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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

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.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Friday, June 17, 2022

Album review: Vic Parker at the Quebec Hotel

Chris Hodgkins (cornet); Vic Parker (guitar); Jed Williams (drums)

A live 1976 recording from a couple of sessions at the Quebec Hotel, Cardiff. Complete with crowd noises, it brings back memories of so many sessions, in so many venues, in so many places. Places where the punters could drink, maybe dance, singalong and chat without being given dirty looks whilst still appreciating the music.

The pub was demolished in 2012 and had it not been for this treasured archival gem from Chris Hodgkins may well have now been long forgotten.

Thank goodness it hasn't!

West Indian guitarist Parker, who died two years later, had a long running residency at the hotel after spells in London and abroad either side of WWll and his chordal approach to solos provided the essential harmonic fullness needed when there's no bass present.

Hodgkins blows in a confident and relaxed manner. No high note pyrotechnics but rather reminiscent of a small group set by Ruby Braff or maybe Bill Coleman. Indeed one of the tracks was actually composed by Bill Coleman and modestly titled Bill Coleman. There's not a flattened fifth in sight and, had there been it would have sounded like a bum note!  

A must for mainstream/classic jazz fans - Lance

Indiana; Cheek to Cheek; Georgia on my Mind; You Took Advantage of me; Bill Coleman; Deep Purple; Solitude; Undecided; I've Found a New Baby; Ida! Sweet as Apple Cider; I'm Putting All my Eggs in One Basket; C'est Si Bon; At Sundown; Blueberry Hill; As Long as I Live; China Boy.

More info - Bandcamp.

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