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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

17805 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 126 of them this year alone and, so far, 51 this month (Feb.16).

From This Moment On ...

February 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: Mark Williams Trio @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 23: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Mu Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. CANCELLED!
Sun 23: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

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

Tue 25: ?

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: Jamie McCredie @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free. THIS WEEK ONLY JAMES BIRKETT (guitar)!
Fri 28: Luis Verde 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: Knats @ Lubber Fiend, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £11.50. (inc bf.). Album launch gig. Support act TBC.
Fri 28: Black is the Color of My Voice @ The Gala, Durham. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman show inspired by the life of Nina Simone, performed by Florence Odumosu.
Fri 28: Great North Big Band Jazz Festival: Musicians Unlimited @ Park View Community Centre, Chester-le-Street. 8:00pm. £10.00. (Weekend ticket £20.00., available on the door). Day 1/3. Musicians Unlimited in concert.
Fri 28: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

MARCH 2025

Sat 01: Great North Big Band Jazz Festival @ Park View Community Centre, Chester-le-Street. 11:00am. £15.00. Day 2/3.
Sat 01: TJ Johnson Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 01: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £25.00. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. Get your funk on! Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 01: Shunyata Improvisation Group @ The Watch House, Cullercoats. 2:00-3:30pm. Free.
Sat 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers. Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free.
Sat 01: Struggle Buggy @ The Peacock, Sunderland. 6:00pm. Blues band.
Sat 01: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 01: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.
Sat 01: Jack & Jay’s Vintage Songbook @ 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

Saturday, July 09, 2022

The Simon Spillett Big Band @ Wigan Jazz Festival - July 8

The Village on the Green in Aspull welcomed a capacity audience to the opening concert at this year's Wigan Jazz Festival. To describe the Simon Spillett Big Band as 'all-star' doesn't do justice to the calibre of musician on stage. Spillett, an A-list attraction in his own right, has assembled an amazing band, chock full of fellow A-listers, all sections comprising band leaders and featured soloists. 

Opening with Dear Johnny B, the concert, from beginning to end, would feature the music of Tubby Hayes (Hayes the composer, Hayes the arranger, Hayes the soloist). The first of many blistering solos during the evening fell to Sam Mayne (alto sax) and Steve Fishwick (trumpet). Many in the audience had come from far and wide to hear Spillett's band and this first number confirmed/reaffirmed their faith in Tubby Hayes and Simon Spillett.

Much of the set list was drawn from Tubbs' Tours and 100% Proof. Spillett's scholarly work on Hayes shone through, both in his playing (blistering tenor solos on Hayes' arrangement of Milestones and Seven Steps to Heaven, but two instances) and in his erudite commentary on Hayes, the man and his music. As MD, Spillett lead the band with boundless energy and vigour, the love for his subject - Tubby Hayes - shining through. 

And what of the band? In a word: Wow! The trumpets, the aforementioned Steve Fishwick, alongside Mark Armstrong, last minute dep Simon Finch, and top C maestro Bruce Adams. The 'bones...all top guys - Mark Nightingale, Andy Flaxman, Ian Bateman (featured on Blues for Bloody Morag) and Pete North. The not-too-shabby reeds...go along the line - Alan Barnes on baritone, the altos of Pete Long and Sam Mayne, and the tenor saxophonists Robert Fowler and Karen Sharp. The latter two trading on Sonnymoon for Two making for a show-stopping finale. 

Rhythm sections don't come better than this - Robin Aspland at the Steinway depping for Rob Barron, the imperious Alec Dankworth, bass, and big band drummer par excellence, Pete Cater. The Simon Spillett Big Band at Wigan will live long in the memory. More immediately, catch the band tomorrow (Sunday) at the Swanage Jazz Festival. 

Simon Spillett Big Band: Simon Spillett (MD, tenor sax); Mark Armstrong, Simon Finch, Steve Fishwick, Bruce Adams (trumpets); Mark Nightingale, Andy Flaxman, Ian Bateman, Pete North (trombones); Sam Mayne, Pete Long, Robert Fowler, Karen Sharp, Alan Barnes (reeds); Robin Aspland (piano); Alec Dankworth (double bass); Pete Cater (drums)

Set list: Dear Johnny BAs Close as You ArePedro's WalkBluesology; SourayaMilestonesShe Insulted Me in MarrakeshSong for a Sad LadyTake Your Partners for the BluesRussian RouletteThe ScandinavianBlues for Bloody MoragPeaceSeven Steps to HeavenSolweig ; Sonnymoon for Two.

1 comment :

"Jazz Lives" @ WordPress.com said...

Hooray for the noble Simon and his bandmates! Well-deserved on all fronts. And backs.

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