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.

Friday, March 25, 2022

Upstairs, Downstairs @ The Globe - March 24

The Globe on Railway Street was doing good business - downstairs a triple bill, upstairs a jam session, and, for a while, quite a few people who were on their way to the Arena (Stereophonics) called in for a pint. Arriving shortly after seven, band of the moment, Knats, were blasting out Footprints. What?! It was advertised as doors at seven o'clock. The place was busy, very busy. Ah, but wait, the Wayne Shorter number was merely an extended soundcheck. Knats would be on stage at nine. 

Upstairs, a more chilled vibe - students sitting around chatting with Jason Holcomb about improvisation and other such matters. This first After Hours event would take the form of a student jam session overseen by trombonist and educator Holcomb. Non-student sitters-in were welcome. Would anyone take up the offer? A jam session with a published set list isn't unheard of, for the less experienced musician it can't be anything other than helpful. Autumn Leaves opened the show - Louis (piano), George (bass), Charlie (drums) plus Liam (guitar), Charis (trombone), Jack (trombone) with much encouragement from Holcomb. 

Alex Utting was in the house, trombone at his side, and it wasn't long before we had a trombonium (if there isn't such a word, there is now!) with Charis, Jack, Alex and Jason blowing. Also in the house, chilling before their set downstairs, the Knats boys. Holcomb called Blue Bossa. Up jumped Ferg Kilsby. Go on, Ferg! Holcomb welcomed Ferg, indeed he knew what our young trumpeter could do. Sure enough, Ferg, all of 16, blew 'em away! Josh, Stan and King David weren't going to miss out, joining the party on So What. Let's say the boys put their stamp on it!

Charis is working towards her final recital so we got to hear her playing Polka Dots and Moonbeams. We wish her well in the coming weeks. The Knats boys departed leaving it to the 'bones - Charis, Jack, Alex and Jason - to play a final few numbers including an excellent All Blues, Tadd Dameron's Lady Bird and How High the Moon. The next After Hours session is scheduled for May 12. This new jam session could be a runner. 

To end an enjoyable evening, downstairs Knats were rocking the joint, followed by new voice, new name, neo-soul singer Frankie Jobling. Great voice, ace band, check her out. Russell          

1 comment :

Jason Holcomb said...

Trombonium…fantastic! Might steal that for a song title :)

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