces and On the Sunny Side of the Street), Kieran Parnaby (trombone) and Sue Ferris (tenor) blowing great on Things Ain't What They Used to be with Kevin Eland adding a top C finishing touch. To end an enjoyable afternoon, Sue Ferris took up her flute to guarantee a grandstand finish on Oye Como Va. Next month - Sunday 24 April - Musicians Unlimited will be on tour again at a Hartlepool venue to be confirmed.  Russell

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